I know many will disagree, but I don't think the DL problem is as bad as most think... minus Big Dan and Corey Miller... Who are playing some good ball.
We will have Jordan Williams, Saulsberry, O'Brien, Vereen, Lambert, Carr, Clark, Jay Miller, and Latroy Lewis.
I expect those first 4 to start next year with a rotation of Lambert, Carr, and Clark.
Also, that's not counting the freshman DL and most likely the Juco DL we bring in. Hendrix, Barnett, Henderson, and McDowdell (or whoever the Juco is) will add depth.
The DL probably had its best game of the year...and maybe longer...this weekend (mostly in the 2nd half) but it came after Marshall was hurt, so I have to take that into account. Before then, Marshall was gashing us.
Aside from some contributors like Miller, Vereen, & O'Brien, who have really stepped up, I've been somewhat disappointed in the DL's performance, overall.
Don't get me wrong, I see improvement from last year but we lose contain (especially Jaq) FAR too often and running lanes are opened up the middle--where McCullers is supposed to be a force--with a lot more consistency than I expected.
Vereen and Miller are standing out but how Jaq continues to start over Vereen is beyond me...kid's a playmaker NOW.
However, we're generating a pass rush that did not exist over the last...well, way too long, and they've been opportunistic at times, making stops or sacking the QB just when we need them.
I'd give them a C, at this point. Inconsistency and lack of contain being their biggest downfall, but you can see that they're improving and have the potential to become a force in the future...maybe this year, maybe next.
Also, the fact that they are improving without the help of Couch and Saulsberry is big, IMO. Those two were going to be relied on heavily but, in their absence, guys have stepped up...that's encouraging.
