CougarCorner

Re: LB Preview 2014

2014-04-16T13:32:33-06:00

http://www.loyalcougars.com/2014/03/28/ ... ere-stout/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Inside LB.

Statistics: Posted by scott715 — Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:32 pm

Re: LB Preview 2014

2014-03-26T23:00:00-06:00

http://www.loyalcougars.com/2014/03/26/ ... n-kaufusi/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Outsider LB.

Statistics: Posted by scott715 — Wed Mar 26, 2014 11:00 pm

Re: LB Preview 2014

2014-01-31T16:53:21-06:00

I think we are missing nthe point a little. Alisa is moving to linebacker not because he would be buried on depth chart at running back but it is because we are thin at linebacker.

I don't think I missed your point, seems like we agree

He'd stay at RB if we were stacked at LB.
We are shallow in the experience department, that allows Alisa and/or Kafusi to move over.

We know that Jamal is the #1 RB, we also have 2 power backs who saw good playing time. I do think Alisa is buried on the RB chart. That fact just facilitates the move to the shallow LB dept.

Statistics: Posted by stgeorgefan — Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:53 pm

Re: LB Preview 2014

2014-01-31T16:13:49-06:00

I had a different take on the article. I think our LB's will be average. I really like our CB and S positions, and I think they are the key to a improved defense next year.
2 things to chew on; Kafusi being rumored to go through spring ball at OLB. Alisa possibly moving to LB. If our returning guys were so good then why move Kafusi, why add Alisa? It's been 3 years since Alisa has played LB, is he going to walk in and be on the two deep? What does that say about our 2 deep?
Define average. Average would have our linebackers ranked about 60th or worse in D1. They will be better than that.

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Average as in how our LB core did from Wisconsin on last year. With a stronger CB and solid Safety core I expect those positions to help hide some inexperience.
We got a good look at a handful of guys after Jorgensen, Hadley went down. We all saw how much those guys meant to our defense. They are now the starters (minus van noy)..

Also; I'm not arguing why Alisa is moving, of course he won't get time at RB. The fact that he is buried on the RB depth chart but NOT on the LB depth chart is a telling factor. He'd stay at RB if we were stacked at LB.
We are shallow in the experience department, that allows Alisa and/or Kafusi to move over.

I think we are missing nthe point a little. Alisa is moving to linebacker not because he would be buried on depth chart at running back but it is because we are thin at linebacker. Bronco even said so. he has experience there, is fast and is a good way to add depth, help the team. if alisa was a sophmore he might be staying at running back. but with brown, williams, and company there is no reason to keep alisa at running back for one year.

Statistics: Posted by jonnylingo — Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:13 pm

Re: LB Preview 2014

2014-01-31T19:07:50-06:00

I put a ton of priority on experience. That is why you did not see me using any words like stellar, elite, phenominal, amazing.

I thing they will be solid - occasional flashes of brilliance - plenty of mistakes born of inexperience.

Prior to reading this article, I had a very - below average - bleak outlook on our linebacking corps.

I define average as ranking our linebackers vs the linebackers of every D1 team and if we end up at 62 - we be average.

If we end up at 50 - above average.

How do you define average?

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I totally agree that the linebackers will be an average Bronco Mendenhall set of linebackers. They will be above national average.

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Statistics: Posted by Cougarbib — Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:26 pm

Re: LB Preview 2014

2014-01-31T12:40:36-06:00

I put a ton of priority on experience. That is why you did not see me using any words like stellar, elite, phenominal, amazing.

I thing they will be solid - occasional flashes of brilliance - plenty of mistakes born of inexperience.

Prior to reading this article, I had a very - below average - bleak outlook on our linebacking corps.

I define average as ranking our linebackers vs the linebackers of every D1 team and if we end up at 62 - we be average.

If we end up at 50 - above average.

How do you define average?

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My definition of average when comparing our LB's was : Byu vs Byu. Not Byu vs any other team.
A better way to put it could be "how does the 2014 LB's compare to Byu's standard Linebacker performance" The cougs have had good LB's in the Bronco era.
While ranked 60th is average nationally, being ranked 60th at Byu would be considered poor.
Side note would be other positions and how they relate to the overall LB performance. Ex. With Ziggy Ansah KVN was able to have less teams key on him and his stats looked better because of it. Better D-Line would equal better stats for the Lb's theoretically. In 2014 I expect our DB's to make our LB's look better.
This year I expect more team defense and less of 1-2 players taking over games. We don't have the "name" this year.

Statistics: Posted by stgeorgefan — Fri Jan 31, 2014 12:40 pm

Re: LB Preview 2014

2014-01-31T11:48:43-06:00

I put a ton of priority on experience. That is why you did not see me using any words like stellar, elite, phenominal, amazing.

I thing they will be solid - occasional flashes of brilliance - plenty of mistakes born of inexperience.

Prior to reading this article, I had a very - below average - bleak outlook on our linebacking corps.

I define average as ranking our linebackers vs the linebackers of every D1 team and if we end up at 62 - we be average.

If we end up at 50 - above average.

How do you define average?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Statistics: Posted by Cougarbib — Fri Jan 31, 2014 11:48 am

Re: LB Preview 2014

2014-01-31T11:04:56-06:00

St George.

I agree that our linebackers fell back after key injuries. They were still above average considering who we played.

And our DBS showed much better than average - amazingly.

I was pleasantly reminded by this linebacker review that we have some decent talent to work with. They will be inexperienced and that will show at times.

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I have a different opinion than you on the definition of average. Oh well, I don't have any proof or anything. Just gut observation.
I will agree that we have some talent in the "works" and it's all about inexperience. I think 2015 will be a very strong year for the LB's and 2014 will be a building year. My best comparison would be our LB core in 2011(van noy and hadley soph yrs). I guess i'm putting a premium on experience and seniority. Alani should have a great year as a multiple year starter, I just hope he can put on some lbs so he can be better suited to help in the run game.

Statistics: Posted by stgeorgefan — Fri Jan 31, 2014 11:04 am

Re: LB Preview 2014

2014-01-31T10:51:01-06:00

Confirmed by Bronco; Alisa and Kafusi will be LB's this next year.
Confirmed, like TSH on the jerseys? Apparently the wind wasn't blowing hard enough into his face. He needed to dig in his heels about something. Must be the off season and kind of boring.
This is like calling Paul Kruger a LB while at the U. Most of the time he was bull rushing or hand on the ground.
Oh well. No different than calling his D a 3-4 and running a 2-5 ALOT of the time last year. Have to work with the personnel you have. I'm not saying its a bad idea, just hardly see a 6-7 270 pound LB. I love that he will be out in space. He will be a feature next year. And if this helps create that, so beit.

The Paul Kruger comparison has seems to be pretty accurate. I have full faith in Bronco as a DC. FWIW Paul is a LB in the NFL. This could be a positive for Kafusi AND Byu..

Statistics: Posted by stgeorgefan — Fri Jan 31, 2014 10:51 am

Re: LB Preview 2014

2014-01-31T00:21:59-06:00

St George.

I agree that our linebackers fell back after key injuries. They were still above average considering who we played.

And our DBS showed much better than average - amazingly.

I was pleasantly reminded by this linebacker review that we have some decent talent to work with. They will be inexperienced and that will show at times.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Statistics: Posted by Cougarbib — Fri Jan 31, 2014 12:21 am