2011 BYU Football Thread

[oxcoug]

I haven't noticed that our ILBs are particularly big generally. I think our WLB is sometimes big but SAM, Buck and Mike all seem to run in the 210-225 range and we've had a few smaller.

This has actually been a problem at times in defending physical running games and it's not ideal.

In the golden linebacking years of 2006 and 2007 we had guys with much bigger bodies who were also fast - Jensen, K Popp, Wagner (all played over 240) - the subsequent parade of Bauman "he's small, but he's slow" types hasn't been super awesome at ILB. Kaveinga brings us back the other direction.

[KillerDog]

This has actually been a problem at times in defending physical running games and it's not ideal.

In the golden linebacking years of 2006 and 2007 we had guys with much bigger bodies who were also fast - Jensen, K Popp, Wagner (all played over 240) - the subsequent parade of Bauman "he's small, but he's slow" types hasn't been super awesome at ILB. Kaveinga brings us back the other direction.

I always figured they were taking speed over size at the linebacking spots except for the Will. It makes sense that if you can get bigger without getting slower, you do so but our linebackers have covered so often in space (once again except for Will) that it has been important for them to be able to run first. I agree it has been a problem agains power run games.

Another change we are seeing is to the defensive line. We used to have two DT types and one hybrid DE/LB type. Now we seem to be going more and more toward 3 DT types. I think that will help against the run but could expose us against the pass unless they are excellent athletes like manumaleuna.

[Coach McGuirk]

This has actually been a problem at times in defending physical running games and it's not ideal.

In the golden linebacking years of 2006 and 2007 we had guys with much bigger bodies who were also fast - Jensen, K Popp, Wagner (all played over 240) - the subsequent parade of Bauman "he's small, but he's slow" types hasn't been super awesome at ILB. Kaveinga brings us back the other direction.

Jensen was over 240 but ran a 4.83. I would consider that slow, not fast. Kehl played his senior year at 230 and ran 4.58. Very good which is why he is still in the nfl, K pop ran a 4.74, at 240 again not good speed.

I think we are projecting results of the field to physical attributes that aren't necessarily true.

[Sizzle]

Jensen was over 240 but ran a 4.83. I would consider that slow, not fast. Kehl played his senior year at 230 and ran 4.58. Very good which is why he is still in the nfl, K pop ran a 4.74, at 240 again not good speed.

I think we are projecting results of the field to physical attributes that aren't necessarily true.

Jensen played faster because he played so smart in putting himself in the right place so many times. I'll take a slower 40-timed player who takes fewer mis-steps and gets in position every time over a quicker player who reacts slower, especially at a spot like MLB. The quicker correct reaction time more than makes up for the difference in 40s.

[KillerDog]

Jensen played faster because he played so smart in putting himself in the right place so many times. I'll take a slower 40-timed player who takes fewer mis-steps and gets in position every time over a quicker player who reacts slower, especially at a spot like MLB. The quicker correct reaction time more than makes up for the difference in 40s.

I guess that takes us back to the size/speed thing. If reaction time or recognition time or "position mastery" are equal, do you go big first or fast first? I would think you would want to go fast first so you could get to a person in the backfield or closer to the line of scrimmage in the run game while still being able to cover in space in our zone schemes. Big seems to only help stop the run, not the pass.

[Coach McGuirk]

Jensen played faster because he played so smart in putting himself in the right place so many times. I'll take a slower 40-timed player who takes fewer mis-steps and gets in position every time over a quicker player who reacts slower, especially at a spot like MLB. The quicker correct reaction time more than makes up for the difference in 40s.

That was my underlying point. Jensen didn't succeed because he was a big and fast. He succeeded because he was big and smart.

[Jacob]

Going through Gurney's quick summary of how the entire roster looks in spring made me realize how young this team will be. I expect the team to be pretty good this year, but after that...look out!:

http://byu.scout.com/2/1060509.html

[KillerDog]

Going through Gurney's quick summary of how the entire roster looks in spring made me realize how young this team will be. I expect the team to be pretty good this year, but after that...look out!:
http://byu.scout.com/2/1060509.html

Great point. I think we have a young team but it has pretty good experience. Next year should be OK. The two years after could be epic.

[MarkGrace]

#7-Dalin Tollestrup 6-1, 175 Jr. He’s moved over to wide receiver and has seen some good work with the twos and threes on offense. He has a legitimate chance to break the two-deep roster this coming season.

Who the heck is this kid? I someone talking about him on CB today, saying he's as fast as Phillips.

[KillerDog]

Who the heck is this kid? I someone talking about him on CB today, saying he's as fast as Phillips.

I find it highly unlikely that we have multiple white kids with elite speed. I'm just saying ...

[Blueintheface]

I find it highly unlikely that we have multiple white kids with elite speed. I'm just saying ...

Whenever I hear 'elite speed' and 'white guy' for some reason I immediately go to Nate Soleberg. What's wrong with me?

[cougjunkie]

Who the heck is this kid? I someone talking about him on CB today, saying he's as fast as Phillips.

Here we go again.

[Sizzle]

That was my underlying point. Jensen didn't succeed because he was a big and fast. He succeeded because he was big and smart.

I was just trying to articulate it for you!

[HBCoug]

Whenever I hear 'elite speed' and 'white guy' for some reason I immediately go to Nate Soleberg. What's wrong with me?

The Soelberg actually did have elite speed, but was probably the worst tackler I can ever remember (and that isn't even hyperbole). I remember hearing about guys like Cody Fonnesbeck and Bret Cooper supposedly being burners, but I don't remember Fonnesbeck ever seeing the field, and my only memories of Cooper are fumbled kickoff returns.

[HBCoug]

Here we go again.

The 2011 appointee to the Matt Smith All-Stars? With Jaussi and BJ Petersen having graduating, the field is white and ready to harvest for someone. Tollestrup and Ansah are neck and neck at this point.