Linebackers needed [long post]

[pdxclone]

There has been a lot written on this site about better offense play (offensive line, two quarterbacks system, MW and the freshman running backs, etc.) would produce more than 1 win this season. While I would like to see > 24 ppg, the defense especially the linebacker play needs to improve for the process to produce wins. A number of observations:

• Tackling – CMC says they need better tackling; it starts with the linebackers. In previous years, Jeremiah George, AJ Klein and Jake Knott led the team in tackles at 9-11 tackles/game. This year KCM, a safety, leads at 7 tackles/game.
• Rushing Defense – I’ll submit that the Cyclones beat KSU if they don’t give up 247 yds rushing. ISU is ranked 110th in rushing defense at 224 yds/game. Improved linebacker play by filling the gaps on rushing plays would improve this ranking. KCM seems to be the only one of the back 7 capable of supporting the DL on rushing plays.
• Time of Possession – In the last two games, Oklahoma held on the ball for almost 37 minutes and KSU for over 33 minutes. This is tied to 3rd down conversion rate. The defense cannot get off the field. In conference play, opponents are converting 50.55% of 3rd downs.

It was stated with the defense switch to the 4-2-5 alignment it was to match up better with the pass heavy Big12 style of play. Playing only two linebackers is probably based more on personnel than what the opponent is doing. If Klein and Jake Knott were the two linebackers, not playing a front seven would be fine but we don’t (and are without seniors Harris, Luke Knott, and Peters). Instead of linebacker size, #7 and #9 seem to more of a safety size (unfortunately without the coverage skills). We seem to change personnel on every down, why not have a third linebacker on more plays?

Recruiting over the linebackers already in the program is a must. The two committed HS linebackers have the size but it is doubtful that they can step in and contribute as true freshmen. Will this year’s freshmen be ready to play next year? I haven't seen any mention of JC linebackers being recruited. All I see are reports of OL and DL being recruited (a major need), is the staff really okay with adding just two HS linebackers?

 

[Cyclonepride]

I agree that our linebacker play has been subpar. Seems like they have alternated between being aggressive but going in the wrong hole or being passive and getting hung up on blocks. They looked better against OU though.

 

[brett108]

Schematically the two LBs that are coming in will likely not be close to ready to play. From a physical standpoint I think O'Rien Vance will be ready to make a difference. Keeping him committed is very important as I think he is more talented than probably even Kam White, and other issues have kept him off the radar.

 

[mdk2isu]

From one of the articles earlier about the true freshmen in practice, Sutton sounds like he could be ready to play next year as a RSFR.

 

[isu81]

Schematically the two LBs that are coming in will likely not be close to ready to play. From a physical standpoint I think O'Rien Vance will be ready to make a difference. Keeping him committed is very important as I think he is more talented than probably even Kam White, and other issues have kept him off the radar.

Hope Vance makes it. He's an academic issue which is why no one else offered. I fear he's either going to be ineligible or will get academics cleared up and start getting a lot of interest.

 

[isu81]

From one of the articles earlier about the true freshmen in practice, Sutton sounds like he could be ready to play next year as a RSFR.

I have heard this as well. He's going to be a good one for us.

 

[dualthreat]

Thankfully W Harvey is only a RSo. He has tremendous physical tools (size, speed) but plays out of position a lot, relying on his athleticism.

He has the ability to take a big step forward this offseason. Having a guy already in your system that's started for a year is much easier to develop than hoping a new guy comes in and plays great.

As for the position opposite him, we have a lot of work to do.

 

[isucy86]

I don't believe the issue is our staff using a 4-2-5 vs. traditional 4-3-4 defense. More or better linebackers isn't the solution to the problem. The solution is the d-line.

If you have DT's who don't get pushed around and anchor the middle of the defense, that keeps opposing O-lineman off the linebackers. Demond Tucker is our best D-lineman. Watch where he ends up on a lot of running plays. Nowhere near the tackle. Part of the issue is he is double teamed on most plays. The bigger part of the issue is the quality of the other 3 d-lineman. JaQuan Bailey is coming on, but the fact that he is the 2nd best d-lineman on our roster as a freshman is the problem.

We need to fix the d-line and LB will take care of itself.

 

[pdxclone]

I don't believe the issue is our staff using a 4-2-5 vs. traditional 4-3-4 defense. More or better linebackers isn't the solution to the problem. The solution is the d-line.

