Coach Caldwell on the Defensive Ends

[BACKDOC]

They interviewed Coach Caldwell. He said the DE's should get a lot more pressure on the QB this year since Mitchell looked a lot more explosive. He also said that Walker was ahead of Donald, and both should stay at DE. Fulmer said he didn't know about Donald staying at DE. Seems crazy to me considering we have Martin, Walker, Gerald Williams assuming he's not a LB, Brown, and Sykes if he makes it to campus. Caldwell also stated that Brown was the quickest DE. That surprised me also.

[Bassmanbruno]

Hard to see the #1 rated LB in the country out of highschool staying at DE...

[Freak]

Hey, if you can backdoc (and everyone else for that matter) please try to make your topic titles as specific as possible. It will help now that football season is here and there are going to be a lot more topics to sort through.

Thanks.

[therickbol]

#1 MLB, who was big for his position with raw fundamentals....hmmm, yeah I can see that move being made.

[lacrossepro70]

I find it hard to believe Walker is ahead of Donald. Donald benches more, he plays faster, and based on the film I saw he hits harder.

[therickbol]

But, I do understand your point if you were pointing out that they DE position is already loaded with young talent. That is duely noted.

[BACKDOC]

Originally Posted by lacrossepro70

I find it hard to believe Walker is ahead of Donald. Donald benches more, he plays faster, and based on the film I saw he hits harder.

Donald has never played DE until a few days ago.

[Bassmanbruno]

Originally Posted by therickbol

#1 MLB, who was big for his position with raw fundamentals....hmmm, yeah I can see that move being made.

I'd rather him develop those fundamentals and become the beast he can be - rather than risk playing a new position where he could be nothing more than an average 1-2 year starter at UT.

[lacrossepro70]

Originally Posted by BACKDOC

Donald has never played DE until a few days ago.

I know but I don't know if Caldwell was talking about Donald as a DE just Walker behing ahead of him in general.

[Lexvol]

Originally Posted by Bassmanbruno

I'd rather him develop those fundamentals and become the beast he can be - rather than risk playing a new position where he could be nothing more than an average 1-2 year starter at UT.

Any recruit that comes in with that frame will be a target to move to end. From what I have seen of Donald on film, he has a nose for the football, but I wonder if he has the speed to run from sideline to sideline, or if he can do that with 20 extra pounds. I have always been wary of his speed, especially his first step. A 255 pound DE with 4.6 or 4.7 speed can be very disruptive, while a 240 pound linebacker with that same speed can often get left past the line of scrimmage.

[Bassmanbruno]

Originally Posted by Lexvol

Any recruit that comes in with that frame will be a target to move to end. From what I have seen of Donald on film, he has a nose for the football, but I wonder if he has the speed to run from sideline to sideline, or if he can do that with 20 extra pounds. I have always been wary of his speed, especially his first step. A 255 pound DE with 4.6 or 4.7 speed can be very disruptive, while a 240 pound linebacker with that same speed can often get left past the line of scrimmage.

Yeah - I haven't payed special attention to him obviously. But transition can be rough especially as you mention, if they still have it with the extra weight.

[therickbol]

Originally Posted by Bassmanbruno

I'd rather him develop those fundamentals and become the beast he can be - rather than risk playing a new position where he could be nothing more than an average 1-2 year starter at UT.

Actually, thats the opposite mindframe. With his speed and athleticism he might not project as a top shelf 1st Rd NFL draft type of LB. But, with his frame being able to carry 260 in a year or two, all the sudden that same speed and athleticism translates into a top shelf 1st Rd. NFL draft type of DE. I promise you if you ask the coaches where he has the most NLF potential at they would say DE.

[Bassmanbruno]

Originally Posted by therickbol

Actually, thats the opposite mindframe. With his speed and athleticism he might not project as a top shelf 1st Rd NFL draft type of LB. But, with his frame being able to carry 260 in a year or two, all the sudden that same speed and athleticism translates into a top shelf 1st Rd. NFL draft type of DE. I promise you if you ask the coaches where he has the most NLF potential at they would say DE.

Yes - but its no garuntee that he may not lose a step or 2 when getting up to that 260

[GreyWolf1129]

Originally Posted by Lexvol

Any recruit that comes in with that frame will be a target to move to end. From what I have seen of Donald on film, he has a nose for the football, but I wonder if he has the speed to run from sideline to sideline, or if he can do that with 20 extra pounds. I have always been wary of his speed, especially his first step. A 255 pound DE with 4.6 or 4.7 speed can be very disruptive, while a 240 pound linebacker with that same speed can often get left past the line of scrimmage.

Haven't seen the film, but I gotta go with Rex on his analysis.

Rex, I hope you're right.

Go Vols.

[General Jack]

The future is bright for our defense. If we could just get a couple of really good tackles, man, we'd just be flat out nasty.

I'm warming up to the idea of Donald at end... I hope he progresses quickly.