Camp Report: Defense shows progress

[ChrisMWilliams]

Here's a Saturday camp report from Ian Smith.

Iowa State Football: Defense showing progress | Cyclone Fanatic

[Wesley]

Sounds like our team will hit them getting off the bus.

[snowcraig2.0]

I think there will be primarily 5 people playing the 3 LB spots, Klein, Knott, MT, George, and Benton.

[RustShack]

I've been saying from the start those would be the starting LB's. I'm so jacked about all four of them though.

[RustShack]

I'm really interested in what happens with Mattison though. If he really runs a 4.3 fourty he should be our SS and play him in the box. Sims can play FS. But, odds are he doesn't run that fast, and will stay at LB. I could see him redshirting regardless of position, but maybe not since we are so thin at LB. Anyone have a scoop on him so far?

[deadeyededric]

I'm really interested in what happens with Mattison though. If he really runs a 4.3 fourty he should be our SS and play him in the box. Sims can play FS. But, odds are he doesn't run that fast, and will stay at LB. I could see him redshirting regardless of position, but maybe not since we are so thin at LB. Anyone have a scoop on him so far?

The problem is if you play him in the box a lot you basically have a freshman playing nickelback. For most defenses that is one of the toughest positions to learn.

[ISU_Alum_2000]

I think there will be primarily 5 people playing the 3 LB spots, Klein, Knott, MT, George, and Benton.

Wally mentioned that Jacques Washington was taking reps at the Nickel/Sam spot along with Benton.

[swiacy]

Where was the practise field located where the picture was taken at the top of this article? Looks like a cornfield in the background.

[clonedude]

Wally mentioned that Jacques Washington was taking reps at the Nickel/Sam spot along with Benton.

We are SO thin at LB. We have 3 quality starters and one sub in George. I'll believe Hamlin is ready to play Big 12 football when I see it. He's only 197 lbs.

So... I really think we are going to see a ton of 4-2-5 formations this year. I went back and watched all the highlights of the spring game and we have only 2 true LBs in there a LOT. We will be in the "nickel" a ton I think.

Our "nickel" guy will be Benton, with Jaques Washington backing him up... and then Adrian Bennet would be next IMO.

I also think it will be interesting what they decide to do with Durrell Givens. The guy looks like a LB in the pics of practice. He's listed at 217 lbs or something like that? Maybe he RS this year as a JUCO coming in, gets up to around 230 lbs, and then will have 2 years left to play LB for us? I don't know?

[MaxPower57]

We are SO thin at LB. We have 3 quality starters and one sub in George. I'll believe Hamlin is ready to play Big 12 football when I see it. He's only 197 lbs.

So... I really think we are going to see a ton of 4-2-5 formations this year. I went back and watched all the highlights of the spring game and we have only 2 true LBs in there a LOT. We will be in the "nickel" a ton I think.

Our "nickel" guy will be Benton, with Jaques Washington backing him up... and then Adrian Bennet would be next IMO.

I also think it will be interesting what they decide to do with Durrell Givens. The guy looks like a LB in the pics of practice. He's listed at 217 lbs or something like that? Maybe he RS this year as a JUCO coming in, gets up to around 230 lbs, and then will have 2 years left to play LB for us? I don't know?

Agreed. The staff has talked up Reeves quite a bit, so I think he takes plays the corner position more often than not with Benton in the Nickel/Sam. Play Tau'foo'u against teams like Iowa.

We'll have to see what Givens' mindset is. I think the coaches said he was a 'center field' type safety, which doesn't translate into LB. But the guy's got a body like Jon Banks, and he made the transition.

[woodie]

i think right now that our interior line play will be better because rump and the other kid that is replacing frere is taller and faster.what did frere do the in the 40 ????? 6.0. also i think our defensive end play will be better with lattimer pushing the guys that r ahead of him....overall,i think wally burnham is doing a great job with our defensive kids.
GO CYCLONES!!!!!!!!! too bad skip holtz is coaching at south florida....he is getting some kids that we need.

[jahfg]

Wally usually tells it like it is. You have to be encouraged with his comments. Last season, all we heard was how the d-line wasn't ready. He seems upbeat and excited to see his guys play. I'm still concerned because we had a lot of balls bounce our way last season. At the least, it sounds like these guys are ready to learn how to play football at this level.

[CrossCyed]

Agreed. The staff has talked up Reeves quite a bit, so I think he takes plays the corner position more often than not with Benton in the Nickel/Sam. Play Tau'foo'u against teams like Iowa.

We'll have to see what Givens' mindset is. I think the coaches said he was a 'center field' type safety, which doesn't translate into LB. But the guy's got a body like Jon Banks, and he made the transition.

Not sure if Reeves is big enough to play the nickel position. Gotta think when he's in, he's at corner, allowing Benton to play nickel. Givens, I would think, would back up MOC and fight for the starting spot.

We are SO thin at LB. We have 3 quality starters and one sub in George. I'll believe Hamlin is ready to play Big 12 football when I see it. He's only 197 lbs.

So... I really think we are going to see a ton of 4-2-5 formations this year. I went back and watched all the highlights of the spring game and we have only 2 true LBs in there a LOT. We will be in the "nickel" a ton I think.

Our "nickel" guy will be Benton, with Jaques Washington backing him up... and then Adrian Bennet would be next IMO.

I also think it will be interesting what they decide to do with Durrell Givens. The guy looks like a LB in the pics of practice. He's listed at 217 lbs or something like that? Maybe he RS this year as a JUCO coming in, gets up to around 230 lbs, and then will have 2 years left to play LB for us? I don't know?

Don't even know if George is ready. He looks ready, but you can't say that until they actually go full pads.

Where was the practise field located where the picture was taken at the top of this article? Looks like a cornfield in the background.

By the IM fields across from the stadium.

[MaxPower57]

Not sure if Reeves is big enough to play the nickel position. Gotta think when he's in, he's at corner, allowing Benton to play nickel. Givens, I would think, would back up MOC and fight for the starting spot.

Yep, that's what I was trying to put across, Reeves at corner, Benton at nickel. I think the staff thinks enough of JR to put him on the field in a starting role.

[ripvdub]

Where was the practise field located where the picture was taken at the top of this article? Looks like a cornfield in the background.

Out by G-7 and the intramural fields.