(01-18-2023 06:29 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  

(01-18-2023 05:46 PM)BigChilla Wrote:  

(01-18-2023 04:23 PM)The Grinch Wrote:  

(01-18-2023 03:29 PM)BigChilla Wrote:  I think Hammock did an OK job here.

2 corners were a need. They played a lot of man, so I am thinking we see a lot of man this season. The linebacker is a 4-3 middle linebacker, hammock called him a middle linebacker, might signal the end…or at least a limited amount of seeing the “huskie backer” out there. I suspect he is trying to bring in at least 1 or 2 more.

Needed running backs. He got 2 juniors and some young guys. Needed skill at WR, hammock got 1. Need more in my mind. The TE from juco is a nice add. I am not concerned with the TR spot, we go 3 deep with pass
Catchers, and if gumbs learns how to catch its 4 deep.

Overall a nice little haul. Would have liked more, but these guys all fill some needs. The safety is still going to show up, but he graduates this spring. That’s a spot where I thought we needed 2. Replace both starters.

You're going to see a 5th DB or Huskie type player on the filed anywhere between 60 and 80 percent of the time. The only difference 4-2-5 and 4-3 defenses is which body type is on the field. The Nickle/Sam/Huskie/Whatever is for all intents and purposes the same player in scheme. But with the prevalence 11 personnel, traditional off ball Sam backers become liabilities.

I guess they addressed needs with this group. We'll find out if they can play soon enough. I am curious about the lack of pursuit of a few EDGE rushers in the portal. Unless the unseen young EDGE guys have garnered confidence from the staff, they may have missed on filling potentially the biggest need on this team.

The huskie wasn’t a nickel. While they wanted him to behave like one - no one they trotted out there could cover. Crusty safeties are not the answer. Dillion Thomas was great there because he was a safety/corner hybrid, not a slow safety.

Let gandy come back if he wants. Throw him in the nickel. Let him cover the slot. True 4-3 base D here we come.

Dont get hung up on position titles. The Sam/Huskie/Nickel/or whatever you want to call it is basically the same position. Who plays there is based largely on body type. You get killed against 11 personnel playing with a regular SAM. 11 is the prevalent personnel group in college and the NFL. In 2021 in the NFL 75% of the time 5 or more DBs were on the field. The college game is even more spread out than NFL. And for teams like Georgia or Michigan who live in 12 personnel you have a real delema because one of those TE's is a serious receiving threat. Slow safeties down there at the Huskie are basically off-ball linebackers.

If the coaches think it’s “the same position” that’s an issue. It’s not, different responsibilities which require a different skill set. Slow safeties weren’t the answer…we learned that last season.

We have zero speed at the safety spot so running out safety #5 as the starting huskie wasn’t the move…shocker.

This season is going to be simple. Attack 4-3. Nickel back when needed. Not going to be cute. Man coverage with a blitz package that might be the most “advanced” thing about this defense. Keep it simple.