Agree - but wonder why we haevn't blitzed more in past when we haven't been able to get pressue on the QB.
I think that your answer is right here:
My opinion..... after watching 3 practices this Spring vs. 3 practices last Spring.
LB is set with a few surprises in store.
My guess is, because the guys who will be doing most of the blitzing were incoming freshmen last Fall. Sound about right, Cap?
A blitz package of Bennett on one side, Mattison on the other, and George up the middle. I mean, Knott is a fast linebacker--but I'm guessing that Mattison can get into the backfield even faster.
Remember the linebacker under Mac who tranferrred in from somewhere in Chicago (can't remember his name), he was undersized, but fast? His blitzes made a big difference in one win in Iowa City? Well, I am guessing that's what Mattison can bring--with the added benefit of not being an every down player.
Aclone what recruits do you think will make an impact beside Simon?
Irving is my favorite in the class. How ready he is remains to be seen. Given Benton sliding to safety, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lynn (alternately, Richardson--since Reeves played at that size as a true frosh) on the field. Same for Brackens and Donald Smith. Not that I
expect them to play, just if the conditions are right (including, heaven forbid, injuries), it wouldn't surprise me if they did.
Especially, in the case of Lynn or Richardson, since Johnson, Benton and Young will complete their eligibility. I think that Lynn will be an excellent corner one day--and Richardson is simply a player.
Hopefully we found a diamond in Henry Simon.
Not sure if he's a diamond or not--but at least amethyst. :wink:
Statistically the defense was horrible last year, I'm not sure why people keep saying they were a pleasant surprise.
Perhaps because they
were "middle of the pack" in the conference.
2010 Conference Only Statistics - Big 12 Conference - Official Athletic Site
Right there. In conference play, 6th in total defence. 7th in scoring defense. 5th in passing defense.
Throw out the Iowa and (especially) Utah games, and in conference play (even considering OU), the defense played respectably. Even admirably, as the season closed against Missouri.
Per quotes from Shane Burnham the kid worked his tail off in class to raise his GPA. A kid isn't going to work that hard to get things going in the right direction only to let it slip away. Sounds like he has commiitted himself to making it. I think he will.
Not a question of letting it "slip away", but whether he dug too big of a hole for himself to crawl out of in the first place. I hope he makes it, that they all make it--and CPR has the "problem" of finding room for them. :wink: