KeShun Freeman hopes the difference will be in the details.
At the snap, the Georgia Tech defensive end wants to take a first step that is more explosive and intentional.
“Going back and looking at game film last year, sometimes my first step wouldn’t be a good first step,” he said. “I’d just probably kind of step under myself or just look in the backfield without even trying to look at offensive linemen.”
He wants to use his hands in a way that defensive coordinator Ted Roof calls “violent,” swiping away the reach of offensive tackles who want to steer Freeman away from the quarterback.
“When people get their hands on me, a lot of times I’ve been getting held a lot,” Freeman said. “But if I can just break their hands off, that would definitely do me better.”
As the Yellow Jackets seek to rise from their disastrous 2015 season, Roof’s defense has devoted a healthy portion of spring practice to improving a pass rush that too frequently failed to disrupt quarterbacks. Roof said it’s difficult to gauge the amount of improvement, but he has seen development in technique and fundamentals.
“I don’t think it’s ever as fast as we want it to be, but I’ve seen progress,” he said.
A cynic might say that it wouldn’t be difficult for Tech to have made progress from last season. Tech was tied for 120th in FBS with 1.17 sacks per game, according to cfbstats.com. While sacks are not the only barometer of an effective pass rush, Tech didn’t excel at the others, either. The Jackets were 67th in opponent passer rating and tied for 92nd with nine interceptions in 337 opponent pass attempts. In 2014, the Jackets’ 18 interceptions in 448 attempts were one of the most critical elements of the team’s outsized success.
Tech has devoted time to improving its blitz, including the timing and disguise of its blitz packages. Roof has not been shy about sending extra defenders at the quarterback, but the productivity of the tactic has been mixed. One weakness of the Jackets’ blitzes was that offenses could identify them too frequently prior to the snap, enabling them to adjust protections and defeat them by releasing the ball quickly.
“We’ve got to do a better job with our (pre-snap) looks,” Roof said. “Part of being a good blitzing team is being a good disguise team.”
The more fundamental improvement may come from a personnel standpoint. On top of his technical improvement, Freeman now carries 250 pounds, up from about 240 pounds last season. He also said he has gained familiarity and comfort in reading plays and carrying out assignments. He has been dependable as a high-motor player, but the Jackets will likely need more than two sacks, his 2015 total, in the upcoming season.
“I’m recognizing things better,” he said. “Last year, and the year before, it would be kind of like, spur-of-the-moment (decisions) and you have to try to remember. Now I’m just kind of, Hey, in this situation, do this. In this situation, do that.”
Roof has more confidence in backup end Anree Saint-Amour, a rising sophomore, meaning he could play more and keep Freeman fresher without a significant drop-off in production. Saint-Amour’s progress has helped in another way.
“I think it’s helped (Freeman) to get pushed,” Roof said. “I think the guys behind him, and certainly pushing himself a little bit harder, have made himself better.”
Tech will lose the leadership and production of pocket-crushing tackle Adam Gotsis. The Jackets will look to the tandem of Patrick Gamble and Kyle Cerge-Henderson, who was rushed onto the field last season as a first-year freshman, and hope on the development of Francis Kallon and other backups. At the other end spot, Roderick Rook-Chungong returns as a starter. Desmond Branch, a junior-college transfer, appears to have a spot in the rotation.
“He’s jumped right into the mix and he’s fit in very well,” Freeman said of Branch.
The first step to improving pass rush, though, may be improving run defense. Tech ranked 100th in rushing yards per attempt on first down, at 5.18 yards, according to cfbstats.com. Often given manageable second downs, Tech opponents inflicted their worst damage in the passing game on second down. By opponent passer rating, Tech actually ranked 36th on first down and 31st on third down, but 115th on second down.
Frequently forcing second-and-long would be a good place to start. Freeman developing into a devastating edge rusher would be another welcome development for Roof, who would probably take another two weeks of spring practice if he could.
“I’m pleased with that (overall progress), but, once again, we’re in the race-against-the-clock mode, it feels like,” Roof said. “Because we’re going to wake up and it’s going to be August, and then it’s going to be September, and we’re going to be playing before we know it.”
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