How much improvement do we actually think we're going to get from the defense this year? Last year we ended at 63rd. In Elko's first 2 years, we were in the 30s and then jumped into the top 10 year 3. I feel like we have to be top 20 to have a shot at 10 wins. I would hope that with Elko taking the reins alone could get us back into the top 30, but I'm not sure we have the depth of talent. What do y'all think?

I expect improvement but DFEI last year we were 24th.

If Chappell gets up to speed quickly and Bryce takes a HUGE step forward we'll be better.

But, I still think we'll get ran on significantly. DL just isn't what it needs to be. Especially along the interior and without a true nose tackle and sde

A team that was horrible at tackling isn't going to improve that drastically in one year.

and we WERE absolutely horrible. it was an embarrassment.

Did we actually send them to a camp where they were instructed to try to grab them by the shoulders and throw them to the ground?

Divining Rod said:

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A team that was horrible at tackling isn't going to improve that drastically in one year.

and we WERE absolutely horrible. it was an embarrassment.

Did we actually send them to a camp where they were instructed to try to grab them by the shoulders and throw them to the ground?

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This is so dumb and incorrect.

It is nothing more than typical zoo eyoreing.

I wouldn't be surprised if we have a top 10 defense. I think cash Howell produced well last year, and those edge types seem to be a bellwether for the squad. If the importance of the nickel is really as important as the coaches say, the having Chappell back could be a major improvement

The Koolaid is flowing and suddenly our D who couldn't make a tackle to save their lives last year will be Top 10 this year!

If our defense does not improve then Bateman is gone and Elko's seat starts getting warm.

That being said, I think that all defensive groups on D will improve outside of the DL, which I could see being equivalent to last year's DL.

Maroon Dawn said:

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The Koolaid is flowing and suddenly our D who couldn't make a tackle to save their lives last year will be Top 10 this year!

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It really is incredible. We have less defensive talent than at least a third of the SEC and maybe half.

the most cool guy said:

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Maroon Dawn said:

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The Koolaid is flowing and suddenly our D who couldn't make a tackle to save their lives last year will be Top 10 this year!

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It really is incredible. We have less defensive talent than at least a third of the SEC and maybe half.

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Not true

Nothing like having Bateman when you need Batman

If we improve it will be impressive because we lost 3 guys early to the draft.

ironmanag said:

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Divining Rod said:

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A team that was horrible at tackling isn't going to improve that drastically in one year.

and we WERE absolutely horrible. it was an embarrassment.

Did we actually send them to a camp where they were instructed to try to grab them by the shoulders and throw them to the ground?

---

This is so dumb and incorrect.

It is nothing more than typical zoo eyoreing.

---

Are you sure?

"Texas A&M had 149 missed tackles during the season, according to 247Sports. This was the highest number of missed tackles for the team since 2016. Six players had double-digit missed tackles, with safeties Marcus Ratcliffe (15) and Dalton Brooks (14), and linebacker Daymion Sanford (12) leading the way. The game against South Carolina saw a season-high 22 missed tackles, according to 247Sports."

Aggie Dad 26 said:

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If we improve it will be impressive because we lost 3 guys early to the draft.

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Those three did very little especially late in the season.

Yep, and all 3 played the entire season and went into the NFL early.

Such a weird spin, even by you.

My thinking about last year's defense was a Jeckyll and Hyde situation. There is no doubting that they played a great game against LSU. They played a great game against tu. They played pretty well against Notre Dame, moreso in the first half than the second when the Irish wore 'em down. They dominated Mizzou. The smothered the Piggy QB mostly, other than that first drive 75-yard TD bomb.

But then they let a LB playing QB blast them at South Carolina. Couldn't just knock him down, poor fundamentals in tackling approach. I believe Auburn was the absolute lowest scoring team in conference going into our game last November - and bam, before we even blinked the Tigers were up 21-0. Puke. By the time of the bowl game, I was more in a mode of just end this abomination already. Was surprised when we were up by 3 TDs or whatever it was, was not surprised when we gacked away that lead.

