Hey guys, as I was writing about the Defensive Line, I was wondering -- beyond Reilly, Coleman, and Sinnott, do we have anyone else making waves and coming up through the ranks?

I know, of course, we need more than just those three to comprise our front four. I assume some sort of rotation will be in place. Just a tad scared if one of the three main guys goes down. Any word on the depth behind those three? I want to get your guys' take.

You can check out the article here if you want:

http://wmsportsblog.com/2014/07/20/2014-...sive-line/

Braxton Hicks (DE), Chris Donald (DT), Spencer Bopp (DT), and Tyler Claytor (DT) played quite a bit last year and all played well. I also wouldn't rule out 3 down linemen rotations especially given our depth at LB.

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Claytor & Donald got a lot of action last year, and played well. I thought Donald looked very good, I hope he is recovered from his injury.

A lot of depth available on the DL. Coleman and Claytor at DT backed by Donald, Davey, Congo and Bopp. Reilly and Sinnott at DE backed by Gryder, Hicks and Roscoe.

Claytor is the other starter at DT and I think he has a breakout year after a solid 2013 season.

Behind the starters I have confidence in Peyton Gryder at DE and Chris Donald (healthy) at DT to provide starter quality snaps.

After that, they're good candidates, but few proven entities. Hicks has shown some ability to rush the passer, but can get overwhelmed against the run at the point. Congo played a good number of snaps last season, but was not very productive with those snaps. Davey physically matured over the off-season and may be ready to contribute. Roscoe looked good in the spring given his limited time at the DE position. He will be a good one with added strength/size and experience.

Overall, the DL is in good shape. Need a couple of the younger guys to step up to have a true/reliable 8 man rotation.

I'd really like to see strong DE play, this year. If we can contain the corners on the rush and put some pressure on opposing QBs on the dropbacks, I think a lot of the issues will take care of themselves. OF course, this is obvious and every team is saying the same thing- but I'd like to see it.

Containing the corners on the rush and pressuring the opposing qb is, of course, what we did so well last season. We all know the defense is what won seven games last year without a decent quarterback...had we had just a fair quarterback we win at least nine, perhaps, ten, games.

The defense is there again this year---not only on the defensive line but at all eleven positions:
there is quickness, speed, strength, athleticism and football smarts. Riley and Hancock are
outstanding players, strong NFL quality prospects, who would start for any team.

There is a bevy of talented runners, receivers and very good (and huge) offensive linemen plus an accurate and experience field goal kicker who also can boot it out of the endzone on kickoffs. There are two freshmen runners---Dedmon and Green (both local phenoms)--who may return the kickoffs and punts---who are two of the most exciting running backs to land
here.

All it takes is a good quarterback to stay healthy.

(07-21-2014 11:15 AM)BigTribe Wrote:  There are two freshmen runners---Dedmon and Green (both local phenoms)--who may return the kickoffs and punts---who are two of the most exciting running backs to land
here.

Not to derail this thread too much, but do you really think either will play as a true freshman? I just can't see it. Both WR & RB are very deep with lots of experience. Even if either is electrifying in the return game, I can't imagine them burning a year of eligibility for kick/punt returns. Their time is the future.

(07-21-2014 11:50 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(07-21-2014 11:15 AM)BigTribe Wrote:  There are two freshmen runners---Dedmon and Green (both local phenoms)--who may return the kickoffs and punts---who are two of the most exciting running backs to land
here.

Not to derail this thread too much, but do you really think either will play as a true freshman? I just can't see it. Both WR & RB are very deep with lots of experience. Even if either is electrifying in the return game, I can't imagine them burning a year of eligibility for kick/punt returns. Their time is the future.

Completely agree with you. It would take a Grimes's Freshman year like season for Green to see the field. Dedmon is a bit more of an enigma for me because I'm not sure what his long-term role is, but I certainly don't see a scenario where we burn his red-shirt - especially not just for the return game.

(07-21-2014 03:15 PM)wml33t Wrote:  

(07-21-2014 11:50 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(07-21-2014 11:15 AM)BigTribe Wrote:  There are two freshmen runners---Dedmon and Green (both local phenoms)--who may return the kickoffs and punts---who are two of the most exciting running backs to land
here.

Not to derail this thread too much, but do you really think either will play as a true freshman? I just can't see it. Both WR & RB are very deep with lots of experience. Even if either is electrifying in the return game, I can't imagine them burning a year of eligibility for kick/punt returns. Their time is the future.

Completely agree with you. It would take a Grimes's Freshman year like season for Green to see the field. Dedmon is a bit more of an enigma for me because I'm not sure what his long-term role is, but I certainly don't see a scenario where we burn his red-shirt - especially not just for the return game.

Green needs a year to get bigger. Dedmon is coming in as a WR and will have to prove to be just too good to keep off the field. Ultimate utilization of both of these guys could change over time.

(07-21-2014 11:15 AM)BigTribe Wrote:  Riley and Hancock are outstanding players, strong NFL quality prospects, who would start for any team.

Who did you mean by Hancock?

My brain cramp...of course, I meant big Luke Rhodes.