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re: 2014 Fall Camp Discussion
Posted on 8/13/14 at 1:39 am to Warrior Poet
Posted on 8/13/14 at 1:39 am to Warrior Poet
quote:
I really think Howard Matthews is going to be a strength for us this year. Is that the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard?
He was good in 2012. Our Dline/LBers would have made NFL safeties look bad. No pass rush, and constant need to help in run support.
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Posted on 8/13/14 at 7:51 am to Nguyening
TJ said Devonta Burns will likely get significant playtime against SC
Posted on 8/13/14 at 8:39 am to Warrior Poet
I'm going to be so on edge during the SC game..
Posted on 8/13/14 at 9:03 am to leoj
Well, in all fairness he and Snyder said Burns was one of the most improved players on the defense during spring and the start of fall camp. Apparently he's really done well at Nickel and has been one of the most consistent players at both Nickel and Safety.
Posted on 8/13/14 at 9:06 am to Warrior Poet
sorry, just that residual BAS rearing its head. I honestly trust the secondary to be better this year between youth coming in and new coaching helping, also with DL keeping the safeties from wanting getting lost in the backfield every play.
Posted on 8/13/14 at 9:07 am to Warrior Poet
I liked that TJ interview.
The most important thing to me is when he talked about knowing WHY your are doing what you are doing.
Its impressive how much a secondary can change when they understand the defense from a more holistic view.
Kind of reminds of Steven Terrel in 2012. Maybe not the most talented guy, but he knew what was going on at all times and you never really had to worry about him.
The most important thing to me is when he talked about knowing WHY your are doing what you are doing.
Its impressive how much a secondary can change when they understand the defense from a more holistic view.
Kind of reminds of Steven Terrel in 2012. Maybe not the most talented guy, but he knew what was going on at all times and you never really had to worry about him.
Posted on 8/13/14 at 9:12 am to leoj
Exactly, the DL was our biggest anchor last year and the year prior (and really all the years for like a decade). We aren't 100% ready, but we have the depth to take pressure off other units and perhaps more talent than we really know.
A better DL will take pressure off the coverage units, whether it be just the secondary or secondary + linebackers dropping into coverage.
Better DL will take pressure off linebackers having to blitz or keep so many in the box to slow the run game.
Biggest concern at this point has to be the lack of depth in our linebacker unit, plus the fact that we have a likely starter out for over a month. That's why Mastro is the most important player on the defense and possibly the team.
A better DL will take pressure off the coverage units, whether it be just the secondary or secondary + linebackers dropping into coverage.
Better DL will take pressure off linebackers having to blitz or keep so many in the box to slow the run game.
Biggest concern at this point has to be the lack of depth in our linebacker unit, plus the fact that we have a likely starter out for over a month. That's why Mastro is the most important player on the defense and possibly the team.
Posted on 8/13/14 at 9:29 am to Bob Ag
Steven Terrell was the unsung hero of that 2012 team. The more I've watched some of our games that year the more I've come to appreciate how good a year he had. Hopefully somebody can step up in that mold this year
Posted on 8/14/14 at 4:50 pm to ShaneTheLegLechler
This is the weekend we are naming a starter correct?
Who you got?
Anyone heard anything this week?
Who you got?
Anyone heard anything this week?
Posted on 8/14/14 at 5:15 pm to Southtxag
Well, I got a 50/50 chance of being right. Allen.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 5:33 pm to Southtxag
Was thinking Allen all along but something tells me it's Hill
Posted on 8/14/14 at 5:36 pm to Southtxag
I'm going with Hill
Posted on 8/14/14 at 5:52 pm to leoj
I think the first week of camp it was Hill but Allen has closed hard. And Allen has a lot more growth in him. If they are even - and tomorrow's scrimmage will be the final test - I think it'll be Allen. He has a better chance to progress further and faster over the course of the season.
Posted on 8/14/14 at 6:17 pm to tmc94
I know it's kool-aid season, but with practice cancelled today, I'm going to try to give an objective look at where the defense is heading into the scrimmage tomorrow
DE - it's much improved. Not only the addition of Garrett but Obioha looks more comfortable in a spot that doesn't stress his weaknesses. And Hall has come so far that he's holding off Garrett. Watch out for Jackson who may be our 3rd guy in the 3-3 stack. He has a ways to go on technique but you can't teach his size and speed combo. May be the best athlete outside of Garrett. Think winner of Cunningham/Johnson battle will be 2nd team SDE and the loser redshirts.
DT - At end of year last year it was Williams and Robinson splitting time. That's where we are now. Their production late season wasn't bad. Hopefully that's the floor. Manning hasn't really made a dent and Arnold isn't fully healthy. Think Manning may get some looks in the 3-3. Maybe a taste of PT will get him going.
NT - Walker is still holding off Henderson. He practices well but did the same last fall. Needs to translate it to the field or we are going to be in trouble. I don't think Henderson can play 60 snaps.
WLB - Hilliard looks really good. But if he's not playing, yowsa. Bass is filling in for now but that alone should tell you where things stand (as well as the fact that another walkon was getting snaps with the 2nd unit). Sanders is fine in pass situations.
MLB - Mastro really has progressed to the point that I think he's our most important defensive player. The drop off from him is seismic. Bass is backup. Josh Walker is fighting with Chevis for 3rd team and if there isn't a meaningful difference, I assume he'll redshirt. If Mastro gets hurt at any point in the season though, all bets are off.
