Minter will be on the field but no way Sheppard is moving over to OLB. Sheppard said that Minter may get some PT at OLB so both can be on the field. As for Adams vs Mingo: Miles just said that he expects him to start most of the season and be heavily involved. Mingo is a great pass rusher but still needs to add weight to be an every down DE. Mingo has the advantage rushing off the edge with his speed and therefore we will see him on obvious passing downs and 3rd and long situations. Loston may take over Eugene but everything hasn't clicked yet based on camp reports. He is just about there though. Eugene was ahead of him in the spring. We will see Loston rotating in for sure though.
The starting defense is exciting, and the top 4 LBers are awesome. But I don't really like our depth there. I hope T. Jones, Maclin, and others prove me wrong.
My projections are based on mid-season: I think that Dickson may start at FB, and have Theriot backing him up. Dickson is supposed to be very college-ready. He's not the biggest but he should be big enough. I also think Aghayere falls down to 3rd string, behind Mingo. I like Tahj Jones, but just feel like Maclin passes him up and is strongly pushing for PT this year.
I have the DEs on the wrong side. Edwards and Aghayere are at LDE. Adams and Montgomery at RDE. Montgomery/Adams may slide over to LDE on obvious passing situations and Mingo goes to RDE.
Interesting article on the average star rankings of each SEC team's 2010 post-spring rosters based on the Rivals and Scout recruiting rankings: Talent on SEC Rosters by Average Star Ranking - Team Speed Kills Overall 1. Florida 3.84 2/3t. Bama 3.66 2/3t. Georgia 3.66 4. LSU 3.63 Defense 1. Alabama 4.09 2. Florida 3.86 3/4t. South Carolina 3.77 3/4t. LSU 3.77 5. Georgia 3.73 Offense 1. Florida 4.36 2. LSU 3.86 3/4t. Auburn 3.73 3/4t. Georgia 3.73 5. Alabama 3.68 6. Arkansas 3.50
Defensive Depth Chart based on the 1st 2 days of Fall practice: DE Montgomery, Edwards DT Nevis, Brockers DT Livingston, Downs DE Adams, Aghayere S Eugene, Loston S Taylor, Hatcher CB Pat Pete, Brooks CB Claiborne, St. Julien (Matheiu) SLB Francois, Jones (Maclin) MLB Sheppard, Minter WLB Baker, Barrow (Jones) Offensive: QB Jefferson, Lee RB Ridley, Murphy, Ford FB Stampley, Dugas (Theriot, Dickson, Worle) TE Peterson, Clement (Branch Blocking TE) WR Toliver, Shep, Randle, Tolliver, Boone LT Barksdale, Faulk LG Josh D, Branch (Josh is still sick) C Longeran, Hebert RG Blackwell, Williford RT Hurst, Shaw
I hope it stays that way. If we are going to run a Chavis style defense, then let's totally commit to it.
I like our depth in the secondary above anything else. I think we'll be ok at LB but what concerns me is along the D-line. We really need Nevis to step up and be the BIG bodied, dominant D-lineman we had until last season when we sorta lacked that for the first time in years. The D-line looks lighter this year than it has (or is it just me??).
