[BostonCard]

https://twitter.com/philsteele042/status...0080924672

I love it when we are one of the "usual suspects" near the top...

BC

[BostonCard]

https://twitter.com/philsteele042/status...0080924672

I love it when we are one of the "usual suspects" near the top...

BC

[winflop]

I agree but I fail to understand why. ILB was by far the weakest link in last year's defense and I don't see much in the way of positive change there. I think moving Alfieri was a sign of desperation not because he was better suited to the position.

[winflop]

I agree but I fail to understand why. ILB was by far the weakest link in last year's defense and I don't see much in the way of positive change there. I think moving Alfieri was a sign of desperation not because he was better suited to the position.

[fullmetal]

By far?  Injury caused some other positions to look weak too...and let's not forget the absence of pass rush or run-stopping vs. UW/WSU :(  Alfieri had two memorable INTs--did he give up any big plays?

It's true the platoon rotation at ILB was an indirect sign of no-confidence.

[fullmetal]

By far?  Injury caused some other positions to look weak too...and let's not forget the absence of pass rush or run-stopping vs. UW/WSU :(  Alfieri had two memorable INTs--did he give up any big plays?

It's true the platoon rotation at ILB was an indirect sign of no-confidence.

[qwerty49]

It's true the platoon rotation at ILB was an indirect sign of no-confidence.

I think the main strength at LB this fall is strength in numbers.  Even without
Alfieri, our 2-deep at OLB includes Kalambayi, Tyler, Toohill, Robinson.

Last year's rotation at ILB just seemed to be the result of no one player dominating to the point of being a permanent starter.  If Alfieri is at ILB this fall, I would be amazed if he did not start there.  That leaves at least 5-6 guys competing for the other ILB starting spot.

I view ILB as a big priority for us because aside from Philips, no one else is really proven up front.  Our ILBs are going to be pretty busy.

[qwerty49]

It's true the platoon rotation at ILB was an indirect sign of no-confidence.

I think the main strength at LB this fall is strength in numbers.  Even without
Alfieri, our 2-deep at OLB includes Kalambayi, Tyler, Toohill, Robinson.

Last year's rotation at ILB just seemed to be the result of no one player dominating to the point of being a permanent starter.  If Alfieri is at ILB this fall, I would be amazed if he did not start there.  That leaves at least 5-6 guys competing for the other ILB starting spot.

I view ILB as a big priority for us because aside from Philips, no one else is really proven up front.  Our ILBs are going to be pretty busy.

[washingtonismoney]

I wouldn't call ILB a strength last year but the coaches over-rotated and made the position look weaker than it was. Going to three deep on pairings was bizarre and unnecessary. If the coaches pare back on their rotation this year the position should be at worst solid -- and of course, if Alfieri takes to his position switch inside, the position could be good.

[washingtonismoney]

I wouldn't call ILB a strength last year but the coaches over-rotated and made the position look weaker than it was. Going to three deep on pairings was bizarre and unnecessary. If the coaches pare back on their rotation this year the position should be at worst solid -- and of course, if Alfieri takes to his position switch inside, the position could be good.

[winflop]

By far?  Injury caused some other positions to look weak too...and let's not forget the absence of pass rush or run-stopping vs. UW/WSU :(  Alfieri had two memorable INTs--did he give up any big plays?

It's true the platoon rotation at ILB was an indirect sign of no-confidence.

Run-stopping was the direct result of poor ILB play, Alfieri was an OLB last season, and when you have six ILBs you have none.

Injuries did hamper other position groups but were there major injury issues at ILB? I don't recall them hence that doesn't explain the poor interior run defense as well as poor pass coverage on TEs and RBs.

[winflop]

By far?  Injury caused some other positions to look weak too...and let's not forget the absence of pass rush or run-stopping vs. UW/WSU :(  Alfieri had two memorable INTs--did he give up any big plays?

It's true the platoon rotation at ILB was an indirect sign of no-confidence.

Run-stopping was the direct result of poor ILB play, Alfieri was an OLB last season, and when you have six ILBs you have none.

Injuries did hamper other position groups but were there major injury issues at ILB? I don't recall them hence that doesn't explain the poor interior run defense as well as poor pass coverage on TEs and RBs.

