2014 Projected Depth Chart

[HeadCockFan]

Lots of wild theories flying around in here, makes for interesting discussion, but odds are nothing changes with this team as far as base defense. We have very few "on field coaches." Better to keep things simple and just try and use our athletes to make plays when they present themselves.

[cockybreeyan]

I just want to see Fleetwood get a few chances. I just heard such great things about him. And I also wanna see Ced Cooper blow people away at DE. He's certainly an underdog there, but he has the work ethic and mind to get there.

[usc1]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The 4-2-5 defense has served us well the past few years. We've been one of the best examples of it around the country. No need to change schemes.

[CockFighter]

Originally Posted by cockybreeyan

I just want to see Fleetwood get a few chances. I just heard such great things about him. And I also wanna see Ced Cooper blow people away at DE. He's certainly an underdog there, but he has the work ethic and mind to get there.

Fleetwood might never become a starter. He is too soft of a player. I think his potential was maxed out Stephenson. He might get on the field at special teams since he seems to be a hard worker in the weight room.

[PageUSC]

Originally Posted by CockFighter

Fleetwood might never become a starter. He is too soft of a player. I think his potential was maxed out Stephenson. He might get on the field at special teams since he seems to be a hard worker in the weight room.

It's a make or break Spring and Summer for guys like Fleetwood, Moody, Martin, Deon Green, Owens, Brent, Fuller, Jeffery, and Rainey.

Numbers are tight and we will have some attrition. These guys better step their games up if they want to be here in the Fall.

[garnet_black215]

Originally Posted by PageUSC

It's a make or break Spring and Summer for guys like Fleetwood, Moody, Martin, Deon Green, Owens, Brent, Fuller, Jeffery, and Rainey.

Numbers are tight and we will have some attrition. These guys better step their games up if they want to be here in the Fall.

How many are we over right now?

[PageUSC]

Originally Posted by garnet_black215

How many are we over right now?

I believe it it 7 or 8.

So out of Wideman, Sawyer, Thomas, and Ritchie. Likely 1-3 of those don't make it into school.

Then probably 3-5 of those names I mentioned above will leave the program.

[garnet_black215]

Originally Posted by PageUSC

I believe it it 7 or 8.

So out of Wideman, Sawyer, Thomas, and Ritchie. Likely 1-3 of those don't make it into school.

Then probably 3-5 of those names I mentioned above will leave the program.

If 3 of those guys don't make it into school, whichever three it is, it would be a huge blow to the DL.

[PageUSC]

Originally Posted by garnet_black215

If 3 of those guys don't make it into school, whichever three it is, it would be a huge blow to the DL.

It would be especially if it is Thomas or Sawyer. Thomas is most physically ready to play right away. Sawyer I think would be able to contribute this year too if needed.

I think we would be OK with Dixon, English, Harris, Johnson, Turner, and Cooper, but we need to cross our fingers Thomas and Sawyer get in.

I think Wideman could redshirt and I think Ritchie definitely redshirts.

[garnet_black215]

Originally Posted by PageUSC

It would be especially if it is Thomas or Sawyer. Thomas is most physically ready to play right away. Sawyer I think would be able to contribute this year too if needed.

I think we would be OK with Dixon, English, Harris, Johnson, Turner, and Cooper, but we need to cross our fingers Thomas and Sawyer get in.

I think Wideman could redshirt and I think Ritchie definitely redshirts.

Sawyer being a pure pass rusher with an incredibly high motor is what makes him so important to get here. Those things combined with his size and he would play from day one. Thomas is easily one of the more college-ready prospects of this class based on his size. He's like Carlton Geathers in that regard.

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by jayceecock

Please show me where we lined up three DTs and 2 DE in the bowl game in the second half.

4th quarter Wisconsin.

[b381l]

Originally Posted by yazoo

4th quarter Wisconsin.

that was short yardage, not a base defense.

[b381l]

If we miss on our three 2014 DE and try to play our standard 4-2, we're going to get our asses handed to us.....simple as that. SOS is not going out to Oklahoma this spring for his health.

[bmccall]

Originally Posted by Roosterboy

RB: Davis, Wilds, Carson

If David Williams can't beat out Shon Carson, then I have lost most of the hope I ever had for David Williams.

[uscsandstorm85]

Spring football is going to have some important position battles.

[usc1]

Mike Davis tweeted out today that he is very impressed with Al Harris Jr. He was my pick to surprise a few people. Most technically sound corner in the class, just needs to get bigger and stronger.

[boness]

Originally Posted by usc1

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The 4-2-5 defense has served us well the past few years. We've been one of the best examples of it around the country. No need to change schemes.

Agreed however it is my understanding that we have used two distincly differing versions of the 4-2-5:

The basic dedicated 4 man front as seen the last couple yrs amounst others using two true ends. here when we use an alternate front it may be 3 man but often is a bear front.

and the hybrid version such as used with Melvin and Norwood using one dedicated end and one hybrid DE/LB thus sometimes employing an aproach where we could flow from a 4-2-5 to 3-3-5 or even a 3-4-4 mid snap count.

Either way we remain dedicated to the 4-2-5 and to what we have done but they are some significant differences and it seems clear to me that staff has made the choice to fit avaiilible personel not the other way around.
am i wrong?

[ZenUSC]

I'm surprised Darius English wasn't everyones pick at a DE position. I think the DE requires speed and athleticism over size. They have to be able to cover ground. Size does you no good if you can't get there. 245 is plenty fo a DE if they have the speed.

[MWard]

Originally Posted by usc1

Mike Davis tweeted out today that he is very impressed with Al Harris Jr. He was my pick to surprise a few people. Most technically sound corner in the class, just needs to get bigger and stronger.

Harris has a huge advantage with having a Dad who is a former Pro and a current DB Coach for an NFL team. He had access to training and resources that a lot of HS players could only dream about. I totally expected him to be the furthest along with the mental aspect of the game. Like you said though, if he can get his body to perform on the level his mind can, he's going to have a stellar career.

[Ace Dilcock]

I don't think size is a problem for Harris. He did not attend camps last summer so his weight was not updated, but he did spend the summer at Kansas City's training facility (his dad is DB Coach for the Chiefs). He said in an article that he was up to 170 lbs., plus he has had another year to add a few more pounds. Should be around 180 with good weight, which is about the right size for a college cornerback. I was thinking that he was under-rated also - good genes and you can't beat the coaching that he gets from his dad.