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Defense 2018 Linebackers
Posted on 8/5/18 at 9:55 am
Posted on 8/5/18 at 9:55 am
Since we have four Saturdays before kickoff, will pass the time discussing the team and start with defense and this thread will devote notes on linebacker...which many feel we are in dire straits.
David Reese Jr imo will garner a lot of hype after 2018 and a candidate for All SEC in 2019. He had over 100 tackles last year to lead the team and was second in tackle for losses.
Vosean Joseph Jr who, along with Reese, were forced into late season action due to injuries at LB in 2016. The experience factor will show on the field this year and he will be a valuable asset. He actually finished 3rd on the team in tackles.
Most teams in the SEC do not have 3 LBers on the field together unless its goal line or short yardage or first down deep inside foes territory...because of nickel backs used to thwart passing.
When we do play 3 LBers, the additional personnel will be Rayshad Jackson Jr, Ventrel Miller rsfr, Kylan Johnson Jr. Jeremiah Moon (6'6" 230) soph + untested true frosh.
Against a team like Mizzou, we wont see but a handful of plays with 3 LBers on the field.
In summary, not an elite position, but the 3-4 will utilize DEs a lot and cover up our overall LB depth. This is a position of need in recruiting.
David Reese Jr imo will garner a lot of hype after 2018 and a candidate for All SEC in 2019. He had over 100 tackles last year to lead the team and was second in tackle for losses.
Vosean Joseph Jr who, along with Reese, were forced into late season action due to injuries at LB in 2016. The experience factor will show on the field this year and he will be a valuable asset. He actually finished 3rd on the team in tackles.
Most teams in the SEC do not have 3 LBers on the field together unless its goal line or short yardage or first down deep inside foes territory...because of nickel backs used to thwart passing.
When we do play 3 LBers, the additional personnel will be Rayshad Jackson Jr, Ventrel Miller rsfr, Kylan Johnson Jr. Jeremiah Moon (6'6" 230) soph + untested true frosh.
Against a team like Mizzou, we wont see but a handful of plays with 3 LBers on the field.
In summary, not an elite position, but the 3-4 will utilize DEs a lot and cover up our overall LB depth. This is a position of need in recruiting.
3
Posted on 8/5/18 at 11:45 am to reel_gator8
Kylan Johnson is probably the top LB when healthy.
Posted on 8/5/18 at 12:35 pm to gatordmb89
We need lack of season ending injuries and a much better special teams unit on return/coverage and a run game in top 15 at least.
Posted on 8/5/18 at 1:28 pm to reel_gator8
I'm looking for Hit List to bounce back from his sophomore slump.
Really excited to see Miller this year, especially on special teams. Dude was a freak in high school.
Really excited to see Miller this year, especially on special teams. Dude was a freak in high school.
Posted on 8/5/18 at 4:00 pm to reel_gator8
The two guys at LB I am the most comfortable with are David Reese and Kylan Johnson (who has been hurt a lot).
If those guys stay healthy and have a strong year UF will improve significantly on defense.
The problem is depth, especially in the middle.
Vosean Joseph has been maddeningly inconsistent and the fact that Rayshad Jackson is playing so much is concerning.
UF desperately needs a new face to step up. Maybe that's Jackson, but I'd be surprised.
If those guys stay healthy and have a strong year UF will improve significantly on defense.
The problem is depth, especially in the middle.
Vosean Joseph has been maddeningly inconsistent and the fact that Rayshad Jackson is playing so much is concerning.
UF desperately needs a new face to step up. Maybe that's Jackson, but I'd be surprised.
Posted on 8/5/18 at 5:17 pm to slayerxing
Slayer, maddeningly inconsistent isn't third on the team in tackles. You diss Joseph and I like him, imagine that?
Posted on 8/5/18 at 7:26 pm to reel_gator8
The guy had 55 tackles so it’s not like he was a machine out there.
He had 4 games with 3 tackles or less and 2 over 10. In other words he was INCONSISTENT.
He had a pretty good final three games. I hope he builds off that. They need him big time.
He had 4 games with 3 tackles or less and 2 over 10. In other words he was INCONSISTENT.
He had a pretty good final three games. I hope he builds off that. They need him big time.
Posted on 8/5/18 at 11:01 pm to slayerxing
Slayer, watching the Gators tonight on SECN reminds me of how folks will dismiss some players because "they haven't been AAs or All SEC. Just keep in mind that in 2007 you would have said that about Ryan Stamper # 41 or Dustin Doe # 32 or # 95 Justin Trattou etc etc ...but they helped us win a BCS title in 2008. Or how about DL Corey Davis? He never did anything until he made a crucial 4th down stop behind the line when Oklahoma was ready to score. He was off the team the next year but he made a helluva play in that BCS game. It takes a bunch of Stampers to make a team good on defense. Jermaine Cunningham was nothing special in 2007 but he was a fierce pass rusher in 2008 and drafted high into the NFL.
This post was edited on 8/5/18 at 11:04 pm
Posted on 8/5/18 at 11:07 pm to reel_gator8
Tackle #s don't always shed light on when an LB is consistent. The biggest issue was their coverage, and there, Slayer is absolutely correct. They were terrible in coverage and reading the play. The screens and simple RB outs were killing us along with poor tackling.
The good news is that we won't need them for coverage, since we're likely running a 3 - 3 - 5 almost all year with Gardner-Johnson in Nickel.
So chances are all of them are going to blitz or we'll use one to drop back instead of all three like last year.
The good news is that we won't need them for coverage, since we're likely running a 3 - 3 - 5 almost all year with Gardner-Johnson in Nickel.
So chances are all of them are going to blitz or we'll use one to drop back instead of all three like last year.
Posted on 8/6/18 at 7:22 am to StrawsDrawnAtRandom
I’m not saying he sucks. I’m just saying he’s been inconsistent. Which implies both good and bad. I hope he makes the next step and is in better position this season.
This post was edited on 8/6/18 at 7:23 am
Posted on 8/6/18 at 7:49 am to slayerxing
LB is by far the weakest position group on defense.
Reese is a solid but limited LB. If UF was deeper he would not play 3rd down.
Joesph has shown flashes of talent but he is not a good finisher as a tackler and has been beat in pass coverage.
Johnson is our most complete LB but is injury prone. It was very easy to see that he was missed when he was out.
Miller and Houston have not seen the field due to suspension or injury.
Reese is a solid but limited LB. If UF was deeper he would not play 3rd down.
Joesph has shown flashes of talent but he is not a good finisher as a tackler and has been beat in pass coverage.
Johnson is our most complete LB but is injury prone. It was very easy to see that he was missed when he was out.
Miller and Houston have not seen the field due to suspension or injury.
Posted on 8/6/18 at 12:29 pm to slayerxing
I didn't mean to put words in your mouth -- I was just saying part of what made them inconsistent is their inability to play both sides of the defense. Pass and run coverage. The coverage was their weakest point, which is to be expected from freshmen.
I just feel more confident because in this defense they're far more likely to go after the QB/RB in the backfield rather than trying to cover TEs/RBs.
I just feel more confident because in this defense they're far more likely to go after the QB/RB in the backfield rather than trying to cover TEs/RBs.
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