snuffy
03-31-2009, 07:08 AM
By Grant Belcher
Senior Sports Writer
Published: March 31, 2009
http://ocolly.com/2009/03/31/defensive-line-benefitting-from-young%E2%80%99s-experience/
A good defense often starts with effective pressure on the quarterback.
Although Oklahoma State has not been known for its pressure from the defensive line, it might be soon.
The past two defensive coordinators for Oklahoma State have been more secondary-oriented, but coordinator Bill Young is a defensive line specialist.
He played defensive end for the OSU from 1965-67 and has coached the defensive line at a number of schools, as well as for the Detroit Lions.
Coach Mike Gundy said Young’s affiliation with the defensive line wasn’t a factor in hiring him but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
“He’s been around long enough to where he has a good idea what goes on in the front seven,” Gundy said. “I’m a little more in favor of a coordinator being in the front seven.
“I’m not against a back-end (secondary) guy, but I think he gives them a better feel for what is happening.”
Defensive lineman Derek Burton said he has already benefited from the added attention Young has given to the line.
“It’s a great feeling,” Burton said. “Coach Young is one of the best coaches I have ever had, just off of him being here for such a short amount of time.
“We are learning so much, and we’re all getting better and hopefully we’ll keep making strides until the season starts.”
Burton played defensive end last year but has played mainly at defensive tackle this spring.
He said it has been a transition but one worth making for the team’s benefit.
“I’ve naturally gotten bigger since I have been here, and me moving inside kind of fills a space at defensive tackle and it gives our faster ends a chance to get on the field,” he said. “So, it is working out for us.”
At 285 pounds, Burton is somewhat small for a defensive tackle in a power conference.
Gundy said like with most undersized players, Burton’s move has pros and cons.
“I’ve seen times when they’ve got their hands on him and moved him pretty good,” Gundy said. “And I’ve seen times when he’s been on a stunt and gotten by them. You have to use your speed, but on the other side of the ball, they will try to get their hands on you and maul you a little bit.”
To pair with Burton, the Cowboys have several defensive tackles that have improved in the offseason.
Burton said several other players will be pushing for a starting spot when the season rolls around.
“Chris Donaldson and Shane (Jarka) are definitely going to be competing for a spot to start, and we need it,” he said. “We can’t do it with just two defensive tackles, and the more that can play the better off we will be.”
Senior linebacker Andre Sexton, playing for his third defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, said he has seen a difference during practice with Young around.
“I just know that with Coach Young coaching (the defensive line) more and that with it being more simple of a defensive scheme, guys like Burton can focus on just going straight up the field and getting into the backfield,” he said.
Sexton said Young’s area of expertise has already paid dividends for the defensive line in only a couple of weeks.
“They’ve got to be physical up there and control the line,” he said. “That’s why they have already gotten better in the spring because they have benefited from his one-on-one work with them.”
Senior Sports Writer
Published: March 31, 2009
http://ocolly.com/2009/03/31/defensive-line-benefitting-from-young%E2%80%99s-experience/
A good defense often starts with effective pressure on the quarterback.
Although Oklahoma State has not been known for its pressure from the defensive line, it might be soon.
The past two defensive coordinators for Oklahoma State have been more secondary-oriented, but coordinator Bill Young is a defensive line specialist.
He played defensive end for the OSU from 1965-67 and has coached the defensive line at a number of schools, as well as for the Detroit Lions.
Coach Mike Gundy said Young’s affiliation with the defensive line wasn’t a factor in hiring him but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
“He’s been around long enough to where he has a good idea what goes on in the front seven,” Gundy said. “I’m a little more in favor of a coordinator being in the front seven.
“I’m not against a back-end (secondary) guy, but I think he gives them a better feel for what is happening.”
Defensive lineman Derek Burton said he has already benefited from the added attention Young has given to the line.
“It’s a great feeling,” Burton said. “Coach Young is one of the best coaches I have ever had, just off of him being here for such a short amount of time.
“We are learning so much, and we’re all getting better and hopefully we’ll keep making strides until the season starts.”
Burton played defensive end last year but has played mainly at defensive tackle this spring.
He said it has been a transition but one worth making for the team’s benefit.
“I’ve naturally gotten bigger since I have been here, and me moving inside kind of fills a space at defensive tackle and it gives our faster ends a chance to get on the field,” he said. “So, it is working out for us.”
At 285 pounds, Burton is somewhat small for a defensive tackle in a power conference.
Gundy said like with most undersized players, Burton’s move has pros and cons.
“I’ve seen times when they’ve got their hands on him and moved him pretty good,” Gundy said. “And I’ve seen times when he’s been on a stunt and gotten by them. You have to use your speed, but on the other side of the ball, they will try to get their hands on you and maul you a little bit.”
To pair with Burton, the Cowboys have several defensive tackles that have improved in the offseason.
Burton said several other players will be pushing for a starting spot when the season rolls around.
“Chris Donaldson and Shane (Jarka) are definitely going to be competing for a spot to start, and we need it,” he said. “We can’t do it with just two defensive tackles, and the more that can play the better off we will be.”
Senior linebacker Andre Sexton, playing for his third defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, said he has seen a difference during practice with Young around.
“I just know that with Coach Young coaching (the defensive line) more and that with it being more simple of a defensive scheme, guys like Burton can focus on just going straight up the field and getting into the backfield,” he said.
Sexton said Young’s area of expertise has already paid dividends for the defensive line in only a couple of weeks.
“They’ve got to be physical up there and control the line,” he said. “That’s why they have already gotten better in the spring because they have benefited from his one-on-one work with them.”