If you have DT's who don't get pushed around and anchor the middle of the defense, that keeps opposing O-lineman off the linebackers. Demond Tucker is our best D-lineman. Watch where he ends up on a lot of running plays. Nowhere near the tackle. Part of the issue is he is double teamed on most plays. The bigger part of the issue is the quality of the other 3 d-lineman. JaQuan Bailey is coming on, but the fact that he is the 2nd best d-lineman on our roster as a freshman is the problem.

We need to fix the d-line and LB will take care of itself.

While I agree the DL needs to get better, that alone will not fix the defense. Look at Alabama, they have a pretty good DL. Their top two tacklers are LBs. Top three at Michigan are LBs.

My point is getting more tackles closer to the line of scrimmage. There are so many plays where there are multiple gaps for the opposing ball carrier to choose from. Someone needs to step in there in addition to KCM.

 

[CloneIce]

LB has been the worst position on our team for 3 years running now. We talk a lot about OL and DL - but LB has consistently been worse. At times it has seemed like we don't have any LBs on the field.

For years now, a lot of us keep wanting to see us recruit JC LBs, but neither coaching staff has made that a major point of emphasis. I really hope that means CMC feels good about the guys he has coming back. Harvey looks like he has the physical tools, but he is not there yet consistently this year - maybe he can perform well as an upperclassmen. I would really like a JC MLB but it doesn't seem like that is in the cards.

 

[dualthreat]

I don't believe the issue is our staff using a 4-2-5 vs. traditional 4-3-4 defense. More or better linebackers isn't the solution to the problem. The solution is the d-line.

If you have DT's who don't get pushed around and anchor the middle of the defense, that keeps opposing O-lineman off the linebackers. Demond Tucker is our best D-lineman. Watch where he ends up on a lot of running plays. Nowhere near the tackle. Part of the issue is he is double teamed on most plays. The bigger part of the issue is the quality of the other 3 d-lineman. JaQuan Bailey is coming on, but the fact that he is the 2nd best d-lineman on our roster as a freshman is the problem.

We need to fix the d-line and LB will take care of itself.

You gotta watch our LBs though. So many times this season our linebackers overrun run plays, get caught up in traffic, etc. and aren't in position to make a tackle! Don't take quality LB play for granted. There are plays to be made thanks to our D Line and the backers aren't cleaning them up.

 

[CloneIce]

You gotta watch our LBs though. So many times this season our linebackers overrun run plays, get caught up in traffic, etc. and aren't in position to make a tackle! Don't take quality LB play for granted. There are plays to be made thanks to our D Line and the backers aren't cleaning them up.

Yeah, our LBs make the wrong reads, or just physically don't make the play way too often. LB play is sub-par and the DL play doesn't excuse that.

 

[TheJackWePack5]

Don't get me wrong, the linebackers have not been good, but there are a few reasons for hope.

1. None of them are seniors. Mills (Jr), Harvey & Northrup (So), McMillen & Spears Jr (Fr), & Sutton (RS). We've seen other linebackers make huge strides from year to year (George and Miller come to mind), so don't lose complete faith.

2. We've got a few good ones coming in. Vance and Hummel are both big and athletic kids already (both 6'2-6'3 220+). Not to mention, if we hold on to Kam White I think he ends up at LB. He's already up to 215 this year and sounds like Ole Miss wants him at LB.

3. Clearly the staff is confident in our group (as they haven't searched for a JUCO). Maybe they're hoping for a grad transfer? Wishful thinking.

More time with the the strength staff and more experience on the field will only help these guys.

 

[isucy86]

While I agree the DL needs to get better, that alone will not fix the defense. Look at Alabama, they have a pretty good DL. Their top two tacklers are LBs. Top three at Michigan are LBs.

My point is getting more tackles closer to the line of scrimmage. There are so many plays where there are multiple gaps for the opposing ball carrier to choose from. Someone needs to step in there in addition to KCM.

I agree that LBs should be any teams leading tacklers, because most defenses are designed so that the 4 d-lineman consume the opponents 5 o-lineman's blocks. Freeing up the LB's to avoid secondary blocks and run to the ball and be the first line of tacklers.

We could put Bama's LB's on our defense and KCM would still be our leading tackler as our d-line is pushed 2-3 yards off the line and back into the LB's. Our LB's are getting caught up in the traffic.

Not saying we have great LB's. But there is a hierarchy of fixing our defense and it starts with d-lineman.