Defense to try various looks
Longhorns practicing in 4-3 and 3-4 schemes to see what suits personnel.
The Texas defensive coaches will practice in both the 4-3 base defensive front and the 3-4 scheme during spring drills until they figure out which works best, several coaches said Thursday.
“We want to see what the kids can do,” said defensive line coach Chris Rumph, who is also the assistant head coach for defense.
“We’re going to play with both of them and whatever system they can do best is what we’re going to do,” Rumph added. “That’s the beauty of this defense. It’s
simple, it’s aggressive and lets the players put their cleats in the ground and play.”
It’s plausible that the coaches will come out of the spring confident in using the 4-3 base front. But after breaking down practice film in May and June, the Longhorns could go into August training camp using only three down linemen.
“The biggest thing right now is working on fundamentals,” defensive coordinator Vance Bedford said. “It’s not about pressure. It’s about teaching our guys how to play the game. Pressure comes from schemes.
“You’ve got to learn how to play,” Bedford continued. “How do you get in a stance? How do you take on blocks? As linebackers, what are your keys? So we’re working strictly on fundamentals this spring.”
Up front, the coaching staff knows defensive end Cedric Reed and defensive tackle Malcom Brown can play. There are 12 scholarship linebackers on the roster, but many are hurt.
Texas is too thin at corner and safety for coach Charlie Strong’s liking but they’ll have to worry about depth later.
Right now, the coaching staff is simply trying to push the players’ buttons to see who holds up, who emerges as a leader and, most importantly, who folds.
“Those guys wanted to see if we were going bend or break,” Rumph said.
“Ain’t no bending, ain’t no breaking. No chinks in this armor. You know kids. They’re going to resist anything. Change is hard at first. Like I tell my guys, we have to break the opponents’ will. We have to come in here and break their will, these players.”
Rumph said the players have already gotten a rude awakening about the importance of going to class, something that’s a high priority for Strong.
“OK, we’re going to run if we miss a class or miss a study hall,” Rumph said. “Alright, missed one and we got to run. OK, that’s cute. That happened the first time; let’s see what happens. All of a sudden, the message got sent.
“Nobody’s bigger than the program.”
‘The biggest thing right now is working on fundamentals. It’s not about pressure. It’s about teaching our guys how to play the game. Pressure comes from schemes.’
Vance Bedford, Texas defensive coordinator