STrib: Gophers' linebacking duo settle in as leaders on defense

[BleedGopher]

per Joe:

Their learning curves were steep, and their bodies were works in progress. The 6-2 Wilson was too heavy. The 6-5 Campbell was too thin.

Now both weigh about 240 pounds. Wilson shed 15 pounds to get there, and Campbell added about 20.

“You just watch practice, and they move around a lot faster [than last year],” defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys said. “There’s no hesitation in them. They know what they’re doing. Those are two of the better linebackers in the Big Ten, in my opinion.”

The Gophers are counting on Wilson and Campbell to be difference-makers for a defense that ranked 25th nationally last year in points allowed (22.2 per game) and expects to improve. The secondary remains strong, but defensive line depth is a question mark, and the linebackers must be better, especially against the run.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/270624251.html

Go Gophers!!

 

[husker70]

No mention of who the third linebacker is. Is it Lynn?

 

[Indi1006]

No mention of who the third linebacker is. Is it Lynn?

Yes. I like Lynn I think he will make plays.

 

[MNVCGUY]

No mention of who the third linebacker is. Is it Lynn?

Yeah that is the spot that worries me more than the other two. Wilson and Campbell should be fine but need someone to step up and grab that third spot. In the end though it still comes down to the D-Line because if they get beat at the line of scrimmage it really doesn't matter how good the LB's are.

 

[8151]

I think Laster will be hard to keep off the field.

 

[die hard gopher]

The more i think about it the more i think our LBs will be better than a year ago. Both of the OLBs, Campbell and Lynn, improve both our size and length without sacrificing any athleticism. Hill and Manuel were 6-2, 230 and 6-2, 225 respectively while Lynn is at 6-3, 240 and Campbell is at 6-5, 240. I do believe Lynn is just as athletic as Hill was and while he may not be quite as athletic as Manuel was, Campbell is.

 

[Spoofin]

The more i think about it the more i think our LBs will be better than a year ago. Both of the OLBs, Campbell and Lynn, improve both our size and length without sacrificing any athleticism. Hill and Manuel were 6-2, 230 and 6-2, 225 respectively while Lynn is at 6-3, 240 and Campbell is at 6-5, 240. I do believe Lynn is just as athletic as Hill was and while he may not be quite as athletic as Manuel was, Campbell is.

Hearing good things about our young guys too. Little in the D has me concerned right now.

 

[corcoran1]

The more i think about it the more i think our LBs will be better than a year ago. Both of the OLBs, Campbell and Lynn, improve both our size and length without sacrificing any athleticism. Hill and Manuel were 6-2, 230 and 6-2, 225 respectively while Lynn is at 6-3, 240 and Campbell is at 6-5, 240. I do believe Lynn is just as athletic as Hill was and while he may not be quite as athletic as Manuel was, Campbell is.

I believe Lynn is quite a bit more athletic than Hill. Hill's strength was that he was smart and worked really hard. I think Lynn is smart as well, and is a lot faster. He needs experience to reach Hill's level of understanding the game.