Where is our LB depth?

#26
#26
I can understand playing JRM on spteams vs bama, uf, uga, a&m. But vs ohio? You gotta make smarter moves with your personnel, I don't care what he's done in the past. That's not smart football. Like lining up in the shotgun on the goal line
 
#27
#27
turdherder11 said:
Guess that's why he plays JMR (most valuable guy on D) on special teams then. Next man up? What a joke. I've withheld judgement until the uf game this season. My patience is wearing thin.
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I never understand why starting LB's are chasing punt returns, especially if we're thin there. Didn't Maggitt's career end last year on a punt coverage? CBJ is far from the only coach to do this, but I just don't know why anyone would take the chance. Just let the starter do his thing, then let the backup get a rep in by covering the punt. Is it really that hard of a concept?
 
#28
#28
LordBolton said:
I never understand why starting LB's are chasing punt returns, especially if we're thin there. Didn't Maggitt's career end last year on a punt coverage? CBJ is far from the only coach to do this, but I just don't know why anyone would take the chance. Just let the starter do his thing, then let the backup get a rep in by covering the punt. Is it really that hard of a concept?
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I may be in the distinct minority here. But I don't see as many injuries on punts and kickoffs as I do during regular offense and defense plays. Where does this notion that special teams are fraught with injuries come from? Special teams can change a game in an instant. Why not have your very best athletes out there?
 
#29
#29
Pacer92 said:
We've had ample opportunity to develop LB's...

You can't just wait until the starter goes down before using a backup. Gavin Bryant and Dillon Bates should've had more game time reps up to this point. They can't be any worse than Jumper.
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Its hard to give back-ups reps when the starters are struggling to keep App St. and Ohio off the scoreboard.
 
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#36
#36
jdhallvols said:
With Kirkland, Sapp and possibly JRM out or limited, what has happened to Gavin Bryant, Kenny Bynum, Austin Smith, Dillon Bates, etc.?

Why aren't these guys playing?

I guess we should be happy we have Jumper.
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Bates was a blue chip recruit but hasn't really shown that he can be an impact player at this level...Cortez McDowell was also a blue chip player and I think he will be JRM's replacement next year...he looks to be a very solid LB...we have two true freshmen blue chip LBs- Bituli and Blackley. maybe they can be rotated in...they lack the experience but talent can overcome that...sometimes...
 
#38
#38
So is it 100% certain that Kirkland won't play this weekend?

Just trying to hold out some hope. :ermm:
 
#39
#39
midtnvol2 said:
Spot on with lack of development. The only thing to add is poor recruiting of the position, this and OL as well.
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We only have 7 blue chip recruits at LB (BC = 4/5 star) and 6 at OL...the rating are generally a good indicator of potential but definitely not a sure thing...two of our BC OL are seniors Dontavius Blair and Austin Sanders...we have 3 BC OL from the 2015 class and 1 from the 2016 class...interestingly, several of the three star freshman OL have been mentioned as potentially getting early playing time...particularly Marcus Tatum...

In a mature organization, you would redshirt most freshmen - especially on the OL. But we have played true freshmen on the OL for the last few years...I thought redshirting Richmond last year was a good sign (thinking maybe we were building depth) but he is playing like a freshman this year. Not saying he won't grow into a solid player but he's not a dominant OL (yet)...

Note: In terms of recruiting remember also we signed a 4th BC OL in the 2015 class - Zach Stewart - but after his mother died he decided not to continue football...

Signing 4 blue chip Ol in one year is hardly 'poor recruiting"
 
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#40
#40
VolunteerAlumni said:
Well.. who's fault is that?
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You only get so many recruiting spots. When he arrived, one could argue that LB wasn't the most immediate need.

Dillon Bates and Elliot Berry were highly regarded recruits that apparently haven't developed as much as previously thought.

I agree our coaches should've seen this coming. I agree we should have more talent. But we don't and it isn't new news.
 
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#42
#42
I think our player development at the LB position has been poor. Mississippi State and Wisconsin can develop LB's to compete against SEC schools, and we can't develop depth at that position? Maybe this will improve with Shoop.
 
#43
#43
Fullfillmer said:
I would contend - he is worse than Jumper - just from watching the Appy State game - I kept saying - who is that -- he did not play well - and I think he was replaced at some point.
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He's more of the old fashioned MLB type. Big, physical and not very fast, his style really fits power running teams. We may see him a lot against Fla, Ga, and Bama. He's just not a good fit against spread teams, we'll see.:popcorn:
 
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#44
#44
Sarms58 said:
Bates was a blue chip recruit but hasn't really shown that he can be an impact player at this level...Cortez McDowell was also a blue chip player and I think he will be JRM's replacement next year...he looks to be a very solid LB...we have two true freshmen blue chip LBs- Bituli and Blackley. maybe they can be rotated in...they lack the experience but talent can overcome that...sometimes...
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Bates and Bryant were both blue chip recruits, and I refuse to believe they were both busts. I think it comes down to poor development.
 
#46
#46
shoney said:
He's more of the old fashioned MLB type. Big, physical and not very fast, his style really fits power running teams. We may see him a lot against Fla, Ga, and Bama. He's just not a good fit against spread teams, we'll see.:popcorn:
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This assessment seems to be spot on.

Bynum at MLB and Jumper in space at OLB.
 
#47
#47
MyBloodRunnethOrange said:
Bates and Bryant were both blue chip recruits, and I refuse to believe they were both busts. I think it comes down to poor development.
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Not sure the issues with either. I know many great HS defenders have trouble grasping the complexities of D at the next level...
 
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