Ok so here is the fun part. I feel pretty comfortable matching up on tgis side. Should I feel more comfortable when our D is on the field? Cuz I see us causing lots of problems up front and in the secondary. If simon and Claiborne are on the outside and we keep tyrann in the nickel. Big sam and Mingo on the edges. Those are some really serious guys u have to gameplan for at crucial game changing positions on D. Chavis said himself that mingo could end up as the premier pass rusher in the SEC. Those are bold words coming from Chavis of all people
Oregon has three real-deal running backs that could give us fits if they have an offensive line that can block.
Red That is the deal, they are concerned about the O-line ! We have a group on our D-line that is ready to match 07 but only time will show that. I think we win the line and shut down much of what they want to do. They will then play to our strength on D force the ball up the field in the air for our INT party.
I agree about Mingo and he has added around 15 lbs ! Sam was amazing before he went down last year. The D was never the same with out him. I agree about Sam and Mingo on the edge being a nightmare for all comers.
You're right, our O-line is a concern. But it's not because we have no talent there. Here are the projected starters: LT: Darrion Weems, sr. 6-5 292 LG: Carson York, jr. 6-5 290 C: Ryan Clanton, jr. 6-4 294 RG: Mark Asper, sr. 6-7 325 RT: Nick Cody, jr. 6-5 296 All fast, athletic kids with quite a bit of experience from last years team. When you run as fast of an offense as Oregon does, the big hogs get tired; so they substituted quite liberally. It's just a matter of them gelling together between now and the beginning of the season. If it does come down to the passing game, Oregon doesn't go deep to often. It's a lot of bubble screens all over the field (Taking what the D give them). There not designed to break big plays, although it happens. They're more to keep the defense running sideline to side line defending the whole field. Once they see who's tired, they exploit it. It's been Chip's M.O. since he came in in 2007 at the OC. Our tight ends Paulson and Williams are lighter, but sure handed, so they're good for a few grabs over the middle per game. An incoming 5 star freshman TE Colt Lyeria at 6-5 230 and runs a 4.5 is a freak. Played RB/FB/TE/LB/DB in high school and tore up our spring game (graduated in Dec. to play this spring). Look for him to get some touches. Oregon has 4 incoming WR's that look to replace our Senior receivers Maehl and Davis. 2 in particular, Devon Blackmon (4.4 speed, with great hands), and especially JUCO WR Rahsaan Vaughn (4.37 speed, with great hands, and good blocker) look to play early. Another kid Tacoi Sumler is lightning fast (4.3, but E-timed this spring at 4.27), but on the small side (5-8, 155). No one on the field can catch him though. Hard to tell how they'll play in the first game of the season at Cowboy stadium though. LSU's secondary is top-notch, so staying underneath is the most likely plan early. Gonna be a great game! I love all the match-ups and sub plots these kind of games bring.
Interesting matchup. Chavis' very successful defenses have been based on allowing some chip shots and preventing the big plays. Chavis rotates a lot of players, they may wait a long time to find anyone tired to exploit. :grin: LSU will be soft underneath until you get into the red zone. Once they are no longer worried about the deep play, things tighten up considerably. Meanwhile your new linemen are going to get tested severely on how they pick up blitzes. LSU backers and backs are very speedy and aggressive.
This is what concerns me. Chavis doesn't like to be aggressive when facing the spread, and we often end up paying the price for it. We certainly have the athletes to stop them, so I'd like to see more emphasis on assignment football. That's how to slow down the spread.
I like what Chief is doing, this year he has the players in the positions to make the plays. At times people thought Mingo was a guy to bring in on 3rd. and longs. He's getting to be an every down player. This defense is coming together, gonna be a fun one to keep an eye on this year.
What team are you watching? Chavis is always aggressive. What you might be pointing to was the AU/OL Piss game… In the AU beat down, the scheme was good, it had more to do with piss poor tackling. Every play that cam made, he broke a tackle( or 2, 3, or 4). Fundamentals are key. It could very well be stated that we were OVER aggressive and it hurts us a lot IMO, but they make up for it…
