Steele talks third down, linebackers, and NC State

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Nov 15 13:50:54 GMT-04:00 2011

CLEMSON – Tiger defensive coordinator Kevin Steele Kevin Steele
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
View Full Profile touched on a number of topics during his Tuesday media session, including his disappointment in the defense allowing Wake Forest to convert 50 percent of third downs (8-for-16) this past Saturday.

Steele said the defense was still right in line with previous seasons’ numbers, but the past two games [Georgia Tech was 7-for-14] have seen a spike.

“On third down, we are still pretty good overall,” Steele said. “We are 38 percent, and we were at 36 percent last year and maybe 35 percent the year before. But the answer to why we have struggled the past two games is simple – we have had a lot of third-and-one and third-and-two and third-and-three. If you look at third down and six-plus, it is very good. So the answer is winning second down in a big way so you don’t have that third-and-short. If it’s third-and-one, there just isn’t much you can call.”

Steele was asked what was different in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game as opposed to the second and third quarters, and he said not much.

“Every game has an ebb and flow and everybody remembers it differently,” he said. “I wouldn’t say the second and third quarters were awful, we just had two plays that were ugly. I think the fourth quarter went our way, and when you look at the grade sheets you see why. The game plan was very simple and they applied it very well and executed very well.”

Steele said that senior corner Coty SensabaughCoty Sensabaugh
Gr. Defensive Back
#15 6-0, 180
Kingsport, TN
View Full Profile has legitimate 4.3 speed – he is one of the faster players on the defense along with Darius RobinsonDarius Robinson
So. Defensive Back
#21 5-11, 170
College Park, GA
View Full Profile and Martin JenkinsMartin Jenkins
So. Defensive Back
#14 5-9, 175
Roswell, GA
View Full Profile – and said he has been impressed with how Sensabaugh has handled himself.

“Look at what he did with [Wake’s Chris] Givens,” he said. “He is a very talented wide receiver that can run, and we matched Coty up on him in press coverage and he had two catches for 16 yards. So he did a very nice job on him. In the offseason he got a lot stronger and that helped him a lot. He has done a nice job in terms of his strength. He is really smart and on the field he has excellent press technique – patience is the key there. “

On N.C. State

“With [Russell] Wilson there was a lot more threat of the run, the pull down, the scramble, quarterback draws and runs – those kinds of things. Outside of that is pretty much the same. They do have what we call Seattle routes - which are downfield throws they sprinkle them in. They are not a huge Seattle team but they take their shots. [Mike] Glennon has a strong arm and can unleash it. We don’t see a lot of screens because we play press coverage, but they will run the screen in there.”

On moving Brewer to safety

“A coach is always searching. A coach is never satisfied. We are mixing it up and we are better when we have the availability to move guys around. When Marcus [Gilchrist] was here he played nickel, safety and corner. It’s about matchups – if one guy is always here and one is always there then you can get your hands full pretty quick.”

On freshman DT DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn Williams
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#99 6-1, 290
Central, SC
View Full Profile

“He is very effective in what he does. He has a lot of athleticism and a high motor and is very coachable. He has a lot of tools and is very mature.”

On playing Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Fr. Linebacker
#12 6-3, 235
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile and Tig Willard in nickel situations

“Tig played a very solid football game. Stephone still has growing pains, and he will be the first to tell you that. But he won't learn standing over there by us. If everything is going perfect he won't get better. You put him in there and let him learn – sometimes there will be something costly, but you don’t let it get out of control. He needs to improve. It’s just experience. Something as simple as this – if we are in a man base 30 alignment and your man takes wider alignment, do you cheat or not? In zone you don’t have to but in man you better because if you don’t cheat you can't get there.”