Aggie Dad 26 said:

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Yep, and all 3 played the entire season and went into the NFL early.

Such a weird spin, even by you.

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Not really. Production wasn't what we expected from them. Really they were average when looking at production.

Bout...mmmmm .....treefiddy

vander54 said:

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Aggie Dad 26 said:

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Yep, and all 3 played the entire season and went into the NFL early.

Such a weird spin, even by you.

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Not really. Production wasn't what we expected from them. Really they were average when looking at production.

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Ok, so I'll play.

If you have players on your roster that are early NFL draftees and their production begins to taper towards the last portion of the season. Who's shoulders does this ultimately fall upon?

Let the record show, I didnt even bring this up. You did, but of course I responded to it.

Aggie Dad 26 said:

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vander54 said:

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Aggie Dad 26 said:

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Yep, and all 3 played the entire season and went into the NFL early.

Such a weird spin, even by you.

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Not really. Production wasn't what we expected from them. Really they were average when looking at production.

---

Ok, so I'll play.

If you have players on your roster that are early NFL draftees and their production begins to taper towards the last portion of the season. Who's shoulders does this ultimately fall upon?

Let the record show, I didnt even bring this up. You did, but of course I responded to it.

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The players/coaches/scheme really we don't know the full story so it's hard to pinpoint who/what to blame. But that doesn't really matter to you

vander54 said:

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Aggie Dad 26 said:

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vander54 said:

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Aggie Dad 26 said:

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Yep, and all 3 played the entire season and went into the NFL early.

Such a weird spin, even by you.

---

Not really. Production wasn't what we expected from them. Really they were average when looking at production.

---

Ok, so I'll play.

If you have players on your roster that are early NFL draftees and their production begins to taper towards the last portion of the season. Who's shoulders does this ultimately fall upon?

Let the record show, I didnt even bring this up. You did, but of course I responded to it.

---

The players/coaches/scheme really we don't know the full story so it's hard to pinpoint who/what to blame. But that doesn't really matter to you

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Its not that it "doesn't matter" as in the way you're insinuating. Its about being accountable as a leader. In the professional world, leaders take accountability. They dont push the blame onto others or make excuses like you're doing. The coaches failed.

Aggie Dad 26 said:

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vander54 said:

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Aggie Dad 26 said:

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vander54 said:

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Aggie Dad 26 said:

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Yep, and all 3 played the entire season and went into the NFL early.

Such a weird spin, even by you.

---

Not really. Production wasn't what we expected from them. Really they were average when looking at production.

---

Ok, so I'll play.

If you have players on your roster that are early NFL draftees and their production begins to taper towards the last portion of the season. Who's shoulders does this ultimately fall upon?

Let the record show, I didnt even bring this up. You did, but of course I responded to it.

---

The players/coaches/scheme really we don't know the full story so it's hard to pinpoint who/what to blame. But that doesn't really matter to you

---

Its not that it "doesn't matter" as in the way you're insinuating. Its about being accountable as a leader. In the professional world, leaders take accountability. They dont push the blame onto others or make excuses like you're doing. The coaches failed.

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Lol

I didn't know I was a leader. And again we don't have all the information so it's hard to pinpoint who is responsible for the lack of productivity.

Maybe the players did what they were asked.
Maybe the coaches hands were tied due to some stupid NIL crap
Maybe the coaches just failed
Maybe the scheme wasn't appropriate for them to excel

With out knowing everything you can't make a blanket statement on blame. All I said is their production wasn't great

Or maybe you're making a bunch of excuses to fit your narrative

What narrative?

Their production wasn't up to par. That's all I said

Cinco Ranch Aggie said:

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My thinking about last year's defense was a Jeckyll and Hyde situation. There is no doubting that they played a great game against LSU. They played a great game against tu. They played pretty well against Notre Dame, moreso in the first half than the second when the Irish wore 'em down. They dominated Mizzou. The smothered the Piggy QB mostly, other than that first drive 75-yard TD bomb.