[needle]

I'll leave it to others to argue why or why not this is a decent indicator of the quality of ILB play, but I counted 14.5 TFL from the six guys who played ILB last year: Barton (5.5 TFLs), Okereke (4 TFLs), Palma (1.5), Perez (1.5) and Branch (0.5)

http://www.cfbstats.com/2016/team/674/ta...index.html

In 2013, Skov and Tarpley combined for 18 TFLs.

http://www.cfbstats.com/2013/team/674/ta...index.html

[needle]

I'll leave it to others to argue why or why not this is a decent indicator of the quality of ILB play, but I counted 14.5 TFL from the six guys who played ILB last year: Barton (5.5 TFLs), Okereke (4 TFLs), Palma (1.5), Perez (1.5) and Branch (0.5)

http://www.cfbstats.com/2016/team/674/ta...index.html

In 2013, Skov and Tarpley combined for 18 TFLs.

http://www.cfbstats.com/2013/team/674/ta...index.html

[qwerty49]

I'll leave it to others to argue why or why not this is a decent indicator of the quality of ILB play, but I counted 14.5 TFL from the six guys who played ILB last year: Barton (5.5 TFLs), Okereke (4 TFLs), Palma (1.5), Perez (1.5) and Branch (0.5)

http://www.cfbstats.com/2016/team/674/ta...index.html

In 2013, Skov and Tarpley combined for 18 TFLs.

http://www.cfbstats.com/2013/team/674/ta...index.html

You didn't mention Davis but it looks like your total included his 1.5

And TFL is a dodgy measure for any number of scheme and situational reasons.

But I think most would agree that none of the six approached either Skov or Tarpley anyway in terms of playmaking ability.  The closest might be Barton, in terms of instincts and general "nose for the ball."

[qwerty49]

I'll leave it to others to argue why or why not this is a decent indicator of the quality of ILB play, but I counted 14.5 TFL from the six guys who played ILB last year: Barton (5.5 TFLs), Okereke (4 TFLs), Palma (1.5), Perez (1.5) and Branch (0.5)

http://www.cfbstats.com/2016/team/674/ta...index.html

In 2013, Skov and Tarpley combined for 18 TFLs.

http://www.cfbstats.com/2013/team/674/ta...index.html

You didn't mention Davis but it looks like your total included his 1.5

And TFL is a dodgy measure for any number of scheme and situational reasons.

But I think most would agree that none of the six approached either Skov or Tarpley anyway in terms of playmaking ability.  The closest might be Barton, in terms of instincts and general "nose for the ball."

[BostonCard]

Someone thinks Alfieri is poised for a breakout season.

https://twitter.com/sollythomas90/status...5031636992

Solomon Thomas calling Alfieri a "freak" is praise indeed.

BC

[BostonCard]

Someone thinks Alfieri is poised for a breakout season.

https://twitter.com/sollythomas90/status...5031636992

Solomon Thomas calling Alfieri a "freak" is praise indeed.

BC

[winflop]

Someone thinks Alfieri is poised for a breakout season.

https://twitter.com/sollythomas90/status...5031636992

Solomon Thomas calling Alfieri a "freak" is praise indeed.

BC

I hope you're right. I **REALLY** hope you're right.

I think last year the coaches were trying to find any combination that could work. None of them did. When you have 6 ILBs you have none

[winflop]

Someone thinks Alfieri is poised for a breakout season.

https://twitter.com/sollythomas90/status...5031636992

Solomon Thomas calling Alfieri a "freak" is praise indeed.

BC

I hope you're right. I **REALLY** hope you're right.

I think last year the coaches were trying to find any combination that could work. None of them did. When you have 6 ILBs you have none

[Hulk01]

The 2015 defense that had first team ILB Blake Martinez allowed 5.29 yards per rush attempt.  Last year's defense, without him--as well as Shittu, Scarlett and Anderson from that front seven--allowed 5.00.
It also allowed fewer points per game.

[Hulk01]

The 2015 defense that had first team ILB Blake Martinez allowed 5.29 yards per rush attempt.  Last year's defense, without him--as well as Shittu, Scarlett and Anderson from that front seven--allowed 5.00.
It also allowed fewer points per game.