Post Spring Defense:

[thebjd]

I think we could give up some big plays early in the year with the more aggressive approach but think we will be really good by the UGA game. One thing I noticed was the size of our players on defense looked a lot better at the O&W game, especially the db's.

[Ashevillevol]

Originally Posted by OCIVol

The defense is a definite concern. There could be a lot of shootouts this year for our team, which is fun to watch, but difficult to win at a high clip in the SEC. The defense will need to create turnovers to be successful because we are not going to shut many teams down.

Our defense wasn't bad last year and now we have more talent and depth. Even though we are going to mix in 3-4 that doesn't automatically mean we are going to take big steps backward. I think Sunseri will have them ready to compete and we will start off about as good as last year and get better as the year goes forward, barring injuries.

[volinreallife]

What about Clark and Saulsberry?(excuse spelling) I thought they both look good in the orange and white game.

[orangeluvr]

Originally Posted by FredWhite2

The defense had several question marks going into spring practice... The certainties coming out of spring camp are: AJ Johnson is a beast and will start at ILB. Randolph will be at FS. Herman Lathers will be at either SLB or ILB. That's about it for 100% certainty. The defense as a whole received a lot of praise for their effort to want to get better and to learn the defense coach Sal is installing. Luckily there were no major injuries in spring ball, which is always a huge plus, and guys had the opportunity to learn and gain reps at multiple positions.



DE- Marlon Walls had to be licking his chops when he heard the defense would be primarily a 3-4 scheme this year. Walls is the prototypical DE in a 3-4 scheme and has also become a team leader in the locker room. Stephen Folkes also did well this year in spring ball and used his length and leverage very well at both OLB and DE. He will provide depth here this fall.

NG- One of the biggest question marks due to inexperience and Mt. McCullers not arriving on campus yet, Mo Couch would start here if the season started tomorrow despite being dinged up in spring ball this year. Greg Clark showed improvement, but is still a back-up at this point. EE Freshman Trent Taylor impressed when given his opportunity here as well. Given Taylor is not the ideal size, he still produced and looked good.

DE- Darrington Sentimore could be scary good if he dedicated himself... He's listed as the #2 option at DE, but I think that's to help motivate him this offeseason. He shows flashes of what he's capable of, but is not in the best condition. He's at about 300 and it's not a good 300 lbs either. He needs to get in the weight room and on an eating plan b/c he needs to add good muscle mass and he could be scary. Stephen Folkes and Jordan Williams will also contribute here.

Jack- Jacques Smith has the perfect make up physically for this position. He's 6'3 255 and athletic, but he hasn't wowed anyone yet. I'm not too worried b/c he's still learning and that could contribute to him playing hesitant at times. Jordan Williams has also received praise at the position and even got reps with the starting unit...

ILB- AJ Johnson gets my Defensive MVP award this spring. He looks like he's lost a few pounds and gotten quicker than he was a year ago. He is a stud on the inside in this defense. John Probst has looked pretty good in the spring. He will provide depth at ILB this year for us.

ILB- Herman Lathers has returned to his old form. That's great news for us. Lathers looked sluggish out of the gate, but really turned it on the last week or so to finish spring camp. I hope he can stay healthy b/c he and Johnson give us a great middle of our defense. Willie Bohannon has gotten reps here in spring ball. Obviously he's learning not only the system, but how to play LB after being a DE the last 3 years. Bohannon has the body and enough speed to be a wall at ILB if needed.

OLB- Curt Maggit will probably be the starter here when we kickoff against NC State. He's got great pass rush ability on the outside and is a great fit at OLB. Brent Brewer is another name being thrown out to play here in the fall, but both of these guys have been in red non contact jerseys all spring. That has opened the door for guys like: R. Crump, W. Bohannon, and D. Sapp time to get reps and have opportunities to show what they can do. Crump has had the best spring out of the 3, but Sapp looks great in pass coverage at OLB.

CB- Justin Coleman is the most aggressive corner we have right now. He's got ideal size and speed for the position too, he just gambles sometimes which gets him beat. Prentiss Waggner has looked like a solid cover corner, but has been limited in a red non contact jersey all spring. Eric Gordon is my darkhorse. He's more quick than he is fast, but he is physical and makes plays. He could be the nickel CB when it's all said and done.

