Hey guys, we're about to write a defensive back position preview article. Has anyone heard anything about the starting corner opposite DeAndre Houston-Carson? Also, am I correct in thinking Tagoe and Velasquez are two starting safeties with newcomer Keanu Reuben falling into the mix?

What do you guys think? Seems like another position on defense with great depth this year.

I would think frank tamakloe would factor in. I'm pretty sure I misspelled his name without double checking

First five likely Tagoe, Velasquez, Harvey/Tamakloe, DHC, and McNeal. Playing a lot will be DiPietro, Reuben, Reed and Swinton.

I think we'll see some of DiPietro at safety too this year. And I thought Reed was going to be opposite DeAndre. I think he even did some kick/punt returns last season.

Would love to see Reed get some action at corner, but I worry about him getting picked on matched up against bigger receivers we may see against Tech. I don't know much about DiPietro, but I was assuming the other starter would be McNeal.

Just to clarify the positions.

Safety - Tagoe, Velasquez, Tamakloe, DiPietro, Reuben

Nickel LB/S - Harvey, Tagoe, Velasquez, DiPietro

CB - Houston-Carson, McNeal, Reed, Swinton

Harvey and Tagoe can also play OLB in a true three LB set.

This is a versatile and deep group.

Not to be a pain, but based on posts I think you guys will be a bit surprised at at least a part of the Secondary Depth Chart. Football dinner info and all so I don't feel comfortable saying, but. Not major shocker territory, but still.

(08-12-2014 12:26 PM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  Just to clarify the positions.

Safety - Tagoe, Velasquez, Tamakloe, DiPietro, Reuben

Nickel LB/S - Harvey, Tagoe, Velasquez, DiPietro

CB - Houston-Carson, McNeal, Reed, Swinton

Harvey and Tagoe can also play OLB in a true three LB set.

This is a versatile and deep group.

The LB preview on the website names Ian Haislip as the guy that will come in in true 3 LB sets. My understanding is this is essentially accurate, although obviously if we need to switch without a substitution, those guys can fit that duty very well.

(08-12-2014 12:41 PM)wml33t Wrote:  

(08-12-2014 12:26 PM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  Just to clarify the positions.

Safety - Tagoe, Velasquez, Tamakloe, DiPietro, Reuben

Nickel LB/S - Harvey, Tagoe, Velasquez, DiPietro

CB - Houston-Carson, McNeal, Reed, Swinton

Harvey and Tagoe can also play OLB in a true three LB set.

This is a versatile and deep group.

The LB preview on the website names Ian Haislip as the guy that will come in in true 3 LB sets. My understanding is this is essentially accurate, although obviously if we need to switch without a substitution, those guys can fit that duty very well.

Yes, Haislip is top guy at 3rd LB. Zach Fetters has also moved to LB, and there are several others.

(08-12-2014 12:39 PM)wml33t Wrote:  Not to be a pain, but based on posts I think you guys will be a bit surprised at at least a part of the Secondary Depth Chart. Football dinner info and all so I don't feel comfortable saying, but. Not major shocker territory, but still.

I would guess the competition is hot and heavy. Another guy who had a strong spring at safety was Mike Barta. Strong group of freshmen DBs as well.

(08-12-2014 12:45 PM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  

(08-12-2014 12:41 PM)wml33t Wrote:  

(08-12-2014 12:26 PM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  Just to clarify the positions.

Safety - Tagoe, Velasquez, Tamakloe, DiPietro, Reuben

Nickel LB/S - Harvey, Tagoe, Velasquez, DiPietro

CB - Houston-Carson, McNeal, Reed, Swinton

Harvey and Tagoe can also play OLB in a true three LB set.

This is a versatile and deep group.

The LB preview on the website names Ian Haislip as the guy that will come in in true 3 LB sets. My understanding is this is essentially accurate, although obviously if we need to switch without a substitution, those guys can fit that duty very well.

Yes, Haislip is top guy at 3rd LB. Zach Fetters has also moved to LB, and there are several others.

(08-12-2014 12:48 PM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  

(08-12-2014 12:39 PM)wml33t Wrote:  Not to be a pain, but based on posts I think you guys will be a bit surprised at at least a part of the Secondary Depth Chart. Football dinner info and all so I don't feel comfortable saying, but. Not major shocker territory, but still.

I would guess the competition is hot and heavy. Another guy who had a strong spring at safety was Mike Barta. Strong group of freshmen DBs as well.

The depth we have across the defense is such a luxury.

Not only that it gives us a lot of options to put on the field, but the competition in practice forces everyone to step up their game.

I'm going to LOVE watching this defense play this year.

Tribe Athletics just posted their preview:

http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticl...=209602056

It contains what appears to be confirming the info I had:

Quote:DEFENSIVE BACKS
Although the Tribe loses a pair of starters from last season’s secondary – including first-team All-American Jerome Couplin III who signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions in the spring – position coach Tom Clark’s group features a talented mix of players who should make it an area of strength once again. Senior free safety Ivan Tagoe, a team captain, leads a group that includes junior all-conference cornerback DeAndre Houston-Carson and junior strong safety Jared Velasquez. Rounding out the unit will be a pair of first-year starters in sophomore cornerback Trey Reed and sophomore nickel back Marcus Harvey.

Looks like Reed is going to be the #2 CB this season. Would be pretty fantastic to have a couple of years of consistent starters at the CB position.

Just posted our Defensive Back Preview article! Check it out here:
http://wmsportsblog.com/2014/08/15/2014-...ive-backs/

(08-15-2014 05:01 PM)WMSportsBlog Wrote:  Just posted our Defensive Back Preview article! Check it out here:
http://wmsportsblog.com/2014/08/15/2014-...ive-backs/

Thanks for another solid write-up. You may want to edit the first sentence of paragraph two ("and") and change Mike to Marcus Harvey.

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