USF Defensive Staff Is Going Pro
May 15, 2008 | Football
TAMPA ? The defensive coaching staff for the University of South Florida football team is going pro.
Defensive coordinator Wally Burnham and his staff will visit the Indianapolis Colts, June 9-11, to observe their OTA (organized training activities) and get a first hand glimpse at Tony Dungy's 4-3 defense.
The Bulls and Colts both a run the same basic defensive scheme that features four down lineman and three linebackers.
The similarity is no coincidence either.
“When Tony was here in Tampa coaching the Bucs, I was out at practice all the time,” said Burnham. “Tony was always very receptive and welcoming. He was always willing to share information with all of us on staff.”
After being a regular around Dungy's camp when he was in Tampa, the USF mentor had never been up to Indianapolis until this past December when he attended the Colts and Texans game at the RCA Dome. Remarkably, it was also the first NFL game that Burnham had ever attended.
“Peyton (Manning) is so smart,” said Burnham. “It is easy to see his talent and leadership on television, but from the sidelines it is even more impressive. The way he manipulates the the offense and confuses the defense is something to see.”
Most college teams take a portion of the off-season to trade industry secrets with another coaching staff. The USF offensive staff spent time at Clemson this year. The defense has collaborated with Oklahoma, LSU, Florida, Tennessee and Arizona in the past.
It is not as common for a staff to be invited into the fold by an NFL team.
“They are going to open up their OTA for us,” said Burnham of the 2007 Super Bowl Champions. “We'll watch the practice, drills and then after lunch we are going to sit down and meet with their staff. Tony is going to let us sit in on staff meetings, player meetings and film sessions.”
On paper it's the 4-3 defense that is drawing the two staffs together but Burnham is more worried about the details.
“It's all in the details,” said Burnham. “We can watch film on them all day and learn stuff. But it is the little stuff that is important. The minor adjustments, the tendencies against formations and on specific downs and distances. That is what really helps your understanding of a scheme.”
The USF defensive staff is going there to specifically look at how the Colts scheme teams when they go into three and four wide receiver sets. They are also going to take a close look at their red zone defense. As for picking up information for George Selvie, it is again about the details in what his favorite player, Dwight Freeney does.
“Derrick Brooks has been really good in that respect,” said Burnham. “He has always told me tiny details that have helped our linebackers out. KP (defensive ends coach Kevin Patrick) can pick up the similar stuff from Freeney just by watching him work.”
As for reciprocating with any secrets from the USF camp, Burnham laughed off that possibility.
“They will ask about our players, probably George and Tyrone McKenzie,” said Burnham. “But I don't think they will be digging for information on what we do defensively.”
