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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Practice Report: Detailing the Defense
8/9/2019 | Football
<i class="icon-video"></i> Mike MacIntyre Interview<i class="icon-video"></i> Myles Hartsfield Interview<i class="icon-video"></i> Austrian Robinson Interview<i class="icon-video"></i> Jacquez Jones Interview<i class="icon-camera"></i> Photo Gallery<i class="icon-tickets"></i> Purchase Football Tickets
MacIntyre, Hartsfield, Robinson and Jones Meet With Media
OXFORD, Miss. – One day ahead of its first fall scrimmage, the Ole Miss football team took its next step toward the August 31 opener at Memphis. The Rebels continue to show improvement on both sides of the ball, including at all three levels of the new 3-4 defensive alignment.
Defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre met with the media following Friday's practice, along with defensive back Myles Hartsfield, defensive lineman Austrian Robinson and linebacker Jacquez Jones.
THE NEW FRONT
Several veteran leaders are back on the defensive front, giving plenty for MacIntyre to work with as he installs his new scheme. So far, the Rebels' new defensive coordinator has been pleased with both the leadership and the progress on the line.
"Josiah Coatney and Benito Jones look healthy. They've had no setbacks. They've been at every practice and have gone every snap we have asked them to go. They've done really well," MacIntyre said. "Tariqious Tisdale didn't have a fall camp last year, and watching him on film from last year to now, he stood up a lot before, but now he's able to stay in good leverage positions. Ryder Anderson has gotten bigger, more powerful. All of them have pushed and worked extremely hard in there."
Robinson, who will wear the No. 38 for his senior season, has been tasked with being a leader, not just on that defensive front, but on the entire defense. He, too, has been impressed with the competition around him.
"Day by day, just making competition. You can't take a day off. We really push each other. It really helps having a lot of depth," Robinson said. "Tisdale and Ryder have been doing really well this fall. Josiah came back strong. Benito came back strong. Quentin Bivens stepped up a lot this fall. KD Hill got way better."
LBs ON THE RISE
The Rebel defenders are the first to acknowledge that they must improve in 2019. Jones spoke Friday about the outlook of the defense, particularly in the linebacker room.
"Compared to last year, the level of competition this year is unbelievable. You have six or seven guys who can all play. Every day at practice we just have to come out there and be the best person we can be in order to play," Jones said. "We're just trying to put Ole Miss back on the map again. To be the best defense we can be, it starts with the linebackers. We're ready to come turn some heads."
MacIntyre has also liked the competition he has seen, starting with his veteran leaders in MoMo Sanogo and Willie Hibbler and on through to the newcomers and younger linebackers in the room.
"The guys who played last year, MoMo and Willie, are doing well," MacIntyre said. "Lakia Henry has come in and done really well. We're excited about him and Jacquez. Zikerrion Baker and Donta Evans are doing really well. Donta has taken a step from the spring and is playing really well."
SHARK SEASON
Versatility is the name of the game at all three levels of MacIntyre's defense, as he has challenged his defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs to learn multiple spots, so when issues arise, adjustments can be made. Hartsfield has been key to that philosophy in the secondary, spending some time at corner as well as the hybrid nickel/shark role.
"Our shark spot is just another DB in for an outside backer and still keeping our 3-4 front. So you can still do a lot of the same things. If teams are spreading you out and are in 10 personnel, you can play that front and still be able to play some more tight coverage," MacIntyre said. "Myles does a good job in there at that nickel spot, and then if they're running he can set the edge and do some different things like that. And he can cover, so that helps us when we use him in that situation."
Hartsfield has enjoyed that role, as well as holding a leadership spot among his fellow cornerbacks. He has been impressed with what he has seen out of his fellow cover men, including the youngsters, who are likely to see time in the rotation right away.
"There are seven of us in the room, but all seven, even Deantre Prince, today he had a great day. We have the depth," Hartsfield said. "Even though they're young, they have shown they can play at a high level. Coach is expecting them to be able to go Day 1. They're showing it to him that they can."
Ole Miss' annual Meet the Rebels is scheduled for Saturday, Aug 10, at 2 p.m. in the Manning Center. To purchase tickets for the 2018 season, visit STH19.com or call 888-REB-TKTS.
Defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre met with the media following Friday's practice, along with defensive back Myles Hartsfield, defensive lineman Austrian Robinson and linebacker Jacquez Jones.
THE NEW FRONT
Several veteran leaders are back on the defensive front, giving plenty for MacIntyre to work with as he installs his new scheme. So far, the Rebels' new defensive coordinator has been pleased with both the leadership and the progress on the line.
"Josiah Coatney and Benito Jones look healthy. They've had no setbacks. They've been at every practice and have gone every snap we have asked them to go. They've done really well," MacIntyre said. "Tariqious Tisdale didn't have a fall camp last year, and watching him on film from last year to now, he stood up a lot before, but now he's able to stay in good leverage positions. Ryder Anderson has gotten bigger, more powerful. All of them have pushed and worked extremely hard in there."
Robinson, who will wear the No. 38 for his senior season, has been tasked with being a leader, not just on that defensive front, but on the entire defense. He, too, has been impressed with the competition around him.
"Day by day, just making competition. You can't take a day off. We really push each other. It really helps having a lot of depth," Robinson said. "Tisdale and Ryder have been doing really well this fall. Josiah came back strong. Benito came back strong. Quentin Bivens stepped up a lot this fall. KD Hill got way better."
LBs ON THE RISE
The Rebel defenders are the first to acknowledge that they must improve in 2019. Jones spoke Friday about the outlook of the defense, particularly in the linebacker room.
"Compared to last year, the level of competition this year is unbelievable. You have six or seven guys who can all play. Every day at practice we just have to come out there and be the best person we can be in order to play," Jones said. "We're just trying to put Ole Miss back on the map again. To be the best defense we can be, it starts with the linebackers. We're ready to come turn some heads."
MacIntyre has also liked the competition he has seen, starting with his veteran leaders in MoMo Sanogo and Willie Hibbler and on through to the newcomers and younger linebackers in the room.
"The guys who played last year, MoMo and Willie, are doing well," MacIntyre said. "Lakia Henry has come in and done really well. We're excited about him and Jacquez. Zikerrion Baker and Donta Evans are doing really well. Donta has taken a step from the spring and is playing really well."
SHARK SEASON
Versatility is the name of the game at all three levels of MacIntyre's defense, as he has challenged his defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs to learn multiple spots, so when issues arise, adjustments can be made. Hartsfield has been key to that philosophy in the secondary, spending some time at corner as well as the hybrid nickel/shark role.
"Our shark spot is just another DB in for an outside backer and still keeping our 3-4 front. So you can still do a lot of the same things. If teams are spreading you out and are in 10 personnel, you can play that front and still be able to play some more tight coverage," MacIntyre said. "Myles does a good job in there at that nickel spot, and then if they're running he can set the edge and do some different things like that. And he can cover, so that helps us when we use him in that situation."
Hartsfield has enjoyed that role, as well as holding a leadership spot among his fellow cornerbacks. He has been impressed with what he has seen out of his fellow cover men, including the youngsters, who are likely to see time in the rotation right away.
"There are seven of us in the room, but all seven, even Deantre Prince, today he had a great day. We have the depth," Hartsfield said. "Even though they're young, they have shown they can play at a high level. Coach is expecting them to be able to go Day 1. They're showing it to him that they can."
Ole Miss' annual Meet the Rebels is scheduled for Saturday, Aug 10, at 2 p.m. in the Manning Center. To purchase tickets for the 2018 season, visit STH19.com or call 888-REB-TKTS.
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