Next Year's Defense
One thing that is clear to me is that next season we will need a lot of freshmen to contribute on the D. Much like the offense this year, the defensive unit next season has to lean on either freshmen or first time contributers on the field. Unlike, their counterparts on O this year, however, this can be looked at as a positive. These guys might improve the D if they prove more fundamentally sound. We all knew there was no way the offensive youth movement of this season was going to improve anything. We're getting what we expected. I dont know what to expect with an influx of newcomers on D.
So what is everybody's thoughts on newcomers next year helping out the D. Between Fitzgerald (LB), Smith (DB), Demens (LB) and Floyd (DB) thats a true Soph and three redshirt frosh. I figure our top four incoming D players will be looked upon to possiblty crack the lineup.....any combo of Deqiuinta, Rohe, Lolata,Turner, hopefully Campbell could see the field immediately.
Dont you think a major core of those above players will end up seeing a lot of action next year? Which ones are most likely to be emerge and be the quality players?
So, can these guys do it? Will a wave of newcomers help the D? Any thoughts?
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:21 AM ^
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:28 AM ^
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:08 AM ^
Assuming the (very questionable) 3-3-5, I think we are looking at:
NT: Martin. Sub: Campbell (hopefully)
DE: Graham (if he stays) and Van Bergen. Sub: Banks, Patterson, Roh, Campbell, Jones, more...
LB: Ezeh, Mouton, and Fitzgerald. Sub: Demens, Evans, Bell
CB: Warren and Cissoko. Sub: Woolfolk (we're a little thin here; a safety might have to play up)
SS: Turner and Smith. Sub: Floyd
FS: Brown. Sub: Williams
I'm sure I'm forgetting people.
As to your other comments, if we somehow pick up Jenkins, It will be interesting to see how he fits in. My guess is that he will probably bump out Fitzgerald. I think Ankrah will end up at the other U of M. I think Bell will play LB, especially if we don't pick up Jenkins.
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:04 PM ^
Much like the offense this year, the defensive unit next season has to lean on either freshmen or first time contributers on the field. Unlike, their counterparts on O this year, however, this can be looked at as a positive.
Wishful thinking. Next year we're going to miss our DL bigtime. Martin's a stud, but he's going to be double-teamed all year.
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:16 PM ^
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:10 PM ^
In a 4-3, I'd imagine we're looking at:
DE's: RVB, Graham
DT's: Martin, Sagesse (Campbell?)
LB's: Mouton, Ezeh, Fitzgerald (Evans, Demens as depth)
CB's: Warren, Cissoko with Turner, Woolfolk, and Floyd as depth
S: Brown, Williams (Smith as depth)
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:10 AM ^
I hope it isn't true, but I'm not going to hold my breath on BGraham destroyer of worlds coming back. He's probably a high second round pick right now and I don't see him sticking around after a year like this.