Yep, we need a yet another LB bogged down by 10 to 20 pounds of extra weight, like we need a hole in the head. We need kids who make plays from sideline to sideline, and don't run out of gas after the first quarter. In the past 30 years, we have had exactly one LB at 235 pounds who had the speed to play against spread option. Look what an extra 15 did for Monroe! Would I like a kid who is 240 and can still run like the wind? Hell yes, but these kids are 5 star recruit and in very short supply. They are called freaks, because the can power clean a small car and squat a small house, and if they trimmed down to 200, would be running 10.50 in the100m. They can't be manufactured, especially in the drug testing era.Originally posted by ElComanche:
The "ski" "as you called him reminds me of the old prototypical "Big 10 " linebacker. That was a popular term about 20 years ago when the Big 10 was the power conference.He is listed as 6'3-215 pds with 4.42 speed. His quickness however is what stands out. He hits hard and once he matures and adds 10-20 pds of natural weight ,he will be a monster. He reacts well and recovers quickly.to the ball. I believe that his natural position should be as a" middle linebacker" where he can roam sidelin to sideline. A very impressive video.
I wish they played football with a tape measure. If they did, our defense would stack up with anyone in the conference. We are very solid tape measure team. And let's not forget how the added bulk helped Darryl Monroe become a better player -- giving up speed for size, no big deal.Originally posted by chinookpirate:
Jason David w's all of about 5'7" 150lbs when he arrived on campus. I remember how fan whined about his size... until he made plays.
No, it's not old school football. I assure you there are plenty of 6'7" 320 tackles that aren't fat bodies, that are zone blocking, that are putting kids into the ground. Im not talking about linebackers running sideline to sideline and no DE is gonna be asked to defend sideline to sideline in any scheme.Originally posted by Cougsocal:
That is old school football, played between the tackles when the OL actually attacked defenses. We are in a an era of OL zone blocking, the field is spread out and you are forced to defend sideline to sideline. If a 320 pounder gets a hold of you, you might be in trouble, but that is the exception, not the rule. You might also be in trouble playing Stanford, but they are the only Pac-12 that doesn't try to over extend you. And let's be honest, speed causes fat OLs problems too. The Childs, McCallahans, Hayes, Gleasons, Smiths, Ikes, DDs and Dewayne's made career of beating fat OL who couldn't get their hand on them and lay them flat.
If you haven't noticed, big and slow ain't working for the Cougs, and hasn't since 1983. And we can't recruit big and fast, because they are sucked up by the big boys. The only times we have been good on defense since then was when we were fast (and light).
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I humbly stand corrected. --- I just can't figure out how Arizona, with a far smaller defense than ours --- you know, playing 5 DBs on every snap, playing a tiny 248 pound NT, an undersized 230 pound MLB (and league MVP), a 210 pound OLB, with no player larger than 271 pounds --- can win the South, beat Oregon. kick our arses and end up in the Fiesta Bowl getting smushed on every play by those 6'7" 320 pound man mountains? Go figure... I guess Rich Rod hasn't read Biggs' immutable laws of football, and its compendium, "why being fast doesn't matter."Originally posted by BiggsCoug:
No, it's not old school football. I assure you there are plenty of 6'7" 320 tackles that aren't fat bodies, that are zone blocking, that are putting kids into the ground. Im not talking about linebackers running sideline to sideline and no DE is gonna be asked to defend sideline to sideline in any scheme.Originally posted by Cougsocal:
That is old school football, played between the tackles when the OL actually attacked defenses. We are in a an era of OL zone blocking, the field is spread out and you are forced to defend sideline to sideline. If a 320 pounder gets a hold of you, you might be in trouble, but that is the exception, not the rule. You might also be in trouble playing Stanford, but they are the only Pac-12 that doesn't try to over extend you. And let's be honest, speed causes fat OLs problems too. The Childs, McCallahans, Hayes, Gleasons, Smiths, Ikes, DDs and Dewayne's made career of beating fat OL who couldn't get their hand on them and lay them flat.
If you haven't noticed, big and slow ain't working for the Cougs, and hasn't since 1983. And we can't recruit big and fast, because they are sucked up by the big boys. The only times we have been good on defense since then was when we were fast (and light).
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The reason you see much taller kids at tackle is their long arms and legs counter the speed rushers.
Doba built his defense from the inside out. Two huge DT's, pass rushing ends and fill in with linebackers that ran. Do you know why they ran? Cause the two huge DT's kept the OL off of them.
If you think going lighter on the DL is gonna help? I can only hope you're right. Most teams would challenge your small DL by going right at them and making them take on blocks. 250 pounders on the DL is a recipe for defeat.
He also got burned early and often in his career, but he did develop over time.Originally posted by chinookpirate:
I agree with you SoCal speed > size. I think it's a clear trend in football but, I'm just a fan. I don't coach Pac12 football. Never have.
I tossed out David's name for fun because I and those around me let out a collective WTF? when we first saw him on the field. I thought Price had lost his mind, was desperate or both... and then he started making play after play after play on sheer athleticism and will.
Man you are tough. David was a starter for three years. During those 3 years we won 30 games, He had 16 ints, most ever by a corner, and 3 pick 6s. I just don't remember the "early and often" stuff, as he was a special teams guy in 2000. He was an upgrade from Chris Martin from day one in 2001 IMO, and it showed in the win column.Originally posted by YakiCoug:
He also got burned early and often in his career, but he did develop over time.Originally posted by chinookpirate:
I agree with you SoCal speed > size. I think it's a clear trend in football but, I'm just a fan. I don't coach Pac12 football. Never have.
I tossed out David's name for fun because I and those around me let out a collective WTF? when we first saw him on the field. I thought Price had lost his mind, was desperate or both... and then he started making play after play after play on sheer athleticism and will.