My biggest question is who will be CB2 opposite of Jontez? Safety will likely be a rotation of Cooper, Patton, Surges, and James.
Secondary next year
- Thread starter ClonerJams
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demoncore1031
Well-Known Member
Marcus Neal will start at STAR or strong safety next year. He was the only one who wasn't missing tackles today and ended up with a career high of 8. Neal, Cooper and either James or Patton starting... Safety depth could be an issue.
Starting opposite Jontez will be interesting... Tre Bell is tall and fast like Porter, but doesn't have as much experience and has been playing at a lower level. We do have some young guys that could end up being really good - Coffey, Taylor, Hicks, etc.
In this era, let’s see who is actually on the roster Game 1
demoncore1031
Well-Known Member
Nothing has been announced yet, but he did walk on senior night so I would say he is most likely done. With all the injuries he has had the last few years it's probably a smart move to jump to the NFL now.
Hopefully. Our starters are not the problem. When they get hurt is the problem
I'm not nearly concerned about our secondary as our linebackers.
Yes, we will be healthier. Yes, we will be more experienced. No, even when healthy, I'm not particularly impressed with our athleticism and ability to flow and make plays in space at the second level. Given the fact that the DL seems to be a fairly large question mark other than Big Dom... that is somewhat concerning.
The first and second levels of the defense right now are big spot light positions. I trust the coaching staff but those spots are going to need to take huge steps, beyond just getting healthy, to be able to have a chance to duplicate or come close (8 wins or more) next year. We were able to survive the LB situation in large part because the DL, outside of TFL / Sacks, was pretty solid but we lost 3/4 of our top linemen and our secondary, especially when healthy, was elite.
I like what I've seen from our secondary. Although if Malik had returned that would have been awesome.
But the front 6? Those are the positions to watch . Because if the LB's can't go from being a weakness to a strength and cover up things better next year, then any issues we have with a younger secondary will get more exposed.
Yes, we will be healthier. Yes, we will be more experienced. No, even when healthy, I'm not particularly impressed with our athleticism and ability to flow and make plays in space at the second level. Given the fact that the DL seems to be a fairly large question mark other than Big Dom... that is somewhat concerning.
The first and second levels of the defense right now are big spot light positions. I trust the coaching staff but those spots are going to need to take huge steps, beyond just getting healthy, to be able to have a chance to duplicate or come close (8 wins or more) next year. We were able to survive the LB situation in large part because the DL, outside of TFL / Sacks, was pretty solid but we lost 3/4 of our top linemen and our secondary, especially when healthy, was elite.
I like what I've seen from our secondary. Although if Malik had returned that would have been awesome.
But the front 6? Those are the positions to watch . Because if the LB's can't go from being a weakness to a strength and cover up things better next year, then any issues we have with a younger secondary will get more exposed.
demoncore1031
Well-Known Member
Agree with everything you said. I'm hoping that next year we won't have to face such great running backs. That would help. RJ Harvey finished 4th in the nation in rushing yards this year. Skattebo was 5th, Kaleb Johnson 6th, Tahj Brooks was 8th, Giddens 14th, Devin Neal 18th... that is just crazy.
Thought James played solid as I rewatched clips from the game. Obviously the sack would’ve been nice but he had his nose in a lot of action.
I’m still high on Cooper and would love to see a big senior bounce back season. He had such a nose for the ball but something seemed a touch off this year. Second to last play of the game perfect example. Last year that’s a sure pick.
I’m still high on Cooper and would love to see a big senior bounce back season. He had such a nose for the ball but something seemed a touch off this year. Second to last play of the game perfect example. Last year that’s a sure pick.
When did you see the LB’s fully healthy? We lost guys before the first game didn’t we?
Historically, dating back to McCarney, and especially under Rhodes, we always seem to have outstanding players in the secondary. I'm faithful that we aren't going to see a huge drop off. Purely speculation, but my guess is that Surges will be the next hard hitting Cyclones safety, and leader in the defensive backfield.
Yeah are starting lineup would likely be Willich, Bacon and Brezina. We literally didnt see that all year. Ebel, McLaughlin, Sadowsky, and Lovett as back ups with that experience is probably one of the position groups im most excited about. Tight Ends would be the other one with what Burkle was able to develop into and Brahmer. Plus a lot of young talent in the TE room that dealt with injuries.
Secondary and Dline biggest concern areas. I wouldnt be surprised if we pick up diamonds in the ruff. Plus the D line I feel like there is always someone we dont see much of make a big jump. Hopefully Same as a true edge rusher.
Was Lovett playing some D-end yesterday? He seemed to be in the backfield quite a bit and I thought played well.
After getting torched in the Kansas game, James has been pretty good. I think he'll be really good going forward.
The last 3 years since Mike Rose, Vance and Hummel all left. Along with Vaughn. IMO, our athleticism and ability in space has degraded every year since that crew left.
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Yes. I noticed we had him as a stand up DE and actually arranged in a 4 man front at times.
