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Safeties and linebackers

1. Wait, I was told Meesh Powell from Washington was a dude last year when he committed from the portal.

2. Last year, the pass that Fitzgerald intercepted would have been a TD.

3. LB play is better (**** a mannequin would be better than Kiko), but I’m guessing Wes still doesn’t grade out well for his position.

4. Our three regular safestiee (Poyser, Thomas, and Fitzgerald) will be tops in country by the time CFP rolls around.
 
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The play from the safeties is unreal and something we haven't seen here in a long time. They aren't even elite talents back there outside of Bryce Fitzgerald, but are playing so confidently right now. They’ll just understand the assignment and are able to play fast out there. Love what I am seeing from the safeties. True impact from those positions.

Feel our linebackers are tasked with making sure everything is cleaned up over making the plays. Playing good complementary defense out there, letting the DL play like wild men and giving our expensive DB room chances to take risks while the linebackers cause confusion and make sure everything is clean out there.
 
As a whole it’s insane to see the turn around for this defense. From the weakest link to a unit you can depend on. Shout out the DB coach because the safeties look great, CB’s doing their jobs (I know gameplan was to limit over top vs fsu). Line backers flowing so naturally. I absolutely expect Wiley Jr to be worked in coming down the ACC stretch.
 
DMoney said:
It's refreshing to watch these guys play. Everything is urgent, fast and physical. Bissainthe is an NFL linebacker, Thomas and Toure set the tone, Aguirre is coming on strong, Fitzgerald is a special athlete, and Poyser is throwing his body around. I expect Chase Smith, Bobby Pruitt. Dylan Day and Kellen Wiley II to keep leveling up during ACC play.

What are you guys seeing at these spots?
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that we hit a HOMERUN on our evaluations in the portal ... thomas, poyser, toure, blay, lucas, and o'connr have changed the entire vibe of our defense ...

my next desire is that we're prepping guys for big roles next season ... bobby pruit seems tailor made for thomas's role ... wiley and bonner ought to soak up all toure has to offer, lightfoot and blount ought to work on their hands ala bain

we're in a really great spot in terms of having good players and having good backups to replace them
 
DMoney said:
It's refreshing to watch these guys play. Everything is urgent, fast and physical. Bissainthe is an NFL linebacker, Thomas and Toure set the tone, Aguirre is coming on strong, Fitzgerald is a special athlete, and Poyser is throwing his body around. I expect Chase Smith, Bobby Pruitt. Dylan Day and Kellen Wiley II to keep leveling up during ACC play.

What are you guys seeing at these spots?
Click to expand...
I have to say I am quite surprised at how good Poyser and Thomas has looked at safety. Safety was a question mark going into the season but I think great coaching and Hetherman's scheme and coaching has helped these kids succeed big time.

Fitzgerald doesn't have to start right now but let him play a ball hawk in center field in a complementary role out there this year until next year when he can put on some good weight/muscle to his frame to become a starting safety.

The LB's have looked much improved and although this isn't Dan Morgan, Nate Webster, Chris Campbell, etc at LB, I believe Hetherman is getting the most out of his talent on defense. We have to stay relatively healthy though as we aren't real deep like past elite miami teams.

Kudos also to Jason Taylor and Damione Lewis for coaching up these guys on the DL.

It appears Hetherman has been a perfect fit for UM's defense and style. Kudos to Mario for making a great hire there.
 
Lbs are solid. They do there job for the most part and are physical. Safety is playing really good right now. Poyser, Fitzgerald, Thomas all played good vs fsu. I think they will keep getting better with more reps in the system

Why isn’t Pruitt playing? I know they had moved him safety but I think he could get snaps at LB in passing situations
 
DMoney said:
It's refreshing to watch these guys play. Everything is urgent, fast and physical. Bissainthe is an NFL linebacker, Thomas and Toure set the tone, Aguirre is coming on strong, Fitzgerald is a special athlete, and Poyser is throwing his body around. I expect Chase Smith, Bobby Pruitt. Dylan Day and Kellen Wiley II to keep leveling up during ACC play.

What are you guys seeing at these spots?
Click to expand...
It really matters when you know where you have to be and can simply run there. Motion no longer has our DBs in a state of pure confusion. It also matters when your DC is ahead of the OC. Using Safeties to fill into the Cs and Edges and free up DL to do their thing is beautiful work. I don't know if Hetherman will go stale (like Guidry did after he switched to Tite fronts for some games and then went blank the following year), but so far...
 
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Fluffhead said:
Every time they would try to run a reverse or misdirection, you'd see multiple white jerseys as soon as the camera panned over.
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I'm convinced Hetherman let them do whatever they were trying to do on the first drive to pick up their cues. And then just **** on Gus the rest of the game
 
Manfred_Cane said:
I'm convinced Hetherman let them do whatever they were trying to do on the first drive to pick up their cues. And then just **** on Gus the rest of the game
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They ran 3 deception plays in the first drive. Not a fantastic sign for them. Even at the pop warner level, if you're unloading your bullets so early, you know what that means. At one point, IIRC, they ran the same trick play twice! It bothers me the score doesn't reflect what actually happened out there.
 
Gables Canes said:
The LB’s continue to be stout in run support. At times though, they’re a liability in pass coverage, particularly Toure.

Safety play has improved a ton - not only year over year - but from the ND game until now. Thomas is a stud making plays all over the field. And of course Fitzgerald is a treat to watch, crazy the kid just got on campus a few months ago.
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I agree, Toure had the back out the backfield early in the game and was 15 yrds away
 
There has been much more communication on the back end this year, watching these games everyone is talking, pointing, and making sure they are in the right fit. They diagnosis to formation start communicating and hop in the right defensive set. This is light years better than it has been over the last few years. The confidence is there and when they know they are in the right spots, they are bringing the wood on tackles. Last year i dreaded watching our defense, this year they are a pleasure to watch work.
 
Physicality & violence is a wonderful thing. Don’t know if it’s influx of talent, DC or combination, but it’s a revelation.
 
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DMoney said:
It's refreshing to watch these guys play. Everything is urgent, fast and physical. Bissainthe is an NFL linebacker, Thomas and Toure set the tone, Aguirre is coming on strong, Fitzgerald is a special athlete, and Poyser is throwing his body around. I expect Chase Smith, Bobby Pruitt. Dylan Day and Kellen Wiley II to keep leveling up during ACC play.

What are you guys seeing at these spots?
Click to expand...
Wes Bliss has been so good this year. Very happy for him.
 
Tackling...and tackling hard. All these boys have learned how to tackle...finally!
 
DMoney said:
It's refreshing to watch these guys play. Everything is urgent, fast and physical. Bissainthe is an NFL linebacker, Thomas and Toure set the tone, Aguirre is coming on strong, Fitzgerald is a special athlete, and Poyser is throwing his body around. I expect Chase Smith, Bobby Pruitt. Dylan Day and Kellen Wiley II to keep leveling up during ACC play.

What are you guys seeing at these spots?
Click to expand...
Were you surprised to see that Smith played more snaps at LB than Aguirre? I was surprised to see that snap count. Smith has been playing well and is a physical presence.
 
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