There is a certain criticism of the LB playing in the 2020 and 2021 season. I'm not sure if its the defensive line that allows runners to get in deep or the linebackers themselves tackling 5 to 6 yards past the line of scrimmage. My own personal opinion is that the LB doesn't appear as good as the it was after the 2019 bowl game. Returning is Sr. Tariq Speights 5'10 230 who was the team's leading tackler last season with 90 and played all 13 games. Other returnees are EJ Williams Sr. 6'1 205 who played in 11 games, Zach Mowchan So. 6'2 225 who played in a single game, Justin Jefferson Jr. 5'11 225 who played in 11 games, Steve Scheidt Jr. 6'2 225 who played in only 2 games due to injury, Luke Cameron Sr. 6'1 225 who played in all 13 games and Brycen Huddleston Jr. 6'0 220 who played in 2 games.

I think its safe to say improvement at this position will come from several newcomers:

Chase Kline Jr. 6'4 235 a Jr. transfer from MSU, Joe Sparacio 5'11 230 Sr. transfer from Boston College should make an immediate impact. Two true frosh Amar'e Reed 6'1 245 and walk on Cole Mcelvany 6'2 205 should probably redshirt this year.

My guess right now is that the starters will be Speights and Kline with Scheidt and Sparacio in the 2 deep.

(07-25-2022 05:59 AM)emu79 Wrote:  There is a certain criticism of the LB playing in the 2020 and 2021 season. I'm not sure if its the defensive line that allows runners to get in deep or the linebackers themselves tackling 5 to 6 yards past the line of scrimmage. My own personal opinion is that the LB doesn't appear as good as the it was after the 2019 bowl game. Returning is Sr. Tariq Speights 5'10 230 who was the team's leading tackler last season with 90 and played all 13 games. Other returnees are EJ Williams Sr. 6'1 205 who played in 11 games, Zach Mowchan So. 6'2 225 who played in a single game, Justin Jefferson Jr. 5'11 225 who played in 11 games, Steve Scheidt Jr. 6'2 225 who played in only 2 games due to injury, Luke Cameron Sr. 6'1 225 who played in all 13 games and Brycen Huddleston Jr. 6'0 220 who played in 2 games.

I think its safe to say improvement at this position will come from several newcomers:

Chase Kline Jr. 6'4 235 a Jr. transfer from MSU, Joe Sparacio 5'11 230 Sr. transfer from Boston College should make an immediate impact. Two true frosh Amar'e Reed 6'1 245 and walk on Cole Mcelvany 6'2 205 should probably redshirt this year.

My guess right now is that the starters will be Speights and Kline with Scheidt and Sparacio in the 2 deep.

Good assessment. Our LB play the last 2 years has not been good and part of that has to do with a lack of d-line production, scheme and LB talent. Our LB's the last 2 years seemed to take on our defensive coordinators mantra of bend don't break by often playing on our heels and waiting for contact. I remember pausing the game and rewinding it to see our undersized linebackers get washed allowing big runs.

What i like about Sparacio and Kline is that their tape shows them to be more of 'attack' line backers. Scheidt I thought was good before he got hurt. I think the 2 transfers instantly make us better and will drastically improve competition in that room.

Well in the 2022 Football media guide the Depth chart is as follows:

MIKE 6 Chase Kline 6-4 233 Jr.
41 Justin Jefferson 5-11 225 Jr.

WILL 19 Joe Sparacio 5-11 226 Sr.
10 Tariq Speights 5-10 232 Sr.

Another late roster addition:

Andrew Buck 6'1 195 LB out of California high school

https://emueagles.com/sports/football/ro...buck/14600

https://www.hudl.com/profile/10125754/Andrew-Buck

(07-28-2022 11:57 AM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  Well in the 2022 Football media guide the Depth chart is as follows:

MIKE 6 Chase Kline 6-4 233 Jr.
41 Justin Jefferson 5-11 225 Jr.

WILL 19 Joe Sparacio 5-11 226 Sr.
10 Tariq Speights 5-10 232 Sr.

We will be in very good shape there.

(08-30-2022 05:07 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(07-28-2022 11:57 AM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  Well in the 2022 Football media guide the Depth chart is as follows:

MIKE 6 Chase Kline 6-4 233 Jr.
41 Justin Jefferson 5-11 225 Jr.

WILL 19 Joe Sparacio 5-11 226 Sr.
10 Tariq Speights 5-10 232 Sr.

We will be in very good shape there.

I am so fired up to see the Kline/Sparacio combo on the field. It sounds like the D-Line is going to be more effective...having 2 solid LB's to come in and close things down is going to be huge!

(08-30-2022 08:05 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 05:07 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(07-28-2022 11:57 AM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  Well in the 2022 Football media guide the Depth chart is as follows:

MIKE 6 Chase Kline 6-4 233 Jr.
41 Justin Jefferson 5-11 225 Jr.

WILL 19 Joe Sparacio 5-11 226 Sr.
10 Tariq Speights 5-10 232 Sr.

We will be in very good shape there.

I am so fired up to see the Kline/Sparacio combo on the field. It sounds like the D-Line is going to be more effective...having 2 solid LB's to come in and close things down is going to be huge!

They have to be good. Two doing the work of three....

(08-30-2022 08:46 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:05 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 05:07 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(07-28-2022 11:57 AM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  Well in the 2022 Football media guide the Depth chart is as follows:

MIKE 6 Chase Kline 6-4 233 Jr.
41 Justin Jefferson 5-11 225 Jr.

WILL 19 Joe Sparacio 5-11 226 Sr.
10 Tariq Speights 5-10 232 Sr.

We will be in very good shape there.

