Our linebacker rotation

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CWCWCW

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As I recall, Claeys indicated at the beginning of the year that there would be many players in the linebacker rotation. Lately, it seems that rotation has tightened. When I key on the linebacking group, I see Rallis, Hill, Cooper, and Manuel. That's about it. Did I miss some injuries? I haven't seen Reeves or Beal at all in recent games. Ryan Grant never sees the field, as well as a few others that I thought may see some action.
What's the deal? The talent has a dropoff after the first four? Situations? Injuries?
 



How nice would this D look with Campbell, Triplett, and Lawrence?

Beal played the most he's played in Iowa. I don't think I saw him at all last week. Beal is a plugger, but he's kind of stiff. I believe that's why we haven't seen much of him. I expect to see him a lot more of him Saturday.
 

We will need Beal to help stop the run - love to see him Rallis together. Can they move Rallis to outside where you can use his speed. Remember Rallis was a RB/WR in High School. Also played Safety in HS so he moves well. He struggles to come off blocks which Wisc has good downfield blockers
 


I can't wait until Rallis graduates.
He's hands down the worst player on defense. It boggles the mind why the coaches keep throwing him out there.
 

PurplePride said:
I can't wait until Rallis graduates.
He's hands down the worst player on defense. It boggles the mind why the coaches keep throwing him out there.
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Because they may know more about their players than you?
 

GophersInIowa said:
Because they may know more about their players than you?
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Agreed. Rallis may be horrible at shedding blocks, but he likely is the best option for ILB, which does not say much for our inside linebacking corp.
 

GO4INLALALAND said:
Agreed. Rallis may be horrible at shedding blocks, but he likely is the best option for ILB, which does not say much for our inside linebacking corp.
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Frightened for next year. Basically one of the only positions on the field next year that will be sorely lacking in experience and depth.
 



Ogee Oglethorpe said:
Frightened for next year. Basically one of the only positions on the field next year that will be sorely lacking in experience and depth.
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Yeah, it's kinda crazy how our most experienced position (LB) is also probably our weakest. Hopefully some of the young guys can step in next year. And maybe Beal will have kicked off all the rust after not playing for a few years.
 

Leave Rallis alone. Sid claimed in print the other day that he's one of the top linebacers in the Big Ten....so it must be true.
 

That might be a position that Kill tries to shore up with a JUCO signing in the off-season.

Aside from the linebackers. I see his roster slowly taking form with his guys and the reduced need for JUCOs
 

Linebacker is easily the weakest position on this defense. Beyond the starters and Manuel and Hill there just isn't a lot of depth to the rotation. Probably the biggest reason Edwards was moved to linebacker was lack of good recruited scholarship athletes in this position.
Beal and Grant are slow of feet, and Rallis really isn't that fast, all three lack speed. The game has changed in the Big10 with the exception of Wisconsin everyone will be playing Tiller style basketball on grass in the coming years. You can blame the SEC for this everyone is trying to adapt and play with more speed. Hard to do when there is not a lot of this type of player in your own back yard.
 




IMO it's mostly a scheme issue. I will admit I have not been impressed by the linebackers as a group but in their defense it appears our d-line are taught to rush the QB on every down. As a result the o-line are not kept from getting to the backers. I don't believe this will work at this level and especially in this conference. I guess we'll see.
 

Sportsfan24 said:
IMO it's mostly a scheme issue. I will admit I have not been impressed by the linebackers as a group but in their defense it appears our d-line are taught to rush the QB on every down. As a result the o-line are not kept from getting to the backers. I don't believe this will work at this level and especially in this conference. I guess we'll see.
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When you don't read a guard pull and get across the midline, that's not a scheme issue. (see 48 yard Mark TD)
http://www.nusports.com/allaccess/?media=341010

It's the same scheme they used at Northern Illinois and it gave Wisconsin fits and tight games.

The issue is lack of consistency in reading keys and using the proper shoulder in accordance to filling their gap. That said, Rallis is not a Mike backer...he's playing out of position IMO. He's playing with effort but has more of an OLB skill set.
 

Because Rallis doesn't shed block well, he cheats and runs around blocks, when it works he gets big plays, when he gets caught, you get big plays like NW did Sat. It all takes time and thats why redshirts are immpt. Thats why for awhile we will play New Mex. and not UNC. It will work out if done the right way.
 

OddStack said:
When you don't read a guard pull and get across the midline, that's not a scheme issue. (see 48 yard Mark TD)
http://www.nusports.com/allaccess/?media=341010

It's the same scheme they used at Northern Illinois and it gave Wisconsin fits and tight games.

The issue is lack of consistency in reading keys and using the proper shoulder in accordance to
filling their gap. That said, Rallis is not a Mike backer...he's playing out of position IMO. He's
playing with effort but has more of an OLB skill set.
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Good points; I agree that Rallis is best suited to play outside backer.
 

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