We did not hear from Coach Kingsbury today, but we did get to speak with DC David Gibbs as a group after practice this afternoon. Here are a few notes...
*On fall camp, how he feels so far this fall:
"We've come a long way. We also still have a long way to go. We still have almost two weeks left to prepare for Sam Houston State, and I say this all the time, but we'll take every minute we can get. Just installing a new defense, learning something new about your kids, and then them learning something about us every minute of every day is crucial to where we want to be when we do line up on September the 5th."
*When asked about the two scrimmages, how the defense did, this is how Gibbs answered:
"Fall camp, spring football, I've done this long enough to know you can't get too excited or too down depending on what happens out there in a scrimmage where it's not even live on the quarterbacks, and it's hard on the defense. They've competed well, played hard, done some good things, done some not as good of things, so in coach speak, we've got a long way to go."
*The DC was asked about how his defensive line was getting pressure on Tech's offense, too.
"Not when I want to. I think when Kliff wants us too, and then he throws a screen for 70 yards and a touchdown. But no, we've got some guys that can rush the quarterback. We've got some depth up front, some guys we'll rotate in that we can rush the quarterback with, but I'm not sure that's been the problem around here. I think the problem around here has been can we stay in our gaps in the run game? That's what we're focusing on. We know that when it's time to rush the quarterback, we can, but until we can stop the run, you can rush the quarterback all day long. If they don't have to throw it, if they can just hand it off every snap, it does you no good. We're working on our run fits, working on our run game defense, and we'll see what happens."
*Gibbs was asked about Keenon Ward and his fall camp, as several coaches and players have noted that he's been a bit of a ball hawk. The DC thinks he's taken advantage of opportunities to get interceptions, but the quarterbacks haven't given them much of a chance to get many.
"I challenged Keenon to - he's got to play better. He didn't play good enough last year, along with a bunch of other guys. To his credit, he's been around the football a lot this training camp. He's caught the balls he's had a chance to catch. I think that's a lot of times, defensive players are in the position to make the play, and they just don't make it. Keenon has been fortunate enough to catch the football. Our two quarterbacks are battling right now. They're both great quarterbacks, and they don't give you many opportunities, so when they give you one, you better take advantage of it."
*The coordinator also noted that they do most of their teaching and critiquing in the class room, simply because they don't have as much time to do so in-between plays with the pace that Tech's offense wants to run at.
"When you practice against this tempo, they don't slow down long enough for you to be able to critique a player after a play, because the ball is snapped. As a defensive coach, it's hard on you, because the offense never slows down. Most of the holding each other accountable happens in the meeting rooms. We watch a lot of film together. We probably watch a lot more film together now than they used to here."
*When asked about linebackers that have been sticking out other than Awe, Gibbs said this:
"I'm not going to name names. I don't like pointing out individuals simply because until they do it on Saturday afternoons, you can do it all day out here - and I know that doesn't give you anything to write about or talk about - but that's the truth. We've got some young guys that are getting better. Are they good enough right now? No. One day one of them might show flashes, and the next day he might not do anything. Got a good group of young players in there competing for playing time, and we'll see what happens come September 5th."
*Coach Gibbs was asked if the players were getting a better grasp of the defense. He feels they're learning things well, but he also noted that he doesn't believe anyone - including himself - can master the grasp of defense with the way offenses - including Coach Kingsbury's - evolve.
"It all sounds good on paper, and then you get out here and Coach Kingsbury pulls out a formation or a play that I've never seen before, and I have to go inside and figure out how to stop it. But, they're doing a pretty good job. I've said their football IQ since I've been here at Texas Tech has surprised me. That's not a knock on anybody, they just understand the game. Now they have to go out there and do it in front of 65,000 people. But, we're progressing I'm not pleased, but I'm not disappointed with where we're at right now."
*The DC does believe that they're starting to narrow their gaze as far as which players are going to see time against SHSU, but there are several unnamed starting roles still up for grabs.
"As far as playing time goes, I think we're close to knowing who is going to rotate in the game at certain positions. As far as starts the game, to me that goes right up until game day, cause we're competing out here every day at practice. I know all coaches say that, but there are some positions that are still open on our defense."
*There's also one group that's stuck out to Gibbs in camp...
"Our defensive line, simply because they're older. They're veteran guys. A few of them, this is their last go around, and they realize that. I think they're taking advantage of it, they're working harder, they're understanding how important it is up front to control the line of scrimmage and your run gaps, and I think those guys have practiced well so far."
*I was able to speak with Branden Jackson for a few minutes about the spring, summer, fall camp, and how he feels the defense has progressed as a whole. One thing really stuck out to me: With the big emphasis in competition, constantly pushing each other, Jackson admitted that Gary Moore was in front of him on the depth chart at one point over the summer. That motivation has pushed him, and I think it's really goaded quite a few guys to improve.
*I spoke with safety Keenon Ward as well, and he said that Jah'Shawn Johnson is starting next to him at safety right now. Ward is starting at right safety, and Johnson is starting at left safety. Gibbs has eliminated the use of free and strong in order to keep up with the tempos of offenses, eliminate the need to switch sides of the field with boundary and field alignments.