CB- Izzy Lanier has potential to start this year. He is physical and a good sized corner as well. He still makes mental mistakes which cost him, but I think Ansley will work with him and that will improve. Marsalis Teague is more suited to be a backup. He's got a lot of experience which will be good if he's called upon. I'm eager to see D. Bonner get here and what he can do b/c there's a lot of good buzz surrounding him among the staff.

SS- Brent Brewer spent most of his time here b/c of his red jersey. It's good for him to learn that position anyway just in case... Rod Wilks also has gotten reps here and is a good fit back-up wise. Incoming freshman LaDarrell McNeil will get a look here when he arrives and the coaches are excited about him.

FS- Brian Randolph will start here in the fall. He's added good weight and seems to have a good understanding of the defensive concepts already. Byron Moore has gotten reps at both safety positions and has improved from a year ago.


- Sentimore and McCullers need to be workout warriors this offseason. If they both dedicate themselves and slim down a little bit, this DL unit will reap the benefits in the fall.

- Bonner and McNeil will both have chances to play right away due to a lack of depth and their individual talents. Bonner is a fast lockdown corner and could play if he learns the defense. McNeil is a ball hawking head hunter at safety. The coaches can't wait to get him here.

- Maggit needs to get stronger. His injury has limited him both on the field and in the weight room. He needs to work on his overall strength in the summer.



-

Nice objective post ! The transition from bend but don't break to pressure defense presents the opportunity to make more big plays. Any type defense has the potential to give up the big play.

[orange parmejohn]

can we jump to any conclusions about Sal's ability to call blitzes and make in game adjustments? it worries me.

[fade route]

If there's one area I hope we improve upon on the defensive side of the ball is tackling. I felt like our technique was poor last year. Some of it may be due to youth, but there were way too many bump tackles and bad leverage tackling which leaves our guys getting face-cleated.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[SCvol333]

Originally Posted by Ashevillevol

Our defense wasn't bad last year and now we have more talent and depth. Even though we are going to mix in 3-4 that doesn't automatically mean we are going to take big steps backward. I think Sunseri will have them ready to compete and we will start off about as good as last year and get better as the year goes forward, barring injuries.

Our Defense wasn't statistically bad

It was in reality bad - we would scheme people for a half or so and try to hide our weaknesses and then the good teams would come out and absolutely cut us apart

I think we will be a lot better defensively this year but a lot better than bad still means it is an area of concern so I think OCI and the OP are right to be concerned more about this side of the ball

[SCvol333]

Originally Posted by volinreallife

What about Clark and Saulsberry?(excuse spelling) I thought they both look good in the orange and white game.

If they are anything other than subs that add a bit of depth we have even more to be concerned about than the OP suggests

[Volunteer forever]

Is it August 31st yet!!! Can't wait

[orangebloodgmc]

Originally Posted by golfballs

So it sounds like marginal improvement over last year - with real potential to be a good defense. Still yet to be seen

I am wanting to think that the D will be more than a little improved.

But even if only a little ... couple that with an improved Offense, which would mean more time of possession by us and not wearing out the D by throwing them right back out on field too soon. That was the problem sometimes last year.

It could all mesh together.

[Nashvegas31]

I expect our defense to be similar to auburn when cam was there. Our offense will help make up for early struggles and then our d will look solid from mid season to the end.

[FredWhite2]

Originally Posted by SCvol333

If they are anything other than subs that add a bit of depth we have even more to be concerned about than the OP suggests

I mentioned Clark under the NG category and Saulsberry will be a back up as well... Also I didn't mean to suggest I think we will be bad on defense this year. Quite the opposite actually. I think this side of the ball has more potential than last season, it's just too early to tell for most of these guys. The off season and everyone's attitude during it will have a huge effect on how good we are on defense this year IMO.

Also, someone asked about Sal's ability to call blitzes/make in game adjustments... I get he's never been the DC at a major organization/college, but he's been around some of, if not the best. John Fox, Nick Saban... Sal is the kind of guy who takes advantage of being in those situations and has learned when/how to call defenses from the best, so I'd assume we are ok there.

[theutvolunteers]

Excellent write ups Fred. I will be happy to see the defense play more aggressive with some press coverage and more/different blitz ideas.

We will give up some big plays with the aggression, but with guys like Randolph it should even with more D take-aways.

[Dudleys87]

No more 10 yard cushions, hopefully.

[governmentmule]

another great write up Fred, thanks again for the work