Defense Delerium: Don't Panic yet.

JOHN4254

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Gentlemen, before everyone panics and tips over their canoes worrying about the Gopher defense, let me suggest a few things about the Gophers defense. First, Kevin Cosgrove is an excellent and resourceful Defensive Coordinator who did a hell of a job last year, improving the Gopher defense over the highly praised efforts of his predecessor, Ted Root, while dealing with a number of significant injuries. Triplett, Simmons, and Sherels were banged up, and missed some games. A starting defensive end from 08, Derrick Onwuachi, was injured in the off season and never really contributed, and Mike Rallis broke his leg in the Cal game and was lost for the season after playing very well in the early games. Nevertheless, the defense played very well, especially in the 10-0 loss to the hated Iowegians.
Looking at this year's potential starting defense, there is reason for hope, if not total optimism. The starting tackles, Jewhan Edwards and Brandon Kirksey, are bigger, faster, and hopefully meaner than their predecessors, and they will be helped by Junior Anthony Jacobs, and perhaps one of the incoming freshman. As I wrote before, I look for Big Jewh Edwards to have a breakout year, and put the hurt on a lot of offensive linemen and running backs. The defensive ends are the most intriguing group in determining how good this defense can be. The development of Hageman and Kendall-McGhee will be the key to the defensive line's effectiveness. I believe, D. L. Willhite will become an excellent pass rusher, and Jacobs will rotate between tackle and end on running situations. Hageman will be the surprise rookie defensive player in the Big 10. Remember this name, Cameron Botticelli,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkWdv-AtfX4
a walk-on from Marquette University high school.

In spite of the extracurricular activities of certain linebackers, I expect the linebacker crew to be better than last year's excellent group. Sam the Man needs to, and can, show us that the courage he displayed earlier has not been wasted on a fascination with the sauce. He can be the force in the middle that the Gophers will need to compete in the Big 10. Mike Rallis is the next Nate Triplett, and Keanon Cooper will be special IMHO. Gary Tinsley, I just don't know if he will be back or not. If he is, he needs to get a bicycle, grow up and decide what he wants to do with his life, be a moped racer or a football player and college graduate. Are you listening, Sam?

The defensive backfield is clearly the big question mark. Michael Carter will start at one corner, and, I believe, will come up very big in the Gophers pass defense. Ryan Callado and Christyn Lewis, (who will move back from safety when Hershel Thornton arrives), will compete for the other corner spot, with one of them being the nickel back. At safety, Kyle Theret will be back at one safety, and either Hershel Thornton or Kenny Watkins will be the starter. Shady Salaman should also be in the mix. Don't count out Kim Royston, he is a very tough kid, and could be back sooner than you think. Those titanium rods are very amazing.

My sense is that Coach Cosgrove is very happy with the players on hand, and who knows, he may find a surprise in the incoming freshman class. Regardless, I think he will find a way to utilize the speed and talent of this very young group, and put together an excellent defense. So guys, don't tip over those canoes and drown before you see for yourself this fall. GO GOPHERS!
 


I love the optimism and hope for the future. Let us hope that the players ahve a quiet but productive summer and come into fall with a chip on their shoulder to prove that they can play big time football.
 

The defense might take a step back this year due to the youth (and the drinking habits of the linebackers), but I'm pretty optimistic about the future on that side of the ball. It's the offense that is holding this team back.
 

Tinsley and Royston and the two factors that will determine if we have a great defense or an improved defense. Of course injuries will be another factor, however we look improved in the DL and the DBs (if Kim makes it back, if not the DBs will be just as good as last year).

The LBs can be as good as last even with the current problems. Remember how everyone discounted Triplett until he started? He spent much of the season hurt as well. These guys don't have immense game time as a whole but they have time in the system and many have game experience, just not as the named starter. More than last year's crew had in the system and Cosgrove knows these players better.

Don't worry about the D, worry about the OL if you must worry (Davis will get it going whatever it takes). Our QBs will be back on track, the best during Brewster by a large margin. RB will be improved as well. Doesn't change the tough schedule, but this team is much better.
 


FROM MY MAN "BIG JEWH" AKA HULK.

Marcus had a nice article about Gopher tackles Jewhan Edwards and Brandon Kirksey Wednesday.

http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers/2010/04/gophers-have-more-size-on-the.html

From my Man "Big Jewh", a quote:

"We might not have as many technique type players, but we have more players that are greedy for tackles," he said. "(Hageman) is more like me as a player, because he's really wild and doesn't care about getting hurt. We're going to be more nasty as a line." I LOVE this kid. He is going to be special.
 

My sense is that Coach Cosgrove is very happy with the players on hand, and who knows, he may find a surprise in the incoming freshman class. Regardless, I think he will find a way to utilize the speed and talent of this very young group, and put together an excellent defense. So guys, don't tip over those canoes and drown before you see for yourself this fall. GO GOPHERS!

I would be very interested in who you think may be a "surprise" in the incoming class, someone who can contribute in their first year. As opposed to previous Brewster classes, I don't see anyone in this one, defensively.
 

I would be very interested in who you think may be a "surprise" in the incoming class, someone who can contribute in their first year. As opposed to previous Brewster classes, I don't see anyone in this one, defensively.

I think the hope is that we don't have to play any of the freshman either a lot necessarily or in critical situations. However I do think at least these two will play in 2010.

In MV's blog he's predicted that Sean Ferguson and James Manuel will play as true freshman.

James Manuel or one of the other freshmen may have to play because of depth issues. While I'm not comparing him to Carter, who played as a true freshman at CB, Manuel because of his size (6-2 200) might be the best choice to play early.

Ferguson is already on campus and a mountain of a man (6-6 330). Kirksey likes him too from Marcus' blog,
"Our younger guys technique wise aren't all the way there, but those guys are strong. Ferguson is as strong as an ox. He can stand up and take on a double team. Just imagine with a little more technique, he'll be in the money."

Graduating early from a good prep school would indicate he's smart enough. Also since he's been able to participate in spring practice he'll have a good head start getting his technique down. Finally Cosgrove likes to play a lot of people on the line it would make sense that he plays.

Thankfully tomorrow is the spring game.
 

I would be very interested in who you think may be a "surprise" in the incoming class, someone who can contribute in their first year. As opposed to previous Brewster classes, I don't see anyone in this one, defensively.

That's why they are called surprises. :D
 






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