LB Depth

[Number1CanesFan]

There's been a few threads about the various kids over the past few months, but I figured I'd consolidate Manny's comments just a few minutes ago at ACC Media day.

He just said that Waynmon Steed and Bradley Jennings won't be participating when camp kicks off on the 26th due to "long-term injuries". Nothing really new, we knew Steed was out for a while and it had been rumored Jennings wouldn't be ready.

But he also said Patrick Joyner will be limited due to a lower leg injury. He has not been ruled out against UF, but he's not healthy to start camp.

ALSO, Avery Huff is not yet cleared and will not be participating. Sam Brooks is enrolled and will participate.

So, that leaves Miami with 4 healthy LBs. Obviously Shaq and Pinck will play a ton, and really we don't have much of a choice. McCloud will back them up, and then it's Sam Brooks as the next man up. I don't see any situation where Brooks doesn't get at least a couple snaps against UF....you can't play the whole game with only the 3 seniors, especially when you'll be in heavy at times and all 3 will be on the field together (yes, I know the majority of snaps will employ a Striker).

I wonder if Finley will get looks as a true linebacker? Gil or Smith at Striker and Finley at Will, just for a few plays? Having to play Brooks in game 1 scares the **** out me. And of course, god forbid 55 or 56 turn an ankle. I know all summer I was told I was Chicken Little and that the LB spot would be fine. Anybody wanna take that stance now?

I was thinking the same thing about Finley. I could see us playing more of a nickel/dime look on 3rd and long with Finely, Gil, and Smith. This way it can give our LBs extra rest and fewer reps so they stay fresh.

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

I was thinking the same thing about Finley. I could see us playing more of a nickel/dime look on 3rd and long with Finely, Gil, and Smith. This way it can give our LBs extra rest and fewer reps so they stay fresh.

As a few have pointed out, I think it’s fairly obvious that either Finley, D Smith, or possibly both will be spending some individual periods with Baker once camp kicks off.

 

[BeastMode]

TERRIBLE DEPTH AT LB.

And all that "we play a 4-2" sh*t will go away real early....when the Gates try to establish the run considering thats likely their strong point on offense.

Cant stay in that 4-2 when the team comes out in power and just drives.

Honestly i was hoping they brought over a transfer but ready to play guy just for depth purposes out the Portal. Even if it was a guy coming from a lower level who just wanted a step up in play.

Florida will run it 30 times or more when you factor in the direct draws they call for Franks. We will see if these boys are in shape. Enos either needs to hang a lot of points to force Florida to throw or control the clock by running it ourselves

 

[Number1CanesFan]

As a few have pointed out, I think it’s fairly obvious that either Finley, D Smith, or possibly both will be spending some individual periods with Baker once camp kicks off.

Yes, but I don't think they'll be playing as LBs in the box. I think the defense will show different sets with both in the game.

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

Florida will run it 30 times or more when you factor in the direct draws they call for Franks. We will see if these boys are in shape. Enos either needs to hang a lot of points to force Florida to throw or control the clock by running it ourselves

Can’t put a ton of stock into this because game script dictates this so much, but they averaged 40 runs a game last year compared to 28 passes (97th in the country).

And Franks ran the ball a lot more the last 4 games than he did in the first 9. They’re obviously going to try to run the ball.

 

[NorthEastCane]

You're right because EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE COUNTRY wouldn't be up ***** creek losing two senior starting linebackers?

I swear this thread is dumb as ****.

Maybe sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet but that is exactly my point. You can't expect them to stay in the game forever. When they do need a blow, who do we have to replace them, a converted DB.

But that's not a concern (sarcasm added). We're Miami. We convert DBs to LBs; LBs to DEs. We run the 4 - 2 -5 base. We don't need no stinkin LBs. Oh, and we still have Pinck and Shaq for another year. We good. That was the refrain last fall the last recruiting season when we weren't recruiting LBs.

It's not like these guys get older all of the sudden. We knew when we recruited them they will graduate after this year. EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE COUNTRY that's handled it well had balanced recruiting classes with replacements already in the system. But us, we didn't plan for it. Sure there may have been some back luck with injuries with Steed, Jennings but we knew they were injury prone. Now here we are.

It's going to affect us this year and next.

 

[Hegemon]

Maybe sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet but that is exactly my point. You can't expect them to stay in the game forever. When they do need a blow, who do we have to replace them, a converted DB.

But that's not a concern (sarcasm added). We're Miami. We convert DBs to LBs; LBs to DEs. We run the 4 - 2 -5 base. We don't need no stinkin LBs. Oh, and we still have Pinck and Shaq for another year. We good. That was the refrain last fall the last recruiting season when we weren't recruiting LBs.

It's not like these guys get older all of the sudden. We knew when we recruited them they will graduate after this year. EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE COUNTRY that's handled it well had balanced recruiting classes with replacements already in the system. But us, we didn't plan for it. Sure there may have been some back luck with injuries with Steed, Jennings but we knew they were injury prone. Now here we are.

