Defensive depth

[NUance]

Excellent breakdown. Stafford could probably help at nickel.

Yeah, Hagg is going to be hard to replace.

[huskerscott]

People gonna have to give this unit time to gel as one defensive unit. Last I knew we had to replace to an All American corner and two absolute studs in the secondary. Throw in a 2 year starter at DE. Compton didnt play very much after hurting his foot, not that it was an absolute nescessity. Fisher didnt play a down after breaking his leg. David play pretty good last year after learning on the fly, but he needs to beef up to compete with bigger, badder backs of the BigTen.

 

Lastly dont expect these newcomers and freshman to come in and make an immediate impact. These guys are completely new to D1 football, so having the bar pretty high for them is unrealistic.

 

 

We are from STACKED in my book. People said the same thing going into 2010, guess what we replaced our safeties 6 games in and found out we had no LB depth a week before the first game. By the Ohio State game we should find out how good the defense really is gonna be.

[Hujan]

Chart of stackedness, from most stacked to least stacked:

 

DT: Jared Crick, Baker Steinkuhler, Terrence Moore, Chase Rome, Thad Randle, Jay Guy, Kevin Williams, Jake Cotton

 

CB: Alfonzo Dennard, Ciante Evans, Antonio Bell, Anthony Blue, Lance Thorell, Dijon Washington, Andrew Green, Lazarri Middleton, Josh Mitchell

 

S: PJ Smith, Courtney Osborne, Corey Cooper, Harvey Jackson, (Austin Cassidy?)

 

DE: Camstache, Jason Ankrah, Josh Williams, Eric Martin, Donovan Vestal, Joe Carter

 

LB: Lavonte David, Sean Fisher, Will Compton, Alonzo Whaley, Mathew May

 

Nickel: Austin Cassidy, ??

 

Question for you gents: I always understood the Nickel to refer to a fifth DB that was strictly a cornerback. So when the offense lines up in a three-WR set, you have three true corners to cover them along with the two safeties, leaving just two true LBs.

 

This is distinct from the 4-2-5 base defense where you again have five DBs, but they consist of two corners, two true safeties, and a fifth DB that is sort of a hybrid LB/S. His job is to help with run support and to cover RBs, receivers, and TEs as necessary in the passing game. Bo calls that fifth DB---the hybrid guy---the "Peso" back. My understanding was that Eric Hagg and Austin Cassidy played the Peso last year.

 

So, to summarize: "Nickel" defense = 3 corners and 2 safeties; "Peso" defense = 2 corners, and what amounts to 3 safeties.

 

If my understanding is correct, then the "Nickel" next year would really just be the third CB on the depth chart (Antonio Bell, based on what you have above).

 

Austin Cassidy would be the "Peso," assuming we still field that position in the Big Ten.

 

Judging from what you have there, Nuance, I would say that we will likely retain the Peso look if only because we lack the depth to run a true 4-3-4 system. With those LBs, we barely have enough for a solid two deep. Meanwhile, we seem to have an abundance of DBs. I wonder if Thorell wouldn't slide over to S and give us some depth there. I tend to agree that PJ Smith and Courtney Osborne are going to start at the true safety positions and that Cassidy will start at the "Peso" back position. So your starting, base D will likely be:

 

DE: Camstache

DT: Jared Crick

DT: Baker Steinkuhler

DE: Jason Ankrah

 

MLB: Lavonte David

ROLB: Will Compton

 

Peso: Austin Cassidy

 

CB: Alfonzo Dennard

CB: Ciante Evans

 

S: PJ Smith

S: Courtney Osborne

 

Only spot I think is really up for grabs is the second LB spot. But regardless of who fills it, that is one hell of a starting 11 on D.

[whateveritis1224]

I really think that as long as we aren't playing a spread team next year (Michigan, Northwestern come to mind as a spread team) we are going to be playing David at Hagg's spot. He'll be jumping to whatever side the extra TE/WR is to cover him against a team like Wisconsin where you're going to need at least 3 LBs or more down linemen. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if we jumped to a 4-3 with Meredith playing the LB on the strongside of the offensive formation against Wisconsin. In effect we'll be playing a 5-2 but Meredith's role will be similar to what he did for us against Missouri.

