Hello All,
Instead of watching Entourage tonight (NOTE: Written on Sunday) due to my lack of a television, I am writing a position unit breakdown. LOVE Los Angeles.
Let’s take a look at the standard 4-3 Base Defense that Miami uses. You start with defensive tackle. If your two defensive tackles can tie up the three opposing interior offensive linemen, it frees up the linebackers to operate in space.
It also prevents the guards from being able to double on the defensive ends, which creates either one on one opportunities for the pass rushers (which they have the defense at an advantage, as the end is moving forward while the offensive tackle is sliding and moving backward in pass protection) or a necessity for the offense to keep a tackle or running back in to pick up the pass rusher, taking away a potential receiver.
This inevitably leads to short passes that are easily minimized by the linebackers who are each
free to cover 1/3 of the middle of the field, or long passes against the secondary, which gets a chance to play man without the fear of having to bring a safety up to pick up a linebacker’s assignment.
If an opponent wants to send three wide receivers out, then that means one of the defensive ends is going to be free to apply pressure and force a quick throw. If it sends four receivers out, both defensive ends are in one- on- one situations with eyes on the quarterback. The secondary will be able to prey on forced, hurried throws and will be in better position to smother pass routes, as they have less time to hold their coverage.
Last season, this was not the case. Offensive lines had their way with Miami’s front four due to injuries, a lack of depth and a seeming unwillingness to use any combination pass rush moves.
Since Miami is not fond of sending a large number of blitzes, that meant quarterbacks could sit back all day in the pocket and find a receiver running free in the middle of the field, oftentimes a running back or tight end matched up on a linebacker. In the run game, it meant that Miami’s second level often found itself taking on guards, which is a total mismatch, that resulted in opponents being able to convert 3rd and Short opportunities.
The end result was that a soft defensive line resulted in linebackers having to execute assignments that were out of their talent level (i.e. covering C.J. Spiller for 30 yards on a wheel route) or just plain unfair (Colin McCarthy having to shed a 300 lb offensive guard to make plays in the run game).
It also made our secondary look more porous than it was (and it wasn’t great to start with) by forcing them to cover for an extended amount of time on every play. After 5 seconds, the offense has the advantage in the pass game. Period.
The solution is multi-tiered. First of all, the front four has to be healthy. Second of all, the hire of Rick Petri will help immensely when it comes to technique. Third of all, the rotation has to be able to go 8+ deep without seeing a dropoff. These are big guys that cannot play every down, with rare exception.
The good news is that Miami looks to have its deepest line since 2001, when we won a National Title. That team was acclaimed for going 9 deep in the front four and making life hell for opposing quarterbacks. This year looks to be a return to those days.
Good defenses usually have great linebackers, no doubt. But to anyone that thinks linebackers can do it without a strong front four, think about this: Ray Lewis had Warren Sapp. Dan Morgan had Damione Lewis and William Joseph. Jon Vilma had Vince Wilfork. The Bermuda Triangle had a bunch of great tackles. Jon Beason, who is great in the league, never lived up to his potential at The U; his best tackles were Baraka Atkins, Bryan Pata and Kareem Brown, all good players but none the type that tied up multiple blockers.
Defensive Line
The Season That Was: The defensive front suffered a ton of injuries. Eric Moncur missed most of the season, as did Marcus Forston. Adewale Ojomo missed the entire season in one of the freakiest occurrences I have ever heard of. At times, Olivier Vernon, Marcus Robinson and others were all injured. As a result of this and what was mentioned before, they ended up losing the battle of the trenches more often than not and were particularly exposed against Virginia Tech and Wisconsin. That being said, the unit showed flashes, particularly against Georgia Tech. Allen Bailey emerged as a star, although we still do not know his best position, and Vernon as a future beast in the making.
What Was Lost: Moncur, an all-time “what could have been” guy. Joe Joseph graduated; he was serviceable but should not be missed.
Roll Call
Tackles
Josh Holmes (Sr.) – Holmes is not a big time difference maker but has his utility in pass rush situations. If all goes according to plan, he will be about the 5th guy in the tackle pecking order.
