I think I've read a number of times that the 3 down linemen in a 3-4 scheme are the "least" (relatively speaking) important positions for the scheme. I've also read that the secondary is the most important (relatively speaking) position group for any defense in any scheme. That puts the linebackers in the middle. The downside of losing DKjr, if we lose him, is that we may be losing the smartest guy on that side of the ball.
the DL in the 34 aren't expected to be "playmakers" as you might find/expect in some 43 DL's, where your DE's are primary pass rushers and DT's have to be excellent against the run, and some abilty to rush inside. so i agree wiht that, but 34 DL have to do the dirty work so the LB's can do what they're ARE expected to do. and that's to stop the run and rush the passer. how you accomplish that varies obviously, stand up or hand in the dirt OLB/DE/Hybrid guys find homes here, that they wouldn't in a traditional 43. biggest thing, can the DL occupy the OL? have to be really good in the middle, NT is probalby the most important spot in a 34.
and we just don't know what any of our guys are going to look like. as for the LBs, as i said, talented, but youthful. and while you may be right about DK's smarts, athletically, he leaves a lot on the table, so i'm willing to trade that out for year 2 Bituli....
JJ Peterson apparently doesn't have eidetic memory. Crouch may be the guy we have to rely on in the future to run our defense and to be fair I think most people expect JJP to stay outside. I like JJP's speed, athleticism, and aggressiveness but some of this stuff is probably over his head, at least for now. I don't think he's a football junkie like most of his teammates. He's always been a standout on the field because of his physical advantages. I think it could take him a while to "learn" the defense and so in the meantime we have to figure out how to use him in ways that can help us. He could actually end up being pretty good. I just think the question is when more-so than if.
all fair. you have to like the talent potential here though, and i'm betting Crouch picks up on things relatively quickly.
I think we have probably 7 guys that can start on the OL. I know some people are projecting Kennedy will start at center; I'm not sure about that. He could but Ryan is probably going to figure into the mix somewhere. Ryan and Jahmir are the two returners with the most experience from last year. They were arguably also the most durable.
the way pruitt talked yesterday, it sounded like BK would be a starter. again, if WM can be our LT, that opens up options everywhere else on the line. that could be huge.
Overall, i think we're good to go on offense and should take a big step forward.
i tend to agree. i just dn't think the OL will be AS BAD as it has been the past two seasons. that in and of itself will help. and i think JG comes in to his own, and we ahve skill at TE and WR, and at RB. excited to see what Chaney and co. can do with it.
I think we have to sort out the safeties and star position on defense and find some linebackers that are consistent playmakers.. We need to improve at stopping the run. The DL is tasked with occupying some of the blockers, as many as possible and, in a 3-4, as I understand it, it's primarily up to the linebackers to make the plays. at or behind the LOS.
Shamburger will have an opportunity at Star, as will Jalen Mcollough, who by all accounts has already impressed thru winter work outs....the Safeties i think get better with flowers coming back and Warrior. not concerned about Corner.....maybe depth is a bit of a concern. the DL will have to be solid up the middle, and create space for others to make plays. anxious to see how Ansley and Pruitt scheme this group.....front 7 may have some growing pains, but i do think we'll see some improvement against the run in total.
One of the reportedly best defensive fronts we played against last year was supposedly Auburn. We only rushed for 68 yards but it was our best passing game performance in over 2 years. Of course if we can't stop the run our pass defense will seemingly look pretty good because everyone will just run on us.. But if we can stop the run we better be able to cover in the passing game unless we want to be the first SEC team to lose to a team that has an existing losing streak going against every single one of the 13 other teams in the conference.
eh, that Auburn front didn't do a whole lot. they pretty much played us straight up on the LOS, and that's why the passing game was able to get going, and htey were able to still slow down the run game. plus we were pretty predictable in the run game if you remember....80% run on 1st down, lot's of 2nd and long's and we had some very clutch 3rd down conversions in that game....very clutch. communication between our olinement will be key. they have to know who to blokc, when and why. not sure they did that all the time last year......UK played us pretty much the same way on their defensive fronts.
I like our starting cornerbacks. We need to figure out the backups.
agreed