Thoughts On The 2011 DL
I've been avoiding the board topics of late, concerned my lead body suit will not hold up to that jhackney dude going WOPR on every post. So instead I've been staring at the 2-deep, depth chart and official roster weights for a couple of weeks. One thing that has been jumping out at me is that the 2011 DL could look almost exaclty like the 2009 DL.
While Jibreel may not have been BG reincarnate this season, he certainly did not embarass himself as a true freshman DE in the Big Ten. I would consider that as pretty much a win and good news for his future. If he emerges over spring as a stronger pass rusher and more diciplined, is it at all likely that VanBergen returns to the 3-tech? If so, I think I'm really liking the DL next year. Roh will be a much bigger, stronger, experienced version of his 2009 self. Martin should contiune being Martin, demanding double teams which means single blocking everywhere else. And overall, I feel VanBergen was actually more effective in 2009. Anyone else have and opinion on where he played better? And Jibreel showed some quicks and explosion, and he's #55, so yeah, could work out.
Also, is it crazy to think the reason we ran so much 3 DL sets this years was due to there not really being 4 DL's worth starting and coaches wanted to maximize athletes on the field. Well, any way, stare at the depth chart and think positively, and an actual defense in 2011 is not really that far fetched of an idea.
December 9th, 2010 at 11:25 PM ^
Martin is a beast, but he is not a DE, he is an interior d lineman. His strength and ability to split double teams are his greatest assets, which would not translate into the DE position. He is quick but is not an edge rusher. However, I would like to see a lot more of him at DT instead of NT. In a 4 man front I think he would have more opportunities to create penatration and may see less double teams.
December 10th, 2010 at 12:19 AM ^
Yea, I see your point about Martin. It's just that I hate seeing him get doubled every play and still blowing it up, only to see our other linemen not do much.
I really don't know what the coaching staff was thinking putting Roh at LB. It seemed so obvious he is a natural pass rusher and thrives playing with his hand down.
Almost as obvious that Demens is better than Ezeh.
December 10th, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^
Really??????
December 9th, 2010 at 10:53 PM ^
long as Mike Martin comes back our d-line will be good.But if Ash or Washington can step up and take the nose guard spot,then we could move Martin out.Along with Roh or Van Bergen that would be a good 3 man front.If we run a 4 man front,i would like to see Bergen and Roh at the ends,and Martin and Washington or Ash at the tackle spots.GO BLUE!!!
December 10th, 2010 at 12:21 AM ^
But RVB was definitely better this year than last and I really don't understand how that was not obvious.
December 10th, 2010 at 5:44 AM ^
I thought he was better too, as a player. But that being said, the production did not increase in any concrete way. He was fourth in tackles among the DL this year, less than Banks. So that was my question as to maybe the 3-tech being a more natural fit.
2009
40 Tackles
6.5 TFL
5 Sacks
2010
30 Tackles
8.5 TFL
4 Sacks
Maybe there is something in the UFR that demonstrates an obvious improvement. But I didn't see it, or at least see it in a way where I thought to myself, wow RVB is obviously more natural at the end. But if you feel that he was obviously better at DE, than I'll consider my question answered. THanks.
December 10th, 2010 at 12:27 PM ^
RVB ended up with consistently more positives this year in the UFR.
Brandon Graham did more than just terrorize opposing backfields...he also took a ton of pressure off of his linemates. When Martin got injured this year, RVB then became the best lineman (besides Roh) and thus opposing O-lines targeted him more. Holding up to a double-team doesn't get you stats.
The stats don't tell the full story, especially for a lineman. RVB was in the backfield much more frequently this year, but nothing came of it for the most part because he was the ONLY one in the backfield after Martin went out and the ball carrier could just run away.
December 10th, 2010 at 2:07 AM ^
December 10th, 2010 at 9:08 AM ^
I think his mother would kill him if he left without his degree.
December 10th, 2010 at 8:11 AM ^
I'm hopeful that another big body (Ash or Washington) can step up and become the second DT next season in a 4 man line. I beleive the coaches decided on a 3 man front last spring when they saw what they had returning that season (and injury to Heininger). I'm very hopeful that they'll decide to go to a 4 man front this next spring. It's not that I think the 3 man front is bad, I just don't think it is as easy to recruit for as a traditional 4 man front.
Martin will definitely be back next year IMHO. Another thing I believe will happen is Black will eventually become a DT, though maybe not next year.
Possible starting line next season:
LDE VanBergen
NT Washington
DT Martin
RDE Roh
2nd string:
LDE Black
NT Ash
DT Talbott
RDE Paskorz
There should be decent depth at DE next year if Roh becomes a true DE next season. I am concerned about the DT recruiting under Rodriguez thus far. I'm hopeful that the young guys are learning well during their redshirt year... and maybe one of them will be able to demand extra playing time.
December 10th, 2010 at 8:26 AM ^
The D line should certainly be a strenth. Death Roh, M Martin, J Black, RVB, it would be nice Richard Ash contribute next year as well