But then they let a LB playing QB blast them at South Carolina. Couldn't just knock him down, poor fundamentals in tackling approach. I believe Auburn was the absolute lowest scoring team in conference going into our game last November - and bam, before we even blinked the Tigers were up 21-0. Puke. By the time of the bowl game, I was more in a mode of just end this abomination already. Was surprised when we were up by 3 TDs or whatever it was, was not surprised when we gacked away that lead.

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This seems like the best review of '24. I like elko as a coach and if i were betting i'd say he will turn those bad outcomes into results for '25.

Also pass rush felt really really cold in some games. We had no sacks against SC, and they were 15th in sacks allowed in the SEC. I guess we will have fewer no-show games with a stronger secondary.

Aggie Dad 26 said:

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"Texas A&M had 149 missed tackles during the season, according to 247Sports. This was the highest number of missed tackles for the team since 2016. Six players had double-digit missed tackles, with safeties Marcus Ratcliffe (15) and Dalton Brooks (14), and linebacker Daymion Sanford (12) leading the way. The game against South Carolina saw a season-high 22 missed tackles, according to 247Sports."

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if tacklers in the secondary is what you're after this is a nice write up on the impact Tyreek can have in that regard https://www.si.com/college/tamu/football/one-texas-a-m-starter-considered-a-major-sleeper-in-2025

it's a crucial position since we basically played a nickel all year if we weren't on the goal line

vander54 said:

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What narrative?

Their production wasn't up to par. That's all I said

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Objectively true.

Aggie Dad 26 said:

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ironmanag said:

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Divining Rod said:

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A team that was horrible at tackling isn't going to improve that drastically in one year.

and we WERE absolutely horrible. it was an embarrassment.

Did we actually send them to a camp where they were instructed to try to grab them by the shoulders and throw them to the ground?

---

This is so dumb and incorrect.

It is nothing more than typical zoo eyoreing.

---

Are you sure?

"Texas A&M had 149 missed tackles during the season, according to 247Sports. This was the highest number of missed tackles for the team since 2016. Six players had double-digit missed tackles, with safeties Marcus Ratcliffe (15) and Dalton Brooks (14), and linebacker Daymion Sanford (12) leading the way. The game against South Carolina saw a season-high 22 missed tackles, according to 247Sports."

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So you are saying we had some Sophomores who contributed last year and had some struggles. Is it possible these guys were young and could improve over time with experience?

rootube said:

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Aggie Dad 26 said:

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ironmanag said:

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Divining Rod said:

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A team that was horrible at tackling isn't going to improve that drastically in one year.

and we WERE absolutely horrible. it was an embarrassment.

Did we actually send them to a camp where they were instructed to try to grab them by the shoulders and throw them to the ground?

---

This is so dumb and incorrect.

It is nothing more than typical zoo eyoreing.

---

Are you sure?

"Texas A&M had 149 missed tackles during the season, according to 247Sports. This was the highest number of missed tackles for the team since 2016. Six players had double-digit missed tackles, with safeties Marcus Ratcliffe (15) and Dalton Brooks (14), and linebacker Daymion Sanford (12) leading the way. The game against South Carolina saw a season-high 22 missed tackles, according to 247Sports."

---

So you are saying we had some Sophomores who contributed last year and had some struggles. Is it possible these guys were young and could improve over time with experience?

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No. This will be the exact same team regardless of all other things that have changed, including growth and experience.

Bill Superman said:

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If our defense does not improve then Bateman is gone and Elko's seat starts getting warm.

That being said, I think that all defensive groups on D will improve outside of the DL, which I could see being equivalent to last year's DL.

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Another 8-4 this season and Elko's seat is more than warm, he will essentially be a dead man walking.