*Ward also said that he prefers the right side, and Johnson prefers the left, so things have worked out well on that front so far.
*On fall camp, how he feels so far this fall:
"We've come a long way. We also still have a long way to go. We still have almost two weeks left to prepare for Sam Houston State, and I say this all the time, but we'll take every minute we can get. Just installing a new defense, learning something new about your kids, and then them learning something about us every minute of every day is crucial to where we want to be when we do line up on September the 5th."
*When asked about the two scrimmages, how the defense did, this is how Gibbs answered:
"Fall camp, spring football, I've done this long enough to know you can't get too excited or too down depending on what happens out there in a scrimmage where it's not even live on the quarterbacks, and it's hard on the defense. They've competed well, played hard, done some good things, done some not as good of things, so in coach speak, we've got a long way to go."
*The DC was asked about how his defensive line was getting pressure on Tech's offense, too.
"Not when I want to. I think when Kliff wants us too, and then he throws a screen for 70 yards and a touchdown. But no, we've got some guys that can rush the quarterback. We've got some depth up front, some guys we'll rotate in that we can rush the quarterback with, but I'm not sure that's been the problem around here. I think the problem around here has been can we stay in our gaps in the run game? That's what we're focusing on. We know that when it's time to rush the quarterback, we can, but until we can stop the run, you can rush the quarterback all day long. If they don't have to throw it, if they can just hand it off every snap, it does you no good. We're working on our run fits, working on our run game defense, and we'll see what happens."
*Gibbs was asked about Keenon Ward and his fall camp, as several coaches and players have noted that he's been a bit of a ball hawk. The DC thinks he's taken advantage of opportunities to get interceptions, but the quarterbacks haven't given them much of a chance to get many.
"I challenged Keenon to - he's got to play better. He didn't play good enough last year, along with a bunch of other guys. To his credit, he's been around the football a lot this training camp. He's caught the balls he's had a chance to catch. I think that's a lot of times, defensive players are in the position to make the play, and they just don't make it. Keenon has been fortunate enough to catch the football. Our two quarterbacks are battling right now. They're both great quarterbacks, and they don't give you many opportunities, so when they give you one, you better take advantage of it."
*The coordinator also noted that they do most of their teaching and critiquing in the class room, simply because they don't have as much time to do so in-between plays with the pace that Tech's offense wants to run at.
"When you practice against this tempo, they don't slow down long enough for you to be able to critique a player after a play, because the ball is snapped. As a defensive coach, it's hard on you, because the offense never slows down. Most of the holding each other accountable happens in the meeting rooms. We watch a lot of film together. We probably watch a lot more film together now than they used to here."
*When asked about linebackers that have been sticking out other than Awe, Gibbs said this:
"I'm not going to name names. I don't like pointing out individuals simply because until they do it on Saturday afternoons, you can do it all day out here - and I know that doesn't give you anything to write about or talk about - but that's the truth. We've got some young guys that are getting better. Are they good enough right now? No. One day one of them might show flashes, and the next day he might not do anything. Got a good group of young players in there competing for playing time, and we'll see what happens come September 5th."
*Coach Gibbs was asked if the players were getting a better grasp of the defense. He feels they're learning things well, but he also noted that he doesn't believe anyone - including himself - can master the grasp of defense with the way offenses - including Coach Kingsbury's - evolve.
"It all sounds good on paper, and then you get out here and Coach Kingsbury pulls out a formation or a play that I've never seen before, and I have to go inside and figure out how to stop it. But, they're doing a pretty good job. I've said their football IQ since I've been here at Texas Tech has surprised me. That's not a knock on anybody, they just understand the game. Now they have to go out there and do it in front of 65,000 people. But, we're progressing I'm not pleased, but I'm not disappointed with where we're at right now."
*The DC does believe that they're starting to narrow their gaze as far as which players are going to see time against SHSU, but there are several unnamed starting roles still up for grabs.
"As far as playing time goes, I think we're close to knowing who is going to rotate in the game at certain positions. As far as starts the game, to me that goes right up until game day, cause we're competing out here every day at practice. I know all coaches say that, but there are some positions that are still open on our defense."
*There's also one group that's stuck out to Gibbs in camp...
"Our defensive line, simply because they're older. They're veteran guys. A few of them, this is their last go around, and they realize that. I think they're taking advantage of it, they're working harder, they're understanding how important it is up front to control the line of scrimmage and your run gaps, and I think those guys have practiced well so far."
*I was able to speak with Branden Jackson for a few minutes about the spring, summer, fall camp, and how he feels the defense has progressed as a whole. One thing really stuck out to me: With the big emphasis in competition, constantly pushing each other, Jackson admitted that Gary Moore was in front of him on the depth chart at one point over the summer. That motivation has pushed him, and I think it's really goaded quite a few guys to improve.
*I spoke with safety Keenon Ward as well, and he said that Jah'Shawn Johnson is starting next to him at safety right now. Ward is starting at right safety, and Johnson is starting at left safety. Gibbs has eliminated the use of free and strong in order to keep up with the tempos of offenses, eliminate the need to switch sides of the field with boundary and field alignments.
*Ward also said that he prefers the right side, and Johnson prefers the left, so things have worked out well on that front so far.
