What The "d" Could Look Like

[Harry]

http://www.gomeangreen.com

[BIG DAWG]

You are right...this defense could be decent. I agree with Vito in his blog entry about Atkinson today that this defense won't be as good as the bowl year defenses, but could be GREATLY improved. A greatly improved defense could make this season fun to watch...for the first time in a long time. GO MEAN GREEN!

[NT03]

Not bad predictions. I would think the most heated battles will be at the DTs & the 3rd LB spot. I'm hoping between Canty,Franklin,White,Hawthorne & Ross someone will step up and take the job outright.My bet, Franklin.

I can't be sold on Scott just yet at LB and I don't think Penson will just give his spot up too easily.. Robbie Deheck could be a darkhorse in the mix.

I think we will be much improved , but compared to the last 2 seasons that's not really saying too much

[Harry]

The thing that Atkinson brings is he forces teams we play against to consider the double team. I just did not see one of our interior linemen command a double team last season and that really caused problems for our linebackers against the run. The thing I didn't address in the article is depth and that - especially in the front four - was in play when we had our bowl runs. Developing some depth at d-tackle and d-end is critical for us in 2009.

[H-towngreen]

Agree with you NT03 the DT spot and LB battle with Scott and Penson should be interesting. I think that Penson will pull it out, and I think that Draylon Ross or Cantly might step up to the DT spot.

[Travis]

Not bad predictions. I would think the most heated battles will be at the DTs & the 3rd LB spot. I'm hoping between Canty,Franklin,White,Hawthorne & Ross someone will step up and take the job outright.My bet, Franklin.

I would love to see Franklin get the nod. He was the recruit I was most excited about signing last year.

[LongJim]

The thing I didn't address in the article is depth and that - especially in the front four - was in play when we had our bowl runs. Developing some depth at d-tackle and d-end is critical for us in 2009.

This.

There is cause for some optimism here, though. It will be an interesting spring.

[greenminer]

This.

There is cause for some optimism here, though. It will be an interesting spring.

agreed. Excited for Atkinson and our potential, but I'll believe things when I see them.

[UNT Mean Green]

Nice work, Harry. It seems like there could be some viable combinations of players to get to that starting 11. Hopefully some of the young player's experience last year will prove to be a positive from this point forward for them, especially since so many guys were on the field for the first time.

My realistic hope. Give up 14 less points per game and score 10 more per game. I think both could be a strong possibility. If Special Teams get fixed, (which was good for giving up almost 1 TD/game) and the Defense is good for 1 TD/10 points less a game, that's where I'm coming up with this. I still believe that ratio could be one of scoring less points than your giving up, however, I am weighing the Alabama game in there. When you throw out a 56-10 type of score, your points scored vs. points allowed ratio would probably be ahead at that point, which means your winning more.

[UNTLifer]

Just a thought, but does Troy Franklin have the speed and quickness to go back to around 270/275lbs and play DE? I'm pleased with the potential depth at DT, but am a little worried about DE. I hope we sign one or two DE's in this class.

[GrandGreen]

I think that other than Gilmore hopefully at de, the rest of the defensive positions are up for grabs. At DE, NT actually has a number of players that could elevate their game to be good Belt players. I think the main competition for the other starter will be between Owussu-Heming, who is probably the best athlete among the other de's, and Sykes who apparently got the coaches excited last year but never quite turned the corner. Russo did come on at the end of the year and could challenge as could a seniors Cole and Stewart. Pending no more turnover, de should have some depth.

The starting dt positions should be wide open. Atkinson not going to spring practice is going to hinder his early play. I look for Ross and Desoto to be the starting dts, both showed significant improvement at the end of the year. I think the rotation will be Ross, Desoto, Atkinson and Brown. I hope Cantly, Hawthorne and Franklin can contribute but I don't see them challenging for a starting role.

Robertson and Nwigwe should return as starters at linebacker with juco Charles battling Pinson for the third position. Warren should be a solid backup but after that there is not much experience.

The defensive backfield should be much better (it would almost have to be). Three year starter Bush will be one cornerback. The other corner will probably be the juco Smith. I look for Hill to be the primary backup, with Cook and Adams contributing. The safeties should be returning starters Williams and Kylee Hill with Shorter and Agbottoh.

I do think this defense has the potential to be at least adequate in the Belt. The talent level is improving but more importantly one more year of Deloach's leadership should be seen on the field.

[BIG DAWG]

The starting dt positions should be wide open. Atkinson not going to spring practice is going to hinder his early play. I look for Ross and Desoto to be the starting dts, both showed significant improvement at the end of the year. I think the rotation will be Ross, Desoto, Atkinson and Brown. I hope Cantly, Hawthorne and Franklin can contribute but I don't see them challenging for a starting role.

1) Atkinson is a starter when he steps on campus

2) Brown needs to move back to DE...he should not spend another down at DT if we bring in the DT's that we currently have committed, and we don't lose anyone to grades

3) Watch out for Cantly...this kid is big and has had a year to learn the system...we need him to be a big contributor this season

[eulessismore]

1) Atkinson is a starter when he steps on campus

2) Brown needs to move back to DE...he should not spend another down at DT if we bring in the DT's that we currently have committed, and we don't lose anyone to grades

3) Watch out for Cantly...this kid is big and has had a year to learn the system...we need him to be a big contributor this season

I've heard very good things about him from someone who should know, who says "the guy's a hoss!".

[BIG DAWG]

I've heard very good things about him from someone who should know, who says "the guy's a hoss!".

If Cantly can be a player this season that could be some of the best news of 2009...developing a DT that will be a solid contributor for 4 years. We have seen how difficult it is to bring in DTs that can solidly contribute.

It would be nice to dominate the middle of the D-Line again.