University of North Carolina Athletics
Coach Tenuta On The Defense: Part II
July 26, 2001 | Football
July 26, 2001
By: Joe Bray
TarHeelBlue: Do you have any idea if you'll play any true freshmen on defense?
Coach Tenuta: "Hopefully, some of those guys may work themselves into a number two slot, but I'm not counting on it.
"The game is just so much faster at this level, things just happen so fast. Some guys can gain some playing time on special teams, then work themselves into some playing time. Other guys, it may take a year or two.
"You go into those first few days of fall camp, and it's how much do you want to throw at them? You try to coach them the basic things. Some guys pick it up quickly, other guys it takes a lot longer.
"I really don't have any idea if a true freshman has a shot at playing until I see him in some scrimmages. Whether we've got a phenom out there, I don't know. I've been blessed to be around some guys like that, like Orlando Pace and Andy Katzenmoyer. Those guys were a little bit ahead of the game, both mentally and physically, as 18 year-old kids.
"Can I say any of these guys coming in are like that, no I can't. I just don't know yet. Heck, look at guys like Emmitt Smith and Archie Griffin. Archie had his coming out party against North Carolina.
"You want your guys to be successful early, but you don't know how early that will be. When their time in history comes, it comes. Some guys shine a little earlier than others. The maturity level, the physical aspect of it, the punishment, being away from home, all of those things play a factor in it.
"I do think kids mature faster, both mentally and physically, these days than they did in the past. We'll see how they handle things."
TarHeelBlue: Which area of the defense gives you the most concern with depth?
Coach Tenuta: "I think the first four guys up front are pretty stout. That's a good front four. Are you as good behind them? I don't know. Clearly the guys behind them need to come on.
"Sometimes you wonder if fifteen days of spring ball is enough, especially in the trenches. That's where a lot of games are won and lost.
"A lot of people worry about our linebackers, because there's really only two guys back there who've got a lot of reps. But, is there a true weakness, I don't know. I really don't get into that aspect of it.
"We'll know a lot more when we start summer ball. Have the guys stayed where they were in the spring, have they improved over the summer? You look to see how far the number two guy is behind the number one guy. Then, you really know how strong you are at each position.
"I'm happy with these guys. We'll just see what's up when we start summer ball."
TarHeelBlue: You mentioned Billy-Dee as a leader. Who are your better leaders on the defense?
Coach Tenuta: "As far as what we've tried to put in since I've been here, I think that Quincy Monk understands every thing we do up front, and illy-Dee understands every thing we do from the back to the front.
"It helps to have guys like that who, when it's bang, bang, bang, they understand all that's going on and are able to adjust and help the other players out.
"I don't think there's any question that Sims, Peppers, Evans, all those guys are leaders in what they do. Some guys are just more verbal than others.
"Your Mike linebacker and one of your safeties pretty much control the game for you, because they have to coach on the field. They have to adjust because the coach is not out there.
"Practice is one thing, but during a game, those two guys are the guys that are heard out on the field. They handle everything that happens out there. Plus, a lot of our things are done by automatics. If there's a personnel grouping in a certain formation, you call this defense, but oh-oh, they make a change, and our guys have to pick it up and adjust on the fly."
TarHeelBlue: You've clearly got a lot of confidence in Monk and Greenwood.
Coach Tenuta: "I've got a lot of confidence in all our guys.
"I was very impressed when that first week and a half of spring ball went by. To see our guys in the regimentation of what we as a staff asked them to do was great. They just came out there every day going bang, bang, bang. I enjoyed it, to be honest with you."
TarHeelBlue: I asked you about our talent level back in February. You told me to get back to you on that after spring ball.
Coach Tenuta: "There's no question in my mind that there's a lot of talent here.
"Now, are they as good as this team or as good as that team? I personally don't get into all that. I enjoy these guys. I like their work ethic.
"The bottom line is the productivity that's going to occur in twelve ball games. We've got to get it done. That's how I look at it. I've never been one of those guys who go 'This guy's better than that guy, or that guy's better than this guy.'
"I will say that I was pleased with them."
TarHeelBlue: Can you have as aggressive a unit as you would like? I know you prefer a very aggressive style of defense.
Coach Tenuta: "Oh, I think so, I think so.
"It starts up front, and those guys up front will set the tone for a lot of things that are going to happen for us. I'm very, very impressed with our front four."
TarHeelBlue: Did any of your guys really surprise you with how well they improved during the spring?
Coach Tenuta: "I think that's a very fair question, but I didn't have any preconceived notions about them.
"I think as coaches you're going to find out what their strengths are, then you have to develop their weaknesses, because their strengths are always going to be there. Say a guy's a 500-pound bench presser, but he can only squat 135 pounds, you better work on his squat
"What you have to do is get the players to realize what areas they need to spend a lot of time on. Our guys are starting to understand that. Technique is what makes you a better player, and it all comes back to the little things.
"Now, did anybody just flat out stand out to me? I can't say, because I've been quite impressed with several of these guys."
TarHeelBlue: Did the defensive staff mesh together during the spring?
Coach Tenuta: "Yes. A lot of that comes from being in that room right over there. It's kind of an open forum in there.
"I know what I like, but there's different ways to skin a cat. We sit down and discuss every aspect of a problem before we go out on the field. Ultimately, the final decision has to be made by me, but I think the other coaches feel good about the input they have.
"We're all on the same page about being aggressive, being relentless. If for some reason we're not getting things done, we'll scrap what we're doing and do something a little bit better.
"All of us enjoy tossing around ideas."
TarHeelBlue: Will these guys be able to play fast enough for you?
Coach Tenuta: "Yes. I think there are three ingredients to be a good defense.
"You've got to play fast, you've got to play smart, and you've got to play physical. That's what I tell them every day before they go to practice. When you go out in a ball game those are the things you have to do.
"The game still comes back to blocking and tackling. You've got to get to the ball, and you've got to tackle the ball carrier. That's what it comes down to.
"I think that the coaches here, and I really enjoy the guys I'm coaching with, are all on the same page that we're going to do enough, and how much is enough? I'm not big on doing too much.
"I want them playing fast. For them to play fast, they can't just sit there and think. They have to react. You have to be an instinctive player. You don't want some guy standing there like a statue, thinking 'What do I do next?', then his man zooms by him.
"I'll tell you what. They play good defense here. I think a lot of those kids understand that aspect of it.
"I'll just be glad to get back out on the field with them. You know, as soon as it's past the Fourth of July, it's all football for me, but I don't get to see the kids enough until practice starts. With all the rules now, I can't see them unless they come by to see me in the office. Getting back on the field with them is, to me, what it's all about."
