Filling defense holes for next year.

[Goofyboy]

We are losing some real talent on defense. These seniors have stepped up. Our linebacking was probably the biggest overall improvement this year, but we're losing the first string plus Damario. Ouch! With the big class of freshmen LB's, I still wonder if we'll have to try a few moves because of the tough transition to this level even for top recruits. We have four returners for the two spots, but only Cooper and Lewis have played any to count this year, and the group looks thin. I wonder about perhaps Rainey at OLB because of his speed, toughness, and explosiveness (he can sky) and possibly Dixon the DE as a jumbo MLB because he seems to move well at DE. We seem so well-stocked at DE and TE, we might need to get some good prospects on the field and get relief for a very demanding position. Gresham is a big body at MLB, but I don't think he played a down that counted.

[DiamondGamecock]

We get Clowney back, nuff said.

[rileytm]

I dont think well ever see Gresham contribute much.

For LB though, Lewis will start at MLB in the spring with Cooper at WLB. Bryant will come in and compete for a job and Holloman is going to be a pleasant surprise. Marquis Roberts will also be in the mix for some PT, similar to Quin Smith, coming in for about 15-20 plays a game. Rolin most likely RS now after his knee injury.

My projected 2 deep on Defense next year looks like this:

DE - Clowney, English
DT - Quarles, Dixon JR
DT - Surrat, D Green
DE - Sutton, A Hill

MLB - Lewis, ?
WLB - Cooper, Bryant or Holloman
SPR - Diggs, Golightly

CB - Legree, McWilliams
FS - Marcus, Gurley
SS - Williams, Elder
CB - Hampton (if he comes back), R. Martin

[MWard]

Originally Posted by rileytm

I dont think well ever see Gresham contribute much.

For LB though, Lewis will start at MLB in the spring with Cooper at WLB. Bryant will come in and compete for a job and Holloman is going to be a pleasant surprise. Marquis Roberts will also be in the mix for some PT, similar to Quin Smith, coming in for about 15-20 plays a game. Rolin most likely RS now after his knee injury.

My projected 2 deep on Defense next year looks like this:

DE - Clowney, English
DT - Quarles, Dixon JR
DT - Surrat, D Green
DE - Sutton, A Hill

MLB - Lewis, ?
WLB - Cooper, Bryant or Holloman
SPR - Diggs, Golightly

CB - Legree, McWilliams
FS - Marcus, Gurley
SS - Williams, Elder
CB - Hampton (if he comes back), R. Martin

This looks really good, I might swap around some guys in the secondary, but that's about right. We really need to get Yannick to commit.

[FeartheSpur]

our biggest ? is going to be who is going to step up at LB

[Goofyboy]

our biggest ? is going to be who is going to step up at LB

Same concern here. LB play is so critical, and the seniors we had made tackles and helped us defend the run (and swings, outlets) without pulling the safeties up most games. Relief for LB's is a key element, not just for injuries, but because of the territory they cover on almost every play. In addition, we had different size-speed combos for different teams and play situations.

[henmania]

Originally Posted by rileytm

I dont think well ever see Gresham contribute much.

For LB though, Lewis will start at MLB in the spring with Cooper at WLB. Bryant will come in and compete for a job and Holloman is going to be a pleasant surprise. Marquis Roberts will also be in the mix for some PT, similar to Quin Smith, coming in for about 15-20 plays a game. Rolin most likely RS now after his knee injury.

My projected 2 deep on Defense next year looks like this:

DE - Clowney, English
DT - Quarles, Dixon JR
DT - Surrat, D Green
DE - Sutton, A Hill

MLB - Lewis, ?
WLB - Cooper, Bryant or Holloman
SPR - Diggs, Golightly

CB - Legree, McWilliams
FS - Marcus, Gurley
SS - Williams, Elder
CB - Hampton (if he comes back), R. Martin

Ward likes Holloman a lot. Very smart player who plays fast. Not so much thin as inexperienced. But I believe the talent will be as good if not better. Just not a coach on the field like Shaq Wilson.

