It's difficult to not be worried about the defense. They were just awful at the start of last year and really only stopped the bad teams on the schedule.

Let's hope the coaching change will make a difference. But the inexperience is a major concern.

From the article - "9 – Number of combined starts in 2014 by UC's returning defensive linemen. All nine starts were by Mouhon."


http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../31858097/

(08-17-2015 03:39 PM)bearcatfan Wrote:  It's difficult to not be worried about the defense. They were just awful at the start of last year and really only stopped the bad teams on the schedule.

Let's hope the coaching change will make a difference. But the inexperience is a major concern.

From the article - "9 – Number of combined starts in 2014 by UC's returning defensive linemen. All nine starts were by Mouhon."


http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../31858097/

UC is less experienced up front this year, but they are more talented than they have been at any point in the Tuberville era. Its a question on whether they can make good on that depth this year or next. I don't have any question on whether or not they will get to that point.

less experienced

more talented and much deeper is what im hearing


I'll take it

(08-18-2015 07:23 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  less experienced

more talented and much deeper is what im hearing


I'll take it

I was at Higher Ground yesterday afternoon watching the practice. I thought they DBs looked a lot better than last year. They also seemed to have more size, but being down on field level can make them look bigger. Very impressive facility there.

(08-18-2015 07:47 AM)mlb Wrote:  

(08-18-2015 07:23 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  less experienced

more talented and much deeper is what im hearing


I'll take it

I was at Higher Ground yesterday afternoon watching the practice. I thought they DBs looked a lot better than last year. They also seemed to have more size, but being down on field level can make them look bigger. Very impressive facility there.

I think having a defensive coordinator who has a playing and coaching career pretty much expressly focused on defensive backs will definitely help in the maturation process...plus getting Witty back DEFINITELY helps, and having a faster linebacking corp never hurts in pass coverage as well.. The biggest thing is getting pressure on the QB, that was almost non-existent for most of last year, and we paid for it on the back end.

Is DB Chris Murphy who sat out last year after transferring in from Arkansas in the picture this year? I don't see his name mentioned in any articles or depth charts.

(08-18-2015 09:50 AM)cincybb51 Wrote:  Is DB Chris Murphy who sat out last year after transferring in from Arkansas in the picture this year? I don't see his name mentioned in any articles or depth charts.

He was running with the 3s at safety and is now taking reps with the 2s at nickel.

Coach Tubbs likes what he's seen so far, I'll put my trust in that.

Looks like this Copeland kid (true frosh) may not only play a lot but start....and I don't think that is because the level of talent is 'that bad' in the upperclassmen ranks. I think he is actually that good.

(08-17-2015 03:39 PM)bearcatfan Wrote:  It's difficult to not be worried about the defense. They were just awful at the start of last year and really only stopped the bad teams on the schedule.

Let's hope the coaching change will make a difference. But the inexperience is a major concern.

From the article - "9 – Number of combined starts in 2014 by UC's returning defensive linemen. All nine starts were by Mouhon."


http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../31858097/

that defense was so putrid, I'll take my chances on the devil I don't know.

(08-19-2015 06:19 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  Looks like this Copeland kid (true frosh) may not only play a lot but start....and I don't think that is because the level of talent is 'that bad' in the upperclassmen ranks. I think he is actually that good.

I hope he is stellar but I did not see much out of Wilson last year and beating out unknowns like Brazile and Fitz and other RSF and true frosh...what happens when you go for Jucos early and they graduate.

(08-19-2015 09:06 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(08-19-2015 06:19 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  Looks like this Copeland kid (true frosh) may not only play a lot but start....and I don't think that is because the level of talent is 'that bad' in the upperclassmen ranks. I think he is actually that good.

I hope he is stellar but I did not see much out of Wilson last year and beating out unknowns like Brazile and Fitz and other RSF and true frosh...what happens when you go for Jucos early and they graduate.

Thanks to Jones' picking up on two DL in three years, we had to go the JUCO route the first year. I have no idea what we would have done if the staff did not pick up JUCOs Hartsfield and Jerrelle Jordan.

Not to continue bashing Butch's recruiting, but we have already seen signs of this staff's superior eye for talent (ie. Boone, Chris Burton, Linden Stephens, Carter Jacobs). I think this year we will notice it even more when guys like Copeland, Mark Wilson, Cortez Broughton, JJ Pickney, Davon Witherspoon and a few others get some serious playing time.

Edit: This is not even counting transfers under Tubs like Gunner Kiel, MeKale McKay, Eric Wilson. JUCos to look out for this year Delonte Murray, TK Kinnard, Jailyn Minor

Since everyone on here seems to be talking about tickets, polls, the stadium and not the actual team I'll bump this.

I will say after seeing several practices this year I don't know how Alex Thomas isn't an automatic starter at corner. He has everything you want in a corner. I came away far more impressed with him than the two guys bracketed right now as the starting corners.

I also really like what I've seen from Alex Pace.

I'm really excited about what I've read and heard of the defense. Although were young in some areas it sounds like the talent is there. I really think the defense will be an asset and get better as the season goes along.

CTT says in every interview that we have 25 guys on D who can actually play this year vs. 14 last year. He's thrilled with the athleticism. Sounds good to me.