Big XII Defensive Newcomer of the Year...

That doesn't answer if he plays middle or outside....
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Sure does.

"Lance Brandenburgh is the current starter at Mike and if Phillip Dillard steps up this fall, he should be the starter and Lance would be the backup and Corey McKeon would be third in line at that spot. It will be tough to replace a guy like Barrett Rudd on the inside."

 
The starters will be as follows. Dillard at mike, Octavien at sam, and Ruud at will. Those are our best three linebackers. We need to get them all of the field, like when we moved Hollowell to Sam so that he and super demorrio could be on the field at the same time.

 
The starters will be as follows. Dillard at mike, Octavien at sam, and Ruud at will. Those are our best three linebackers. We need to get them all of the field, like when we moved Hollowell to Sam so that he and super demorrio could be on the field at the same time.
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I don't know if I would put Ruud ahead of Bradley. I've only seen Dillard at the all star game and haven't seen Octavian so I'll save judgement on them. But from what I've seen of Ruud and Bradley, I'll take Bradley. Ruud seemed a step slow when he got in the games last year.

 
Ruud is alot better in coverage, and is faster in general. I would have him play will, so he is mostly backside pursuit, and have Octavien, who is extremely gifted physically, play sam and take on those full backs. Stew is horrible and coverage and mediocre in stopping the run.

 
Ruud is alot better in coverage, and is faster in general. I would have him play will, so he is mostly backside pursuit, and have Octavien, who is extremely gifted physically, play sam and take on those full backs. Stew is horrible and coverage and mediocre in stopping the run.
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I still don't agree with you. In the time Ruud got last year he was usually out of position. He didn't cover the flats well at all. Maybe it was inexperience, I don't know. At least Bradley made a few plays. All I'm saying is neither are All Stars, I just believe Bradley is better. Hopefully they prove us both wrong this year and step it up. I don't know if I would call Bradley horrible, he might not be what we are used to but he's not horrible.

 
I would also take Bradley ahead of Ruud. Stu can make plays. In total disagreement with you, I think he was one of our best run stoppers last year, with Barrett Ruud. And it is hard to say he was bad at coverage, because you could have a valid argument on almost anyone on defense last year.

 
Isn't there quite a bit of learning involved for the MIKE backer? I'm not saying that Dillard will not have the skill to come in and start immediately, but doesn't the MIKE make the calls/audibles/coverages at the line and is the leader for the entire D? That may be a bit much for a true frosh to handle, especially one that only has a few weeks before game 1 to prepare.

 
Isn't there quite a bit of learning involved for the MIKE backer? I'm not saying that Dillard will not have the skill to come in and start immediately, but doesn't the MIKE make the calls/audibles/coverages at the line and is the leader for the entire D? That may be a bit much for a true frosh to handle, especially one that only has a few weeks before game 1 to prepare.
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THis is what Barrett Ruud had trouble with when he was a freshman. He was also one of the smartest LBs to ever play at NU and he couldn't crack the starting lineup his first year. It's not like we had an all american playing then either, it was Jamie Burrow. When, if ever has NU had a freshman start at MLB?

 
Isn't there quite a bit of learning involved for the MIKE backer? I'm not saying that Dillard will not have the skill to come in and start immediately, but doesn't the MIKE make the calls/audibles/coverages at the line and is the leader for the entire D? That may be a bit much for a true frosh to handle, especially one that only has a few weeks before game 1 to prepare.
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Yes you are correct. The Mike Linebacker is basically the captain of the ship on the field. He determines what calls to be made and where everyone lines up (example, how far back the FS and Corner should drop back or crawl up). The reason being is that he is looking directly at the QB from the middle, so has an idea of what might be coming from the other teams offense.

Is it to much to ask for Dillard? No one knows right now, and that's why i said "if he steps up"

 
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