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Is anybody else starting to get really excited about Reuben Foster playing behind this DL? The reports on all the LBs have been pretty positive so far. Cant help but think part of that is because the DL is so outstanding.

Definitely, but I'm cautiously optimistic with Reuben. It was probably because of my own expectations, but I was let down by how he played last year. That said, it was a small sample size. I didn't see much if any coverage ability, but that's fine as I probably shouldn't have expected it from him. I wasn't sure if he could stop the run sideline to sideline, felt he was a pure inside the tackle box run stopper and blitzer, that said I'm sure I'm wrong.

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I think this LB group might be better than we've seen the last couple years.

Has that kind of potential. I know we always have one of the best run Ds, but I don't think anyone is gonna have much success going inside or out on this front. Wisconsin, Georgia, LSU, and Auburn are all on the schedule and could be 4 top 30 rushing teams, but I think we can stuff em all.

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other thoughts: what will be Eddie Jackson's role as safety? I was not impressed with his tackling last season. I dont think he'll play close to the LOS very much. I'd think Harrison and Hootie are better suited for that role, but it's hard to say without having seen them much. I see Jackson as more of a centerfielder. I think his skill set is pretty close to HCDs. EJ still has enough ability as a CB that the defensive coaches can play around a little bit with some schemes. But we dont want to see EJ on an island with the opposing team's deep threat.

I like him at Free, but I guess it depends on what route we go back there. With Harrison and Hootie we have two inexperienced guys, but a lot of size and range. With Geno and Eddie we have two guys with a lot of experience, but a little bit smaller. Both are FS types, between them I guess EJ would be the SS playing more in the box and closer to the LOS. I think he can be really good at Safety, I do.

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who is the best tackler in our secondary? last year it was definitely LC. Perry came up with some really big tackles in a few games last year too. TB got ran over a few too many times last season. I was really disappointed with him in that regard, but i think the staff can help him improve that. Cyrus hasnt really shown that he's the type of hitter that Kareem, Javy, Dee, and Dre were during their time. I know we'd all love to see more CB blitzes like in Javy's day. What do you guys think of Mo Smith as a tackler?

I don't even know who to say. I'd think maybe Jackson. Yes, he did miss some last year, but just thinking of the options his name comes to mind. I could see Hootie being a good tackler. Mo looks like a guy who'd be a good tackler.