 

I think Smith will be able to fix whatever went wrong with his tackling last year (he was the leading tackler in the Texas game) and contribute greatly. I also like Blue, Evans, and Jackson to split time at the second corner/nickel/dime. Stafford is going to find himself on the football field somewhere, and Martin is going to end up with 10+ sacks as a pass-rush specialist (similar to what Turner was for us his freshman year).

[NUance]

Question for you gents: I always understood the Nickel to refer to a fifth DB that was strictly a cornerback. So when the offense lines up in a three-WR set, you have three true corners to cover them along with the two safeties, leaving just two true LBs.

 

This is distinct from the 4-2-5 base defense where you again have five DBs, but they consist of two corners, two true safeties, and a fifth DB that is sort of a hybrid LB/S. His job is to help with run support and to cover RBs, receivers, and TEs as necessary in the passing game. Bo calls that fifth DB---the hybrid guy---the "Peso" back. My understanding was that Eric Hagg and Austin Cassidy played the Peso last year.

 

So, to summarize: "Nickel" defense = 3 corners and 2 safeties; "Peso" defense = 2 corners, and what amounts to 3 safeties.

 

If my understanding is correct, then the "Nickel" next year would really just be the third CB on the depth chart (Antonio Bell, based on what you have above).

 

Austin Cassidy would be the "Peso," assuming we still field that position in the Big Ten.

 

What you say about Nickel/Peso makes sense. I listed Cassidy as a Nickel because the huskers.com depth chart listed Hagg as a Nickel. It makes me wonder if what we call nickel differs from what the nickel position is usually known to be on other teams. /scratches head

[knapplc]

So your starting, base D will likely be:

 

DE: Camstache

DT: Jared Crick

DT: Baker Steinkuhler

DE: Jason Ankrah

 

MLB: Lavonte David

ROLB: Will Compton

 

Peso: Austin Cassidy

 

CB: Alfonzo Dennard

CB: Ciante Evans

 

S: PJ Smith

S: Courtney Osborne

 

Only spot I think is really up for grabs is the second LB spot. But regardless of who fills it, that is one hell of a starting 11 on D.

 

That looks really nice in print, doesn't it? I'm confident in each of those guys. I would take that starting D over 99% of the starting units in D1 ball.

 

I think, however, that there are a few more jobs up for grabs. I don't think Ankrah has locked anything down. He wasn't that impressive as a backup last year (he only recorded one tackle all season), which is why the coaches moved EMart over to DE. Williams is, supposedly, in the mix at DE as well. Baker needs to continue to develop and improve or he's going to get replaced by Rome, who will shock people with his abilities in mop-up duties I strongly believe.

 

I know it's just practice and it's not real, but I am highly interested in the Spring Game this year. There's lots of talent that needs to sort itself out on defense.

[Hujan]

Question for you gents: I always understood the Nickel to refer to a fifth DB that was strictly a cornerback. So when the offense lines up in a three-WR set, you have three true corners to cover them along with the two safeties, leaving just two true LBs.

 

This is distinct from the 4-2-5 base defense where you again have five DBs, but they consist of two corners, two true safeties, and a fifth DB that is sort of a hybrid LB/S. His job is to help with run support and to cover RBs, receivers, and TEs as necessary in the passing game. Bo calls that fifth DB---the hybrid guy---the "Peso" back. My understanding was that Eric Hagg and Austin Cassidy played the Peso last year.

 

So, to summarize: "Nickel" defense = 3 corners and 2 safeties; "Peso" defense = 2 corners, and what amounts to 3 safeties.

 

If my understanding is correct, then the "Nickel" next year would really just be the third CB on the depth chart (Antonio Bell, based on what you have above).

 

Austin Cassidy would be the "Peso," assuming we still field that position in the Big Ten.

