Improvement in the secondary

[Maximus Tusk]

For me,the most satisfying part of Saturday's win was seeing an aggressive, ball hawking secondary and linebackers. The return of Tevin Mitchell is big and what we saw in 2 true freshmen Toliver and Liddell is downright exciting!! These 2 guys can ball and they have SEC size as well (both at 6' 1") I was impressed with their coverage, how they looked for the ball and the determination to intercept, not just break up the pass. Hats off to the staff for their recruiting efforts. We're getting a snapshot of what the future will look like and me likey.

[hobhog]

Still too early to get real excited, but I agree. I saw 2 true freshman break on balls like I havent seen around here in a while. And they appear to have good size. Think we find out more in the next few games, but already an improvement, no doubt.

[greenie]

I'd much rather see them press and get burned.  That 10 yard cushion approach had to go.

The TT game certainly showed evidence of a more aggressive/attacking defense.  Certainly not there, but the trend is encouraging. 

[tampahog]

We probably had more broken up passes in that game than all of last year.  Webb did throw some floaters but still a much improved and aggressive effort by secondary

[hogsanity]

I'm reserving judgment on the db's.  They did play well Saturday, but they could lay back in zone coverage because their was no real threat from a running QB. Just like on the INT late in the 2nd Q. If their QB was a threat to run, would our LB have been able to take a 15 yard drop and pick that off?

[greenie]

I'm reserving judgment on the db's.  They did play well Saturday, but they could lay back in zone coverage because their was no real threat from a running QB. Just like on the INT late in the 2nd Q. If their QB was a threat to run, would our LB have been able to take a 15 yard drop and pick that off?

This is a good point.  Webb is not a bad passer, but he is not a running threat. A lot of things change when you have a dual threat guy back there.  The Dline have to contain and the LB's have to linger closer to the LOS.  We have several teams yet on the schedule with QB's that can leave the pocket and get 1st downs.  I don't know much about NIU, but we'll certainly face that with aTm.  I'm excited to see how we handle that.  Regardless, the future looks brighter.

[Razorfox]

They looked better than any time since probably 2006. 

[code red]

Still....an big play.  Good win vs. a FBS team but, they where not nearly SEC caliber...not even close.  We cannot let folks get over the top of us.  Ole Miss would shred this secondary if we played tomorrow.

[Razorfox]

Still....an big play.  Good win vs. a FBS team but, they where not nearly SEC caliber...not even close.  We cannot let folks get over the top of us.  Ole Miss would shred this secondary if we played tomorrow.

I think I disagree.  There are plenty of teams in other conferences that are "SEC caliber" or better in the passing game.  And TT is one of them. 

[hogsanity]

Still....an big play.  Good win vs. a FBS team but, they where not nearly SEC caliber...not even close.  We cannot let folks get over the top of us.  Ole Miss would shred this secondary if we played tomorrow.

TT strength on O was perfectly suited to go against the hogs weakness on D, and the D played very well. We will see a little more this week, as NIU has a QB that can run.  Then the next week against A&M.

[The_Iceman]

I'm reserving judgment on the db's.  They did play well Saturday, but they could lay back in zone coverage because their was no real threat from a running QB. Just like on the INT late in the 2nd Q. If their QB was a threat to run, would our LB have been able to take a 15 yard drop and pick that off?

Didn't the great (often misquoted) Frank Broyles say the HUNH spread would not work against an SEC defense without a mobile QB?

[bigdaddyhawg]

Big picture folks.

There is a significant difference in our secondary play than in the previous few years without question.  Coaching is obviously making a difference.  But there has also been an upgrade of talent.

We still aren't there, but if you can't see the progress you're working too hard not to see it.

[NaturalStateReb]

Big picture folks.

There is a significant difference in our secondary play than in the previous few years without question.  Coaching is obviously making a difference.  But there has also been an upgrade of talent.

We still aren't there, but if you can't see the progress you're working too hard not to see it.

The big difference Saturday was that Arkansas was getting a pass rush.  When the Hogs can't generate a pass rush, that's when the secondary problems really start to become clear.

[hogsanity]

The big difference Saturday was that Arkansas was getting a pass rush.  When the Hogs can't generate a pass rush, that's when the secondary problems really start to become clear.

Funny, someone else just started a thread about the lack of a pass rush last Sat. 

I don't think it was so much of a rush, but that there were hands up in Webbs face and in the passing lanes all day, especially from mid 2nd Q on.

[bigdaddyhawg]

The big difference Saturday was that Arkansas was getting a pass rush.  When the Hogs can't generate a pass rush, that's when the secondary problems really start to become clear.

I didn't see much of a pass rush Saturday.  I was complaining about how surprised I was our DL wasn't getting sacks.

But my son pointed out it looked like to him the D coaches had a different plan, that is to cover rather than pressure.  I rewatched the game and it really looked like that was an actual part of the game plan.

Don't really see how one could argue this was our best secondary cover game in years.  TT had some quick, fast receivers and our CB's were on them tightly, had more pass break ups, and even a couple of interceptions.

Definitely encouraging.  Like that they seem to be playing with a lot more confidence.

It's not there yet, but it's better, no question.

[Vantage 8 dude]

Still....an big play.  Good win vs. a FBS team but, they where not nearly SEC caliber...not even close.  We cannot let folks get over the top of us.  Ole Miss would shred this secondary if we played tomorrow.

At lot of that last statement depends on which Bo (Wallace) you get. If you get the "bad Bo" then I'm not sure he could hit the side of a barn standing 10 feet away. However, if you get the "good Bo" then he could hit 20 in a row standing 40 yards down field.

[hogsanity]

Didn't the great (often misquoted) Frank Broyles say the HUNH spread would not work against an SEC defense without a mobile QB?

Yep. 

[Vantage 8 dude]

I didn't see much of a pass rush Saturday.  I was complaining about how surprised I was our DL wasn't getting sacks.

But my son pointed out it looked like to him the D coaches had a different plan, that is to cover rather than pressure.  I rewatched the game and it really looked like that was an actual part of the game plan.

Don't really see how one could argue this was our best secondary cover game in years.  TT had some quick, fast receivers and our CB's were on them tightly, had more pass break ups, and even a couple of interceptions.

Definitely encouraging.  Like that they seem to be playing with a lot more confidence.

It's not there yet, but it's better, no question.

One other factor on the pressure/lack of sacks you also need to realize: most of the passes TT attempted were off the shorter, faster variety. Get the ball out of Webb's hands with relatively little time needed. Didn't take very many of the slower developing longer down the field shots to give the DL time to put additional heat on the QB.

[PonderinHog]

For Texas Tech it was a good strategery...

[pigture perfect]

I agree with the cover instead of pressure scheme. That killed any sort of draw or screen they would have run otherwise. We made them one dimensional. And our back 7 responded. Our Time of Possession helped as well.