Replacing Paul, EJ and Terry

[nycane]

I am upset about EJ way more than gionni or terry. Like Soldinger said "Do you want to line up next to that guy?" I think Gaines (I was a big critic until last year) and Dp will hold it down while guys like McCord, grace, figs, and Kirby develop further. Cornelius and Ambruster are not answers. Grace has the football iq to play early and I think has the chance to be as good or better than 6. Figs went to prep for a year so he is a little more developed physically. Kirby played a good amount last year so he isn't a newbie

 

[Bigtip]

EJ was a major blow. he coulda had an all ACC type year

 

[rok]

Gaines, sr
Cornelius, sr
Perryman, jr
Armbrister, jr
Bond, jr
McCord, so
Kirby, so
Blue, fr
Figueroa, fr
Grace, fr


Goldens has done a fine job recruiting LBs so we should be fine from a numbers standpoint. What's worrisome is the amount of experience 44 and 36 got last year which was simply a waste. Not a lot of experience there aside from Denzel and Jimmy.

 

[Pennmed Canefan]

Realistically this is why I was thinking we were a good 3 years away when last year started. We had no experienced talent. We now have a little of that, but we don't have a lot of depth because the experienced talent all has to play. An injury or something here and there at the wrong spot and you're kind of screwed. Bottom line is that we need Figueroa to be good because he's the only new frontline guy really. Then you have to hope for health. We do have some guys who can sub who have played (Cornelius and Armbrister) but they're not guys who I'd expect to take a major leap. I'm not expecting anything from McCord beyond what he was last year--a pass rushing specialist basically. I don't mention the brand new guys because I have no familiarity.

We're aided by the fact that linebacker isn't what it used to be. You spend a good 40% or more of your time facing 3+ wide receiver sets, so the days of having to play a lot of straight 3-4 or 4-3 are done. Nickel is almost a base defense now.

 

[The Franchise]

Grace ain't coming in at 225, and if he does it'll mean he's either fat or on the gear. I don't care what he weighs as a freshmans because he can flat out play. His feel for the game as a young player reminds me of Spence.

 

[nycane]

Dp Gaines and Kirby have experience. Cornelius and armbristrr have experience and are good subs but not starting material blue or figs has to produce. Bond and Tyqiq are specialist. I would love grace to redshirt. So u are right. A starter gets hurt and we are in trouble

 

[FSisco7]

**** I miss that goon EJ :,(

 

[canecountry3]

We good at LB. Got athletes who can hit. DP, Figs, Kirby, Gaines... Even Cornelius (**** you haters).

Nobody talks about Bond. 007 will be crushing QBs. Chickillo will have at least one fumble returned for a TD because of that dude.

 

[bomba]

I think Terry comes back...no inside info, just a feeling.

This...

But I've also wondered if Ray Ray Lewis would grow into the position.

Either the sarcasm on this board is light years ahead of ANYTHING I have ever seen or we really need to neg people more.

Lol... Neg away. Sarcasm is the trademark of WEZZies.... :quag:

I should have added that I hope Ray Ray will be coached by his dad.

 

[bigsonnyu]

Based off of AQM's high school tape he might be able to swing it.

TBH I'm with the guy above. I think Terry comes back but, won't be needed unless we get bit by the injury bug.

DZP, Gaines, Kirby, Figs, plus the guys arriving in the summer oughta do us just fine. I think Bond has a chance to start at SAM.

SAM
Bond/Figs/McCord
MIKE
Kirby/Gaines
WILL
DZP/Cornileus/Grace

I think we'll be solid

Just adding a few to this and switching it around a bit..

SAM
Bond/Cain/Figs/McCord

MIKE
Gaines/Kirby/Blue

WILL
DZP/Cornileus/Grace/Armbrister


I think the SR class steps up this year... I really believe in Gaines and Cain and think they will make the leap they need to make in order to cap off their SR season.

@ Bigpurk45, your line-up looks good!

Only tweaks would be Kirby starting over Gaines.

...I really like what Bond could potentially give this the defense, so I like the fact that you went out on a limb and listed Bond ahead Figs, even though Figs is already here...It happens (ask Larry Hope). Also, I placed Figs on the weakside, as I see him as an open field kind of coverage LB (RB's in the flats), while McCord is used to dealing with OT's, so he should be able to handle TE's on the strong side (SAM).

SAM: Bond/McCord/Armbrister
MIKE: Kirby/Gaines/Blue
WILL: DZP/Figs/Grace/Cornileus

Lastly, although I like Cain at LB, realisticly, we have him at DE... In my opinion, Cain and McCord should swap roles. Cain is a better LB than he is a DE, and McCord should be allowed to develop at DE. Maybe Dorito has plans to use them in the same types dual roles anways (OLB/DE)... We'll see.

 

[bigsonnyu]

Grace ain't coming in at 225, and if he does it'll mean he's either fat or on the gear. I don't care what he weighs as a freshmans because he can flat out play. His feel for the game as a young player reminds me of Spence.

Lord knows I like the way Grace plays... He does have nice instincts, but the difference is, Spence would try to literally dodge defenders in order to make the play. If you look closely at Grace's film, you'll see that he likes to "engage and scrape"... that's where he'll run into trouble; when a seasoned pulling OG gets their hands on him.

When Miramar played Manatee, it was evident that Grace had some troubles with shedding blocks, as Manatee's whole offense takes blocking seriously...