Micanor Regis (Jr.) – The unsung hero of this unit who produced when given the chance last year and is a projected starter this year. My favorite stat was that he tied for the team lead with 2 interceptions.
Curtis Porter (So.) – Emerged as a freshman at the end of the season and had a great spring. Is a load and if he can stay in shape will be exactly the type of plugger this team needs in the middle.
Marcus Forston (So.) – Will battle with Porter for one of the two starting spots opposite Regis. Was great as a freshman but looked pretty shaky last year before being injured for the season. Has the potential to be the biggest star on the team and a Jerome Brown type of defensive leader. Coaches will start him at third string in the fall and make him earn his spot.
Jeremy Lewis (So.) – Lewis looked decent down the stretch when paired with Porter last season. He has a great deal of ability but is still learning how to use it. Once, if ever, he harnesses it he will be a freak.
Luther Robinson (R-Fr.) – A lot like Lewis in that he has a lot of potential but has work to do to maximize it. Should not see the field this season.
Jeff Brown (Fr.) – Illinois Wrestling Champ will redshirt to get bigger but could be a possible impact pass rusher in 2011.
Ends
Allen Bailey (Sr.) – The star of the line will be a starter at end, but I think he is better as a tackle. He physically overpowers linemen. When he pushed them off the line at end, he is pushing them in to space. When he pushes them off the line at tackle, he is mucking up the entire offense, similar to Ndamukong Suh at Nebraska last season. And rest assured, Bailey has the ability to be every bit as dominant as Suh. Most likely plays end on balanced downs and slides in to tackle on passing downs before getting drafted as the prototypical 3-4 defensive end. Anyone that can rip off a 4.7 Forty at 290 lbs and Vert 38” with 6% body fat is going to be drafted very high.
Steven Wesley (Sr.) – Nothing spectacular, but makes more plays than people realize at end. Will be in the rotation and would not surprise anyone by winning a starting spot. One of my favorite looks is when the staff puts Wesley and Bailey inside and two speed rushers at end on passing downs.
Adewale Ojomo (Jr.) – Has the potential to be the best end on the team and a starter every week if he can stay on the field. Showed amazing promise as a redshirt frosh in 2008 but missed last season with a broken jaw. His weight is back up and his intensity will be greater than ever. This kid plays with a mean streak reminiscent of Rusty Medearis and the old school ‘Cane linemen.
Marcus Robinson (Jr.) – The best speed rusher on the team will look to start for his third straight season. Great first step similar to Dwight Freeney but needs to develop some moves, as he gets held a lot and rarely gets it called (he can thank the U in his helmet for that). Will flourish as a 3-4 linebacker in the NFL.
Andrew Smith (Jr.) – A lot like Wesley: all steak, no sizzle. Makes the plays in front of him and not much else. Solid rotation guy.
Olivier Vernon (So.) – Intensity that rivals Ojomo’s was on diplay last season. Vernon is fast, quick and agile and loves to hit the opponent in the mouth. Draws your eye every time he is on the field. Along with either Ojomo or Robinson will serve as perhaps the best set of backup ends in the nation and will see heavy playing time if healthy.
Dyron Dye (R-Fr.) – Dye looks to weigh about 260 lbs right now with plenty of room for more on his frame; he actually is beginning to look like a combination of Bailey and The Predator. Will most likely only see mop up duty this year but is a future linchpin of the group.
David Perry (Fr.) – The next freak in line. At 6’7”, 220 lbs he has a lot of room to grow without sacrificing superior athleticism. Will redshirt (if qualified) and is a couple of years away from playing, but could be a great one with his long arms and natural ability.
There you have it. Of the 15 players listed, 11 have a chance to make an impact this season, with the core group of 9 all being extremely talented. If they play tougher this season, so will the rest of the defense. And with Whipple’s offense sure to put up points in Year 2, a scary Miami defense is the LAST thing opponents want to see.
Always guard the inbound passer.
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