Current Depth Chart


MV made an attempt at predicting the 2 deeps over at FBT.

I think Brew said in a press conference he pretty much knows who's gonna play where and will release that info the week of the game.
 

QB: Weber
TB: Bennett
FB: Hoese
WR: McKnight
TE: Lair
RT: Wills
RG: Carufel
C: Burris
LG: Bunders
LT: Olson
WR: Stoudemire

RE: Hageman
DT: Kirksey
DT: Edwards
LE: Wilhite
SLB: Rallis
MLB: Tinsley
WLB: Hill or Cooper
CB: Carter
SS: Manual or Watkins
FS: Lewis
CB: Collado

P: Orseske
K: Ellstad
LS: no idea.
 

Everything looks about right to me. I have to believe that there's something better on the team than Collado at CB.
 

I know we've been hearing some stuff about Hill of late, but I thought K Coop was gonna be a lock this year.

Has Hill really impressed this offseason or is it that Coop has failed to?

Kind of a bummer. I've been pretty stoked about Cooper.
 


QB: Weber
TB: Bennett
FB: Hoese
WR: McKnight
TE: Lair
RT: Wills
RG: Carufel
C: Burris
LG: Bunders
LT: Olson
WR: Stoudemire

RE: Hageman
DT: Kirksey
DT: Edwards
LE: Wilhite
SLB: Rallis
MLB: Tinsley
WLB: Hill or Cooper
CB: Carter
SS: Manual or Watkins
FS: Lewis
CB: Collado

P: Orseske
K: Ellstad
LS: no idea.

What about Royston, is he hurt or do you really think he won't start.
 

I was wondering the same thing about Cooper. He filled in pretty nicely last year when needed.
 

I think you have the Tailback wrong. :D.
 

I'm 99% sure Coop will be the guy. I've always thought Butler's talked about the other LBs as motivation for them to keep working hard (as nobody wants to be a Fr or So and be behind a Soph/Jr and know you won't be playing for 2 seasons) and to build their confidence as they'll need to play. I honestly think the only depth questions (regarding the starters) is who starts at DE opposite Whilhite (OP or Jacobs as I don't know if Brew is big on starting a RS frosh in his first game), and who starts at safety (Watkins and Lewis have been the guys but Theret may be back and Manuel may take a spot too)
 





What about Royston, is he hurt or do you really think he won't start.

Definitely not for the first few games based on the signals heard form Brewster. Maybe by USC he'll be the starter. I think the young guys can manage fine the first few games. I would hate to see him rushed out there and have him get hurt. It's a semi miracle we're even having this discussion.
 

I think Hageman and Olson are definitely going to be starting at some point. But, is it a foregone conclusion that they start at MTSU. I'm starting to believe it might happen, but it would still surprise me a little.

I think Cooper might be the most talented guy on the team, I think he gets the start. If he doesn't there is something going on there we're not hearing about.
 



I think Hageman and Olson are definitely going to be starting at some point. But, is it a foregone conclusion that they start at MTSU. I'm starting to believe it might happen, but it would still surprise me a little.

I think Cooper might be the most talented guy on the team, I think he gets the start. If he doesn't there is something going on there we're not hearing about.

Olson - without a doubt, 100% sure to start at MTSU.

Hageman? If you'd asked me a week ago, I'd have said he'll be the opening day starter at DE for sure. Now, rumblings are afoot that he's not technically sound enough to go along with his freakish size, strength, and athleticism. I can understand such a concern, but who else starts to avoid a redux of the "4 DT set" we had last year? KGM and Garin are as equally unexperienced as Optimus Prime, and Jacobs should be at DT unless it's an obvious rushing down - too big and slow to be an every-down DE. I'd still say Hageman is the favorite to start.

I agree with you on Cooper. But I'm also willing to consider the possibility that it's less about Cooper's play and more about Hill coming on strong. Either way, regardless of his starting status, he is guaranteed to play as much or more than anyone on the defense.
 

I agree with you on Cooper. But I'm also willing to consider the possibility that it's less about Cooper's play and more about Hill coming on strong. Either way, regardless of his starting status, he is guaranteed to play as much or more than anyone on the defense.

I'm starting to think it's a motivational ploy for both of them. I think the staff has high confidence in both of them, but are trying to squeeze out a little more. And maybe the trickle down is to showcase a position battle to help get everyone's head on straight.
 

The little bit that i've heard is that Hill is absolutely for real. Cooper is a better athlete and will see a ton of time no matter what, but I think the debate between Hill and Cooper is for real, which really says more about Hill and Rallis than it does about Cooper. Our LBs will be strong this season.

As far as Optimus Prime, well, I've heard that he is less along technically than either Garin or KGM. If I had to guess, it would be that KGM is going to start. Hageman can be dominant and will absolutely play in every single short yardage set. KGM and Garin are further along technically and they are speed guys, which is about the least techinical position in football (it's why you see rush DE's make an impact in the NFL as rookies).
 

Do we see more 3-4 this year? The personel seems to fit it nicely.
 

I think we will see some 3-4 this season, but my only problem with it is that I really don't think our personel fits it perfectly.

First, one of our best defensive players is Kirksey and you would either have to take him out of the game (as Edwards would need to play the middle), or he would be playing a tad out of position. I am not 100% into the idea of running a ton of sets where one of our best (if not the best ) player on our defense isn't put in his best position to dominate.

Second, while we have LB depth, that depth isn't in the middle. My guess is that it would be Hill taking over the other ILB position. So essentially we'd be swapping out Hill (a pretty undersized LB) for a DT. I can't imagine that light lineup really being effective in Big 10 play. Had Maresh been able to stay on the squad (or next year with Beal), it would for sure be a possibility.

Lastly, we seem to have a lot of inexperienced yet talented rush ends (Garin, Wilhite, KGM). Those guys would either need to take some snaps as rush OLB in the 3-4 (ala Kevin Greene) or they would essentially be off the field, in favor of a DE pair of Jacobs and Hageman.

I do think it will be something that will be sprinkled in, but probably only in like nickle or nickel type sets or against spread teams.
 




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