It's going to affect us this year and next.

Why would Manny knowing since spring what our LB depth was after hitting the portal for every single other position not bring in a linebacker?

Why?

Does that make any sense what so ever?

 

[BeastMode]

Can’t put a ton of stock into this because game script dictates this so much, but they averaged 40 runs a game last year compared to 28 passes (97th in the country).

And Franks ran the ball a lot more the last 4 games than he did in the first 9. They’re obviously going to try to run the ball.

It’s exactly what Mullen did with Dak at Miss St.

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

It’s exactly what Mullen did with Dak at Miss St.

And Tebow. And Alex Smith. That’s his offense. Well, Urban’s offense, but yanno

 

[BeastMode]

Maybe sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet but that is exactly my point. You can't expect them to stay in the game forever. When they do need a blow, who do we have to replace them, a converted DB.

But that's not a concern (sarcasm added). We're Miami. We convert DBs to LBs; LBs to DEs. We run the 4 - 2 -5 base. We don't need no stinkin LBs. Oh, and we still have Pinck and Shaq for another year. We good. That was the refrain last fall the last recruiting season when we weren't recruiting LBs.

It's not like these guys get older all of the sudden. We knew when we recruited them they will graduate after this year. EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE COUNTRY that's handled it well had balanced recruiting classes with replacements already in the system. But us, we didn't plan for it. Sure there may have been some back luck with injuries with Steed, Jennings but we knew they were injury prone. Now here we are.

It's going to affect us this year and next.

We did plan for it. We recruited 3 guys the year after them. Sucks all 3 are injured and two have been injured since they have been on campus. The Patrick Joyner class was the failure in trying to build depth. That is the class that’s killing us now on top of the injuries. Last year we got 2. I think we should have gotten 3 but that still leaves us with 9lb on the team. Sucks 4 are injured, 1 isn’t enrolled and the other is a true freshman.

 

[NorthEastCane]

Why would Manny knowing since spring what our LB depth was after hitting the portal for every single other position not bring in a linebacker?

Why?

Does that make any sense what so ever?

That's a good question. I'm not in Manny's meeting rooms so I don't claim to know the answer. Everyone tries to rationalize it with the oft mentioned 4 - 2 - 5 with the striker role. Even if that is a factor, it doesn't make sense to not have adequate backups and not be prepared for the known graduations of Shaq, Pinck and McCloud.

 

[Hegemon]

That's a good question. I'm not in Manny's meeting rooms so I don't claim to know the answer. Everyone tries to rationalize it with the oft mentioned 4 - 2 - 5 with the striker role. Even if that is a factor, it doesn't make sense to not have adequate backups and not be prepared for the known graduations of Shaq, Pinck and McCloud.

That begs the question.

The man brings in depth at every single other position but not the position with arguably (based on this thread assuming no one is showing up for UF) worst off at linebacker?

He implements and executes his off season plan flawlessly for the most part but neglects the entire middle of his defense?

Sorry Manny has earned the right to get a little respect from this fan-base putting out a top 5 defense in-spite of how horrific our offense was. The statement of us "rationalizing" it with the base 4-2-5? How is that a rationalization when that same defense was top 5 last year?

Buncha things not adding up here and people have heel dug in. It appears we are lacking in depth and yet zero feelers or rumors about LB transfers for the entire spring and summer? Come on.....

 

[NorthEastCane]

We did plan for it. We recruited 3 guys the year after them. Sucks all 3 are injured and two have been injured since they have been on campus. The Patrick Joyner class was the failure in trying to build depth. That is the class that’s killing us now on top of the injuries. Last year we got 2. I think we should have gotten 3 but that still leaves us with 9lb on the team. Sucks 4 are injured, 1 isn’t enrolled and the other is a true freshman.

I mentioned the injuries, also Joyner began the year getting most of his reps at DE. I think he was sent back to LB out of necessity. But when saw them happened we knew we needed to stock up last year. It was a poor time for Richt to check out because we only ended up with two, one of whom is coming off an injury.

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

I mentioned the injuries, also Joyner began the year getting most of his reps at DE. I think he was sent back to LB out of necessity. But when saw them happened we knew we needed to stock up last year. It was a poor time for Richt to check out because we only ended up with two, one of whom is coming off an injury.

He was. Also Joyner and Jennings were both being counted on to be in the rotation in the spring, especially Jennings. But how we got here is a discussion for another thread. This one is where do we go from here? I don’t care how we got here at this point. The roster we have now is the one that’s heading to Orlando in 5 weeks. How is the depth chart and rotation going to work out that night against the sheep****ers? That’s what’s important now.

The staff is trying to take 5 backers in the next class. Five. That tells you everything you need to know about the state of the position at the moment. But that’s a recruiting board discussion.

