Article: An Early Look at the Defensive Depth Chart

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Good article. I like the way Claeys attacks on defense and I like the way he shuffles kids in and out to match the situation and to keep guys fresh. Outside of the periodic brain f*rt, I think Claeys is the best defensive coordinator we've had in a long, long time.
 

My two depth charts that I'm most interested in seeing develop are the LBs and O-line. I think we're going to start seeing the impact of depth and player development most prominently in these two positions.

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
My two depth charts that I'm most interested in seeing develop are the LBs and O-line. I think we're going to start seeing the impact of depth and player development most prominently in these two positions.

Go Gophers!!
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How fierce is the battle for playing time on the O-Line going to be for not just this year but the next several? I can't wait to see how it plays out. I think the 2014 O-line will be one of the best the Rodents have put on the field in a long, long time.
 

The middle linebacker analysis should be correct, but Wilson has shown no play recognition or ability to play at speed. His inability to take the Middle Linebacker position in the spring tells me Jack Lynn will start and will be a force. We haven't had a legit middle linebacker since............
 


Wells and Shabazz starting corners with Vereen and Thompson at safety....that's pretty freakin solid.
 

husker70 said:
The middle linebacker analysis should be correct, but Wilson has shown no play recognition or ability to play at speed. His inability to take the Middle Linebacker position in the spring tells me Jack Lynn will start and will be a force. We haven't had a legit middle linebacker since............
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Lee Campbell was legit. What he lacked in speed he made up for with toughness.

Jack Lynn got most of the reps with the 1's in spring practice. It could mean several things: 1. Wilson was still getting up to speed and the staff was challenging him 2. Lynn has made huge strides and will be a nice player for us 3. We're in deep in trouble at MLB for this year.

I'll go with #2 for now since he seemed to react well and showed great speed for a MLB. He should be the type of LB that plays well in space and can chase guys down from behind. My concern is how he'll do when teams run right at him.
 

I just hope our run defense solidifies this year. I would rather see teams have to pass against us. I think we have a solid depth chart as long as our LB's and inexperienced linemen play consistent.
 

Big adjustment for Wilson, it's easy to forget. Lynn has been in the system a LOT longer than Wilson, comparatively speaking. In this respect, it's huge that Wilson was able to be on campus in the spring.

That being said, all that factored in, we should know by the second or third game just who's going to be the Man at Mike. If Wilson hasn't asserted himself by early September, that's not a good sign. Wilson was a tackling machine at JUCO. Count me as one who thinks hell get it rolling by the first or second week of fall camp.
 



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