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Can our D Line overcome the depth issue?
Posted on 9/18/12 at 9:37 am
Posted on 9/18/12 at 9:37 am
SMU isn't a good measuring stick, but what about Florida? Most people seemed pretty impressed with their performance. All offseason we worried about the lack of quality depth on the line, which would cause problems late in games and with injuries. My question is, just how big of a deal is this new strength/conditioning program? Obviously they're much improved from last year, but will it be enough to overcome that concern? I want to hesitantly say yes, but also wanted to use this shiny new board. Discuss 
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Posted on 9/18/12 at 9:42 am to starkag
Stats aside, the aspect of this defense that's caught my eye has been their physicality. They really brought the wood to UF and SMU, and did so without noticeably fatiguing. If we have the new S&C program to thank for that, then 
Posted on 9/18/12 at 9:47 am to TbirdSpur2010
I'm surprised that we're able to redshirt 3 defensive linemen.
Here's who has played so far:
SDE - Obioha, Stansbury
WDE - Moore, Tyrell Taylor, Russell
DT - Nealy, Robinson, Hatten
DT - Ennis, Mathis
We haven't seen Tyrone Taylor, Polo Manukainu, or Alonzo Williams yet, nor has Brandon Alexander or Rhontae Scales seen the field.
Here's who has played so far:
SDE - Obioha, Stansbury
WDE - Moore, Tyrell Taylor, Russell
DT - Nealy, Robinson, Hatten
DT - Ennis, Mathis
We haven't seen Tyrone Taylor, Polo Manukainu, or Alonzo Williams yet, nor has Brandon Alexander or Rhontae Scales seen the field.
Posted on 9/18/12 at 10:21 am to starkag
Let's revisit this question after a couple weeks of SEC play 
Posted on 9/18/12 at 11:05 am to FleurDeLonestar
quote:
Let's revisit this question after a couple weeks of SEC play
This. Although I've been pleasantly surprised by a couple, especially Obioha and Nealy moving inside. I'm cautiously optimistic we'll be able to hold our own against everyone but LSU and Bama up front. Also it seems like Damontre has finally turned a corner as a player.
This post was edited on 9/18/12 at 11:06 am
Posted on 9/18/12 at 11:10 am to ShaneTheLegLechler
Don't get me wrong, I've really liked what I've seen so far. I just think the rest of the schedule is a different animal.
Posted on 9/18/12 at 11:11 am to ShaneTheLegLechler
I think a lot of Damontre's success comes from the position change. He now has one job and one job only...hit the quarterback. Easier to remember and he's always shown the ability to be physical when he showed up to play. I see him getting a lot of sacks this year.
Posted on 9/18/12 at 11:11 am to FleurDeLonestar
quote:
Don't get me wrong, I've really liked what I've seen so far. I just think the rest of the schedule is a different animal.
I completely agree
Posted on 9/18/12 at 11:51 am to CGSC Lobotomy
quote:
We haven't seen Tyrone Taylor, Polo Manukainu, or Alonzo Williams yet, nor has Brandon Alexander or Rhontae Scales seen the field.
I know the coaches aren't happy with Alexander. No idea where that stands but the kid never redshirted so I can see him pulling a Robinson and RS as a soph at this rate. Hopefully he'll get his head on straight because he clearly has talent. Scales I thought retired. Or maybe I just keep thinking he retired. Either way, I doubt he's ever a factor in the rotation.
It really is surprising that Price has been so meager in using lineman. Seems extremely weird given how much depth you normally need to get through a full season. I almost don't see a way that one of these kids gets his shirt pulled. But you can see why we have so many DLine commits though. We're paper thin and we need to start building a pipeline so we can redshirt freshman and let them physically develop.
Posted on 9/18/12 at 12:17 pm to tmc94
Other defensive players who haven't seen the field:
LB Donnie Baggs (SO)
LB Michael Richardson (FR)
LB Jordan Richmond (FR)
DB Clay Honeycutt (RSSO)
DB Devonta Burns (RSFR)
DB Kenneth Marshall (FR) - injured
LB Donnie Baggs (SO)
LB Michael Richardson (FR)
LB Jordan Richmond (FR)
DB Clay Honeycutt (RSSO)
DB Devonta Burns (RSFR)
DB Kenneth Marshall (FR) - injured
Posted on 9/18/12 at 1:58 pm to CGSC Lobotomy
well, let's separate the 3 true fish. They are probably redshirting and that's cool. I'd like the chance for the LBers in particular to get in the weight room and Marshall's injury has put him far enough behind that it may be a waste to play him now.
I do find it odd Baggs hasn't played and so he may be shirting as well. I've heard absolutely nothing about Burns or Honeycutt since they stepped on campus (though I remember Honeycutt got reps late last season vs SMU bc I had to look up who it was bc he shares Swope's #). Given our atrocious depth at safety, this isn't saying much for either.
I do find it odd Baggs hasn't played and so he may be shirting as well. I've heard absolutely nothing about Burns or Honeycutt since they stepped on campus (though I remember Honeycutt got reps late last season vs SMU bc I had to look up who it was bc he shares Swope's #). Given our atrocious depth at safety, this isn't saying much for either.
Posted on 9/18/12 at 2:29 pm to starkag
Possibly. Ags need to stay healthy and hopefullyavoid major injuries.
Best strength and conditioning program in all of college footbally can't overcome the toll of multiple 3 and outs by the offense. Florida game was most recent example of this.
To me, our offensive ability to give the D a chance to rest is the #1 key to overcoming the depth issue. Bottom line is we need a much better running game going forward.
Best strength and conditioning program in all of college footbally can't overcome the toll of multiple 3 and outs by the offense. Florida game was most recent example of this.
To me, our offensive ability to give the D a chance to rest is the #1 key to overcoming the depth issue. Bottom line is we need a much better running game going forward.
Posted on 9/18/12 at 4:02 pm to tmc94
quote:
well, let's separate the 3 true fish.
If you include the defensive linemen, that's six true fish on defense that will likely redshirt
Posted on 9/18/12 at 4:20 pm to starkag
To me the biggest issue would be our offense not going 3 and out over and over (ala UF game, 2nd half).
Posted on 9/18/12 at 5:14 pm to CGSC Lobotomy
indeed. I can't remember the last time we redshirted this many defensive kids - especially this many highly thought of recruits. As much as people like to rag on Sherm, our situation is light years from where it was a few years ago. In each of our last few coaching transitions our depth has been abysmal and either forced our hand to play kids (Sherm) or we got rocked for a season as we did redshirt (Fran)
Honestly, Sherm's "RC Specials" have actually been pretty good to us. Just off the top of my head the last couple of classes: Everett, Harrison, Evans, Obioha, Compton, the Taylors. None of those guys had a single decent offer besides us. Four are already starters.
He missed on a couple too, no doubt. But for the most part in the past we loaded up with 3-4 guys lost to grades, another 3-4 washing out, and 3-4 questionable offers. Suddenly half your class is non-contributing and depth is awful.
Honestly, Sherm's "RC Specials" have actually been pretty good to us. Just off the top of my head the last couple of classes: Everett, Harrison, Evans, Obioha, Compton, the Taylors. None of those guys had a single decent offer besides us. Four are already starters.
He missed on a couple too, no doubt. But for the most part in the past we loaded up with 3-4 guys lost to grades, another 3-4 washing out, and 3-4 questionable offers. Suddenly half your class is non-contributing and depth is awful.
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