defense and LBs
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bigfootlebowski
- Three Star Recruit
- Posts: 427
- Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 2:10 am
defense and LBs
It seems like we are recruiting and getting some very good lbs the last few years and especially this year. Does anyone think maybe CK wants to switch to a 3-4 defense when he takes over? In the short term it may make sense because of the lack of DT's but maybe its part of a long-term plan? Anyone?
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MacDuck
- Three Star Recruit
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Re: defense and LBs
I do believe that CK will be more involved in the defensive planning as the HC than MB ever was. CK was a DC early on in his coaching career. He's also more attune to defensive strategy as a current OC than Mike, given the latter hasn't been a coordinator for a long time.
Now, as for a 3-4, I wouldn't look for a change in that direction immediately, but it wouldn't surprise me if that's something that could be a season or 2 away. We certainly are stockpiling a lot of quality LBs. In the end, you want to put your 11 best players on the field and if your best talent on the bench are also LBs, then find ways to get them in more often to keep the starters fresh. If we couple that with a continued shortage of capable big guys on the DL, then it's better to suit your defensive scheme to your personnel than vice versa.
Immediately the biggest problem in going to a 3-4 is we don't have 2-3 very good DTs, esp big ones, to play that middle spot. With the screw ups re Wade/Thompson/Fili we lost a lot of ground in our overall DT recruiting. It's going to take 1-2 recruiting classes to make up this lost ground and find/stockpile some decent talent. Furthermore, big talented DTs are probably the hardest guys to recruit because their numbers are low compared to other positions.
Finally, how does Nick play into a possible change? If CK simply says we're doing it then obviously he has no choice. I've always felt that Nick's use of our LBs has been below average and sometimes atrocious. Will he be better going to a 3-4 or worse? One thing to watch for will be Spring ball. Wouldn't it be interesting if onlookers noticed a 3-4 being worked on? I doubt it, but wouldn't it be interesting.
Now, as for a 3-4, I wouldn't look for a change in that direction immediately, but it wouldn't surprise me if that's something that could be a season or 2 away. We certainly are stockpiling a lot of quality LBs. In the end, you want to put your 11 best players on the field and if your best talent on the bench are also LBs, then find ways to get them in more often to keep the starters fresh. If we couple that with a continued shortage of capable big guys on the DL, then it's better to suit your defensive scheme to your personnel than vice versa.
Immediately the biggest problem in going to a 3-4 is we don't have 2-3 very good DTs, esp big ones, to play that middle spot. With the screw ups re Wade/Thompson/Fili we lost a lot of ground in our overall DT recruiting. It's going to take 1-2 recruiting classes to make up this lost ground and find/stockpile some decent talent. Furthermore, big talented DTs are probably the hardest guys to recruit because their numbers are low compared to other positions.
Finally, how does Nick play into a possible change? If CK simply says we're doing it then obviously he has no choice. I've always felt that Nick's use of our LBs has been below average and sometimes atrocious. Will he be better going to a 3-4 or worse? One thing to watch for will be Spring ball. Wouldn't it be interesting if onlookers noticed a 3-4 being worked on? I doubt it, but wouldn't it be interesting.
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Boom
- All Pac-12
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Re: defense and LBs
Very unlikely. It is hard to find the big run stuffing DE's in the high school rank. Most of the DE's are around 230 - 240. Even tuakuafu is only about 270.