Sunday, April 3, 2011

How important is the pass rush?

How important is it that the Aggies get to the quarterback this season?

I think it will be the difference between having another terrible year or a better one.

Last year the team had nine sacks, No. 119 out of 120 FBS teams.

Two years ago, the team had 21.

Expanding off that point, NMSU needs better play from its front-seven, period — defensive linemen and linebackers.

The team brought in a few new faces during the offseason but will also need certain returnees to step up, particularly defensive ends Donte Savage and Pierre Fils.

Part of the problem is that the Aggies are traditionally undersized on the defensive front and it’s no different here. Savage and Fils could conceivably be outside linebackers in another program but are forced to play as down-linemen at NMSU.

I do think the Aggies have potential in their secondary but those players can only do so much covering when there is little-to-no pressure applied in the backfield.

In a perfect world, the Aggies would get 30-plus sacks this year. I don’t think that’s going to happen but getting in the mid-20’s would certainly help the defense and the team as a whole.

I think it will be the difference between one or two wins, or three or four.

In other words, it would make a big difference for the Aggies.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Teddy.

Lets have a great football coverage year!

I don't see many wins on the horizon, but lets hope the team is competitive and has a chance to win most weeks.

I think the graduation of House is going to be a big loss back there. Maybe not in terems of number of picks, but I think opposing QB's puposely stayed away from his side of the field. Hopefully the incoming and returning corners are up to the task.

Anonymous said...

Size an issue, yes. I think the style of defense is also an issue. Attacking versus sitting back and reading.

Anonymous said...

Teddy......are you planning on covering Spring Practice on this blog??? Gonna be interesting to see the progress of the offense in a new system??!