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Oregon/Auburn: Deep dive into Oregon DL
Posted on 8/21/19 at 8:53 pm
Posted on 8/21/19 at 8:53 pm
I have gotten a lot of questions about the DL at Oregon. So, here we go.
Here is my primer on the defense.
The Oregon DL in the 3-3-5 with a 4-2-5 shell will include the stud linebacker. The reality is the stud and field side DE might flip flop based on personnel. Kayvon Thibodeaux, since his arrival, has worked at field DE and stud, for instance.
ChileDuck puts out a great depth chart where you can filter for recruiting ranking.
The Good
There's a lot of depth and experience. There are 8 players that have rotated to varying degrees between the 4 spots and by all accounts Thibodeaux and Funa (true freshmen) along with DJ Johnson (transfer) will feature in the rotation. There are 11 players I'd be comfortable seeing in action Aug. 31.
The athletic profile of the unit is very good and elite on the edge. Interior linemen Austin Faoliu and Gary Baker have elite speed for their size (sub 5.0 at 300ish) and Faoliu has that "twitch" that probably makes him the best candidate of the unit to play in the NFL. One thing you will notice is a lot of length combined with speed and agility on the edge that will be useful against your rangy athletic tackles.
Bottom line: the interior is capable of stopping the run regularly where Faoliu and Baker graded exceptionally well (90.5 and 86.7 by PFF). The edge players are long, rangy and athletic to cause difficulty in the pass rush.
The Bad
As much as I love this unit for its depth and athleticism, it lost 2 players to the NFL in Jalen Jelk and Justin Hollins (Hollins was an OLB but would play the stud). They were 3rd day picks but there is no certainty that any of the experienced players will play themselves into a 3rd day draft pick. Hollins and Jelks came into the season with that pedigree.
The Ugly
Jordon Scott goes down and the dropoff is steep if we want a NT that can play two gaps. Aumavue has dealt with a shoulder injury and his play in the Michigan State gives me hope. However, that OL was dreadful. Avalos has put Gary Baker there in practice. However, Leavitt experimented with him there and opted to move him to DT/DE.
Prediction
I ultimately see this game being offensively sloppy for both teams. I do like the depth here for Oregon to stay fresh throughout the game. Scott at NT has been sturdy and reliable. Faoliu and Baker at end can stuff the run and Carlberg and Cumberlander are proven pass rushers from the interior. The stud spot has so many blue chip options and the cream will rise to the top. I also like the new scheme’s flexibility that doesn't require a true nose tackle and accentuates athleticism. Cristobal's emphasis at strength and conditioning combined with good positional coaching the past three years will take the unit to the next level.
Here is my primer on the defense.
The Oregon DL in the 3-3-5 with a 4-2-5 shell will include the stud linebacker. The reality is the stud and field side DE might flip flop based on personnel. Kayvon Thibodeaux, since his arrival, has worked at field DE and stud, for instance.
ChileDuck puts out a great depth chart where you can filter for recruiting ranking.
The Good
There's a lot of depth and experience. There are 8 players that have rotated to varying degrees between the 4 spots and by all accounts Thibodeaux and Funa (true freshmen) along with DJ Johnson (transfer) will feature in the rotation. There are 11 players I'd be comfortable seeing in action Aug. 31.
The athletic profile of the unit is very good and elite on the edge. Interior linemen Austin Faoliu and Gary Baker have elite speed for their size (sub 5.0 at 300ish) and Faoliu has that "twitch" that probably makes him the best candidate of the unit to play in the NFL. One thing you will notice is a lot of length combined with speed and agility on the edge that will be useful against your rangy athletic tackles.
Bottom line: the interior is capable of stopping the run regularly where Faoliu and Baker graded exceptionally well (90.5 and 86.7 by PFF). The edge players are long, rangy and athletic to cause difficulty in the pass rush.
