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So I went back and watched the video of our Bahamas bowl victory... and honestly we looked AWEFUL on defense... literally AWEFUL!!!! If you dont agree.. I suggest you go watch it on YouTube...

Now my concern is how we do better with pressure from our front 7 this year... that MTSU QB had all the time he needed to dissect out D for most of the game... This kid was a FRESHMAN... and he didn't have one of his BEST WR's.... and still they owned our secondary...

I am curious as to how we improve on the D side of the ball this year.. Because honestly I think our season hinges on D... and I don't really see how we will be better in that facet.... Thoughts?

I agree that it all hinges on how well the D can come together, especially the linebackers.

MTSU had a great offense and a mediocre defense, and WMU ultimately ran away with it because our defense was better than theirs. Came up with a few stops here and there, and that was the difference. I think it will likely be a similar situation this year. Be good enough to get a few stops when needed, and let our offense do their thing. This defense won't shock the world, but they can still be very good.


The line will be fine, possibly very good. Plenty of experience and talent led by Keion Adams, Nathan Braster and David Curle. Turner has experience and size. Add in Assoua, Finley, Balabani, Jackson and possibly Aguirre...that's a solid 2-deep. I believe Matich is still hurt? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I think Jimmy Williams, the new position coach, will get a lot out of this group.

Linebackers are the real question. Bailey and Spillane are solid. Asantay Brown is apparently joining the group. Will freshman Tristian Pipp be a difference maker? There's a lot of unknowns and youth behind the starters. 2nd string might be Jackson, Engram and Grace. But it depends on how liberally the coaching staff wants to use freshmen, because I love the incoming class of LBs. Pipp, Culp and Rogers have great size and talent. We'll see what happens with that. Cherocci might see increased playing time as well.

DBs will be interesting. We lose 2 to graduation, and Brown moves to LB. But there's a lot of talent on the back end. Phillips is a lock at corner, and we'll see a battle for the spot opposite him. Obbie Jackson, Sam Beal and Davontae Ginwright all have a shot at it. Tranquill (if healthy) and Rucker (Iowa transfer) will likely be the starters at safety. As with the linebackers, I'm interested in seeing if any true frosh will see playing time. We're bring in about 6 frosh DBs that are extremely skilled. Claiborne, Jackson, Boyd, Tanner...who's it going to be?


Overall I think our defense has playmakers and the depth is filled with talented, if unproven, youth. Time to see how all of these impressive recruiting classes come together. As they say....put up or shut up.

Colin... Great response... I just need to see that we finally have a speed rush that can push guys like cooper rush out of the pocket or a strong front four that can keep a guy like that from being comfortable...

Agreed... It's put up or shut up!

Can't wait. Light at the end of the tunnel.

Defense in the second half of MTSU game was good. First half both teams were awful.

Plenty of talent on that side with several playmakers. Need to see better preparation by the staff on that side of the ball, rather than constantly relying on halftime adjustments or for the offense to put up loads of points.

Our recent recruiting classes haven't been ranked number one in MAC just on Offense, have they?

(07-22-2016 07:35 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Our recent recruiting classes haven't been ranked number one in MAC just on Offense, have they?

We've yet to bring in an NFL caliber player on defense, i.e. Delmas, Biggers or even a free agent caliber defensive player. Cubit had several. Other than Phillips I don't see any now either.

So Fleck is putting the best players-athletes on Offense?

(07-22-2016 07:35 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Our recent recruiting classes haven't been ranked number one in MAC just on Offense, have they?

A dose of reality I shared with HillyerforHeisman in the PJ is a top HC due to recruiting thread. OL has been key and the D though deeper isn't at the same level. The Bogan/Davis/Terrell package is good but w/o the OL ... and if not for the OL the D would be further exposed as the OL allows for time to be used off the clock.

A bowl game is not the best review for defensive performance. Many are gun slinging affairs because the coaches allow it to showcase the programs. Everyone wants that bluechip QB and 4.3 speed WR looking at their school. Look at the bowl scores the last five years. Few 17-10 games in bowl land.

(07-22-2016 07:48 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  So Fleck is putting the best players-athletes on Offense?

Darius Phillips and Kaleb Per...

Darius Phillips, Robert Spillane and Alex Grace.