I'd be much more worried with how CB Dee Milliner left early if i were you. He was the best CB in the country, first one taken in the draft (#9 overall by the Jets to replace Darrelle Revis), First Team All-SEC, and was the only Unanimous All-American at DB last year from the SEC or any major conference. Replacing him you have Belue and Fulton as your two CBs, and they aren't projected to go higher than 5th Round, and are expected to be the weakest link in your defense unless they finally start becoming more consistent Meanwhile, we replace Reid with Ronald Martin, who is currently ranked the #3 FS in the junior class nation-wise. Plus, safety is the deepest position on our whole team with 4 guys returning who played in every game last year, plus a 5th guy that played in 9 games last year You also lose 3 year starter Robert Lester at S Here's a pic of Ronald Martin who had five tackles vs you guys last year. He was an absolute freak in high school...at a small high school in a small town right there across the river from Tiger Stadium
Here is the pre-Fall Practice scouting reports LSU wrote about our LBs on their LSUSports.net bios. So far, they only have Debo Jones labelled as a big-hitter: Veterans 232 lbs. - Lamin Barrow - will be LSU’s leader on defense … Can play either inside or outside linebacker … Will be one of the top linebackers in the SEC as a senior in 2013 226 lbs. - DJ Welter - came out of spring as the starter at middle linebacker in 2013 … Will replace Kevin Minter at Mike linebacker … Given the 2013 Alvin Roy Fourth Quarter Award following spring practice for his outstanding performance during LSU's off-season ... Was also one of a handful of players to earn the Most Improved Award following spring practice … Smart player with good instincts … Has a knack for finding the football 205 lbs. - Tahj Jones - will be expected to start at one of the outside linebacker positions in 2013 ... great quickness and toughness Second Year Guys 230 lbs. - Ronnie Feist - Versatile defender who cross-trained at defensive end during the spring … A proven linebacker, has the size and strength to move to defensive end 227 lbs. - Trey Granier - has the size and the athletic ability to play either inside or outside linebacker for the Tigers 220 lbs. - Lamar Louis - Versatile player who will compete for a starting spot at Mike linebacker after seeing extensive playing time as a freshman … Played in 11 games as a true freshman, starting five times 215 lbs. - Kwon Alexander - made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2012 … Can play either of the outside linebacker positions … Smart player with good instincts 215 lbs. - Lorenzo Phillips - Talented prospect who is expected to compete for playing time at the Will linebacker position … Promising athlete with good size and speed 202 lbs. - Debo Jones - Hard-hitting linebacker who will challenge for a starting role in 2013 … Made a name for himself as a true freshman in 2012 with devastating tackles on kickoff coverage … Good quickness and instincts … Can actually play inside or outside linebacker. Tall and rangy with toughness and good speed … Quick enough to make plays even though he may be out of position … Good vision … Made an impact on kickoff coverage with hard-hitting tackles and devastating hits True Freshmen 245 lbs. - Melvin Jones - Tremendous athlete who will bring size and speed to the linebacker position 225 lbs. - Kendell Beckwith - One of the nation’s premier outside linebacker prospects for the Class of 2013 … Possesses great strength and athleticism 205 lbs. - Duke Riley - A speedy linebacker that has the ability to put pressure on the quarterback and cover receivers down field
In that we are making comparisons, you guys did OK when Claiborne took his talents to Dallas. The talent level between the two is eerily similar, don't you agree? Don't leave out Geno Smith who played meaningful minutes in the SEC and NC games. The safety position is going to be a force for the Tide. With Clinton-Dix, and Landon Collins, Sunseri, Nick Perry at safeties, they are ball-hawkers with great range. If you follow a Nick Saban coached secondary, you know they will play as one.
Debo isn't really a big hitter. His comes from speed. Mike Brooks would drop a guy like he hit a Brinks Truck, even if he was standing still. He just had that ability to just uncoil from his hips and deliver tremendous blows.
You really are annoying w/your NS references. I mean that last sentence is completely unnecessary on a forum where that dude coached for 4 years. We don't give a shit about any of that, comprende?
Just try to remember all the good things I have to say about Les and your coaching staff. It's A-1 from top to bottom. That help?
We did ok without Claiborne, but still took a dip going from Claiborne/Simon to Simon/Mills #8 to #28 in passing ypg allowed #3 to #11 in pass efficiency D #2 to #18 in passing TD allowed #8 to #21 in opposing QB completion % In each of the last four games we gave up 300 plus passing yards... 346 to Clemson 359 to Arkansas 316 to Ole Miss 304 to Miss St The year before with Claiborne, the only team to throw for more than 240 on us (which Oregon did) was WV with Geno Smith (2nd R), Tavon Austim (#8 overall, 1st R), Stedman Bailey (3rd R)
Granier, who was the only one of our six 2nd-year LBs who didn't see the field last year, has left the team and will transfer to another school, per the Times Picayune Also, Melvin Jones, one of our 3 incoming true freshman LBs has been reportedly moved to FB, per the Times Picayune (he could be the best FB we've ever had)
