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2019 Defensive expectations

Hardest guy to replace will be Willis. His 18 TFL are the most by a Cane since 2009 (only looked back that far). Not so sure we get that many from the entire rotation of DT in 2019.

Then you have Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine, they will be missed not so much for their athletic ability but the years of experience will be hard to replace especially early in the season.

MJ at corner will be hard to replace for the same reason as JJ and SR.

Then our LBs are what they are, very good, not elite.

I will be happy with a top 30 D, hoping for top 20.
 
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I think 40 is a bit drastic. I agree, our linebacking core will be top 3-5 in the nation but not elite. For me, I’m looking to see how the young dawgs under Baker and his S&C develop. I’m most interested to see how they develop players. If we have a top 30 defense that sorta to be expected, the template was already there but if we have a 20 or higher D, that tells me they can not only coach but develop talent. That would be a HUGE get for us moving forward.
 
rokulika said:
Now that Diaz has been retained and the juniors have decided on their plans for 2019, we can begin to examine how the personnel might get used next season. I don't think anyone would disagree that Romeo performed quite well as the striker. My only gripe with him remaining in that role is that his contribution in 2018 was limited having to split reps with McCloud & Dean depending on which defense was being employed.

Heading into 2019 Romeo is one of our best players and should be on the field close to 100% of the time like Jaquan and Redwine were in 2018. Even though Amari Carter has waited his turn behind Jaquan as an "in the box" safety, and everyone is excited at the prospect of Gurvan Hall at FS, I'd consider moving Romeo back to safety full-time and have Derrick Smith be the one splitting reps at striker/SLB/nickel with McCloud & Blades. This would allow Romeo to be on the field exclusively and creates more depth at safety with Carter and Hall rotating.

Post your thoughts.
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I agree and like your thoughts.....only thing I worry about is did they move him to striker due to any inability to cover from the safety position. It wasn’t like he was getting burn there. **** they put that **** Knowles in before Romeo. He is one of my favorite players and think he did an amazing job this season.
 
Makes sense to look at who we lost but also need to look the teams we play next year and who they lost
- Florida O is better than LSU
- FSU next year better than this year
- Same for Va Tech
- UNC has to be better but not much Ga Tech
- Duke, Ga Tech and UVA -- weaker
 
407cane said:
Now we know the scheme is remaining unchanged for the most part, we have an experienced, young, and agressive play caller much like Manny.

What are our realistic expectations in 2019 for defensive performance? What is a success or failure for Baker?

I think it's fair to assume a small drop off with Mike Jackson, Joe Jackson, Willis, Redwine, and Jaquan leaving

I think a top 20 defense with top 5-10 in TFL and sacks proves that Baker was truly the right hire
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I’m expecting around 30-40 ranked defense, the interior DL is going to be rough, worried about the back four depth.

We have enough talent to still be a solid defense but idk if it’ll be close to the last three years until we build up the trenches again and land some better talent.
 
Home Slice said:
Romeo ☝️✔️
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It kills me guys around here love speaking of pass greats and yet they forget.
Vilma was an inexperienced
DJ Williams was a FB his freshman year and was an inexperienced LB his sophomore season
Sean Taylor was inexperienced
THATS JUST TO NAME A FEW KEY STARS ON DEFENSE THAT WE WON BIG WITH
 
Top 20-25 is realistic with the losses Miami has. The run defense SHOULD be the strength which is concerning considering how physical offensive lines whooped up on Miami in 2018.
 
It’s going to depend on the development of Nesta, Ford and Miller.

If those three guys can make the jump we will field a top 7 - 8 defense
 
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Shaudluc said:
It kills me guys around here love speaking of pass greats and yet they forget.
Vilma was an inexperienced
DJ Williams was a FB his freshman year and was an inexperienced LB his sophomore season
Sean Taylor was inexperienced
THATS JUST TO NAME A FEW KEY STARS ON DEFENSE THAT WE WON BIG WITH
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You named some stallions.
 
I am normally an optimist, BUT....

We lose our best players on defense, including our best DL and three really good DB's, plus play a tougher schedule. You balance that out a bit by hopefully having a better offense to take some pressure off. Nonetheless, logic says our D drops a fair amount.
 
Having our LB’s is huge. We would be in a lot of trouble if they left this year. Allows some
Of the younger guys to get some reps
 
Shaudluc said:
It kills me guys around here love speaking of pass greats and yet they forget.
Vilma was an inexperienced
DJ Williams was a FB his freshman year and was an inexperienced LB his sophomore season
Sean Taylor was inexperienced
THATS JUST TO NAME A FEW KEY STARS ON DEFENSE THAT WE WON BIG WITH
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exactly, it just time to step up and the only reason they didn't play so much is because they were behind some dogs.
 
Shaudluc said:
It kills me guys around here love speaking of pass greats and yet they forget.
Vilma was an inexperienced
DJ Williams was a FB his freshman year and was an inexperienced LB his sophomore season
Sean Taylor was inexperienced
THATS JUST TO NAME A FEW KEY STARS ON DEFENSE THAT WE WON BIG WITH
Click to expand...
I get your point.... But right now that's a terrible analogy. Talent now isn't comparable to what we had back then
 
IMO last season we were a top 15 D , this season we were top 3-4 . Next season I think we will drop but still be top 25-30 or so. But our O will be top 40 IMO so that will be a huge improvement .
 
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coolazzice said:
I get your point.... But right now that's a terrible analogy. Talent now isn't comparable to what we had back then
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We didnt know what we had until they hit the field. Vilma was not a high profile kid no one knew him at the time.
 
2019 is going to be a very rough season. We are going to regress on defense and the offense is completely up in the air. We have missed on so many prospects defensively that we are going to start seeing it on the field. Our dline depth is terrible esp at defensive tackle, our linebacking depth is ok, and our secondary depth is bad. 2020 is critical in recruiting, let's see what happens.
 
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