First Practice Report

meangreen18 · February 16, 2006

I agree that the 3-4 will allow us to get our most talented athletes on the field at the same time but I'm not sure how we use our current defensive ends. Do we also move Chapman and Ransom to LB? Because it doesn't seem as if either is large enough to play in a 3-man line, we could become even more vulnerable. Unless Miller and/or Peachey really bulked up, we'll only have three 290+ pounders on the DL and two have had health problems and the other is a true freshman.
I feel that Bliel will work it out and only use a 3-4 if the personnel fit better in that formation....but, I can't get warm and fuzzy until I see how it works.
←

If you noticed, towards the end of last season, Ransom played quit a bit of stand up end. I think his injuries played a big part in that but nonetheless he still played some of that position. I wish "Big Cat" T.J. Raymond was still here b/c he would be perfect to slide into the nose gaurd position in a 3-4. Chapman will definately stay in a 3-point stance and play the end position of the front. As stated earlier, the key will be who will play the nose gaurd spot. We need someone big who can take on a couple of blockers play in and play out in order to clog the middle up which allows for room in order for the LB's to make plays. The first person that comes to mind here is Sky Pruitt. He's got a big, wide body that will for sure take up some space in there. The other d-line position will be more like your traditional 3 or 4 tech. defensive tackle. This could be a wide range of people. I really like the move of Gilmore to a stand up end. He has very long arms and if he gets stronger, he will be a real presence speed rushing the from the outside edge.