our pass rush has been, we are never going to "get there" with guys who are packing 340 lbs on a 6'3" frame. We just can't compete with other good teams speed-wise, if we are satisfied with those kind of physical dimensions. When I look at other dominating defensive lineman we play on other teams (and O-lineman as well), they are almost always lean-mean-fighting machines, as were some of the GREAT O and D lineman that BYU used to send to the NFL in the past. Size and weight room prowess are fine, but if it isn't matched with speed and agility (lineman speed and agility), it won't translate well to winning in the trenches, and it is incredibly hard to have upper tier speed and agility with 340 lbs spread across a 6'3" frame. The basic laws of physics essentially don't allow it.

If we want to consistently win in the trenches, the coaches are going to have to demand, and settle for nothing less than the type of lean sinewy, and relatively fast and agile lineman that we used to regularly send to NFL teams. Just because your "one of the BIG BOYS" on the team, doesn't mean having a donut-gut or a lard-butt is a badge of honor, especially if your intention is to dominate in the trenches.

Guys like C Kaufusi and some other BIG but Athletic O and D lineman that are currently on the 2 deep are a good start, but having the coaches emphasize the lean and agile lineman is where the focus needs to be if we want to increase the winning of MORE one on one battles. Even as good as M. Tonga has been, if he had a significantly lower body fat percentage, he would be that much more of a beast. As it is, he tends to tire out, and take plays off as the game progresses, and it actually likely contributed significantly to some of our losses the last two years. When he is dominating, we can be very good on defense, but not as much when he is spent. But, also importantly for him personally, lowering his % body fat by about 15% would be a great investment, probably worth several million in NFL dollars going forward.