10-14-2010, 09:27 PM
Amajoyi...the progressively disappearing LB. Debniak...still looking for a natural position, much less playing time. Bergen hasn\'t displaced anyone ahead of him except when they\'re injured (has played well in reserve relative to the others). Keiser is a rush end who plays standing up. Good against the run, coverage not his gift If we were in the 4-3 he would not be an OLB. The same could be said for Thomas who seems a bit more lost in the other LB tasks that don\'t involve blitzing. Hemschoot (from Colorado) is intriguing but the current Endowed Chair for Being Intriguing is occupied by Debniak. Some thoughtful people said Lueders would be playing major minutes this season. Hasn\'t happened. He\'ll have to win the position the old fashioned way, learn it over time. Has the physical gifts.
Most of these guys above are not disasters or just eternally intriguing. Some are contributing and starting. But right now a converted fullback has them sitting on the bench. A part-timer is better than the alternatives and (to the point) is taking game experience from the guys who will have to carry the load next season. It\'s a tradeoff we\'re willing to make now.
But our position next year will be better than the year after. 2012 Skov will be a senior, Keiser will be gone, Bergen will be gone. If you look into the future, we need three dominant middle linebackers ( Skov, Lueders and ...who? Can Vaughters play with those big boys? The coaching staff thinks so. They bet a scholarship on it. ) Three replacement OLBs, true OLBs with coverage skills and closing speed. That is where Sarao is so intriguing. Can\'t teach game speed. He might be a MLB.
I think things will work out with Lueders, Vaughters and Sarao and one of our intriguing guys blowing up. But I hope we can parlay our success into another good LB class in 2012. Â And, of course, staff stability is the keystone. Â If Harbs is gone, Â our really good class could turn not-so-good.
Most of these guys above are not disasters or just eternally intriguing. Some are contributing and starting. But right now a converted fullback has them sitting on the bench. A part-timer is better than the alternatives and (to the point) is taking game experience from the guys who will have to carry the load next season. It\'s a tradeoff we\'re willing to make now.
But our position next year will be better than the year after. 2012 Skov will be a senior, Keiser will be gone, Bergen will be gone. If you look into the future, we need three dominant middle linebackers ( Skov, Lueders and ...who? Can Vaughters play with those big boys? The coaching staff thinks so. They bet a scholarship on it. ) Three replacement OLBs, true OLBs with coverage skills and closing speed. That is where Sarao is so intriguing. Can\'t teach game speed. He might be a MLB.
I think things will work out with Lueders, Vaughters and Sarao and one of our intriguing guys blowing up. But I hope we can parlay our success into another good LB class in 2012. Â And, of course, staff stability is the keystone. Â If Harbs is gone, Â our really good class could turn not-so-good.