This highlights what my biggest pet peeve is about TX HS Football becoming glorified 7-on-7. Our linemen aren't being developed because everything is about passing the ball as soon as possible or just running out of the spread. It puts a major premium on linebackers and defensive backs to make plays because everything is super fast. This is straight from Mike Leach and his "success" at Tech, which eventually got TX HS Coaches to run the same system because "its just much more fun for the kids" (coaches actually say this). Well, look at the results over the last 20 years since the Sips won the title--not one title from a Texas/Oklahoma team, while the teams that can develop linemen, especially on defense, have dominated since 2006. Florida, LSU, Bama, Auburn, FSU, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, and Michigan. Until TX HS Football brings a premium back toward developing linemen, it will continue to be the job of college coaches in Norman, Austin, and College Station to build up linemen even more than what the coaches at Georgia, Bama, Auburn. LSU, Clemson, and Florida aren't having to do.

rootube said:

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Aggie Dad 26 said:

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ironmanag said:

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Divining Rod said:

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A team that was horrible at tackling isn't going to improve that drastically in one year.

and we WERE absolutely horrible. it was an embarrassment.

Did we actually send them to a camp where they were instructed to try to grab them by the shoulders and throw them to the ground?

---

This is so dumb and incorrect.

It is nothing more than typical zoo eyoreing.

---

Are you sure?

"Texas A&M had 149 missed tackles during the season, according to 247Sports. This was the highest number of missed tackles for the team since 2016. Six players had double-digit missed tackles, with safeties Marcus Ratcliffe (15) and Dalton Brooks (14), and linebacker Daymion Sanford (12) leading the way. The game against South Carolina saw a season-high 22 missed tackles, according to 247Sports."

---

So you are saying we had some Sophomores who contributed last year and had some struggles. Is it possible these guys were young and could improve over time with experience?

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Is it possible? Absolutely
We will know by late November if not sooner

the most cool guy said:

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Maroon Dawn said:

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The Koolaid is flowing and suddenly our D who couldn't make a tackle to save their lives last year will be Top 10 this year!

---

It really is incredible. We have less defensive talent than at least a third of the SEC and maybe half.

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I think y'all all suffer reading comprehension because your BAS is getting in the way - no one above mentioned us as top ten defense and original OP was hoping to we could improve to 30 and wanted to hear others thoughts.

AgDad121619 said:

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the most cool guy said:

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Maroon Dawn said:

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The Koolaid is flowing and suddenly our D who couldn't make a tackle to save their lives last year will be Top 10 this year!

---

It really is incredible. We have less defensive talent than at least a third of the SEC and maybe half.

---

I think y'all all suffer reading comprehension because your BAS is getting in the way - no one above mentioned us as top ten defense

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Uh…

Zackdh9 said:

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I wouldn't be surprised if we have a top 10 defense. I think cash Howell produced well last year, and those edge types seem to be a bellwether for the squad. If the importance of the nickel is really as important as the coaches say, the having Chappell back could be a major improvement

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Bill Superman said:

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rootube said:

---

Aggie Dad 26 said:

---

ironmanag said:

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Divining Rod said:

---

A team that was horrible at tackling isn't going to improve that drastically in one year.

and we WERE absolutely horrible. it was an embarrassment.

Did we actually send them to a camp where they were instructed to try to grab them by the shoulders and throw them to the ground?

---

This is so dumb and incorrect.

It is nothing more than typical zoo eyoreing.

---

Are you sure?

"Texas A&M had 149 missed tackles during the season, according to 247Sports. This was the highest number of missed tackles for the team since 2016. Six players had double-digit missed tackles, with safeties Marcus Ratcliffe (15) and Dalton Brooks (14), and linebacker Daymion Sanford (12) leading the way. The game against South Carolina saw a season-high 22 missed tackles, according to 247Sports."

---

So you are saying we had some Sophomores who contributed last year and had some struggles. Is it possible these guys were young and could improve over time with experience?

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No. This will be the exact same team regardless of all other things that have changed, including growth and experience.

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Let it out. Do you feel better?