Could this year's defense be legit?
- Thread starter JUKEBOX
- Start date
Re: Could next year's defense be legit?
Bailey Johnson would start this year, assuming he was not injured.
I think we have less holes, but still lack some of the major difference makers to be a upper-echelon defense.
Bailey Johnson would start this year, assuming he was not injured.
I think we have less holes, but still lack some of the major difference makers to be a upper-echelon defense.
Re: Could next year's defense be legit?
I'm not really worried about next year. I think this year's group will be fine.
I'm not really worried about next year. I think this year's group will be fine.
Holy crap, was that a worm hole in your post? I think it's going to eat the internet.
I think our defense last year was a very pleasant surprise. I think they will be even better this year.
I think our defense last year was a very pleasant surprise. I think they will be even better this year.
Lineman- A year older Maggitt > Parker. A year older Ruemp. Laing is pretty similar to Bailey. Hopefully a whole year of Lattimer > Neal. Nelson, Neal, McDonough, and (Simon or Pompey or Jensen) is a good bench. Line should be much better.
Linebackers- A year older Knott and Klein and actual depth. Should be improved.
Secondary- A year older LJ, Benton, Reeves. Benton moving to Safety shouldn't be a huge drop off from Sims. Washington looks very talented. Upgrade at Corner, little downgrade at Safety, should be similar. Also more depth.
Overall we are better.
Linebackers- A year older Knott and Klein and actual depth. Should be improved.
Secondary- A year older LJ, Benton, Reeves. Benton moving to Safety shouldn't be a huge drop off from Sims. Washington looks very talented. Upgrade at Corner, little downgrade at Safety, should be similar. Also more depth.
Overall we are better.
Our defense will be a pleasant surprise. We have three legitimate defensive tackles that will play this year, our linebackers are studs, and we have good talent in the backfield. I also like that Wally Burnham is planning on developing some blitz packages for this year's defense. Burnham is the man.
Agree - but wonder why we haevn't blitzed more in past when we haven't been able to get pressue on the QB.
Depending on how good Nelson is, how long Lattimer is suspended, and how much our DT's have improved themselves.. we have a pretty good chance of having a real good defense. Not worried about linebacker at all. We are set and CB, and I think we have enough talent and a good coaching staff that our Safeties should do just fine. Benton may be new to the position, but hes not new to playing in the Big12.
Hopefully we found a diamond in Henry Simon. I don't think we would bring him in if they didn't think he could bring anything since we have a coach who has previously coached/recruited him.
I agree IMO we could have one of the top defenses in the big 12 with Wally at D coordinator and we should definitely have a better defense than Iowa.
My opinion..... after watching 3 practices this Spring vs. 3 practices last Spring.
LB is set with a few surprises in store.
DL doesnt need Simon but will gladly take some relief.
D
LB is set with a few surprises in store.
DL doesnt need Simon but will gladly take some relief.
D
Better than Iowa, how do you figure that? I will take Iowa's new Dline any day over what ISU has coming back. I would give a slight edge at this point to ISU at LB because of Iowa's one unsettled spot. Secondary would be slight edge to Iowa.
Plus, there has not been many times that ISU's D has been better than Iowa's.
Let's not get crazy here. I think our defense will be better than last year and possibly one of our better ones in a while but better than Iowa's could be a stretch. I think in the Ferentz era there have only been one or two years of average defensive units. Unless they experience some significant injuries I would still expect their defense to overall be better than ours.
Have you seen much of Iowa's new D-line? I do not remember Ballard, Clayborn or Klug being out due to injury at all this year or the last 2 years. Clayborn did sit some when he would come off winded. Binn's had a disapointing year according to every Hawkeye fan that I know. I believe Danials is the only other guy to see many snaps. I would take Rump over Danials but I guess I am a little biased.
Too late. :SLEEP:
I think that the defense will continue to improve. Since they finished solidly in the middle of the conference standings last season (in conference play), I'll hope that they can move into the top third of the conference. Or...perhaps I should say top 40% of the new conference. :wink:
What I really like is that Wally has ever more weapons to work with.
And what people are seeing this Spring doesn't include the recruits who will join the mix this Summer. I could see two or three of those guys (aside from Simon) having a positive impact. :biggrin:
Just my opinion, but like a few have mentioned, the D comes down to a few factors:
1. Can the DL hold up vs the run?
2. Can Lattimer, Rony Nelson and Maggitt provide a respectable pass rush?
3. Can the offense keep the ball long enough to give the D a rest?
1. Can the DL hold up vs the run?
2. Can Lattimer, Rony Nelson and Maggitt provide a respectable pass rush?
3. Can the offense keep the ball long enough to give the D a rest?