New 'chain gang' defense reports for Tech

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - First day of practice will finally arrive for Texas Tech fans, players, and coaches Monday. On Sunday, the media got its first glimpse at the new team and, more importantly, the 'chain gang defense.'

"As the defense, we have this new thing going called the chain gang," explained senior defensive back DJ Johnson. "Each person is an important link, if one link fails it doesn't just let down the person to the left of you, it also lets down the person to the right of you. As a team and a defense, we're going to really buy into that this season, and we're going to play for each other."

This new metaphor for the defensive players and coaches is, well...new. It's initial goal is to create an identity for the defensive unit.

"Offense has always had something: air raid, or something like that," said Johnson. "As for the defense, we've never really had an identity."

"It's really just contributed to the new identity, the new focus," said senior cornerback Eugene Neboh. "It's really just for the focus on the field, but it's just something to give a brand, a 'band of brothers' on the field."

The chain gang is trying to erase the image of giving up 39 points-per-game last season. Insert a new defensive coordinator, Art Kaufman, and nine returning starters, and this chain gang is ready to ride.

"We just really want to start something and leave a legacy," said Johnson. "Something [future players] can build on , and people can buy into."

Copyright 2012 KCBD. All rights reserved.