I was relieved to here that Beckwith should be back for the Arkansas game, if not the Ole Miss game. On the punt return for the touchdown in the Bama game I noticed how our #54 looked slow and unable to change direction quickly. I had no idea at the time #54 was Cutrera, until I looked it up on the roster today, (unless we have 2 number 54's). Sometimes slowness to react and play with speed is a function of inexperience, I know that. I read that Miles may try playing with Sanders in the middle and use a backup OLB at times. I am glad that he is willing to try this and see if it is in our best interest. It is not my intent to trash Cutrera and he may develop into a beast, but I don't think Miles would have mentioned experimenting with moving Sanders to MLB if he felt completely comfortable with Cutrera. Hasn't Sanders played MLB before? That may also have a lot to do with it, if Miles feels it is a natural position for him.
I have a question about the punt return. How long has Lafell been on the punt converage team? He overran every punt in the Alabama game. He was the first downfield for the Arenas return too.
LaFell's job on punt coverage is contain, his job is to get there first and prevent the cut back. Fisher's punts were a little low last week and pretty much everyone was getting there too soon. Espcecially on the one that was returned for a TD...
He definitely made Arenas cut inside... :hihi: btw where was Steltz and Hester on that punt return aren't they usually in the game.
I didn't realize that you could get down the field "too soon" on a punt return. And if the punts were too low then that would mean it would be harder for the coverage team to get there in time, not too soon. Try your post again.
I agree with islstl, but my thread was hijacked in a sense. It was about playing linebacker, not punt returns. I spoke about the punt return because it is where I noticed Cutrera. My concern is how we do at LB with Beckwith out.
At least we have this week against La Tech to move Sanders and Cutrera and others around to find who can fill the shoes until Beckwith returns.
Yes, it is good we have this game to experiment with, but I am never at ease with any opponent and would prefer our #1's on the field until the game is in hand. The other aspect is that if LaTech is a passing team it may predispose Miles to playing a more agile, speedy LB for LaTech than he would play against Ole Miss or RunDMC. Therefore, he still may not know who is better suited to play against Ole Miss. I really do not want to entertain the possibility of Beckwith not being with us to stop the Arkansas running game.
But Cutrera has been Beckwith's primary sub for our base defense. Try not to judge Cutrera based on a punt return. Chances are, he's gotten lots of playing time on our defense in meaningful games and the fact that you haven't heard his name is that he was doing his job and not getting beat. He doesn't have the game-changing abilities like Beckwith, but Cutrera is solid enough, IMO. As a player, you hear your name being called on two types of plays: 1.) When you make a great play 2.) When you miss an assignment that results in a big play Look at Sanders. Highsmith and Beckwith get most of the recognition because of their big plays, but Sanders simply goes out there and does most things the right way--the little things if you will--that would result in BIG things had he not done his job. We'll be fine at LB till Beckwith is 100%.