The Bad
As much as I love this unit for its depth and athleticism, it lost 2 players to the NFL in Jalen Jelk and Justin Hollins (Hollins was an OLB but would play the stud). They were 3rd day picks but there is no certainty that any of the experienced players will play themselves into a 3rd day draft pick. Hollins and Jelks came into the season with that pedigree.
The Ugly
Jordon Scott goes down and the dropoff is steep if we want a NT that can play two gaps. Aumavue has dealt with a shoulder injury and his play in the Michigan State gives me hope. However, that OL was dreadful. Avalos has put Gary Baker there in practice. However, Leavitt experimented with him there and opted to move him to DT/DE.
Prediction
I ultimately see this game being offensively sloppy for both teams. I do like the depth here for Oregon to stay fresh throughout the game. Scott at NT has been sturdy and reliable. Faoliu and Baker at end can stuff the run and Carlberg and Cumberlander are proven pass rushers from the interior. The stud spot has so many blue chip options and the cream will rise to the top. I also like the new scheme’s flexibility that doesn't require a true nose tackle and accentuates athleticism. Cristobal's emphasis at strength and conditioning combined with good positional coaching the past three years will take the unit to the next level.
This post was edited on 8/21/19 at 9:35 pm
Posted on 8/21/19 at 8:55 pm to bisonduck
You are dedicated, I’ll give you that.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 8:55 pm to bisonduck
Deep dive into Auburn's defensive line: NFL Defensive line
Posted on 8/21/19 at 8:57 pm to Cobrasize
I would write a piece a mile long on that DL.
I have a particular infatuation with Nick Coe.
I have a particular infatuation with Nick Coe.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 9:06 pm to Solo Cam
quote:
Auburn 31 Oregon 27
I would take 27 in a heartbeat.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 9:17 pm to bisonduck
Impressive write up sir. You must be one of the few Westerners that enjoys college football.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 9:24 pm to Aubie Spr96
quote:
You must be one of the few Westerners that enjoys college football.
He more than enjoys it I believe.
Bison, do you aspire to coach in the game or write about the game? Maybe you're an investor in the game?
This post was edited on 8/21/19 at 9:25 pm
Posted on 8/21/19 at 9:28 pm to borotiger
I like to write mainly. Honestly, I am spending a lot to go to the game. So, this is a way for my frugal arse to get top entertainment value.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 9:34 pm to bisonduck
Good for you. I hope you have a great time regardless the outcome.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 9:40 pm to borotiger
I am prepared for a shitfest. I am going with my Dad who’s been care taking for my Mom. She is finally getting inpatient care and he feels free to get out of town. We’ll get some BBQ, drink some beer, and enjoy the game.
I could see the possibility of an Auburn blowout. I was already worried about the Oregon offense stretching the field with the receivers and it’s even more so now.
I could see the possibility of an Auburn blowout. I was already worried about the Oregon offense stretching the field with the receivers and it’s even more so now.
This post was edited on 8/22/19 at 12:54 am
Posted on 8/21/19 at 9:42 pm to bisonduck
Oregon gave up 24 or more points to 6 of 9 Pac 12 opponents.
Gave up 30 points or more to 4 of 9 Pac 12 opponents.
Gave up 40 points or more to 2 of 9 Pac 12 opponents
How much improved will they be this year ?
Gave up 30 points or more to 4 of 9 Pac 12 opponents.
Gave up 40 points or more to 2 of 9 Pac 12 opponents
How much improved will they be this year ?
Posted on 8/21/19 at 9:51 pm to Irons Puppet
They return 18/22 defenders. I think it’s one of if not the most experienced teams in fbs. They added an elite defensive class.
It’s going to be better at every level.
It’s going to be better at every level.
This post was edited on 8/21/19 at 9:52 pm
Posted on 8/21/19 at 9:56 pm to bisonduck
quote:
They return 18/22 defenders. I think it’s one of if not the most experienced teams in fbs. They added an elite defensive class. It’s going to be better at every level.
