- November 18th, 2007, 9:52 pm
#129982
I had time to go ahead and write this one out while I was waiting for a video to render, so here's the preview for the defense next year:
Defensive Line
Returning starters: Colin Dugan, Kevin Richard
Starters lost: Steve Ackley
Likely starters: Kevin Richard, Colin Dugan, Trey Jacobs
Other returners: Terry Adams, Josh Musselman, Jordon Spaeth, Brady Hassell, Soeren Wendland, Tim Smith
Recap: We lose one of the leaders of the defense in Steve Ackley. However, we bring back two-thirds of the line that was probably the most improved group from beginning of the season to the end. Losing Ackley will hurt, but the other guys should be able to step in and succeed.
Linebackers
Starters returning: Nick Hursky
Starters lost: Stevie Ray Lloyd, Brandon Duke, Vince Redd
Likely starters: Nick Hursky, Pat Bannon, Kyle O'Donnell, Ian Childress
Others returning: Pat Parziale, Pierre Tinsley, Cameron Gillespie, Mark Malvaso, Mamadou Balde, Chad Brown, Isaac Oglesby, Mike Connolly
Recap: This position is our biggest loss on the defensive side of the ball, but it also happened to be our deepest position on the team in 2007. Having Nick Hursky back will help tremendously. His injury during the middle part of the season could've been a blessing in disguise giving Bannon and O'Donnell a chance to get in the game and play. Ian Childress got playing time during the year at OLB when Vince was lined up on the DL. Mike Connolly was a much heralded recruit as well and will likely get playing time, although I'm not sure if it's at the OLB or ILB position.
Cornerback
Returning Starters: Pat Calvary, Kent Hicks
Starters lost: None
Likely starters: Pat Calvary, Kent Hicks
Others returning: Chuck Duffey, Larry Claiborne, Tim Torrence, Donald Manns
Recap: We return pretty much everyone at corner. Kent Hicks got better as the season went on and hopefully will progress on and off the field during the spring and summer. Pat Calvary had a ton of picks this year and will be back with us next year. Chuck Duffey and Tim Torrence both got playing time this year and should contribute next year as well.
Safety
Returning Starters: Ryan Greiser
Starters lost: Pat Dickerson
Likely Starters: Ryan Greiser, Chris Rocco
Others returning: Pierre Penn, Al Baily
Recap: We lose Pat Dickerson who was a very good run stopping safety. Chris Rocco should move from starting only in the nickel to starting in the base defense as well.
Recap: Just like on offense, we lose some very talented guys who were leaders on and off the field. However, we return guys that are leaders as well. I expect Ryan Gresier and Nick Hursky to be captains for next year's team. The linebacking position is where we're going to be hit the hardest, but we have a talented group of guys coming back. They won't be quite as dynamic as Vince and SRL, but they'll do their jobs and we should be successful.
Defensive Line
Returning starters: Colin Dugan, Kevin Richard
Starters lost: Steve Ackley
Likely starters: Kevin Richard, Colin Dugan, Trey Jacobs
Other returners: Terry Adams, Josh Musselman, Jordon Spaeth, Brady Hassell, Soeren Wendland, Tim Smith
Recap: We lose one of the leaders of the defense in Steve Ackley. However, we bring back two-thirds of the line that was probably the most improved group from beginning of the season to the end. Losing Ackley will hurt, but the other guys should be able to step in and succeed.
Linebackers
Starters returning: Nick Hursky
Starters lost: Stevie Ray Lloyd, Brandon Duke, Vince Redd
Likely starters: Nick Hursky, Pat Bannon, Kyle O'Donnell, Ian Childress
Others returning: Pat Parziale, Pierre Tinsley, Cameron Gillespie, Mark Malvaso, Mamadou Balde, Chad Brown, Isaac Oglesby, Mike Connolly
Recap: This position is our biggest loss on the defensive side of the ball, but it also happened to be our deepest position on the team in 2007. Having Nick Hursky back will help tremendously. His injury during the middle part of the season could've been a blessing in disguise giving Bannon and O'Donnell a chance to get in the game and play. Ian Childress got playing time during the year at OLB when Vince was lined up on the DL. Mike Connolly was a much heralded recruit as well and will likely get playing time, although I'm not sure if it's at the OLB or ILB position.
Cornerback
Returning Starters: Pat Calvary, Kent Hicks
Starters lost: None
Likely starters: Pat Calvary, Kent Hicks
Others returning: Chuck Duffey, Larry Claiborne, Tim Torrence, Donald Manns
Recap: We return pretty much everyone at corner. Kent Hicks got better as the season went on and hopefully will progress on and off the field during the spring and summer. Pat Calvary had a ton of picks this year and will be back with us next year. Chuck Duffey and Tim Torrence both got playing time this year and should contribute next year as well.
Safety
Returning Starters: Ryan Greiser
Starters lost: Pat Dickerson
Likely Starters: Ryan Greiser, Chris Rocco
Others returning: Pierre Penn, Al Baily
Recap: We lose Pat Dickerson who was a very good run stopping safety. Chris Rocco should move from starting only in the nickel to starting in the base defense as well.
Recap: Just like on offense, we lose some very talented guys who were leaders on and off the field. However, we return guys that are leaders as well. I expect Ryan Gresier and Nick Hursky to be captains for next year's team. The linebacking position is where we're going to be hit the hardest, but we have a talented group of guys coming back. They won't be quite as dynamic as Vince and SRL, but they'll do their jobs and we should be successful.
Last edited by SuperJon on November 19th, 2007, 11:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
- By LU Armchair coach