Breaking down our spring game defense

#26
#26
Nocleats said:
Depth????, Is there quality SEC top level Depth?
Click to expand...

Definitely.. there's a lot of highly rated *4 guys on our defense. We have 28 defensive players who were a *4 on atleast one service. So it's there, just needed the coaching.
 
#27
#27
I had Kongbo as one of our starting DE, but didn't realize he was also moved to LB.
 
#29
#29
Last edited:
#32
#32
Hacksaw said:
Yeah, I forgot about that. Might turn-out to be one good thing Larry Scott did for us.
Click to expand...

Larry Scott was a great recruiter with key connections in South Florida. That was the reason Butch hired him as OC (and Beard as WR coach). Problem is that hiring guys only for their recruiting ability turned out to be a bad strategy in the long-run.

Butch truly was our version of Ron Zook.
 
#33
#33
Imo there are only 4 players on our defense that truly truly matter. 1 and 2 being Dkjr and Bituli. On the field together this year and both healthy they will command the defense. I can’t wait to watch these two work. 3 is shy at nose. He needs to consistently eat up 2 to 3 linemen each play ( he’s not gonna have sacks this year.. and his stat production will be low but that’s how nose tackles work) if he can do that it’ll pay huge dividends for dkjr and bituli. 4 is Nigel and that’s all I have to say about that. Kids a stud point blank. It seem like Pruitt is giving him the reigns to really lead that secondary. He’ll be a first round pick if all goes right this year. Everyone else is just kinda plug and play to me.. those 4 are what our defense comes down to imo.. and a little WGWTFA
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#34
#34
butchna said:
Tuttle was playing NT. Their primary focus is occupying blockers. He’s learning the position also.
Click to expand...

Butchna, no way can I be convinced on obvious passing downs that 2nd and 3rd stringers should be able to keep Tuttle from being part of the pass rush or causing a rush to be successful by other players. Tuttle is a senior, highly touted and talented. Our DL will be atrocious if he does not play better, no more excuses from me for Tuttle, time for him to step up IMO. He did not do that this past spring.
 
#35
#35
jasonvol18 said:
Truth be told teams didn't pass on us a lot last yr so there wasn't the normal amount of pass rushing opportunities as there would have been if teams weren't running all over us. I think between Tuttle, Kongbo,Phillips,A.Johnson and Gooden upfront, we should be ok in pass rush with the LB's also getting lots of opportunities to rush the QB. Taylor now being an OLB will benefit from playing on the line the last few yrs. If guys like Emerson, JUCO J.Allen, Mincey, Butler,G Arland and Bennett continue developing ,that would be huge for depth and competition.
Click to expand...

Jason they didn't have to pass on us, they were gashing us for 4, 5, and 600 yards rushing.
 
#39
#39
RockyTopTexas said:
Imo there are only 4 players on our defense that truly truly matter. 1 and 2 being Dkjr and Bituli. On the field together this year and both healthy they will command the defense. I can’t wait to watch these two work. 3 is shy at nose. He needs to consistently eat up 2 to 3 linemen each play ( he’s not gonna have sacks this year.. and his stat production will be low but that’s how nose tackles work) if he can do that it’ll pay huge dividends for dkjr and bituli. 4 is Nigel and that’s all I have to say about that. Kids a stud point blank. It seem like Pruitt is giving him the reigns to really lead that secondary. He’ll be a first round pick if all goes right this year. Everyone else is just kinda plug and play to me.. those 4 are what our defense comes down to imo.. and a little WGWTFA
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how much Bituli and DKJr will be on the field together, both play the Mike LB and Sapp has the Will LB on lock. I don't see Bituli not starting, so I'll be curious how DK Jr is used. That could have been one of the reasons he was looking to transfer, but will be interesting how they use Kirkland. Taylor and Kongbo at OLB will be huge factors to go along with Bituli, Sapp and DK Jr. Phillips, Gooden,D.Johnson and A.Johnson will also be big factors on the Defense. I'm not sure if Gooden plays DE or NG, but I can see him starting at DE opposite of Phillips or pushing Tuttle at NG.
 
#40
#40
jasonvol18 said:
I'm not sure how much Bituli and DKJr will be on the field together, both play the Mike LB and Sapp has the Will LB on lock. I don't see Bituli not starting, so I'll be curious how DK Jr is used. That could have been one of the reasons he was looking to transfer, but will be interesting how they use Kirkland. Taylor and Kongbo at OLB will be huge factors to go along with Bituli, Sapp and DK Jr. Phillips, Gooden,D.Johnson and A.Johnson will also be big factors on the Defense. I'm not sure if Gooden plays DE or NG, but I can see him starting at DE opposite of Phillips or pushing Tuttle at NG.
Click to expand...

Always nice to have two capable Mike LBs, so you can keep one rested.
 
#41
#41
savannahfan said:
the key word here is"quickness". (good post bye the way)

i have not seen much quickness over the last few years. Speed??? Maybe.
The quickness i speak of does not come from the physical side only... A whole lot of what i think we have been missing out on is mental quickness. Whether it is from lack of football knowledge or the other type, our teams just have not shown me much quickness.
Click to expand...

jrm
 
#42
#42
Remy said:
Butchna, no way can I be convinced on obvious passing downs that 2nd and 3rd stringers should be able to keep Tuttle from being part of the pass rush or causing a rush to be successful by other players. Tuttle is a senior, highly touted and talented. Our DL will be atrocious if he does not play better, no more excuses from me for Tuttle, time for him to step up IMO. He did not do that this past spring.
Click to expand...