Returning starters from an average D doesn't make the D good. Seen it too many times.
Posted on 8/21/19 at 10:17 pm to Irons Puppet
Firstly, I am always going to fight homerism. It comes with the territory. I try to fend off myopia by looking at competing views.
Secondly, I am bullish on our defense and bearish on the offense. I have no faith in our skill players, Herbert plays mentally constipated, and the OC has done nothing in his career that I can point to think he will change it. So, hopefully that shows some bit of objectivity.
There are some tangible contributing factors for the defense:
1) They got better as the year went along.
2) Leavitt all but mailed it in last year. Like seriously didn't do his job.
3) There were depth issues at key spots like ILB and that were compounded with injury. That led to getting shredded at times in the RPO game.
4) Oregon has really good developers on that side of the ball.
Don't get me wrong either, I expect like a jump from 55ish to top 25-30. However, I think that's good enough to stymie a true frosh qb and a shallow oline in the first game of the year. My biggest worry on defense is over aggression by the dbs against your WRs.
Secondly, I am bullish on our defense and bearish on the offense. I have no faith in our skill players, Herbert plays mentally constipated, and the OC has done nothing in his career that I can point to think he will change it. So, hopefully that shows some bit of objectivity.
There are some tangible contributing factors for the defense:
1) They got better as the year went along.
2) Leavitt all but mailed it in last year. Like seriously didn't do his job.
3) There were depth issues at key spots like ILB and that were compounded with injury. That led to getting shredded at times in the RPO game.
4) Oregon has really good developers on that side of the ball.
Don't get me wrong either, I expect like a jump from 55ish to top 25-30. However, I think that's good enough to stymie a true frosh qb and a shallow oline in the first game of the year. My biggest worry on defense is over aggression by the dbs against your WRs.
This post was edited on 8/21/19 at 10:19 pm
Posted on 8/21/19 at 10:19 pm to Irons Puppet
quote:Same could be said for our OL
Returning starters from an average D doesn't make the D good
Posted on 8/21/19 at 10:31 pm to Irons Puppet
So IP, do you think a below average oline can become a good oline?
Posted on 8/21/19 at 10:33 pm to Irons Puppet
Also, Iron Puppet, the implementation of a SEC S&C program has made a world of difference. I don't think I've ever seen such a noticeable difference in body composition with so many players. Faoliu just like blew me away. Over the past two cycles, Oregon has doubled the number of guys squatting 500/600 pounds each season.
We had a Mom of one of our recruits come on for a podcast on one of our recruiting sites and she said the only program in the PAC 12 that has a top notch S&C program is Oregon and it's really not even close.
Oregon didn't even have a dedicated S&C coach during Chip's day. Now they have 3 with two GAs. The S&C programs aren't even comparable between the two conferences.
We had a Mom of one of our recruits come on for a podcast on one of our recruiting sites and she said the only program in the PAC 12 that has a top notch S&C program is Oregon and it's really not even close.
Oregon didn't even have a dedicated S&C coach during Chip's day. Now they have 3 with two GAs. The S&C programs aren't even comparable between the two conferences.
This post was edited on 8/21/19 at 10:35 pm
Posted on 8/21/19 at 10:51 pm to RT1941
quote:
So IP, do you think a below average oline can become a good oline?
AUs below average Oline became much better by the end of the year. The fact that they got better as the year progressed had a lot to due with chemistry required for an OL and a new OL coach. Remember Oregon's D gave up 34, 44, 21,32 and 29 points the last half of the season. And that was against a Pac 12 schedule, which was a very average league last year. Vandy would return great numbers each year, it didn't translate to win most years.
This post was edited on 8/21/19 at 10:54 pm
Posted on 8/21/19 at 11:11 pm to Irons Puppet
Just hoping for no major injuries. Oregon and Auburn both have bigger games to play
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