DL Trouble

#1
rexvol

rexvol

The Minister of Defense
Joined
Apr 29, 2006
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#1
With Martin's injury - which is likely season-ending - the Vols moved freshmen linebackers Chris Donald and Chris Walker to defensive end.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Donald was a Parade All-American last year and rated the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect by Rivals.com.
Walker, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound Memphis native, was a two-time Division II All-State selection at Christian Brothers High School.

this move tells me that we've got trouble at the end position, esp if Phil's willing to burn the year of a guy playing out of his natural position.
 
#2
#2
I think you are corrrect. I had high hopes for Martin in that he would add speed to the rush and use those long arms to block passes. Maybe the two rookies can provide the speed rush?

I worry that the LB cupboard ain't exactly overflowing.
 
#3
#3
rexvol said:
With Martin's injury - which is likely season-ending - the Vols moved freshmen linebackers Chris Donald and Chris Walker to defensive end.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Donald was a Parade All-American last year and rated the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect by Rivals.com.
Walker, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound Memphis native, was a two-time Division II All-State selection at Christian Brothers High School.

this move tells me that we've got trouble at the end position, esp if Phil's willing to burn the year of a guy playing out of his natural position.
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I wouldn't say that.They may just be toying around with the idea.As far as i can tell we have no depth problems at DE.Those guys probably weren't going to get much playing time a LB this year anyway.We will be fine at DE.I'am more worried about our depth in the middle than outside.Besides they are both undersized for DE.So phil has to be thinking maybe he can use them in certain down and distance situations to get pressure on the Qb..
 
#4
#4
I think the coaching staff is trying to improve the DL play from last year by using new players at the postion.

They seem very small for DE. Going to a 3-4 and letting them play OLB seems to me would be a better fit.
 
#5
#5
Martin was already on the light side for a DE. These guys are even lighter... I'd rather see one than both get moved, preferably Walker. Wasn't he an OLB, which would probably be an easier transition than Donald being a MLB.
 
#6
#6
This may not be permanent. These two were fringe players anyways and could play either/or. We want speed on the end and that instills it, very quickly. It is a short term solution, nothing more. Quit freaking out.
 
#8
#8
General Jack said:
Martin was already on the light side for a DE. These guys are even lighter... I'd rather see one than both get moved, preferably Walker. Wasn't he an OLB, which would probably be an easier transition than Donald being a MLB.
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Jason Taylor and Leonard Little are both "too small" to be a DE.
 
#9
#9
BigPapaVol said:
Jason Taylor and Leonard Little are both "too small" to be a DE.
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Yeah, and so was Chuck Smith, and so is Dwight Freeney, I hear you.

The idea of moving Donald gives me some trouble, at least a first glance. He was a dominating inside line backer in HS, #1 in the country by rivals as I'm sure we all know.

However, if hvwarrior is correct in that its situational (passing downs), I feel alot better. I'm just already worried about our rush defense and the thought of 225 lb guys on the ends without dominating tackles in the inside gives me visions of last year's Ark game all over again.
 
#10
#10
hvwarrior58 said:
This may not be permanent. These two were fringe players anyways and could play either/or. We want speed on the end and that instills it, very quickly. It is a short term solution, nothing more. Quit freaking out.
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the whole purpose of a message board is so people can freak out
 
#12
#12
As stated above the quickest argument for a sub 6' 3'' under 240 lbs guy playing DE is he gets blown off the ball....thats true unless that guy uses his quickness properly and doesn't let anyone get a solid block on him. If CPF moves a light guy into the DE position and he has a great 1st step and good technique CPF appears a genius when this guy racks up sacks and is a force disrupting running games.
 
#13
#13
dan4vols said:
As stated above the quickest argument for a sub 6' 3'' under 240 lbs guy playing DE is he gets blown off the ball....thats true unless that guy uses his quickness properly and doesn't let anyone get a solid block on him. If CPF moves a light guy into the DE position and he has a great 1st step and good technique CPF appears a genius when this guy racks up sacks and is a force disrupting running games.
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This is true. But I'm skeptical these young LBs will have the skills to get off blocks when lining up as a down lineman, at least at first.

But who knows, we could be surprised. And Jake brought up an interesting point on another thread I hadn't thought of yet. Leonard Little made this transition (OLB to DE) rather well.
 
#16
#16
I have learned over the years to trust the moves that "Chief" makes. He is an architect of that defense. Let's have some trust in his decisions and see what happens.
 
#17
#17
hvwarrior58 said:
The purpose is to discuss sports. Not melt down at any sign of a potential "hurdle".
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this is the part where I remind myself that you're young and cant handle anyone that voices anything other than the party line of "all is well"
 
#19
#19
rexvol said:
this is the part where I remind myself that you're young and cant handle anyone that voices anything other than the party line of "all is well"
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Actually, most of the time you are pretty pessimistic about UT. I sometimes wonder if you are even a UT fan. You're mostly gloom and doom in the posts I've read since I've been here.
 
#20
#20
It might just be an experiment with 3-4 def bringing in donald and walker coming off the end just my thoughts
 
#21
#21
You will see both of them get reps, but moving Walker to DE was inevitable from the beginning. The last time we had a DE that was REAL quick was Little and we all know that worked out for the best. Besides, these two won't get many if any reps at LB this season unless we have a Burnett/Simon situation and I PRAY that we don't. I could see both Walker and Donald on opposite sides being DEs and dominating as well. I think they both knew that this could happen and know that early playing time could result from it. How many true freshmen in D1 come in a start at LB from day 1??
 
#22
#22
Almost none that I can think of, eric.

And I never said all is well, but I'm not gonna act like an injury to a 5th DE, who is a true Fr and would only be used in certain situations, is going to ruin the whole season.
 
#23
#23
The sky may not be falling on the DL, but it is mighty low to the ground. The coaches biggest concern right now seems to be speed off of the edge. Both Rex and HV make a solid point.

I totally agree that counting on Martin to bolster the end spot is desperate to begin with, but I see nothing at all wrong (or desperate) with bringing a Walker or Donald in on third and long situation and telling them to pin their ears back and run straight upfield after the QB. Run stopping is another matter completely.
 
#24
#24
Run stopping definitely will be key. We are definitely going to have to rely on superior team speed on defense for that because we aren't very big upfront.
 
#25
#25
hvwarrior58 said:
Run stopping definitely will be key. We are definitely going to have to rely on superior team speed on defense for that because we aren't very big upfront.
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Correct. Depth at linebacker is not a major concern for the coaches at all. They like Davis and Myers-White. I continue to be disappointed with Dre Mathis' status. I pictured him really helping this team out by now. I will not even bring up the Raymond Henderson issue. I have a feeling they are also tickled pink about the secondary right now as well, though some of that success could be a lack of a real playmaker at receiver.

The coaches remain very concerned about their depth up front, and the DL contributions of this team. For all the talk about Mapu, Bolden and Williams, they don't know if they have enough able bodies to stop a good running team for four quarters.
 
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