http://www.utrockets.com/news/2016/3/9/q...h=football

When he starts ticking off names of D-line returnees I'm surprised at how often I heard those names. Moore, Stepec, Quinn...Maybe we won't be hurt by graduation as much as I thought.

Hester will be an anchor at tackle. Stepec and Quinn made big plays last year and I expect will do the same next season. I would hope the ND kid is a factor...

LB Chris Green (Norwood) on roster but not on depth chart.

(03-09-2016 03:55 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  LB Chris Green (Norwood) on roster but not on depth chart.

Poor guy hasn't played in a couple years. Gotta be very difficult for him.

(03-09-2016 03:56 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-09-2016 03:55 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  LB Chris Green (Norwood) on roster but not on depth chart.

Poor guy hasn't played in a couple years. Gotta be very difficult for him.

That will be one hell of a story if he can get back on the field & contribute.

2 years ago before he got hurt Marquis Moore was almost playing at Hester's level we should have a great defensive line

(03-09-2016 11:31 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  When he starts ticking off names of D-line returnees I'm surprised at how often I heard those names. Moore, Stepec, Quinn...Maybe we won't be hurt by graduation as much as I thought.

I think that graduation will not hurt so much with the starting line as it may with the depth of reliable backups. Last year was really about the first time since 2000/2001 the Rockets could substitute in an entire fresh defensive line without losing much effectiveness and was thus able to keep a fresh line in at all times and that was one key to the defensive's effectiveness last year as compared to the dozen preceding years of its ineffectiveness. Furthermore a shut down back like Norrils allowed the defense to use fewer DB and concentrate more on defending the run. The graduation losses among the defensive backs may also be felt as well.

I can't say than some of the new players on the depth chart won't step up this year and competently fill the ranks-----hopefully, they will, but nothing is promised. We knew we could go 2 deep with no seriously decrease in effectiveness last year but at this time it remains to be seen if that will be the case next year or not.

If the new players entering the the two-deep charts for next year are up to the task trust upon them and the defense can play as well next year as it did this year, then I think next year will also be a very good year with the potential to be a really special year, but at this point there is a lot more uncertainty about the defense than about the offense.