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Linebackers
- Thread starter Bufffan68
- Start date
In a 3-4 McCartney would be a starting OLB.
Probably something like Gillam, Watanabe, Olugbode, McCartney.
In a 4-3 for passing downs McCartney gets moved to a 5 technique DE and Awuzie/Awini comes in as a nickelback
Add to that if Rippy is finally playing to his potential, we'll have a little depth to go along with some speed and toughness.
This is all pie in the sky until they take the field, though. Last years team was supposed to be great along the DL and it turned out to be crap.
This is all pie in the sky until they take the field, though. Last years team was supposed to be great along the DL and it turned out to be crap.
Colobuffs21
Club Member
Any chance watanabe RS?
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Believe the LB hype when I see it. It would certainly be impressive if the group managed to be worse than last year though (and yes, I know Gillam's injury played into that).
Excited about Watanabe.
Excited about Watanabe.
FLounder
Think Positive and life will be Positive.
We all knew we were playing a lot of underclassmen last year. When Hennington went down last year it was a big deal, this year its an afterthought.
The worry with the LB corp is how thin the depth is.
Gillam
Olugbode
McCartney (kind of)
Severson
Are the only known quantities at LB.
We are counting on the following to be impact players, asap.
Watanabe, FR
Falo, FR
Gamboa, FR
Rippy, JR
Awini, JR
Bufffan68
Club Member
Agreed. We seem to be developing some players, and JL's feedback seems to indicate so, but it is all theoretical until they take the field. Can't wait for the season to start!!!
Your list includes 3 freshman who have never played a snap of college football and 4 guys who have played little or no LB at the college level.
We will have to see how they do under pressure. We know that Awini is a bright guy and should pick it up quickly, Severson and Rippy haven't played much but have been around and at least practiced.
With all of this it still wouldn't be surprising to see them play one less LB in a lot of situations and play Moeller instead as a hybrid S/LB, especially since he came in at 212 this year which is as big as some PAC12 LBs are anyways and he hits like a LB.
chitownbuff
Club Member
Yep - Olgubode was a liability last year and should be considered one this year as well until he proves us otherwise. So far, we have Gillam and a lot of unknowns. The fact that Leavitt won't make any predictions/goals (outside of get bet better everyday) should tell you all you need to know (kind of like MM not speaking about bowls last year).
I find it interesting that Awini is one of our OLB/Rush Ends, and has also been seeing time at the Nickel CB spot... Typically, those positions aren't simply interchangeable.... Either he is the most athletic guy on the team, or JL has a somewhat redefined role for the Nickel position.
Olugbode got better as the season went on, I would expect that to continue.
That's a goal that he knows from experience works very, very well for rebuilding a football team.
And he's now 20 lbs heavier and the coaches love him
Bufffan68
Club Member
Good to hear. It's always sunshine and rainbows during camp tho.
Buffskier
Club Member
I would say that Olugbode was a liability in the beginning of the year, but by the last quarter/third of the season I feel like he was one of the most consistent players on the defense.
FlatironsBuff
Well-Known Member
All I know for sure is that if Baer was half the coach at LB as he was a coordinator on the D........
Then this years LB crew will be much improved.
Then this years LB crew will be much improved.
Olugbode was a below average P5 linebacker by the end of the season. That's a huge improvement from the beginning when he was running around like a chicken with its head cut off against CSU.
Idot Buff
Guest
Wow...two completely different perspectives. Who is correct here?
Good point. If he has to take on blockers again this year, we are screwed. This goes for any linebacker, but his speed allows him to track players down very quickly.
chitownbuff
Club Member
The ability to shed blockers is a talent like cutting, adding a few pounds doesn't mean he's going to be measurably better at it. I'd temper expectations here.
My problem with KO is that he doesn't seem to have good instincts. He chases fakes, he overruns the cutback, he seems to be constantly out of position.
Is that something that is teachable? We will find out because he now has a better DC calling the shots, someone who knows LB play.
Shedding blockers is another question, some guys just seem instinctually good at it. There are techniques involved though that can be taught and again the question of reading and making the right play, do you find the hole or do you find the blocker?
Is that something that is teachable? We will find out because he now has a better DC calling the shots, someone who knows LB play.
Shedding blockers is another question, some guys just seem instinctually good at it. There are techniques involved though that can be taught and again the question of reading and making the right play, do you find the hole or do you find the blocker?
I don't know if I fully agree with this statement. It is a talent somewhat but adding weight, strength and power definitely helps when trying to get people off of you, especially lineman.
chitownbuff
Club Member
Maybe has has tini arms?