On Broadway: Gibbs talks defensive roster
With Texas Tech media day this week, we heard from a number of different players and coaches. I had a chance to sit down with DC David Gibbs for a bit, and he gave me a few short comments on the majority of the players on his defensive roster. There may be a few left out, but we discussed most of the players. So, I decided I would share those with you all today. Enjoy!
Defensive Ends/Rush Ends
Pete Robertson - "Obviously been a good player here for a long time."
Zach Barnes - "Had a very good spring, is really good at rushing the quarterback. He had a good summer I thought."
Andre Ross - "He's a senior guy, and we need to get some production out of him, cause he's a big athlete that can run. We just need to make sure we get some production and can stay healthy."
Gary Moore - "Gary is up to about 230, which is a lot for Gary. He got hurt in the spring, but he actually showed some flashes before he got hurt. I'm excited about him. I think he's got a good chance, I really do."
Branden Jackson - "B-Jack is B-Jack. I think he's stepped it up a notch. He's realized it's his last go around, and he knows he needs to have a big senior year. I think he will."
Mike Mitchell - "He's a reckless football player, and the move to rush end is something where he can just go run around and make plays."
Lonzell Gilmore - "He just got here, working his butt off, but he's in a tough situation with so many older guys in front of him."
Defensive tackles
Rika Levi - "He's lost a bunch of weight. Had a really good spring. He really did. He's taken on a leadership role, and I'm excited."
Keland McElrath - "I think he's gotten better, got better in the spring, and he worked his butt off this summer. I think he's another senior guy that realizes this is his last go, has picked it up a notch. I'm excited about him."
Josh Outlaw - "Young guy with all the potential in the world if he will just get out of his own way, take care of business, and do his job. Has a chance to be a really good player."
Breiden Fehoko -"He's strong as a bull, and he's just a puppy dog. He'll be a great player here. We won't put too much on him in the beginning, but I think he'll be in the rotation."
Broderick Washington - "Just brought him in, but we're excited about him. He's dead serious, is a football head, and he works as hard as anyone else."
Demetrius Alston - "He's had some injuries, but when he's out there, he honestly flashes and is pretty freaking good. He's just got to stay healthy."
Linebackers
Micah Awe - "I'm pleased with Micah. He's smart, tough. I think he'll be our leader as far as getting us lined up. He can run around, tackle people. I think he'll make a bunch of plays this year."
Kris Williams - "We moved him from defensive end back to will linebacker, and he did some good things in the spring. We're excited about him. Physical guy that we hope can solidify that linebacker position."
Sam Atoe - "Had a decent spring, not a great spring. Should be interesting in training camp."
Malik Jenkins - "Did some good things in spring, played multiple positions. He's a smart guy, good special teams player, but he's in the mix as well, can play all three spots."
Dakota Allen - "I recruited him out of high school at Houston, and I'm glad he chose Texas Tech now. Truth is, he was the guy they all ranted and raved about when I got here. Had a good spring, but to be honest, didn't do as good as I thought he would do. But, he's in the mix and I'm hoping, and he's just a puppy dog."
D'Vonta Hinton - "He was my favorite linebacker out of Houston this year. He's a fireplug, a smart kid, and he's all about football. He'll have a chance to be in the mix, too."
Jacarthy Mack - "Got hurt in the spring, so I don't know a lot about him. He's skinny, but he's done a good job this summer, have seen him up here a lot, so he seems to be on the right track."
Kahlee Woods - "Same thing as Kris Williams. Smart guy, tough guy, and he's in the mix. He's got to be more consistent, though."
Corners
Nigel Bethel - "Nigel has all the ability in the world. Every day, it's my number one goal to make him as good as he can be. I've got to learn to make him consistent."
Justis Nelson - "Justis had a great spring. I thought he had a heck of a spring, and he's been working his butt off this summer. I think he's going to have a good year."
Tevin Madison - "Tevin will play nickel and some corner. But, again, I see he and Justis as the same guy right now. They both had good springs, and I look for Tevin to have a good year."
DJ Polite-Bray - "Had a decent spring. Athletic kid."
Thierry Nguema - "I call him Special T. That little guy had a good spring. He showed me some flashes. Smaller guy that busts his butt every day, and I'm excited about him."
Paul Banks - "I knew him when I coached at Houston, have known him for a few years. He will be a good player. He'll be in the mix, is long, can run, and he's been around my system more than most guys have."
Safeties
Keenon Ward - "He's played a lot of football around here. He works hard, has some leadership abilities. He needs to improve in a lot of areas, but he works his butt off."
JJ Gaines - "He didn't do anything in the spring with the shoulder surgery other than seven-on-seven, so I don't really know anything. He might play some nickel, too, but I don't know what he's going to do right now."
JahShawn Johnson - "Somebody who everybody is excited about. He didn't do much in the spring either, but hopefully (I'll find out soon)."
Derrick Dixon - "Played a little last year, did some decent things. Does a lot of things athletically well, but he's got a lot of things in my scheme he has to clean up. But, he's a young guy that has played some, and hopefully he'll contribute."
Peyton Hendrix - "Showed some flashes in the spring, showed that he can tackle. He's a bigger guy, looks like a linebacker. He has to keep working, though."
