Two key players on defense other than the obvious

[courcy75]

We all will say Curtis Porter is the key to our defense atleast being respectable or the growth of McCord over the next few months and I agree completely. Eddie Johnson getting it together is another. Two players I really hope make a jump in the next few months that could really change the entire defense are Olsen Pierre and Jelani Hamilton.

Pierre seemed to play much better the last few games of the season. Can he take that into next season? We all hope so. He's a long athletic 3 tech that shows some quickness and has the ability to shed blockers. To me it looks like he put too much weight on too fast this past year though. If he can reshape himself a little bit and become stronger at the point of attack it can really make a difference inside as Porter will for sure see more double teams if healthy. I think Ivory will play alot next year if Porter goes down.

Can someone take snaps away from Shayon Green this year? Don't get me wrong, the guy is as tough as the come and made plenty of tackles but he is severely limited physically. Jelani will be over a year removed from ACL surgery and is probably close to his ideal playing weight. Strength was an issue coming in but he's a young guy. Should we expect him to be a 10+ sack guy? No, but I see him as a long defensive end he can set the edge on a TE or tackle and overall be more disruptive than green. I believe Jelani and Pierre can also play 5 techniques in a straight 3-4 look that we went to a few times last year.

Opinions?

 

[Consigliere]

Not concerned with LB or DBs at all.

DL, DL, DL, DL

Who is going to play the other DT (opposite) Porter?

Who is going to get pressure off the edge?

 

[tsimonitis]

I am going to go with a pass rusher. Whether it be McCord, Williams, Hamilton or whomever. We need two of these guys to step up.

 

[CANE]

Big boys in the middle:

Curtis Porter, Olsen Pierre, Luther Robinson. MUST play well the whole **** season.

Jalen Grimble (I know---BUT---it's his 3rd year), Earl Moore, Dequan Ivey, Ufomba Kamalu. Question marks, but should get into the rotation. Hesitant to put Cory King and Briscoe in this group until after the spring.

Freshman: Bostwick and Bryant (optimist) Ideally should redshirt, but certain to get every opportunity to compete.

Pass rushers: Insert Tyriq McCord, and Al-Quadin Muhamad and Devote Bond immediately. They are going to have to be workaholics for 8 months.

Dwayne Hoilett, Kelvin Cain, Shayon Green. Question marks. Wait-and-see. Ricardo Williams. . . .I dunno. Hopefully the light comes on.

Strong side: Chick should have a much better year. Jelani Hamilton, Ufamba, and Luther Robinson should get some burn here. Jake Odonell needs to add weight.

UTOUGH is critical.

 

[bigsonnyu]

I would say Olsen Pierre definitely has to play a key role opposite Porter. But if history repeats itself, we still need other DT's to emerge. But, all of the other guys seem to be at the same level. I'm sure they'll get better due to the number of bodies and healthy competition of camp, but it's hard to point another DT out, Imo .

With that said, I think we need a third Linebacker to emerge and truly lockthings down opposite Perryman & EJ. I think that guy is likely to be Kirby at MLB.

The only thing is I think that's going to depend on how Devonte Bond looks at OLB. Bond appears to be a pass rushing LB in a 3-4, but im sure hel get a shot in our standard 4-3 as well. If Bond looks good in the 4-3, then Perryman may go back to the MLB position for a combo of Bond /DP / EJ.