Last Season
The position improved last season, allowing the linebackers and defensive ends to roam around a little bit more freely than in the previous two seasons. Antonio Dixon was a load against the run at times, but never could get completely in shape. Joe Joseph and Marcus Forston had their
moments, most notably against Virginia Tech, and Dwayne Hendricks filled in admirably despite his size. Dixon and Hendricks graduated.
Roll Call
Joe Joseph, Senior
Joseph is a solid tackle. He will make a big play occasionally, but ideally is a backup on a good team. However, because of his size and experience, he will begin the season as a starter.
Allen Bailey, Junior
This is Bailey’s third position in three years. He is perhaps the best physical specimen in the
nation, with the agility to play end and the size to play tackle. When Bailey learns the position he will be a nightmare for interior linemen and most likely command a double team.
Josh Holmes, Junior
Holmes has been injured for most of his time at The U, but in limited time last season he looked disruptive. He is undersized, so Holmes most likely will figure prominently in to pass rush packages.
Marcus Forston, Sophomore
Forston was solid last season and has the potential to be an absolute hoss. He is big with a great burst, and if his conditioning is in order he will be on the field the majority of defensive snaps. His talent is too good to deny, and he can stuff the run and rush the passer with aplomb.
Micanor Regis, Sophomore
Regis seems to be a forgotten man, but I have high expectations. Regis has drawn praise over the summer as one of the most improved players on the team, and people do not realize that he played a lot last season as a true freshman. He has the type of attitude that coaches love and keeps his pad level low. Regis plays well against the run, and will be a great partner in crime for Forston and Bailey for the next couple of seasons.
Jeremy Lewis, Freshman (Redshirt)
Lewis is a beast on the inside, and is very athletically gifted. However, he still has a lot of work to do on his technique, so he will probably not see the field much.
Curtis Porter, Freshman
Porter enrolled early and surprised people with his ability to step in and play. Depending on numbers and injuries, he will either redshirt or contribute as the fourth tackle in the rotation.
Luther Robinson, Freshman
Robinson has the potential to become a disruptive force on this inside, but will most likely redshirt this season.
PREDICTION
The defense is as successful as its interior line, a sort of “trickle down” from the point of attack in the trenches. If the tackles occupy the three interior offensive linemen, then the linebackers are better able to roam from sideline to sideline; however, if the tackles fail, guards and centers can get to the second level and put a body on much smaller linebackers. Additionally, if the offense is forced to commit an offensive tackle to helping their interior line, defensive ends get one- on- one matchups with tight ends and running backs, creating open lanes for blitzing linebackers and safeties. This increased pressure on quarterbacks allows less time for read progression and forces rushed, inaccurate throws which spawn turnovers. One of the main problems that the Hurricane defense had last season was an inability to force turnovers. A better pass rush will at least double the number of interceptions the team records (improved defensive back play will increase it further). The pass rush will not be effective without better play from the tackles.
Forston and Bailey showed flashes of dominance last season. Their growth, along with the veteran presence of Joseph and Holmes and the development of Regis, will make the entire defense better and the line one of the team’s strong points.
DEFENSIVE END
Last Season
The position featured several breakout performances after losing Eric Moncur about halfway through the season. Allen Bailey led the team in sacks, Marcus Robinson broke out on national television while Steven Wesley and Adewale Ojomo played strong football when called upon. The team returns all of these players, although Bailey has been moved inside to tackle.
Roll Call
Eric Moncur, Senior
Moncur is the oldest player on the team and is in his sixth year of eligibility after being granted a medical redshirt (Moncur is actually in his seventh year out of high school). He was missed last season, as his consistency and senior leadership had a place on a young defense. This is his last hurrah, and he will start, both for the reasons listed above and for his ability to rush the passer and stop the run equally well.
Courtney Harris, Senior
Harris has always had talent, but has seen a career sidetracked by injury. Harris may miss his second straight season due to a shoulder injury, and rumor is that his career may be over.
Steven Wesley, Junior
Wesley surprised many last season with consistent, solid play at defensive end. He was very good against the run, and is one of the bigger ends on the team. He also has athleticism to get after the quarterback, and was almost moved to tight end by the coaches in the spring.
Adewale Ojomo, Sophomore
When Ojomo was on the field last season, he was the Hurricanes’ best end. However, he missed games due to suspension after “violating team rules”. He seems to have his head on straight, and if he can keep his grades in order he will play a lot. He is strong against the run but a beast in the pass rush.
Marcus Robinson, Sophomore
Robinson is a pass rush nightmare. He is a bit small for an end, but has freak athleticism that reminds many of Dwight Freeney. Personally, I see his role for this season as comparable to that of Jamaal Green in 2001, a player who many forget recorded 9 sacks during the championship season as part of a 5 man rotation. Robinson might not start, but he is my pick to lead the team in sacks.
Andrew Smith, Sophomore
Not many thought very highly of Robinson coming out of high school, but he saw playing time last season and even recorded a sack in the opening game. He has good speed and may develop in to the steal of the 2008 recruiting class. However, he may get a redshirt this year, as the depth chart is stacked and Smith needs to put on some more weight.
Gavin Hardin, Freshman (Redshirt)
Hardin redshirted, but during home games could be seen on the sideline firing up his teammates. Hardin has a lot of athleticism (he was recruited as a linebacker originally) and great size. He does not get talked about, but as soon as he learns the position thoroughly he will be a force.
Olivier Vernon, Freshman
Vernon was the talk of the spring on defense, an early-enrollee who rose to the top of the depth chart even after missing most of his senior season with an injury. Vernon will play this season, if not as a starter than at least as a situational pass rusher (think Javon Nanton). A dime package with Vernon and Robinson on the ends and Bailey and Holmes inside could be imposing.
Dyron Dye, Freshman
Dye is tall and lean and will most likely redshirt. However, his talent makes him a threat to be a large part of the end rotation in the future. His high school coach thinks he may end up as a tight end down the line.
PREDICTION
During the peak of the Miami dynasty, the Hurricanes would rotate in 4 or 5 defensive ends. The depth allowed the ‘Canes to have fresh pass rushers in on every snap. In the past few seasons, depth concerns have made this impossible. However, this season sees the return of the ability to rotate without losing ability. Ojomo, Moncur, Robinson, Vernon and Wesley are a solid top group, and Smith and Hardin threaten to take a spot in the lineup as well. Robinson and Ojomo are the leading candidates to lead the team in sacks, but it would not surprise me if Vernon or the veteran Moncur emerged. This is the team’s strongest position group, and if the young talent emerges and the veterans stay on the field, it will lead to more pressure on the quarterback and as a result more turnovers and three-and-outs. However, this is a position which is reliant upon the big uglies inside to max out productivity.
That's it for the position breakdown. Always guard the inbound passer.
No comments:
Post a Comment