Jalen Barnes - "If he's healthy, he looks like he could be a pretty good player for us, but I haven't seen enough, hasn't shown that he can stay healthy, but hopefully he can."
Jamile Johnson & Christian Taylor - "They've come in, they seem sharp, work hard. "
Link Me, Bro
Welp, I had some high hopes for Fantastic Four, but it sounds like it may be a real stinker.
When Brandon Marshall says he was the only guy holding you accountable, you know it's bad.
What team other than the Mets would have a pitcher re-break his arm by falling off a curb?
Steven Spielberg's movie adaptation of Ready Player One gets a release date, but it's gonna be a while until it hits screens.
In Florida Man this week: Florida Man attempts to steal unmarked police cruiser.
Power Rankings: Pants
I'm keeping it real simple this week, but the topic is one of much debate, as each of the various generations will likely have their opinion on the subject. Lets dive right in.
5. Joggers - Yup, I went there. I admittedly do own a pair of joggers, and anyone over the age of 30-35 is probably going to wonder what the hell I'm talking about. Here ya go. They're essentially if someone frankensteined together skinny jeans and sweatpants, and they come in a lot of different colors and materials. Most of all, though, they're comfortable as all get out. I know. Let the hate flow through you.
4. Chinos - The better version of khakis.
3. Jeans, pecifically Levis 541 athletic fit jeans - If you aren't scared of an in-between of skinny to regular jeans, these are a gift sent from the gods. They have stretchy material built into the denim, and it makes them the best fitting and most comfortable pair of real pants I can war in public that I've ever worn.
2. Sweatpants - If I'm at home, you can bet your bottom dollar I'm wearing either athletic shorts or sweatpants. The most comfortable of all long-legged bottoms.
1. Khaki shorts (NOT CARGO SHORTS) - Are they pants? In my book, yes, on some folks' book, no. But I say they count as pants, and they're the best, most comfortable thing you can wear from April to late September. Khaki shorts are the GOAT.
Off The Reservation: I now treasure sleep
It's funny thinking back to high school. I would go, go, go all day long, stay up and play video games or hang out at my buddies' houses until the wee hours of the morning, and then get up at 7 like it was no big deal and do it all over again.
The further I got into college, and now that I'm in the early stages of being a real boy out in the real world, I've come to know one good thing above all else: Sleep might be my most treasured possession. The struggle is real without at least five or six hours for me now, and on the weekends in the summer when I get a chance, I might knock out a whole Saturday afternoon on the couch.
I've always been a night owl, but I now know the true value of good sleep.
With Texas Tech media day this week, we heard from a number of different players and coaches. I had a chance to sit down with DC David Gibbs for a bit, and he gave me a few short comments on the majority of the players on his defensive roster. There may be a few left out, but we discussed most of the players. So, I decided I would share those with you all today. Enjoy!
Defensive Ends/Rush Ends
Pete Robertson - "Obviously been a good player here for a long time."
Zach Barnes - "Had a very good spring, is really good at rushing the quarterback. He had a good summer I thought."
Andre Ross - "He's a senior guy, and we need to get some production out of him, cause he's a big athlete that can run. We just need to make sure we get some production and can stay healthy."
Gary Moore - "Gary is up to about 230, which is a lot for Gary. He got hurt in the spring, but he actually showed some flashes before he got hurt. I'm excited about him. I think he's got a good chance, I really do."
Branden Jackson - "B-Jack is B-Jack. I think he's stepped it up a notch. He's realized it's his last go around, and he knows he needs to have a big senior year. I think he will."
Mike Mitchell - "He's a reckless football player, and the move to rush end is something where he can just go run around and make plays."
Lonzell Gilmore - "He just got here, working his butt off, but he's in a tough situation with so many older guys in front of him."
Defensive tackles
Rika Levi - "He's lost a bunch of weight. Had a really good spring. He really did. He's taken on a leadership role, and I'm excited."
Keland McElrath - "I think he's gotten better, got better in the spring, and he worked his butt off this summer. I think he's another senior guy that realizes this is his last go, has picked it up a notch. I'm excited about him."
Josh Outlaw - "Young guy with all the potential in the world if he will just get out of his own way, take care of business, and do his job. Has a chance to be a really good player."
Breiden Fehoko -"He's strong as a bull, and he's just a puppy dog. He'll be a great player here. We won't put too much on him in the beginning, but I think he'll be in the rotation."
Broderick Washington - "Just brought him in, but we're excited about him. He's dead serious, is a football head, and he works as hard as anyone else."
Demetrius Alston - "He's had some injuries, but when he's out there, he honestly flashes and is pretty freaking good. He's just got to stay healthy."
Linebackers
Micah Awe - "I'm pleased with Micah. He's smart, tough. I think he'll be our leader as far as getting us lined up. He can run around, tackle people. I think he'll make a bunch of plays this year."
Kris Williams - "We moved him from defensive end back to will linebacker, and he did some good things in the spring. We're excited about him. Physical guy that we hope can solidify that linebacker position."
Sam Atoe - "Had a decent spring, not a great spring. Should be interesting in training camp."