 

[NorthEastCane]

That begs the question.

The man brings in depth at every single other position but not the position with arguably (based on this thread assuming no one is showing up for UF) worst off at linebacker?

He implements and executes his off season plan flawlessly for the most part but neglects the entire middle of his defense?

Sorry Manny has earned the right to get a little respect from this fan-base putting out a top 5 defense in-spite of how horrific our offense was. The statement of us "rationalizing" it with the base 4-2-5? How is that a rationalization when that same defense was top 5 last year?

Buncha things not adding up here and people have heel dug in. It appears we are lacking in depth and yet zero feelers or rumors about LB transfers for the entire spring and summer? Come on.....

It's not a rationalization based on a top 5 defense last year. It's a rationalization that we had a top 5 defense last year without adequate depth, so we don't need it this year as many are suggesting.

I hope we don't need it. I hope we're injury free, I hope the sophomores get healthy and contribute. I hope the freshmen play above there experience level. Manny, based on his results, has earned the benefit of the doubt. But none of that makes me any less easy.

If linebacker depth is our biggest issue, it means we're doing well elsewhere, a QB has emerged and the OL is holding solid.

 

[BeastMode]

I mentioned the injuries, also Joyner began the year getting most of his reps at DE. I think he was sent back to LB out of necessity. But when saw them happened we knew we needed to stock up last year. It was a poor time for Richt to check out because we only ended up with two, one of whom is coming off an injury.

Yes the Joyner class was a complete failure but some will say it’s hard to recruit with three entrenched starters and 3 backups that aren’t going anywhere anytime soon but that’s a weak excuse.

 

[NorthEastCane]

He was. Also Joyner and Jennings were both being counted on to be in the rotation in the spring, especially Jennings. But how we got here is a discussion for another thread. This one is where do we go from here? I don’t care how we got here at this point. The roster we have now is the one that’s heading to Orlando in 5 weeks. How is the depth chart and rotation going to work out that night against the sheep****ers? That’s what’s important now.

The staff is trying to take 5 backers in the next class. Five. That tells you everything you need to know about the state of the position at the moment. But that’s a recruiting board discussion.

Agreed.

 

[Hegemon]

It's not a rationalization based on a top 5 defense last year. It's a rationalization that we had a top 5 defense last year without adequate depth, so we don't need it this year as may are suggesting.

I hope we don't need it. I hope we're injury free, I hope the sophomore get healthy and contribute. I hope the freshmen play above there experience level. Manny, based on his results, has earned the benefit of the doubt. But none of that makes me any less easy.

If linebacker depth is our biggest issue, it means we're doing well elsewhere, a QB has emerged and the OL is holding solid.

Of course you have zero response to anything about linebacker transfers etc etc

Naturally

That pretty much wraps this up.

 

[252cane]

That begs the question.

The man brings in depth at every single other position but not the position with arguably (based on this thread assuming no one is showing up for UF) worst off at linebacker?

He implements and executes his off season plan flawlessly for the most part but neglects the entire middle of his defense?

Sorry Manny has earned the right to get a little respect from this fan-base putting out a top 5 defense in-spite of how horrific our offense was. The statement of us "rationalizing" it with the base 4-2-5? How is that a rationalization when that same defense was top 5 last year?

Buncha things not adding up here and people have heel dug in. It appears we are lacking in depth and yet zero feelers or rumors about LB transfers for the entire spring and summer? Come on.....

There are no good LBs in the portal. And technically there are 9 LBs on the roster but half of them are injured. Now i'm not a fan at all of the recruiting of the position as far as talent but they had numbers before the injuries.

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

This argument that 2018 was fine so 2019 will be fine is beyond moronic. The whole point behind the thread is Diaz confirmed today that Huff nor Joyner will be ready for camp.

So 2019 does not = 2018.

Mike, Shaq, and McCloud are back. Yes. Does anyone expect them to play MORE than last year? Is that reasonable? No. Those kids were the horses last year, and they will be this year.

Now, BEHIND THEM, even with the studs playing the aforementioned snaps, in 2018 Mike Smith played in 12 games. Terry McCray played in 8 games. Bradley Jennings played in 4 games. Patrick Joyner played in 4 games (although most of his snaps may have been at DE). Waynmon Steed played in 5 games.

In 2019, ALL of those games and snaps I just listed, all of those kids are now rolled into Sam Brooks. This isn’t 2018. There’s far less depth.

And again, this isn’t cause for DEFCON 1. Nobody is shuttering the program over this. And I’m not even saying the performance of the defense will decline. We’re blessed to have the top 3 that we do. But to say that what was said by manny today isn’t noteworthy and that this isn’t even worth discussing because it’s a non-issue is naive and moronic.

Bottom line, gotta get Huff in here and gotta get Joyner healthy ASAP. Until that happens, I expect the strikers to get run at LB.