I could definitely be wrong but don't think Tuttle will determine if our DLine is good or horrible. Gooden could be a very good NG if that's where he plays Which I'm betting he does. Gooden is a faster, more athletic version of Tuttle and without the bad knee's. Would not be shocked at all if Phillips is one starting DE,p possibly Butler, Bennett, Emerson or Allen at the other. But could see Gooden as the starting NG, Taylor and Konbo the each at one of the OLB spots when we aren't in the Nickel.Bituli as the Mike LB and Sapp as the Will LB. Going to be very interesting to see if they attempt to find a way to get Bituli,Sapp and Kirkland on the field all at the same time.
 
#44
#44
jasonvol18 said:
I'm not sure how much Bituli and DKJr will be on the field together, both play the Mike LB and Sapp has the Will LB on lock. I don't see Bituli not starting, so I'll be curious how DK Jr is used. That could have been one of the reasons he was looking to transfer, but will be interesting how they use Kirkland.
Click to expand...

How Kirkland will be used will definitely be interesting to see. He probably fits in a little better at Will than Mike in our new system. He’s never been the most physical LB. When he was at his best, his skill set was closer to that of a JRM than a Bituli or AJ Johnson. Not sure how much the injuries have affected how Kirkland moves, though. If he’s lost a bit of speed, he’ll probably be forced to adjust his style of play.


Bituli is our best thumper, for sure. I’m interested to see how the coaches will use him on 3rd downs this year. Coverage wasn’t really his strong suit in 2017, but I could see him being one of our more effective blitzing LBs this year. If not, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them maybe try to get Sapp and Kirkland on the field together some in passing situations.
 
#45
#45
Remy said:
Butchna, no way can I be convinced on obvious passing downs that 2nd and 3rd stringers should be able to keep Tuttle from being part of the pass rush or causing a rush to be successful by other players. Tuttle is a senior, highly touted and talented. Our DL will be atrocious if he does not play better, no more excuses from me for Tuttle, time for him to step up IMO. He did not do that this past spring.
Click to expand...

It’s Spring. Tyler Bray was regularly atrocious during that time period yet put up huge numbers when it counted. Yeah Tuttle has to deliver. Haven’t seen anything that makes me think he won’t.
 
#46
#46
Darth_Shiveman said:
How Kirkland will be used will definitely be interesting to see. He probably fits in a little better at Will than Mike in our new system. He’s never been the most physical LB. When he was at his best, his skill set was closer to that of a JRM than a Bituli or AJ Johnson. Not sure how much the injuries have affected how Kirkland moves, though. If he’s lost a bit of speed, he’ll probably be forced to adjust his style of play.


Bituli is our best thumper, for sure. I’m interested to see how the coaches will use him on 3rd downs this year. Coverage wasn’t really his strong suit in 2017, but I could see him being one of our more effective blitzing LBs this year. If not, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them maybe try to get Sapp and Kirkland on the field together some in passing situations.
Click to expand...

I can definitely see that happening too. Will be interesting to see if or how much Kirkland's injuries will hurt his play. Hopefully not at all. I'm wondering what LB position JJ Peterson will play also. Not sure if him or Ignont have better coverage skills if maybe they could get some 3rd looks. Or if Bituli has improved that part of his game. Figure we will be in the Nickel more than anything, so who takes Gaulden's spot there? NG and the other DE spot opposite of Phillips will be other position battle's to watch. The Coach's have their work cut out.
 
#47
#47
Remy said:
Butchna, no way can I be convinced on obvious passing downs that 2nd and 3rd stringers should be able to keep Tuttle from being part of the pass rush or causing a rush to be successful by other players. Tuttle is a senior, highly touted and talented. Our DL will be atrocious if he does not play better, no more excuses from me for Tuttle, time for him to step up IMO. He did not do that this past spring.
Click to expand...

Tuttle will have ,by far, his best season to date. This will be the first season he will be playing with healthy since the first part of his Freshman year. He ill be in the best physical condition in his life. He will have the best coaching he has had in his life. He is eager to get on the field and play with other first team players ho were missing in the Spring. I think our defense will be much better than it has been in the last three years. I also expect that the offense will keep the defense off the the field longer which will help with the fatigue and depth problem. I think CJP will surprise our fans and the other SEC teams this Fall with a team that will be very competitive all year long. We will go bowling and likely play on New Year's day. It is just the way I see it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#48
#48
Hacksaw said:
He was one of our early enrollees and one of the first to have Butch's black stripe removed. I'm sure you had to have heard of him. You probably just blocked him out, along with a lot of other painful memories from last year. It's understandable.
Click to expand...

Well done.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#49
#49
KeyVol14 said:
You have two DTs in McKenzie and Tuttle weight over 310. Nobody should gash us up the middle. That’s called coaching
Click to expand...

Those guys had trouble staying healthy and did not see that much time on the field together.
 
#50
#50
VOLINVONORE said:
Tuttle will have ,by far, his best season to date. This will be the first season he will be playing with healthy since the first part of his Freshman year. He ill be in the best physical condition in his life. He will have the best coaching he has had in his life. He is eager to get on the field and play with other first team players ho were missing in the Spring. I think our defense will be much better than it has been in the last three years. I also expect that the offense will keep the defense off the the field longer which will help with the fatigue and depth problem. I think CJP will surprise our fans and the other SEC teams this Fall with a team that will be very competitive all year long. We will go bowling and likely play on New Year's day. It is just the way I see it.
Click to expand...

I hope you're right about Tuttle, I've always been a huge fan of his. My concern is the knee issues. The body doesn't always play nice with the mind. But I'm pulling for him to have the type of season that gets him paid next year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top