I guess we knew this day would come as the team flipped over the tipping point. Defensively the main element is being aggressive, being disruptive and being in the right stance, technique or position to counter the playmakers or what are the tendencies of an opposing offense. The thing is schematically the Raider defense has always played at a level which you would expect for a Big 12 team. Senior sack – , Dykes, Zac Thomas, the swarm etc. After all the Coaches, grad assistants operate at and were hired to compete at this level of proficiency and speed. Recruiting does what it does. Talent – There’s the rub. I’m just saying there are very few sub 2 star players out of high school starting on a big 12 unit. Folks at this level, well they are all passing the glance test as far as athleticism. Does not mean they are automatically savvy, smart or motivated, some are, some can be developed and some are going to wash out.
 So the Raiders defense continues to display a level of competency which trends upward. The technique displayed by the D line, Linebackers and secondary probably grades out at #3 in the Big 12 overall – this year. I ‘m not going to try and use a coaches scores sheet for this unit. But they lost or were the weak link in one game – result 52- 30, kept the team close in 2 losing efforts ut ,UH and did what was need to give the offense a shot in the OSU game. Dynamic efforts against OU and Nebraska (caveat the NU game because their offense was trending down and the OU O line was dinged up). From a game management or execution perspective that’s just vagaries of the game. Just because the entire process is a human development effort i.e. its defined by the inputs -seniors versus freshmen, maturity and expertise versus amateurism, off field dynamic versus focus on the objective. And all this coupled with the frailties of the human frame.
I’d just say the defensive competency, level of skill and speed of recognition has improved to the point that Tech athletes are reaching the on the field level of skill of the "big" boys of the Big 12. So props to the Raiders defensive coaching and support staff 2009 was one of their better efforts. It was fun to watch not frustrating. Onto the Alamo Bowl – dominate the Spartans!

There is a change in defense that follows the evolution of offenses…and Ruffin McNeill and staff sees it all plus a lot more than any of use do.

When he signed, I suspected Cobb to be a lb candidate. I will likely think that about any HS Safety who comes in with good height and who weighs any where around 200 lbs. I have taken the notion that thought applies in principle to all positions on defense, that a ‘big’ CB could drop to S, a ‘big’ S to LB, etc., all the way to NT.

I do miss the thought that Fehoko is/has been considered as a DE by Coach Ruff. I know some people are worried about DE, rightfully so, and have thought about Bird dropping down a la UT game….it looks as if Coach Ruff is not considering that a permanent thing for the future…but we can all see that in case of a dire need, there is a plan b.

I am enjoying watching the defense evolve and improve under Coach Ruff’s leadership. Sure, there is more focus from fans who see the holes…lol, they are easier to see. Seth touched on it. Once recruiting is done, personnel choices and moves become limited. Once Fall camp ends, it becomes more of making do with what is avaiable and developing experience and taking advantage of what develops in young players. Significant position changes or scheme changes are not going to happen, the team has to execute what has been developed over their years…unless a pretty special player comes to the fold, but that is generally not the meat and potatoes of this program.

But that brings up a coaching preparation observation. Is Mike Leach in need of an offensive coordinator? Or maybe another assistant head coach for offense?

 Tech now has a real special teams guru. Even Leach talks about the chaos on the sidelines making split second decisions to effect the ebb and flow of game. Versus KU the powerful offense wasn’t apparent until the defense – scores – and special teams handed them short fields, coupled with back breaking turnover/ momentum busters. Then the “most” senior Tech QB out manages the KU defenders with trend busting check downs to the ground game plays. Speaks to offensive scheme selection. .in the end I agree the Raiders defense handed the offense the conditions to throttle KU in the 4th period.

However, Ruffin McNeil is just now getting the performances he desires. A big reason is the added abilities of the recruits. With the types of players McNeil desires gaining in numbers, I feel we will see this “revolution” gain speed (litterally and fuguratively) and provide the comfort zone the offense may need at times to succced. The rest of the time, the offense will overwhelm the opposition. But when it is needed, the defense now will be able to rise to the occasion. McNeil has had the desire to do what he is doing now with the defense, but could not due to a somewhat lesser tallented base to pull from. With McNeil’s enthusiasm and the players’ improved athleticism, we are going to see some dominating defensive games. With that powerful offense doing its own thing, the future certainly looks bright. I also agree that Leach may be at a point where he needs to break up the responsibilities and allow someone else to guide the offense at times. I would love to see a couple of ex-Red Raiders added to the coaching: Zach Thomas and Kliff Kingsbury. I feel they could provide some amazing insight that could mean added improvement on both sides of the ball. At any rate, the future of this team is bright and we Raider fans can expect some great seasons from them. GO TECH!

What would Mike Leach do if he had another guy adding information to his ear in a game in which he already describes as chaotic ?

He seems to be as happy as a pig in slop with things running the way he needs them to run.

It is an interesting thought, one which I likely would not have originated.