Malik Jenkins - "Did some good things in spring, played multiple positions. He's a smart guy, good special teams player, but he's in the mix as well, can play all three spots."
Dakota Allen - "I recruited him out of high school at Houston, and I'm glad he chose Texas Tech now. Truth is, he was the guy they all ranted and raved about when I got here. Had a good spring, but to be honest, didn't do as good as I thought he would do. But, he's in the mix and I'm hoping, and he's just a puppy dog."
D'Vonta Hinton - "He was my favorite linebacker out of Houston this year. He's a fireplug, a smart kid, and he's all about football. He'll have a chance to be in the mix, too."
Jacarthy Mack - "Got hurt in the spring, so I don't know a lot about him. He's skinny, but he's done a good job this summer, have seen him up here a lot, so he seems to be on the right track."
Kahlee Woods - "Same thing as Kris Williams. Smart guy, tough guy, and he's in the mix. He's got to be more consistent, though."
Corners
Nigel Bethel - "Nigel has all the ability in the world. Every day, it's my number one goal to make him as good as he can be. I've got to learn to make him consistent."
Justis Nelson - "Justis had a great spring. I thought he had a heck of a spring, and he's been working his butt off this summer. I think he's going to have a good year."
Tevin Madison - "Tevin will play nickel and some corner. But, again, I see he and Justis as the same guy right now. They both had good springs, and I look for Tevin to have a good year."
DJ Polite-Bray - "Had a decent spring. Athletic kid."
Thierry Nguema - "I call him Special T. That little guy had a good spring. He showed me some flashes. Smaller guy that busts his butt every day, and I'm excited about him."
Paul Banks - "I knew him when I coached at Houston, have known him for a few years. He will be a good player. He'll be in the mix, is long, can run, and he's been around my system more than most guys have."
Safeties
Keenon Ward - "He's played a lot of football around here. He works hard, has some leadership abilities. He needs to improve in a lot of areas, but he works his butt off."
JJ Gaines - "He didn't do anything in the spring with the shoulder surgery other than seven-on-seven, so I don't really know anything. He might play some nickel, too, but I don't know what he's going to do right now."
JahShawn Johnson - "Somebody who everybody is excited about. He didn't do much in the spring either, but hopefully (I'll find out soon)."
Derrick Dixon - "Played a little last year, did some decent things. Does a lot of things athletically well, but he's got a lot of things in my scheme he has to clean up. But, he's a young guy that has played some, and hopefully he'll contribute."
Peyton Hendrix - "Showed some flashes in the spring, showed that he can tackle. He's a bigger guy, looks like a linebacker. He has to keep working, though."
Jalen Barnes - "If he's healthy, he looks like he could be a pretty good player for us, but I haven't seen enough, hasn't shown that he can stay healthy, but hopefully he can."
Jamile Johnson & Christian Taylor - "They've come in, they seem sharp, work hard. "
Link Me, Bro
Welp, I had some high hopes for Fantastic Four, but it sounds like it may be a real stinker.
When Brandon Marshall says he was the only guy holding you accountable, you know it's bad.
What team other than the Mets would have a pitcher re-break his arm by falling off a curb?
Steven Spielberg's movie adaptation of Ready Player One gets a release date, but it's gonna be a while until it hits screens.
In Florida Man this week: Florida Man attempts to steal unmarked police cruiser.
Power Rankings: Pants
I'm keeping it real simple this week, but the topic is one of much debate, as each of the various generations will likely have their opinion on the subject. Lets dive right in.
5. Joggers - Yup, I went there. I admittedly do own a pair of joggers, and anyone over the age of 30-35 is probably going to wonder what the hell I'm talking about. Here ya go. They're essentially if someone frankensteined together skinny jeans and sweatpants, and they come in a lot of different colors and materials. Most of all, though, they're comfortable as all get out. I know. Let the hate flow through you.
4. Chinos - The better version of khakis.
3. Jeans, pecifically Levis 541 athletic fit jeans - If you aren't scared of an in-between of skinny to regular jeans, these are a gift sent from the gods. They have stretchy material built into the denim, and it makes them the best fitting and most comfortable pair of real pants I can war in public that I've ever worn.
2. Sweatpants - If I'm at home, you can bet your bottom dollar I'm wearing either athletic shorts or sweatpants. The most comfortable of all long-legged bottoms.
1. Khaki shorts (NOT CARGO SHORTS) - Are they pants? In my book, yes, on some folks' book, no. But I say they count as pants, and they're the best, most comfortable thing you can wear from April to late September. Khaki shorts are the GOAT.
Off The Reservation: I now treasure sleep
It's funny thinking back to high school. I would go, go, go all day long, stay up and play video games or hang out at my buddies' houses until the wee hours of the morning, and then get up at 7 like it was no big deal and do it all over again.
The further I got into college, and now that I'm in the early stages of being a real boy out in the real world, I've come to know one good thing above all else: Sleep might be my most treasured possession. The struggle is real without at least five or six hours for me now, and on the weekends in the summer when I get a chance, I might knock out a whole Saturday afternoon on the couch.
I've always been a night owl, but I now know the true value of good sleep.
