In 2016, Texas Tech struggled containing outside runs and applying pressure. This season Texas Tech will play Gilmore/Hill/Jones at RE and Barnes/Howard at SDE. Barnes has gained some size. Until the season starts, we will not know if Barnes can rush the passer from five but let us assume he still is ineffective. I have never seen Howard play football but he is 6’4 260. Assuming he cannot rush the passer either, let us hope he can at least set the edge and force plays inside.
For under defense, this is all we need from the DE position. Force strong side runs to Brooks, who will be free if Thomas can engage center and guard. On the other side of the defensive line, Texas Tech needs playmakers. If Washington and Gilmore are “just holding gaps,” Gibbs will have to blitz or we should not expect to get pressure. If Washington and Gilmore can consistently win their one-on-one matchups, we will not need to blitz often from this front. Moreover, we will be very good, as OCs will have to double one of them.
Texas Tech’s SLB
SLB is a dying position and it is not worth Tech’s time to recruit a SLB. I think I see what Gibbs is doing. Tony Jones was moved from OLB to RE behind Gilmore and Hill. This might not be a move only for passing situations.
In 4-3 over, Gibbs plays OLBs. The emphasis is on speed. In this front, the OLBs are right and left and probably more like a safety (Bullitt). We did not play a lot of 4-3 over last year because of our undersized RE and LB depth. Anyways, replace Coleman (NB) with Stringer (OLB) and that is not a bad 4-3 LB group (Stringer, Brooks, Allen). We also might play Hill and Gilmore at five in this look.
In 3-4 under, I think we see a reserve RE at SLB. We cannot play an OLB here, as they would have to learn a new position. However, in the 3-4 under the SLB is essentially a RE playing seven. When KSU puts out 12 personnel, our front 7 might be Barnes, Thomas, Washington on the DL with Hill, Gilmore, Brooks and Allen at LB.
I think this defense is better than 2012. I hope we get better results. More looks, more depth, year 3
For under defense, this is all we need from the DE position. Force strong side runs to Brooks, who will be free if Thomas can engage center and guard. On the other side of the defensive line, Texas Tech needs playmakers. If Washington and Gilmore are “just holding gaps,” Gibbs will have to blitz or we should not expect to get pressure. If Washington and Gilmore can consistently win their one-on-one matchups, we will not need to blitz often from this front. Moreover, we will be very good, as OCs will have to double one of them.
Texas Tech’s SLB
SLB is a dying position and it is not worth Tech’s time to recruit a SLB. I think I see what Gibbs is doing. Tony Jones was moved from OLB to RE behind Gilmore and Hill. This might not be a move only for passing situations.
In 4-3 over, Gibbs plays OLBs. The emphasis is on speed. In this front, the OLBs are right and left and probably more like a safety (Bullitt). We did not play a lot of 4-3 over last year because of our undersized RE and LB depth. Anyways, replace Coleman (NB) with Stringer (OLB) and that is not a bad 4-3 LB group (Stringer, Brooks, Allen). We also might play Hill and Gilmore at five in this look.
In 3-4 under, I think we see a reserve RE at SLB. We cannot play an OLB here, as they would have to learn a new position. However, in the 3-4 under the SLB is essentially a RE playing seven. When KSU puts out 12 personnel, our front 7 might be Barnes, Thomas, Washington on the DL with Hill, Gilmore, Brooks and Allen at LB.
I think this defense is better than 2012. I hope we get better results. More looks, more depth, year 3
Last edited:
