09-23-2008, 09:45 PM
Let's look at the structure of this year’s defense, from a player perspective – and see what we’re building toward for late season and next year.
DEFENSIVE END rotation (1 Fr., 3 Jr., 1 Sr.)
Carter, Sr.
Turner, Jr.
Happe, Jr.
Barnes, Jr. JUCO
Henigan, Fr.
This is one of the few positions with a majority of experienced players. Defense against the run seems solid, but their ability to consistently pressure a QB has been inadequate thus far (they are not a threat to the QB - and thus QBs are playing with confidence and making the third-down throws easily). Turner has been somewhat of a disappointment. Not sure this group will improve much more this season – no one has the feet for it - nor does it look like there will be any huge improvements by next year without adding players. We definitely need to recruit a speedy JUCO pass rusher for next year, if we are going to significantly improve the defense in 2009.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE rotation (2 Fr., 2 So., 1 Jr.)
Decordova, Jr. JUCO
Davis, So.
Reese, So.
Arthur, Fr.
Davison, Fr.
This group is very young and small, but they seem to play hard. Reese is beginning to look like he will develop into a beast. Davison played hard at TN. Had hoped for a little more from DeCordova, but the season is young and he's been injured. All these guys seem to have a good motor – and an improving upside. Tackles will continue to improve throughout this year – and will be very solid by next year as they grow larger and stronger and more battle hardened.
LINEBACKER rotation (5 Fr., 1 Soph., 1 Jr., 2 Sr.)
Henderson, Sr.
Harris, So.
Luker, Fr.
Leggett, Fr.
J. Waters, Fr.
K. Waters, Fr.
Ware, Fr.
Steed, Jr. (injured)
Thomas, Sr. (injured)
This is by far the youngest position on the team - but they have already made some small steps forward this year. Harris is playing extremely well for his age and size. Henderson has been solid, but not spectacular. Luker has been a pleasant surprise. This group should improve the most the remainder of the season – and even more into next year. If we can get Thomas and Steed back in the next week or two, that will help a lot for conference play. If we get Roulach, Roget and Tashman back for next season – then LB will be a team strength next year – and we will have outstanding depth – and may be able to red-shirt some of the freshmen who are playing this year (Waters twins).
CORNER rotation (3 Fr., 1 Jr., 1 Sr.)
Sanders, Sr.
Carlisle, Jr.
Coleman, RFr.
Spring, Fr.
Hicks, Fr.
This is an extremely young and thin position, especially with Carlisle injured. Our lone senior has been less than spectacular defending the long ball, again. Carlisle being hurt has forced Coleman and Springs to grow up fast – and they’ve both shown the ability to be playmakers. This group will continue to improve throughout the season and will be improved next year. CB should be a recruiting focus this year - with room for a good JUCO to step into the 2-deep for next season.
SAFETY rotation (1 Fr., 1 So., 2 Sr.)
Dunbar, Sr.
Taylor, Sr.
Daniel, Fr.
Ferguson, So.
This is the thinnest position on the entire team (less than 2 deep in reality) – and will be very susceptible to injury and fatigue the remainder of the year. Assily was a big loss. Dunbar has been solid, but not spectacular, perhaps due to injury. I watched him miss at least 4 sure tackles at TN, which was surprising. Daniel has been the pleasant surprise of the defense. Taylor is doing the best he can. Not sure how much Ferguson will play, but if there is an injury, then he’s all we have. Safety could be a huge gap for us next year, and should be the number one team recruiting need for this year. We'll need at least one good JUCO for next year.
OVERALL
I predict steady improvement in the defense throughout this season as the linebackers and corners continue to grow up. There will be at least one more big hiccup game for the defense where it folds against a fast and experienced team with a lot of depth, probably on the road (Houston or Southern Miss).
When your two-deep rotation has three seniors and seven freshmen, then you can be pretty certain to have a slow, ugly start to the season. We've been all that and more.
Next year, we should be playing no freshmen on defense, unless they are 4 star-type players (wouldn't that be nice!). That in itself will be a huge step forward, especially in the first 3 games.
I predct that they will hold South Carolina to 24 points or less this weekend. Having Dunbar, Harris, DeCordova and Carlisle sit out last week- and adding the Waters twins and Hicks to the rotation - were very smart moves by Coach. Depth will be a big deal come conference play.
