April 9, 2008

By Grant Vandever, Texas Tech Media Relations

Speed is the word of the spring for Texas Tech's defense lead by first year defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill. McNeill, who took over control of the defense following the Oklahoma State game last season wants his team to "run around" all the time.

McNeill says that just running to the ball will help make up for other mistakes.

"If everyone is running to the ball, it covers up the mistake of one," said McNeill. "I want the guys to have clear minds and run what they are. If they are a 4.5 guy, run a 4.5 and if they are a 5.0 guy, run a 5.0, but run that on the field every time."

McNeill wasted no time in making changes to his defense. McNeill moved Brian Duncan, who started at outside linebacker last season, to inside linebacker and gave him the keys to the defense, a responsibility that Duncan is not taking lightly.

"It is really exciting," said Duncan. "Coach (McNeill) has shown a lot of confidence in me and my character on and off the field and I accept all that comes with it."

McNeill contributes his decision to the depth he has at linebacker.

"Brian Duncan gives us depth and playmaking ability," said McNeill. "Victor Hunter gives us the same thing and Bront Bird is really coming into his own."

As the season approaches the defense does not have modest goals for itself.

"We set three main goals before we started this spring," said McNeill. "The first thing we want to do is to be better fundamentally. Secondly, we want to improve our base defense, especially against the run. Lastly, we want to become a better blitzing team and improve our blitz coverage."

The emphasis on blitzing has got everyone on the defense excited.

"Tech defense has been known for our speed. We kind of got away from that for a while but we are bringing it back," said Duncan. "We have some new plays and stunts. We really are going to be coming from all over the place."

McNeill believes that his team is making good progress and is proud of what they have done so far this spring.

"We want to build a foundation for the future," said McNeill. "We are building one brick at a time and doing things that will make us better in the 2008 season."

If McNeill and the defense can continue the improvement from the end of last year, and carry that into next season, the 2008 season could be one to remember at Texas Tech.