It sounds good when you hear it, so you repeat it to someone who repeats it to someone else. No one stops to challenge the worthiness of the original statement.

It’s time to analyze the gospel, according to Kansas University football supporters: “This year’s linebackers are bigger and faster than last year’s.” It has such legs because last year’s linebackers were among the first to say it.

What does it really mean? Not much, until the new linebackers show they have the instincts, hunger, and knowledge to transform that size and speed into performance.

Nick Reid was at his fastest zeroing in on the poor soul carrying the football. He looked his biggest after slamming his victims to the ground. Banks Floodman had a certain volume to his game. Kevin Kane wasn’t nearly as small on grass as on paper.

Mike Rivera, Joe Mortensen and Eric Washington all have athleticism and attitude, yet it’s worth considering whether they yet have the know-how to react efficiently, rather than delay themselves thinking about what they’re supposed to be doing.

A captain, Rivera has the most impressive combination of stop-watch speed and size, but is he quick, agile and flexible? Maybe he needs the adrenaline supplied by game day to become a highly visible player. In the few practices open to the public, Rivera wasn’t all that noticeable and didn’t generate much of a buzz. He needs to be a big contributor soon if the linebacker unit is going to be closer to a strength than a liability.

Mortensen? At last check, he hadn’t beaten out redshirt freshman Jake Shermer, a player noted more for relentless effort than either size (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) or speed. An injury has caused the speedy Washington to miss some time, putting him behind on what was to be an accelerated learning curve. Workout fanatic James Holt will miss significant time because of a foot injury.

Linebacker isn’t the only shaky area on the KU defense. Injuries to safeties have left that vital position in the hands of inexperienced players much of the time. The string of bad luck started in March, when Rodney Harris’ career ended with a neck injury. Returning starter Jerome Kemp and redshirt freshman Darrell Stuckey have been sidelined by injuries, Stuckey’s the more serious of the two.

Things look better at cornerback, or do they? Third-year sophomore Aqib Talib, KU’s only preseason All-Big 12 selection, could miss the first two games for disciplinary reasons, according to sources. Blake Bueltel came to KU from Butler County Community College with a reputation as a strong cover man and has looked even better at it than advertised. He’s not noted as a strong tackler, a big deal considering the injuries at safety.

Depth also is a concern on the defensive line. Eric Butler was the best pure pass rusher, but his appeal for another year of eligibility was denied. A knee injury to Rodney Allen, a super talent, was the latest bad news to rock the Jayhawks, although early indications from whispers were that Allen won’t miss much time. Paul Como, a determined pass rusher, will need to make an impact. Starting tackles James McClinton and Wayne Wilder are rock solid and will make it tough on opposing running backs. They are healthy and experienced. In that regard, they have far too little company.

Bet the over.