2014 Defensive Line Depth

Hstokes1447

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Jul 17, 2012
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With the addition of 2 JUCO DT's and several very talented high school d lineman, we just might be ok in 2014. Ufomba Kamalu could turn out to be a stud and I think Earl Moore will surprise everyone. I would love to see these guys in a more attacking scheme to really take advantage of their athletic ability. I think this unit is still a year or 2 away from being a championship caliber unit, but I do believe the talent is finally there.

2014 d line with an additional 10 pounds added to their current weights *In order by class*
SDE
  1. SR Anthony Chickillo 6-4 285
  2. RJR Ufomba Kamalu 6-6 295
  3. FR Chad Thomas 6-5 240

NT
  1. JR Earl Moore 6-1 310
  2. JR Michael Wyche 6-4 325
  3. FR Travonte Valentine 6-4 325
  4. FR Courtel Jenkins 6-2 304

WDE/DT
  1. SR Olsen Pierre 6-4 315
  2. RJR Corey King 6-1 302 (I really don't think he will make it past the spring)
  3. JR Jelani Hamilton 6-5 295 (hopefully he is finally 100% healthy)
  4. JR Calvin Heurtelou 6-3 314
  5. FR Anthony Moten 6-4 302
 
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I would be concerned to see Moore in that two deep. Has the heart but simply not the tools to make a difference (imo).
 
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Lol everyone on there won't gain 10 pounds.. Some may lose some weight but they all won't gain 10 pounds. Calvin, Chickillo, Hamilton, Pierre are good weight wise..
 
People spend a lot of time griping about a lack of a pass rush from the DL. Chad Thomas would alleviate that big-time. We have plenty of guys that can play OLB. DL is where we need difference makers.
 
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Yeah, he's at a good weight for this scheme, but that doesn't mean he's cut out to do what they're asking him to do.

He looks ******* terrible out there.
 
People spend a lot of time griping about a lack of a pass rush from the DL. Chad Thomas would alleviate that big-time. We have plenty of guys that can play OLB. DL is where we need difference makers.

I'm no defensive expert, but doesn't the pass rush in a 3-4 defense typically come from the OLB spot?
 
People spend a lot of time griping about a lack of a pass rush from the DL. Chad Thomas would alleviate that big-time. We have plenty of guys that can play OLB. DL is where we need difference makers.

I'm no defensive expert, but doesn't the pass rush in a 3-4 defense typically come from the OLB spot?

Not when it's 2nd and 8 and the opposing QB drops back to pass. Instead of Pierre, Porter, and Chick being our three pass rushers in that scenario, it would be better if we had a fast-twitch guy like Thomas on the field as a DL in that instance.
 
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People spend a lot of time griping about a lack of a pass rush from the DL. Chad Thomas would alleviate that big-time. We have plenty of guys that can play OLB. DL is where we need difference makers.

I'm no defensive expert, but doesn't the pass rush in a 3-4 defense typically come from the OLB spot?

Not when it's 2nd and 8 and the opposing QB drops back to pass. Instead of Pierre, Porter, and Chick being our three pass rushers in that scenario, it would be better if we had a fast-twitch guy like Thomas on the field as a DL in that instance.

Why can't we still rush 4 in that situation? What if they run right at 240 lb Thomas trying to 2 gap against a 320 lb grown *** man? I know he's going to gain weight, but if puts on the 40+ pounds that would be required for him to have a chance in that situation, he's probably no longer that fast-twitch guy. I think most people on here think his best fit is probably as a 4-3 end, but in our current scheme he's probably in Shayon Green's spot.
 
People spend a lot of time griping about a lack of a pass rush from the DL. Chad Thomas would alleviate that big-time. We have plenty of guys that can play OLB. DL is where we need difference makers.

I'm no defensive expert, but doesn't the pass rush in a 3-4 defense typically come from the OLB spot?

Not when it's 2nd and 8 and the opposing QB drops back to pass. Instead of Pierre, Porter, and Chick being our three pass rushers in that scenario, it would be better if we had a fast-twitch guy like Thomas on the field as a DL in that instance.

Why can't we still rush 4 in that situation? What if they run right at 240 lb Thomas trying to 2 gap against a 320 lb grown *** man? I know he's going to gain weight, but if puts on the 40+ pounds that would be required for him to have a chance in that situation, he's probably no longer that fast-twitch guy. I think most people on here think his best fit is probably as a 4-3 end, but in our current scheme he's probably in Shayon Green's spot.

Yeah I could definitely see him and AQM taking over the Shayon role. McCord would be a candidate as well. Although if Perryman leaves we might need McCord at the SAM and push Figs inside.

DE Chick - Kamalu
NT Moore - Wyche
DE Pierre - Huartelou

OLB AQM - Thomas
ILB Kirby - Blue
ILB Figueroa - Grace
OLB McCord - Armbrister
 
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Chick is a SDE in a 4-3.

Pierre is a 4-3 DT.

Heurtelou is a 4-3 DT.

AQM, McCord and Thomas are all WDEs in a 4-3.

Figs is a SAM in a 4-3.

Grace is a WLB in a 4-3.

I'm seeing a whole lot of players that are gonna be playing out of position for us.
 
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With Denzel:

OLB AQM - Thomas - Hoilett - Harris - Jackson
ILB Kirby - Figueroa - Blue
ILB Denzel - Grace - Young - McCray
OLB McCord - Armbrister - Smith - Owens
 
It still kinda surprises me how little people know about what we're doing on defense.

1. Our DE's in the 3-4 don't provide pass rush because they're in a read-and-react position. So placing one of the nations best edge rushers at that spot would (more often than not) be ineffective.

2. Chad Thomas is a lean, rangy, athletic 6'5" 240lbs. He would need to gain a minimum of 45 pounds to play 3-4 DE. He would no longer be an edge rusher, which is his #1 talent, and he would be asked to 2-gap. He would sit on the bench for at least 2 years to allow him to develop.



Chad Thomas is a prototype 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB. If you could build a 3-4 OLB in a lab he would look like Thomas. A lean, long 6'5" 265lbs with range and bend. He's not a 3-4 DE, whether you're talking about size or skill-set.
 
It still kinda surprises me how little people know about what we're doing on defense.

1. Our DE's in the 3-4 don't provide pass rush because they're in a read-and-react position. So placing one of the nations best edge rushers at that spot would (more often than not) be ineffective.

2. Chad Thomas is a lean, rangy, athletic 6'5" 240lbs. He would need to gain a minimum of 45 pounds to play 3-4 DE. He would no longer be an edge rusher, which is his #1 talent, and he would be asked to 2-gap. He would sit on the bench for at least 2 years to allow him to develop.



Chad Thomas is a prototype 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB. If you could build a 3-4 OLB in a lab he would look like Thomas. A lean, long 6'5" 265lbs with range and bend. He's not a 3-4 DE, whether you're talking about size or skill-set.

I have gone back and forth on this one since he committed. I would love to see him used like Aldon Smith. I'm just not confident that this defensive staff will properly use him.
 
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