I really do not think he is the best option we have, Like i have stated many times over, I know DJ and his family, pretty well, he is not an sec Mike LB'er, we are without a doubt "stiffer" up the middle when beckwith is in there.
http://theadvocate.com/sports/10350836-32/missed-tackles-communication-issues-haunt Kendell Beckwith dove as far as he could. Mississippi State running back Josh Robinson easily cleared Beckwith’s flailing hands during a 66-yard run. Ronald Martin lunged as hard as he could. Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott threw his hand toward Martin, pushing the LSU safety to the ground during a 56-yard touchdown dash. LSU defenders missed tackles, were out of position and had communications breakdowns in the Tigers’ 34-29 loss Saturday, and those two explosive plays represent the biggest miscues — and repercussions — of all. The soft interior of LSU’s defensive line isn’t the only thing Mississippi State exposed Saturday. When the Bulldogs got to the second level, there was often no one there. Linebackers were spread out covering four and, sometimes, even five receivers. Safeties were sometimes deep doing the same. For instance, on Robinson’s 66-yard run, LSU had five players in the box. Mississippi State had six blockers. Beckwith, lined up across from a slot receiver, raced back into the picture, but it was too late. On Prescott’s run, LSU had five players in the box. State had five blockers. On both plays — and others throughout the game — communication broke down. “Checks” weren’t made in situations in which State spread the Tigers’ second level thin. A player can adjust to another defensive set and change alignments with “checks.” “We have a couple of checks, different ways of getting different people into the box,” Welter said. “We didn’t do a good job of that as a whole, the whole defense. Any of us can check it. We didn’t do a good job of communicating it.” Jones said: “A lot of communication didn’t get through, like strength calls. It hurt us.” Beckwith suggested that might have been at fault for some of the communication issues. He’s in his first year playing middle linebacker. “Just checks. When you’re first learning the position, (there are) things you learn that you’ve got to remember,” Beckwith said. “Certain things we should have done. A lot of things. It could have been prevented. Us checking stuff.” In end, though, he can’t harp on the woes too long. “You’ve got to move forward, get ready for this next week,” Beckwith said. “Try not to let it happen again.”
I thought that was DJ's strong suit though, lining up the players that need to be lined up and where.
Please don't confuse A bad game by almost the entire defense with the bad game that 31 has every time he trots out there.
The most important stat is the solo tackle. The assisted tackle is misleading often times, and especially in #31's case. Most of his assisted tackles are of the very cheap variety.
Says who? These players are taught to make gang tackles. You have an issue with that? Of course, only Welters tackles are meaningless.
I understand that Beckwith is bigger and faster than Welter. If that was everything, he would be starting already. Les has said that he has earned more playing time and that is how it should be. This NM State game would be a good time to play Beckwith a lot and see if he can do everything including calling the plays, being in the right position, and getting back into pass coverage. Auburn is coming up and Beckwith could use the workout to make his case if he is ready. I think Chief will start him when he turns that corner. Meanwhile, I don't see how fanboys lambasting Welter incessantly helps anything.
I think Welter is a weakness but so are all the LB's not named Kwon Alexander. I would rather see Beckwith in there only because he has to learn and has upside. Welter has a very limited ceiling. The problem is the entire unit outside of Kwon takes very poor angles and need to take a remedial tackling class. They are that poor in fundamentals.
That's what I don't understand. I heard all the communication issues and whatnot, but I'm not sure that's the complete picture. Seems as if there are individuals trying to make a play instead of buying in to the team concept. Maybe a function of having so many dudes leaving for the NFL?