 

What you say about Nickel/Peso makes sense. I listed Cassidy as a Nickel because the huskers.com depth chart listed Hagg as a Nickel. It makes me wonder if what we call nickel differs from what the nickel position is usually known to be on other teams. /scratches head

 

Yeah, it's a good question. Maybe Bo scraped the Nickel package and kept the 4-2-5 as our based D in both 2 WR and 3 WR formations, and added a third LB in Dime situations? I guess I don't know either, to be honest.

[Hujan]

So your starting, base D will likely be:

 

DE: Camstache

DT: Jared Crick

DT: Baker Steinkuhler

DE: Jason Ankrah

 

MLB: Lavonte David

ROLB: Will Compton

 

Peso: Austin Cassidy

 

CB: Alfonzo Dennard

CB: Ciante Evans

 

S: PJ Smith

S: Courtney Osborne

 

Only spot I think is really up for grabs is the second LB spot. But regardless of who fills it, that is one hell of a starting 11 on D.

 

That looks really nice in print, doesn't it? I'm confident in each of those guys. I would take that starting D over 99% of the starting units in D1 ball.

 

I think, however, that there are a few more jobs up for grabs. I don't think Ankrah has locked anything down. He wasn't that impressive as a backup last year (he only recorded one tackle all season), which is why the coaches moved EMart over to DE. Williams is, supposedly, in the mix at DE as well. Baker needs to continue to develop and improve or he's going to get replaced by Rome, who will shock people with his abilities in mop-up duties I strongly believe.

 

I know it's just practice and it's not real, but I am highly interested in the Spring Game this year. There's lots of talent that needs to sort itself out on defense.

 

Good point. You know, I was thinking of Ankrah right after I wrote that. Not sure whether he will fill that spot or whether EMart might take it. What gave me pause is that EMart seems like he is fairly one-dimensional insofar as he is a good pass rusher, but maybe not so great at run support. Hadn't considered Baker losing his spot to Rome, though I guess that's a good point as well. While all eyes are on the O this off season, it is fun to think about what the final D will look like.

[Danny Bateman]

I can't believe we are discussing EMart not being able to help in run support. The guy whose nickname is Caveman. The guy who got suspended for his hit on ST ( still think it was a horsecrap call). The ST maven.

 

Seems like it's such an oxymoron. Guess it makes a big difference when a 300+ lb. OT wants to maul you on a running play

[knapplc]

I can't believe we are discussing EMart not being able to help in run support. The guy whose nickname is Caveman. The guy who got suspended for his hit on ST ( still think it was a horsecrap call). The ST maven.

 

Seems like it's such an oxymoron. Guess it makes a big difference when a 300+ lb. OT wants to maul you on a running play

 

It's not his Caveman ability that is holding him back, it's his ability to grasp his assignment, whether that be containment of the outside lane on a running play or to rush on a pass play. The DE has to funnel the RB into the center of the defense, or make the tackle on his interior gap, or rush the QB, and it's that understanding of what needs to be done on any given play that he needs to get down.

 

Once he gets that down he could be a beast, but we have several other beasts at DE as well. He's going to have to fight for PT.

[DTrain2020]

Chart of stackedness, from most stacked to least stacked:

 

DT: Jared Crick, Baker Steinkuhler, Terrence Moore, Chase Rome, Thad Randle, Jay Guy, Kevin Williams, Jake Cotton

 

CB: Alfonzo Dennard, Ciante Evans, Antonio Bell, Anthony Blue, Lance Thorell, Dijon Washington, Andrew Green, Lazarri Middleton, Josh Mitchell

 

S: PJ Smith, Courtney Osborne, Corey Cooper, Harvey Jackson, (Austin Cassidy?)

 

DE: Camstache, Jason Ankrah, Josh Williams, Eric Martin, Donovan Vestal, Joe Carter

 

LB: Lavonte David, Sean Fisher, Will Compton, Alonzo Whaley, Mathew May

 

Nickel: Austin Cassidy, ??

I'm not as confident in PJ Smith as everyone else is. Seems like he hasn't figured out the defense yet, maybe he will this spring.