2012 Defense

[GCF Staff Support]

So I read alot of message boards talking about how we are in so much trouble with the loss of allen, gilmore, ingram, and robertson. First not many people knew how good ingram was and it is my opinion that clowney helped ingram become the star he was as a senior. Gilmore was good but very raw. Quarles and Jerideau will make a good duo inside so DT doesnt have me worried at all. Allen could of been the most underrated player we had but I think Holloman does well to fill the spur postion. I have faith in victor to handle his side and may be a better true CB coverage wise than gilmore was. If auguste can beat the injury bug then he should play well. Only true ? mark is Brison Williams and I have high hopes for him. As far as EJ goes, I cant say that im not glad he is gone. I think he got a little to much credit from the players making plays. Our defense isnt going anywhere no matter how much people wish for it.

 

[FeatheredCock]

So I read alot of message boards talking about how we are in so much trouble with the loss of allen, gilmore, ingram, and robertson. First not many people knew how good ingram was and it is my opinion that clowney helped ingram become the star he was as a senior. Gilmore was good but very raw. Quarles and Jerideau will make a good duo inside so DT doesnt have me worried at all. Allen could of been the most underrated player we had but I think Holloman does well to fill the spur postion. I have faith in victor to handle his side and may be a better true CB coverage wise than gilmore was. If auguste can beat the injury bug then he should play well. Only true ? mark is Brison Williams and I have high hopes for him. As far as EJ goes, I cant say that im not glad he is gone. I think he got a little to much credit from the players making plays. Our defense isnt going anywhere no matter how much people wish for it.

I disagree with many of the details of your post, but think the overall conclusion will prove correct.

With Gilmore, we lost much more than raw talent. He knew the schemes, how to cover, and tackled well. However, getting Auguste back to pair with Hampton offers promise.

Ingram was a unique presence with attributes that let him contribute in ways that are unusual for a DE/DT. He made Clowney better more than the other way around. However, I think Clowney will assume some of that versitile, multi-dimensional role beginning this year. Don't be surprised to see him in the forward punting team blockers. That would make me nervous as an opposing coach.

I agree that Quarles will likely be even better, and that Jerideau may turn some heads (in helmets, even).

Allen was truly a presence - superb tackler, opportunist, playmaker, and a confident coverage man. I, too, think Holloman could be even better with his size, speed, experience, and intelligence as a player.

Markette will be missed, even though a backup - he made plays on D and special teams, but we have some others, including incoming freshmen, who show speed and promise.

I also like the comments from other posters about what I see as an upgrade at linebacker. I think we'll have size options, and experienced backups (if healthy) that we've not seen before. I think the LB options will give Ward the opportunity to be more aggressive both in rushing the DL and in blitzing that seemed riskier to EJ because we didn't have the linebacking in place to attack rather than just defend. The overall size and speed at LB look to me to be the biggest upgrade on defense. I also think our offense will likely be much more of an assest to our defense than last year.

 

[Garnet]

I disagree with many of the details of your post, but think the overall conclusion will prove correct.

With Gilmore, we lost much more than raw talent. He knew the schemes, how to cover, and tackled well. However, getting Auguste back to pair with Hampton offers promise.

Ingram was a unique presence with attributes that let him contribute in ways that are unusual for a DE/DT. He made Clowney better more than the other way around. However, I think Clowney will assume some of that versitile, multi-dimensional role beginning this year. Don't be surprised to see him in the forward punting team blockers. That would make me nervous as an opposing coach.

I agree that Quarles will likely be even better, and that Jerideau may turn some heads (in helmets, even).

Allen was truly a presence - superb tackler, opportunist, playmaker, and a confident coverage man. I, too, think Holloman could be even better with his size, speed, experience, and intelligence as a player.

Markette will be missed, even though a backup - he made plays on D and special teams, but we have some others, including incoming freshmen, who show speed and promise.

I also like the comments from other posters about what I see as an upgrade at linebacker. I think we'll have size options, and experienced backups (if healthy) that we've not seen before. I think the LB options will give Ward the opportunity to be more aggressive both in rushing the DL and in blitzing that seemed riskier to EJ because we didn't have the linebacking in place to attack rather than just defend. The overall size and speed at LB look to me to be the biggest upgrade on defense. I also think our offense will likely be much more of an assest to our defense than last year.

Very well said mate!