Good article this morning. For those that don't have access.
Chavis on how he plans to improve Aggies' defense; his one bold claim about Garrett, Hall
COLLEGE STATION — When John Chavis took over as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator, he sat down and watched every snap of the 2014 season. Then he started over and pressed play again.
Immersing himself in the SEC’s worst-ranked unit in total defense for two years running could have made Chavis count every cent of the $4.65 million he’s earning over the next three seasons.A&M gave up 509.5 total yards per game in SEC play — 271.5 yards rushing. Overall, came up with only 13 takeaways in 13 games.
But Chavis insists he was encouraged. He didn’t look at the scheme under former coordinator Mark Snyder but identified how the returning players could thrive in his system.
“You saw a field that had a lot of young talent, not just young talent, but very good talent,” Chavis said. “And that’s one of the reasons that I’m so optimistic. We’ve got to grow, and we’ve got to mature. A lot of guys played well at times, and all we need to do is do it consistently.”
The presence of “Chief” and his confidence in A&M’s defensive potential is a big reason the Aggies could improve on last season’s 8-5 results (3-5 SEC). The progress he’s made will be tested immediately, with A&M opening Saturday against No. 15 Arizona State at Houston’s NRG Stadium.
Chavis’ approach is well-known and proven, considering he’s been an SEC coordinator (at Tennessee and LSU) the last 20 seasons.
“Football has changed a good bit, and we’ve had to tweak things,” Chavis said. “But ultimately, we’ve got a simple philosophy. We’re going to play the run with numbers, we’re going to try to outnumber you in the box, get an unblocked player to the point of attack, and we’re going to rush the passer with speed. When you say that, you better have corners that can handle those one-on-one situations.
“We’re never going to sacrifice speed for size. We’re going to get as much speed on the field as we can.”
Myles Garrett (Arlington Martin) and Daeshon Hall (Lancaster) give Chavis the starting point he needs up front. Chavis has even called the ends two of the best in college football.
“That’s a pretty big statement, but I’m not afraid to make that statement,” he said.
Qualen Cunningham also could be a force on the outside. Garrett (111/2 sacks last season) recently revealed that a torn thumb ligament prevented him from using his left hand for the second half of his freshman season, and he predicts that being healthy and playing in Chavis’ system that requires more attacking than reacting will lead to even better results.
“I’ve got to be better against the run,” Garrett said. “I knew I could be. At some point … I was scared to hurt myself and go too far with the thumb. Now that there’s nothing holding me back, I feel I can take it to another level.”
A&M returns senior Alonzo Williams at tackle. Senior Julien Obioha moves inside from the end, where it’s hoped his athleticism will help against bigger-bodied guards and centers. Tackles coach Mark Hagen said A&M wants to roll six to eight players into the games to keep the tackles fresh.
The linebackers, coached by Chavis, need to be among the most improved units overall. The mix includes Otaro Alaka, Shaan Washington, Josh Walker and A.J. Hilliard, who missed last season after dislocating his ankle in the season opener and who is recovering from an injured wrist, coach Kevin Sumlin said.
What about Chavis’ all-important cornerbacks? Senior De’Vante Harris (Mesquite Horn) returns at over 180 pounds, hefty for him, defensive backs coach Terry Joseph said. Sophomore Nick Harvey (Lancaster) has impressed in camp, as has Brandon Williams, the speedy running back-turned-cornerback who was voted a captain by his teammates.
“That ought to tell you something,” Sumlin said of Williams’ adjustment to defense.
Armani Watts (North Forney) looks to build on a freshman season of big and bumpy moments at safety, where junior college transfer Justin Evans will be asked to make an instant impact.
“We want to get the best five or six DBs on the field,” Joseph said, “no matter the position.”
How much improvement can reasonably be made year over year? Chavis didn’t take on nearly the same level of project when he became coordinator at Tennessee in 1995 or at LSU in 2009. But the defenses did improve in the national rankings in their first seasons with Chavis in charge. Tennessee went from 33rd to 24th in total defense, and LSU climbed from 32nd to 26th.
The Aggies start to reveal their progress for 2015 in less than a week.
“We expect to play well, and we will be improved,” Chavis said. “It’s not a lack of talent. We have the talent in the right places that will fit our scheme.”
Where he’s been ... where he’s going
New Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis last season coordinated an LSU defense that ranked among the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He takes over a unit that ranked on the opposite end in most categories. (With average yards and points per game from 2014. SEC and FBS rankings in parentheses.)
SEC
LSU
Category
Texas A&M
347.4 (3)
Total defense
509.5 (14)
20.8 (4)
Scoring defense
36.6 (12)
152.0 (7)
Rushing defense
271.5 (14)
195.4 (3)
Passing defense
238.0 (11)
OVERALL
LSU
Category
Texas A&M
316.8 (9)
Total defense
450.8 (102)
17.5 (5)
Scoring defense
28.1 (75)
152.7 (46)
Rushing defense
216.0 (109)
164.2 (3)
Passing defense
234.8 (80)
Chavis on how he plans to improve Aggies' defense; his one bold claim about Garrett, Hall
COLLEGE STATION — When John Chavis took over as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator, he sat down and watched every snap of the 2014 season. Then he started over and pressed play again.