DEFENSIVE END rotation (1 Fr., 3 Jr., 1 Sr.)
Carter, Sr.
Turner, Jr.
Happe, Jr.
Barnes, Jr. JUCO
Henigan, Fr.
This is one of the few positions with a majority of experienced players. Defense against the run seems solid, but their ability to consistently pressure a QB has been inadequate thus far (they are not a threat to the QB - and thus QBs are playing with confidence and making the third-down throws easily). Turner has been somewhat of a disappointment. Not sure this group will improve much more this season – no one has the feet for it - nor does it look like there will be any huge improvements by next year without adding players. We definitely need to recruit a speedy JUCO pass rusher for next year, if we are going to significantly improve the defense in 2009.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE rotation (2 Fr., 2 So., 1 Jr.)
Decordova, Jr. JUCO
Davis, So.
Reese, So.
Arthur, Fr.
Davison, Fr.
This group is very young and small, but they seem to play hard. Reese is beginning to look like he will develop into a beast. Davison played hard at TN. Had hoped for a little more from DeCordova, but the season is young and he's been injured. All these guys seem to have a good motor – and an improving upside. Tackles will continue to improve throughout this year – and will be very solid by next year as they grow larger and stronger and more battle hardened.
LINEBACKER rotation (5 Fr., 1 Soph., 1 Jr., 2 Sr.)
Henderson, Sr.
Harris, So.
Luker, Fr.
Leggett, Fr.
J. Waters, Fr.
K. Waters, Fr.
Ware, Fr.
Steed, Jr. (injured)
Thomas, Sr. (injured)
This is by far the youngest position on the team - but they have already made some small steps forward this year. Harris is playing extremely well for his age and size. Henderson has been solid, but not spectacular. Luker has been a pleasant surprise. This group should improve the most the remainder of the season – and even more into next year. If we can get Thomas and Steed back in the next week or two, that will help a lot for conference play. If we get Roulach, Roget and Tashman back for next season – then LB will be a team strength next year – and we will have outstanding depth – and may be able to red-shirt some of the freshmen who are playing this year (Waters twins).
CORNER rotation (3 Fr., 1 Jr., 1 Sr.)
Sanders, Sr.
Carlisle, Jr.
Coleman, RFr.
Spring, Fr.
Hicks, Fr.
This is an extremely young and thin position, especially with Carlisle injured. Our lone senior has been less than spectacular defending the long ball, again. Carlisle being hurt has forced Coleman and Springs to grow up fast – and they’ve both shown the ability to be playmakers. This group will continue to improve throughout the season and will be improved next year. CB should be a recruiting focus this year - with room for a good JUCO to step into the 2-deep for next season.
SAFETY rotation (1 Fr., 1 So., 2 Sr.)
Dunbar, Sr.
Taylor, Sr.
Daniel, Fr.
Ferguson, So.
This is the thinnest position on the entire team (less than 2 deep in reality) – and will be very susceptible to injury and fatigue the remainder of the year. Assily was a big loss. Dunbar has been solid, but not spectacular, perhaps due to injury. I watched him miss at least 4 sure tackles at TN, which was surprising. Daniel has been the pleasant surprise of the defense. Taylor is doing the best he can. Not sure how much Ferguson will play, but if there is an injury, then he’s all we have. Safety could be a huge gap for us next year, and should be the number one team recruiting need for this year. We'll need at least one good JUCO for next year.
OVERALL
I predict steady improvement in the defense throughout this season as the linebackers and corners continue to grow up. There will be at least one more big hiccup game for the defense where it folds against a fast and experienced team with a lot of depth, probably on the road (Houston or Southern Miss).
When your two-deep rotation has three seniors and seven freshmen, then you can be pretty certain to have a slow, ugly start to the season. We've been all that and more.
Next year, we should be playing no freshmen on defense, unless they are 4 star-type players (wouldn't that be nice!). That in itself will be a huge step forward, especially in the first 3 games.
I predct that they will hold South Carolina to 24 points or less this weekend. Having Dunbar, Harris, DeCordova and Carlisle sit out last week- and adding the Waters twins and Hicks to the rotation - were very smart moves by Coach. Depth will be a big deal come conference play.
thanks for the info.