I think if we had to rank the 3 groups of our D, we would all agree that LB's would come in 3rd. Does anybody know of any strong pure LB's currently being recruited? I like Muncie and wish he got more PT Also, is putting Mingo at LB not an option for us? --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.924878,-95.584846
Mingo's too wirey for LB. That might seem strange considering he plays on the D-Line, but good LB's are stout guys with thick builds. He'll never be that at his height. He's like a gazelle. He'll have to stay in the 250-260 range to be a good pro DE or rush LB in a 3-4, but he just doesn't have the body type for the traditinoal LB position we need in a 3-4. Mingo really has the body type of a basketball player. It would be akin to asking Dwight Freeney to play LB. He's a big dude, but he's not built for that.
LSU's linebacker play has been quiet this year, I think that is in part due to scheme and in part due to player personnel. Fortunately, with the shift to spread offenses and high powered passing attacks, our LB play will not likely be exposed often this season. But against Bama, a power running team with a big Oline and downhill running RBs, LSU's linebackers will have to make stops and be able to withstand a pounding attack. To me that is my biggest concern, heading into the thick of SEC play. Like the poster above said, Mingo doesnt have the body style to take on lead blockers, he is built for speed rush around the edge. He may play OLB in a 3-4 scheme but that is not LSU.
They call him a nickleback, but Tyrann lines up like a strong-side linebacker a lot. And he has not been quiet.
True, with the DL getting the push, LB'ers are keeping the middle. Sometimes Blitzing, making plays, confusing the QB's. Bakers stats are a little off, missing one game. The little one TM7, moved anywhere on the field is the main thing. He goes all over the field by design. Over his short span in 18 games. He has: 92 Tackles 12.5 Tackles for loss 6 Sacks 11 Ints. 2 QB Hurries 9 Forced Fumbles 6 Fumble Recoveries HB7, keeping offenses guessing. Hes a "Highlight" waiting to happen. :tigereye:
Of course Tyrann hasn't been quiet, but he is not a linebacker, he is a nickle back, like you said, that gets moved all over. Which is why I said the scheme is keeping the LBs quiet just as much as anything. But if Chavis has him lined up as a nickle back in the box against Bama as an answer to stop their power running game, I think that could be trouble.
This is a thread about our LB play, which has been quiet. Which is largely due to the design of LSU's defense, the teams on the schedule, and the freakish play of Tyrann. My point of concern is how LSU's scheme will match up against a pounding running attack. I don't intend to blaspheme Tyrann at all, this thread was about the LBs and if there is a concern on the defensive side of the ball it is the LBs in my opinion. They may step up against a pounding running attack, but with the packages LSU runs and two of the three frontline LBs being converted safeties it is just a concern of mine and nothing more. In my opinion, we will see alot more Minter against Bama and Auburn because of their style of offense.
Remember last year the leading tacklers were Sheppard Baker Hatcher HB7 Nevis Taylor PP7 Mo Francois Mingo I'll guess Chief knows what he doing with the LB'ers. This year Bakers numbers are off a little after missing a game. Minter is 6th. on the team in tackles. Remember also, the number of players that have played in games. If you look at the breakdown, you'll see that 4-Blue has more tackles than Brooks, Edwards, Adams, Hatcher, Bryant, Loston, Freak and a few more. His tackles are all from Special teams. Spread the wealth.