Immersing himself in the SEC’s worst-ranked unit in total defense for two years running could have made Chavis count every cent of the $4.65 million he’s earning over the next three seasons.A&M gave up 509.5 total yards per game in SEC play — 271.5 yards rushing. Overall, came up with only 13 takeaways in 13 games.
But Chavis insists he was encouraged. He didn’t look at the scheme under former coordinator Mark Snyder but identified how the returning players could thrive in his system.
“You saw a field that had a lot of young talent, not just young talent, but very good talent,” Chavis said. “And that’s one of the reasons that I’m so optimistic. We’ve got to grow, and we’ve got to mature. A lot of guys played well at times, and all we need to do is do it consistently.”
The presence of “Chief” and his confidence in A&M’s defensive potential is a big reason the Aggies could improve on last season’s 8-5 results (3-5 SEC). The progress he’s made will be tested immediately, with A&M opening Saturday against No. 15 Arizona State at Houston’s NRG Stadium.
Chavis’ approach is well-known and proven, considering he’s been an SEC coordinator (at Tennessee and LSU) the last 20 seasons.
“Football has changed a good bit, and we’ve had to tweak things,” Chavis said. “But ultimately, we’ve got a simple philosophy. We’re going to play the run with numbers, we’re going to try to outnumber you in the box, get an unblocked player to the point of attack, and we’re going to rush the passer with speed. When you say that, you better have corners that can handle those one-on-one situations.
“We’re never going to sacrifice speed for size. We’re going to get as much speed on the field as we can.”
Myles Garrett (Arlington Martin) and Daeshon Hall (Lancaster) give Chavis the starting point he needs up front. Chavis has even called the ends two of the best in college football.
“That’s a pretty big statement, but I’m not afraid to make that statement,” he said.
Qualen Cunningham also could be a force on the outside. Garrett (111/2 sacks last season) recently revealed that a torn thumb ligament prevented him from using his left hand for the second half of his freshman season, and he predicts that being healthy and playing in Chavis’ system that requires more attacking than reacting will lead to even better results.
“I’ve got to be better against the run,” Garrett said. “I knew I could be. At some point … I was scared to hurt myself and go too far with the thumb. Now that there’s nothing holding me back, I feel I can take it to another level.”
A&M returns senior Alonzo Williams at tackle. Senior Julien Obioha moves inside from the end, where it’s hoped his athleticism will help against bigger-bodied guards and centers. Tackles coach Mark Hagen said A&M wants to roll six to eight players into the games to keep the tackles fresh.
The linebackers, coached by Chavis, need to be among the most improved units overall. The mix includes Otaro Alaka, Shaan Washington, Josh Walker and A.J. Hilliard, who missed last season after dislocating his ankle in the season opener and who is recovering from an injured wrist, coach Kevin Sumlin said.
What about Chavis’ all-important cornerbacks? Senior De’Vante Harris (Mesquite Horn) returns at over 180 pounds, hefty for him, defensive backs coach Terry Joseph said. Sophomore Nick Harvey (Lancaster) has impressed in camp, as has Brandon Williams, the speedy running back-turned-cornerback who was voted a captain by his teammates.
“That ought to tell you something,” Sumlin said of Williams’ adjustment to defense.
Armani Watts (North Forney) looks to build on a freshman season of big and bumpy moments at safety, where junior college transfer Justin Evans will be asked to make an instant impact.
“We want to get the best five or six DBs on the field,” Joseph said, “no matter the position.”
How much improvement can reasonably be made year over year? Chavis didn’t take on nearly the same level of project when he became coordinator at Tennessee in 1995 or at LSU in 2009. But the defenses did improve in the national rankings in their first seasons with Chavis in charge. Tennessee went from 33rd to 24th in total defense, and LSU climbed from 32nd to 26th.
The Aggies start to reveal their progress for 2015 in less than a week.
“We expect to play well, and we will be improved,” Chavis said. “It’s not a lack of talent. We have the talent in the right places that will fit our scheme.”
Where he’s been ... where he’s going
New Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis last season coordinated an LSU defense that ranked among the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He takes over a unit that ranked on the opposite end in most categories. (With average yards and points per game from 2014. SEC and FBS rankings in parentheses.)
SEC
LSU
Category
Texas A&M
347.4 (3)
Total defense
509.5 (14)
20.8 (4)
Scoring defense
36.6 (12)
152.0 (7)
Rushing defense
271.5 (14)
195.4 (3)
Passing defense
238.0 (11)
OVERALL
LSU
Category
Texas A&M
316.8 (9)
Total defense
450.8 (102)
17.5 (5)
Scoring defense
28.1 (75)
152.7 (46)
Rushing defense
216.0 (109)
164.2 (3)
Passing defense
234.8 (80)
