Vanderbilt watching more Stanford film than its own

Vanderbilt defensive lineman Adam Butler has become an expert on Stanford’s 2013 defense.

He knows their strengths and their weaknesses. Mention that Stanford was ranked somewhere in the top 5 nationally in rush defense that season, and he’ll quickly clarify for you.

“Actually, I believe they were ranked No. 3 against the run that year,” Butler said. “But a couple of years ago I don’t think I would’ve ever known something like that.”

Butler, like some of his Vanderbilt defensive teammates, has spent time in the offseason watching old game film from Stanford, which Commodores head coach Derek Mason directed as defensive coordinator there two years ago.

Mason is taking over as defensive play-caller this season, and film from his successful Stanford defenses provides a good model for his current players.

Safety Oren Burks said he even watches more 2013 Stanford film of individual players than 2014 Vanderbilt film.

“(Stanford film) is just a better example of how we want to play,” Burks said. “I can’t even explain how helpful it is to me. I watch a lot of our (2014) games to see our opponents because we’re playing a lot of them this year. But just to watch it for how our defense works, I watch more Stanford film than us.”

Mason served as Stanford’s defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2013. During that stretch, the Cardinal ranked in the top 5 nationally in rush defense all three seasons, in the top 10 in fewest points allowed twice, in the top 5 in sacks twice and in the top 10 in tackles-for-loss twice.

Vanderbilt’s defense last season had a few bright spots, especially in close losses to Kentucky (17-7), Missouri (24-14) and Tennessee (24-17). But the overall product didn’t impress, and defensive coordinator David Kotulski, a former Stanford assistant, was fired by Mason.

Since then, Vanderbilt players have been shown more film from Mason’s past Stanford defenses, especially to reinforce individual techniques taught on the practice field.

“We watched some film on the technicalities of his (Stanford) defense,” Butler said. “I like it because you can get a feel for how (Mason) wants us to fit in the scheme and why it’s important that we fit a certain way at our position.”

Success at Stanford played a big part in Mason being a prime candidate for his first head coaching job at Vanderbilt. But he said those accomplishments had as much to do with talented players understanding their roles as it did complicated schemes.

“The secret sauce had to be more about our guys,” Mason said. “A scheme is a scheme. Everybody’s got schemes. Players make schemes come alive. Our guys were detailed. They understood the situation. They played smart, and they never beat themselves. That’s what we’re trying to get our guys here to understand.”

Burks doesn’t know Stanford’s players by name very well, but he knows their numbers.

“I watch No. 8 a lot because he has great range at safety, and I want to play like him,” said Burks, unknowingly referring to former Stanford safety Jordan Richards, an All-Pac 10 player, team captain and current New England Patriots rookie.

“I love visual keys because I’m a visual guy. I don’t even have my TV set up. I just pull up my iPad and watch it.”

Butler said the best time to see some old Stanford clips is immediately after practice and positional meetings. That’s when drills and instruction are fresh on his mind.

“I’ll just go over what (defensive line) coach (Frank) Maile was telling me and then I try to convert that to some of the (Stanford) D-linemen I see doing the same things,” Butler said. “I take my notes with me and compare Stanford to me, and it helps a lot.”

Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.

VANDERBILT’S DORE JAM

When: Sunday (2-4 p.m.)

Where: Vanderbilt indoor facility

What: Free fan event to kick off football season. Includes autographs, photos, free posters, inflatables, games, free hot dogs and drinks while supplies last.

Extra: Unveiling of Vanderbilt’s new uniforms and helmets

Parking: Vanderbilt Medical Center surface lots across Natchez Trace from the Vanderbilt Track & Field Complex