Like most, I believe Aranda was a great hire, and I believe he will have great defenses at LSU. That stated, I can't tell what the current defense's identity is at this point. Key has been great, but I am not totally convinced the line as a whole is ready for the better offenses we'll be facing. Beckwith looked better last night, but the LBs as a whole don't seem to be making a lot of plays. The DBs in general have been a little underwhelming, particularly Tolliver. Which of these groups is most likely to emerge as the strength of this defense?
Defensive line looks hell of a lot better than last year. We're getting the push and I like what I'm seeing from our ends Key and Neal!!! Once we recruit some line backers to Run 3-4 scheme our defense will look much like it did in 2011. Valentine is the first installation of our new look and he will only get better. Once again our defense is saving Les Miles his job but I think Alleva will be smart and make Aranda the new head coach once Miles contract ends.
I agree that the D-line looks much better than last year. Hate to say it, but losing LaCouture was addition by subtraction. But is the line the strength of this defense? I think the LBs might be the weakest group, which is interesting because LBs seemed to be the key to Aranda's defenses at Wisconsin.
I'm defiantly giving Aranda a few more seasons to get some guys in at LB. I'm hoping we land Dylan Moses!!! That would be a start.
We still really don't have the personnel to run the 3-4. Next season you will start to see it gel. Wait until you see Rashard Lawrence on that line and Travonte Valentine once he gets a year in Moffit's conditioning program. I completely agree on Kevin Tolliver, I actually like Jackson more. Tolliver is always right with his man but doesn't play the ball very well. Linebacker is another issue. LSU needs to sign a lot of them this year.
Aranda will prove to be a great hire. Remember he is running a D for which players were not recruited. And the D, other that corners and safeties looks pretty good. Given some time to get the type guys he needs, it will be all good. Only issue is the front three have to be BIG 10, big, but SEC fast. Might be tough to find. Hope not!
The D line is better than last year, but has a way to go. We are undersized, particularly for a 3-4 D, which is a leftover byproduct of the Chavis days. The freshman we have on backup are in most cases heavier than our starters. In two years. I think we will have a stud defense under Aranda.
Tolliver playing pretty well considering everything is coming either his or Jackson's way. QBs are pretty much staying the fu&k away from TWhite18. Tolliver definitely needs to work on his ball skills though.
As most of you are saying already, I think the D is definitely improved (and still improving). Whatever happens this year, I think we see a much better, more 'connected' D next season - or even later in this season (hopefully).
On both of the long completions Tolliver had his man covered well enough. He just failed to look at where the ball was. If he had he would have prevented the completions. Tolliver doesn't seem to be making progress from the promise he showed last year. I would like to see Jackson get some snaps at WR. Nobody is going to have the speed to stay with him.