[1801Green]

Rocky Balboa: Sure, I like her.
Paulie Pennino: What’s the attraction?
Rocky Balboa: I dunno… she fills gaps.
Paulie Pennino: What’s ‘gaps’?
Rocky Balboa: I dunno, she’s got gaps, I got gaps, together we fill gaps.

We'll fill gaps next year.

[1801Green]

Stay thirsty, my friends.

[ReadR00ster]

That is why we got so many talented freshman LBs this class wasn't it?

[ReadR00ster]

Originally Posted by henmania

Ward likes Holloman a lot. Very smart player who plays fast. Not so much thin as inexperienced. But I believe the talent will be as good if not better. Just not a coach on the field like Shaq Wilson.

Christian will be our 3rd CB I think.

[FeartheSpur]

Originally Posted by ReadR00ster

That is why we got so many talented freshman LBs this class wasn't it?

yes, but they are still freshman and one of our best tore his ACL (Rollin)

[CoverTwo]

We only play 2 at a time so its not like we need a 3 deep at each spot.

Cooper and Lewis are going to be stalwarts. Holloman and possibly one or two of the freshmen will fill the backup roles. I'd like to see them put some weight on Roberts or Fleetwood and move them.

I think Kelvin Rainey would make an excellent WILL backer as well.

[CoverTwo]

Also our secondary will be fine.

At Corner we will have Legree, Christian, Martin, Elder, McWilliams and the rest of the freshman (Cooper, Groves)

At Safety we will have Williams, Marcus, Gurley (maybe), Fleetwood, Moody, and the incoming freshman (Sasser) .. While this does seem thin, Whammy wants guys that can play all 4 DB spots so I'm confident that they'll find a few guys that can be interchangeable.

At SPUR, we will have Diggs, Golightly, Roberts, and the incoming freshman (Camara).

We will be short on experience but there is a lot of talent to work with. A lot.

[ramcock]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

Also our secondary will be fine.

At Corner we will have Legree, Christian, Martin, Elder, McWilliams and the rest of the freshman (Cooper, Groves)

At Safety we will have Williams, Marcus, Gurley (maybe), Fleetwood, Moody, and the incoming freshman (Sasser) .. While this does seem thin, Whammy wants guys that can play all 4 DB spots so I'm confident that they'll find a few guys that can be interchangeable.

At SPUR, we will have Diggs, Golightly, Roberts, and the incoming freshman (Camara).

We will be short on experience but there is a lot of talent to work with. A lot.

Do you not mention Hampton intentionally? Was given impression over twitter that he's coming back. Thanks for your insight, its always welcomed!

[CoverTwo]

Pay sites don't think he will be back so I'm deferring to them. I haven't been told which way he is leaning.

[b381l]

I think our LB played much better this year. Coach Botkin did a hell of a good job and I have a lot of confidence in him to do just as well next year.

[b381l]

Originally Posted by ramcock

Do you not mention Hampton intentionally? Was given impression over twitter that he's coming back. Thanks for your insight, its always welcomed!

Tony Morrell of TBS said Hampton had some work to do to get back on the team next year. He didn't want to explain. I think it must have had something to do with school work but I do not know that.

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by rileytm

I dont think well ever see Gresham contribute much.

For LB though, Lewis will start at MLB in the spring with Cooper at WLB. Bryant will come in and compete for a job and Holloman is going to be a pleasant surprise. Marquis Roberts will also be in the mix for some PT, similar to Quin Smith, coming in for about 15-20 plays a game. Rolin most likely RS now after his knee injury.

My projected 2 deep on Defense next year looks like this:

DE - Clowney, English
DT - Quarles, Dixon JR
DT - Surrat, D Green
DE - Sutton, A Hill

MLB - Lewis, ?
WLB - Cooper, Bryant or Holloman
SPR - Diggs, Golightly

CB - Legree, McWilliams
FS - Marcus, Gurley
SS - Williams, Elder
CB - Hampton (if he comes back), R. Martin

Hampton is gone. He has to be projected in the top two or three rounds.

[Flameout12]

Originally Posted by yazoo

Hampton is gone. He has to be projected in the top two or three rounds.

Don't see this at all....late or UDFA. Needs to return if possible.