Less rest, better production?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Emporia State senior defensive end Angelo Webb had 24 tackles, 4.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss last season.
Those are nice numbers, good enough that he earned second-team All-MIAA honors; however, what if you doubled those numbers?
Considering Webb played only half the downs last season, in theory, if he would have played all the time and his numbers doubled, he would have led the MIAA in sacks and tackles for a loss.
The Hornets are hoping a change in philosophy results in that kind of production from their top-line defensive linemen this year.
In Ken Gordon’s first two seasons as defensive coordinator, he had his defensive linemen rotate after three plays. This year the Hornets are going with their starters until they get tired and then the backups will enter the game.
“The best way to be successful is to have your best players on the field and your most successful guys on the field,” ESU defensive line coach Mike LoPorto said. “At times last year, we thought we had some guys at wrong positions and didn’t make the play when they needed to make it, and we felt some guys that were on the bench at that time could have been able to make the play.”
Although the old philosophy kept the linemen fresh, they struggled to get in a rhythm. By the time they would start to feel comfortable, they were running back to the sideline.
“People always talk about running backs getting in a rhythm. As a D-lineman, you’ve got to get in a rhythm, too,” Webb said. “You’ve got to kind of set stuff up, set your moves up and stuff like that on those guys. Being in there more will give us a chance to set things up more and get a better feel of the game.”
Junior defensive end Daniel Webb estimated that there would be times last year, when the offense had a couple of long drives, that he would only play nine plays in a half.
“Your third play you’re like, ‘I’m not even winded, but I’m still getting taken out,’” he said.
Although the new strategy will give both Webbs more snaps, the Hornets might finally have the depth on the defensive line to play eight deep.
The Webbs (no relation) project to start on the ends, and returning defensive tackle Casey Finlayson will give the Hornets three returning starters.
Harold Ayodele, a transfer from Tennessee State, will help fill the void left by Bryan Tarkington, who led the defensive linemen with 34 tackles and 12 for a loss last year as a senior. Ayodele was with the Hornets during spring ball and LoPorto said he returned this fall in great shape.
The Hornets also nearly lost Angelo Webb along with Tarkington; however, he received another year of eligibility by sitting out the spring semester and decided to return to the team.
“Everybody doesn’t have the opportunity to make that choice,” he said. “I had to come back.”
Although the projected starters will most likely be the upperclassmen, several underclassmen should give the Hornets depth on the defensive line. Freshmen Tyrone Weaver and Nick Watson, along with sophomore Kevin Matthews, a transfer from Peru State, have stood out in camp. Senior Keith Maples should also factor into the rotation.
But unlike years past, the backups will see far fewer snaps, and that has created competition in the preseason. The Hornets are hoping the team will benefit during the season.
“We’re going to find our best ones and they’re going to play as much as we can get them on the field,” LoPorto said. “We’re also going to have four guys behind them that will be able to step in and play for them when needed.”