Imagine his technique -- his footwork and football savvy -- catching up to his physical gifts this season.
For instance, instead of being over-eager to find the ball in the backfield and chase whoever had it, McPhee said he has reset his priorities. He is playing his man first and then the ball, which has made him more difficult to handle in the preseason.
“Eyes on the man, then the ball. Don’t look into the backfield too soon,” McPhee said. “I’m also getting better with a lot of get-off drills, keeping our feet moving. I’m working.”
McPhee knows protections are going to slide toward him on passing downs. But he is working his moves to try to freeze the feet of the offensive tackle, run around him and then run down the throat of any running back who might try to chip-block him.
The Bulldogs hired a new defensive line coach, Chris Wilson, from Oklahoma and McPhee says the attitude along the line has become “mean and aggressive.”