SLB - it's just ugly again. Alaka probably can't shirt. He's going to play some. Baggs is fine in a limited role but he lacks the suddenness to play Jack. We need a true SAM in the worst way. Washington was coming on so hopefully he comes back fast. I do think long term he and Alaka will be quite good but there are going to be struggles here
Nickel - Burns has taken the role and run with it. So much so that they felt comfortable moving Harvey to corner. Ellis is backing up and playing Dime. Burns will never be an elite player but he fills this role decently
CB - Everett and Harris but with Harris out, Davis has played really well. He and Harvey are probably the backups so if Davis is suspended we probably see Harvey start the opener. Garner and Ellis are falling behind.
SS - Matthews then Honeycutt. DWI. Evans better come ready to play next year.
FS - When TJ took over, he told a recruit he was going to get Raven drafted. I don't think he's quite as bold these days. But 247 called Watts the surprise of camp. I think that's fair. He struggled the first few days but came on and got a few first team reps in the scrimmage. Raven is out and he may have been Wally Pip'd. If Watts is 1st team, Raven may fall out of the rotation altogether because Wilson has also looked quite good. While 2 true fish back there should scare us, I just don't see how it can be worse than last year so wtf.
DE - it's much improved. Not only the addition of Garrett but Obioha looks more comfortable in a spot that doesn't stress his weaknesses. And Hall has come so far that he's holding off Garrett. Watch out for Jackson who may be our 3rd guy in the 3-3 stack. He has a ways to go on technique but you can't teach his size and speed combo. May be the best athlete outside of Garrett. Think winner of Cunningham/Johnson battle will be 2nd team SDE and the loser redshirts.
DT - At end of year last year it was Williams and Robinson splitting time. That's where we are now. Their production late season wasn't bad. Hopefully that's the floor. Manning hasn't really made a dent and Arnold isn't fully healthy. Think Manning may get some looks in the 3-3. Maybe a taste of PT will get him going.
NT - Walker is still holding off Henderson. He practices well but did the same last fall. Needs to translate it to the field or we are going to be in trouble. I don't think Henderson can play 60 snaps.
WLB - Hilliard looks really good. But if he's not playing, yowsa. Bass is filling in for now but that alone should tell you where things stand (as well as the fact that another walkon was getting snaps with the 2nd unit). Sanders is fine in pass situations.
MLB - Mastro really has progressed to the point that I think he's our most important defensive player. The drop off from him is seismic. Bass is backup. Josh Walker is fighting with Chevis for 3rd team and if there isn't a meaningful difference, I assume he'll redshirt. If Mastro gets hurt at any point in the season though, all bets are off.
SLB - it's just ugly again. Alaka probably can't shirt. He's going to play some. Baggs is fine in a limited role but he lacks the suddenness to play Jack. We need a true SAM in the worst way. Washington was coming on so hopefully he comes back fast. I do think long term he and Alaka will be quite good but there are going to be struggles here
Nickel - Burns has taken the role and run with it. So much so that they felt comfortable moving Harvey to corner. Ellis is backing up and playing Dime. Burns will never be an elite player but he fills this role decently
CB - Everett and Harris but with Harris out, Davis has played really well. He and Harvey are probably the backups so if Davis is suspended we probably see Harvey start the opener. Garner and Ellis are falling behind.
SS - Matthews then Honeycutt. DWI. Evans better come ready to play next year.
FS - When TJ took over, he told a recruit he was going to get Raven drafted. I don't think he's quite as bold these days. But 247 called Watts the surprise of camp. I think that's fair. He struggled the first few days but came on and got a few first team reps in the scrimmage. Raven is out and he may have been Wally Pip'd. If Watts is 1st team, Raven may fall out of the rotation altogether because Wilson has also looked quite good. While 2 true fish back there should scare us, I just don't see how it can be worse than last year so wtf.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 8:00 am to tmc94
quote:
I just don't see how it can be worse than last year so wtf.
thanks for the write up. I'll be praying for the health of our linebackers haha
Posted on 8/15/14 at 8:11 am to tmc94
Do you think Watts ends up starting at FS?
Posted on 8/15/14 at 9:26 am to tmc94
Great post, thanks for the info.
It sounds like, compared to last year, we're looking at this:
DE +++
DT same/+
NT same/+
WLB + but trouble after the starter
MLB same but big trouble after the starter
SLB same unless Washington returns and plays well
Nickel +
CB same/+ with greater depth due to Davis/Harvey
SS same (sigh)
FS same/+ (odds of one of Raven/Watts/Wilson figuring things out)
So reason to be encouraged, if not wildly optimistic. Honestly, I'll be satisfied w/ enough improvement to hang on to our defensive recruits, and then build from there.
It sounds like, compared to last year, we're looking at this:
DE +++
DT same/+
NT same/+
WLB + but trouble after the starter
MLB same but big trouble after the starter
SLB same unless Washington returns and plays well
Nickel +
CB same/+ with greater depth due to Davis/Harvey
SS same (sigh)
FS same/+ (odds of one of Raven/Watts/Wilson figuring things out)
So reason to be encouraged, if not wildly optimistic. Honestly, I'll be satisfied w/ enough improvement to hang on to our defensive recruits, and then build from there.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:06 am to ShaneTheLegLechler
quote:
Do you think Watts ends up starting at FS?
quite possibly. Coaches always lean to guys with experience, especially starting the first game on the road at a team like SC. But I think it's inevitable if he keeps playing well. At a certain point, you can't keep doing the same things and expecting different results.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:22 am to Mirthomatic
quote:
So reason to be encouraged, if not wildly optimistic.
I think that's fair. It's not going to be the 1991 wrecking crew. But given it's many of the same faces with a year more experience, hopefully it will resemble the keystone cops a bit less.
Plays like Vic Davis getting beat by Speedy in the scrimmage are going to happen. I can live with that. But so many of the big plays we gave up last year were the result of 2 or 3 guys blowing their assignments. Clean that sort of stuff up and we'll be okay. Right now, I expect we'll be a fairly average to below average defense.
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