I am so fired up to see the Kline/Sparacio combo on the field. It sounds like the D-Line is going to be more effective...having 2 solid LB's to come in and close things down is going to be huge!

They have to be good. Two doing the work of three....

I take it you're not a fan of the 4-2....

(08-30-2022 09:14 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:46 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:05 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 05:07 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(07-28-2022 11:57 AM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  Well in the 2022 Football media guide the Depth chart is as follows:

MIKE 6 Chase Kline 6-4 233 Jr.
41 Justin Jefferson 5-11 225 Jr.

WILL 19 Joe Sparacio 5-11 226 Sr.
10 Tariq Speights 5-10 232 Sr.

We will be in very good shape there.

I am so fired up to see the Kline/Sparacio combo on the field. It sounds like the D-Line is going to be more effective...having 2 solid LB's to come in and close things down is going to be huge!

They have to be good. Two doing the work of three....

I take it you're not a fan of the 4-2....

4 - 2 should be a good defense against the inside run game, plugging holes between the tackles.

I'm not sure what my favorite defense is: 4 - 3, 4 - 2, 3 - 4, or I guess Ivy league could run the 5 - 3 (way back when I played a little H.S. ball, we played a 5 - 3 and back then QBs were lucky if they could throw the ball 30 yards).

(08-30-2022 09:14 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:46 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:05 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 05:07 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(07-28-2022 11:57 AM)EdifiedVoyage6 Wrote:  Well in the 2022 Football media guide the Depth chart is as follows:

MIKE 6 Chase Kline 6-4 233 Jr.
41 Justin Jefferson 5-11 225 Jr.

WILL 19 Joe Sparacio 5-11 226 Sr.
10 Tariq Speights 5-10 232 Sr.

We will be in very good shape there.

I am so fired up to see the Kline/Sparacio combo on the field. It sounds like the D-Line is going to be more effective...having 2 solid LB's to come in and close things down is going to be huge!

They have to be good. Two doing the work of three....

I take it you're not a fan of the 4-2....

CID, I believe in order for the 4-2-5 to work, there must be a great player in the rover position that plays the run and pass equally well. We had a good one a few seasons ago named Brody Hoying!! He was a star

(08-30-2022 10:24 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 09:14 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:46 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:05 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 05:07 AM)emu steve Wrote:  We will be in very good shape there.

I am so fired up to see the Kline/Sparacio combo on the field. It sounds like the D-Line is going to be more effective...having 2 solid LB's to come in and close things down is going to be huge!

They have to be good. Two doing the work of three....

I take it you're not a fan of the 4-2....

CID, I believe in order for the 4-2-5 to work, there must be a great player in the rover position that plays the run and pass equally well. We had a good one a few seasons ago named Brody Hoying!! He was a star

I was thinking that too. If the defense loses a LB better have a rover who can hit like a say weakside LB. Should be say 210 lbs.

(08-30-2022 10:24 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 09:14 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:46 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:05 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 05:07 AM)emu steve Wrote:  We will be in very good shape there.

I am so fired up to see the Kline/Sparacio combo on the field. It sounds like the D-Line is going to be more effective...having 2 solid LB's to come in and close things down is going to be huge!

They have to be good. Two doing the work of three....

I take it you're not a fan of the 4-2....

CID, I believe in order for the 4-2-5 to work, there must be a great player in the rover position that plays the run and pass equally well. We had a good one a few seasons ago named Brody Hoying!! He was a star

Hoying was an absolute STUD. Still, Rachwal, Pickett and Beltran at the linebacker position were far better than we have had since. Don't be misled by tackling statistics, the 4-2-5 alignment will always ensure that your linebacker is the leading tackler. He just needs to make those tackles near the line of scrimmage rather than 10 yards down the field.

POC, Jerry Harris and Maxx made Neathery look like a defensive genius, we and he were blessed to have them. Assuming that we could reload similarly on the DE position, exposed us on our dearth of linebacker talent. I, like CID, am so geeked that we addressed this in the transfer portal.

(08-30-2022 05:34 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 10:24 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 09:14 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:46 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(08-30-2022 08:05 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  I am so fired up to see the Kline/Sparacio combo on the field. It sounds like the D-Line is going to be more effective...having 2 solid LB's to come in and close things down is going to be huge!

They have to be good. Two doing the work of three....

I take it you're not a fan of the 4-2....

CID, I believe in order for the 4-2-5 to work, there must be a great player in the rover position that plays the run and pass equally well. We had a good one a few seasons ago named Brody Hoying!! He was a star

Hoying was an absolute STUD. Still, Rachwal, Pickett and Beltran at the linebacker position were far better than we have had since. Don't be misled by tackling statistics, the 4-2-5 alignment will always ensure that your linebacker is the leading tackler. He just needs to make those tackles near the line of scrimmage rather than 10 yards down the field.

POC, Jerry Harris and Maxx made Neathery look like a defensive genius, we and he were blessed to have them. Assuming that we could reload similarly on the DE position, exposed us on our dearth of linebacker talent. I, like CID, am so geeked that we addressed this in the transfer portal.

Jerry hit it on the head. In recent years our linebackers were easily washed out and were often on their heels. Sparacio and Kline seem aggressive and hopefully if they can play like Jerry, Beltran and Hoying then we will have a great season. We had 24 sacks last season......not good enough. I also feel like having a guy like Kline will inspire others to play even better. We haven't had that in a while.

After watching more film on last year's team, we will be in a much better spot this year with our linebackers.

Last year, to put it politely, our linebackers were bad. Seemed scared to be honest. It was embarrassing if you watch the film for those guys to be playing D1 football. Those guys have either graduated or are now being replaced by transfers.

These guys now seem like they understand the goal and will play aggressive.

One of the most underrated LBs in my opinion was Kobie Beltram.