Linebackers: 2020 outlook

[LittleVol]

I don't really make a habit of doing that... and especially not this far out. With regard to this discussion, I've never been impressed with #13. I think we had reason to hope he was going to be really good... but he's never fulfilled those hopes. Until Pruitt gets a guy maybe even like Joseph who is more of the "model" Jack... I think he keep doing what he's done. He has said he likes 4 spot LB's. I think you could see combinations of Henry T, Crouch, Peterson (who I think could really come along after many gave up on him), Harrison, and Bennett. They could also go a more 4-2 nickel look on passing downs and plug in an extra DE.

Peterson makes a great example of why I think we shouldn't overhype recruits. He's about to be a 3rd year player and is just now finding a way to apply his terrific talent to the college game. He could still end up being a really amazing player... but many have already called him a bust.

LOL... I don't want to go too far down this road but it would surprise me less to see Eason start on the inside than any of the OLB recruits start. If he's really a 270 lb guy who can play laterally sideline to sideline like a 240 lb guy... that changes things.

SJ's Starting lineup:
OLB Q. Crouch 6'2 249 SO
ILB JJ. Peterson 6'2 235 SO
MLB H. To'oto'o 6'3 240 SO
OLB K. Bennett 6'2 250 JR

 

[butchna]

Butchna's starting lineup:
OLB D. Johnson 6'3 245 SR
MLB Q. Crouch 6'2 247 SO
ILB H. To'oto'o 6'3 240 SO
OLB K Bennett 6'2 250 JR
STAR. A Beasley/T McDonald

I didn’t give you my proxy. I would NEVER do so!



That’s not that bad tho. Still think Shamburger keeps his role. Haven’t made a prediction on Beasley, but star seems a fit with his DB background...always contingent on development. The coaches are going to put most football smart players on the field. Johnson hasn’t been that so far in his career...explosive but a dumb penalty waiting to happen.

 

[sjt18]

SJ's Starting lineup:
OLB Q. Crouch 6'2 249 SO
ILB JJ. Peterson 6'2 235 SO
MLB H. To'oto'o 6'3 240 SO
OLB K. Bennett 6'2 250 JR

Like I said, I don't usually make predictions about things like this and never this far out. I've made some mistakes doing it in the past... I just don't like the taste of swallowing my words so I try to be careful with things I assert as future certainties.

I think all of those guys are talented enough to fill the spots you put them into. I think you can look for Banks to be back on the roster and making a lot of noise. I think Beasley and the coaches will make a decision about his future. Pruitt seemed to be excited about him at LB. Allen is a guy who could give you some downs if he can stay healthy.

And again, if Bryson can play sideline to sideline at his size or even 20 lbs lighter... then I see that as more of a possibility than Joseph starting at 220 or even 230.

 

[LittleVol]

Like I said, I don't usually make predictions about things like this and never this far out. I've made some mistakes doing it in the past... I just don't like the taste of swallowing my words so I try to be careful with things I assert as future certainties.

I think all of those guys are talented enough to fill the spots you put them into. I think you can look for Banks to be back on the roster and making a lot of noise. I think Beasley and the coaches will make a decision about his future. Pruitt seemed to be excited about him at LB. Allen is a guy who could give you some downs if he can stay healthy.

And again, if Bryson can play sideline to sideline at his size or even 20 lbs lighter... then I see that as more of a possibility than Joseph starting at 220 or even 230.

Come on SJ, who cares if you're wrong or not?? Does anybody on here pay your bills ?

I was/am pulling for Allen because of his story, but the cold hard truth is that he'll never develop into an NFL OLB here while at UT. And probably anywhere else. I would LOVE to be wrong about this. I wish he would transfer to be closer to his mother and perhaps find a nice girl to be his companion.

I love Eason I just feel like he was better suited for the old style 3-4 from 10 years ago vs the current 3-4 with the flexibility defend the spread. But a 270 lb man that can move the way he can, will help somewhere.

Also, Pruitt said Joseph might play ILB and OLB like Crouch.

Banks with a good head on his shoulder and dedication to the weight room is a future NFL LB. But he seems "aloof" to me. Even before the red flags, he didn't seem to have an awareness about him. I don't have confidence he'll play another down here, even though Pruitt is low key trying to bring him back.

 

[KBVol]

So you look at stats? I generally look to see if they get their ass whupped and I didn’t see much of that.

So, didn’t “get their ass whupped”, but also didn’t make the tackle, force a fumble, recover a fumble, intercept a pass or sack a quarterback...think I prefer the stats that reflect how well they played rather than knowing they “didn’t get their ass whupped”.

 

[sjt18]

Come on SJ, who cares if you're wrong or not?? Does anybody on here pay your bills ?
.

I get what you mean but it matters to me. There are a few people in my time here who have admitted they were wrong. Most either disappear or change their screen names. I'm definitely not perfect... I have had one screen name for over 13 years... and I don't run from my comments even when they're wrong. So... I try to be careful.

 

[Vol865]

Think Gooden is second unit and flexes between nose and DT (which I use to categorize the larger DE)...depending on situations. Can see Emerson man the nose with Gooden flanking in short yardage packages. Simmons nose all the way backing up Emerson...good deep situation for the apparent near future.

I think it'll be 1. Gooden 2. Garland 3. Emerson/Simmons

 

[butchna]

I think it'll be 1. Gooden 2. Garland 3. Emerson/Simmons

I don’t even see Garland at nose for any snaps ceptin injury. Emerson occupied blockers better than Gooden imo...why I see him starting.

 

[Vol865]

I don’t even see Garland at nose for any snaps ceptin injury. Emerson occupied blockers better than Gooden imo...why I see him starting.

I think Garland was very solid in short yardage knocking the OL back. Maybe Emerson stays ahead of him though. Still think Gooden has the upper hand. He has some quickness that Emerson doesn't seem to have and a little more experience. I like Emerson too

 

[butchna]

I think Garland was very solid in short yardage knocking the OL back. Maybe Emerson stays ahead of him though. Still think Gooden has the upper hand. He has some quickness that Emerson doesn't seem to have and a little more experience. I like Emerson too

He was quicker because he’s a DE who was playing nose. Don’t forget he’s recovering from a season ending injury.

 

[Vol865]

He was quicker because he’s a DE who was playing nose. Don’t forget he’s recovering from a season ending injury.

Not true. Some teams use quicker NTs to disrupt vs bigger NTs to occupy blockers. Both can be effective.

 

[butchna]

Not true. Some teams use quicker NTs to disrupt vs bigger NTs to occupy blockers. Both can be effective.

Primary function of a nose is to occupy blockers. So if one can disrupt AND occupy? Good! If not your ILB’s aren’t free to operate.

 

[Vol865]

Primary function of a nose is to occupy blockers. So if one can disrupt AND occupy? Good! If not your ILB’s aren’t free to operate.

Depending on the situation, yes. But occupying blockers alone doesn't make you a good NT.

 

[butchna]

Depending on the situation, yes. But occupying blockers alone doesn't make you a good NT.

Emerson is a good NT and especially in your early downs, occupying blockers is vital. A pass rusher in the middle is useful as a change up on obvious passing downs.

 

[Vol865]

Emerson is a good NT and especially in your early downs, occupying blockers is vital. A pass rusher in the middle is useful as a change up on obvious passing downs.

True. Maybe Gooden starts over Middleton. Maybe not at all.

 

[butchna]

True. Maybe Gooden starts over Middleton. Maybe not at all.

Starting isn’t paramount with him working his way back into playing time after a season’s absence. I see him relieving Emerson and or Middleton/Solomon and getting plenty of snaps in the process.