STrib: Safety depth is one area of concern for Gophers defense

[BleedGopher]

per Joe:

Heading into training camp Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys was listing reasons why he'll be disappointed if the defense doesn't take yet another step this season. Besides having talented starters, Claeys pointed to the experience and depth for the linebackers, defensive line and cornerbacks.

"The only thing that can throw us off is, it's going to be important that our safeties stay healthy," Claeys said. "That’s the one where we’re going to get young in a hurry [beyond the starters]."

http://www.startribune.com/safety-depth-is-one-area-of-concern-for-gophers-defense/321799991/

Go Gophers!!

 

[Halsey Hall]

per Joe:

Heading into training camp Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys was listing reasons why he'll be disappointed if the defense doesn't take yet another step this season. Besides having talented starters, Claeys pointed to the experience and depth for the linebackers, defensive line and cornerbacks.

"The only thing that can throw us off is, it's going to be important that our safeties stay healthy," Claeys said. "That’s the one where we’re going to get young in a hurry [beyond the starters]."

http://www.startribune.com/safety-depth-is-one-area-of-concern-for-gophers-defense/321799991/

Go Gophers!!

Ace Rogers??

 

[Gopher028]

Demarius Travis, Antonio Johnson, Ace Rogers and Dior Johnson (fr)

 

[bottlebass]

I was going to question this but then I saw the quote was from Claeys. He's the real deal and I would trust him if he told he saw a flying spaghetti monster.

 

[jaymil]

Demarius Travis, Antonio Johnson, Ace Rogers and Dior Johnson (fr)

Ayinde is in the mix as well.

Seems like all Claeys is saying is the safeties behind Travis and Johnson have minimal experience so you never know for sure what you have until the lights come on.

 

[Costa Rican Gopher]

Demarius Travis, Antonio Johnson, Ace Rogers and Dior Johnson (fr)

Demarius Travis, Antonio Johnson, Ace Rogers, Duke McGhee, Jacob Huff and Dior Johnson.

 

[Schnauzer]

It used to be like this at nearly every position

 

[bottlebass]

It used to be like this at nearly every position

It use to be we didn't even have competent B1G starters at most positions. We have come so far in Kill's tenure.

 

[Gopher028]

Demarius Travis, Antonio Johnson, Ace Rogers, Duke McGhee, Jacob Huff and Dior Johnson.

Truth.
If that's the depth they're worried about.....then i'm confident about our depth. I know two of them are true frosh, but they're both really good and all I hear is how Duke McGhee is tearing it up.

 

[Costa Rican Gopher]

Truth.
If that's the depth they're worried about.....then i'm confident about our depth. I know two of them are true frosh, but they're both really good and all I hear is how Duke McGhee is tearing it up.

Huff was here for Spring practice which is a huge advantage. He & Dior are both physically ready to play, but it takes a while to understand the assignments & get adjusted to college life. Huff had all Spring & Summer to get it figured out. There's also the adjustment to college. That is to say, guys like Dior Johnson are still getting settled into their dorm rooms, getting to know their roommates, figuring out where lunch is served, how to do their own laundry, etc. Huff's got all that figured out already which helps him focus on football.

Also Ayinde (Sp?) the walk-on gets some snaps. Ryan Burns is extremely high on him. I think we can count on him as a depth guy as well.

 

[hungan1]

I can see some of the true freshmen safeties getting playing time . They don't want to come into next season with deficits in experience after the seniors graduate... IMHO