It would be great so see interior defensive line play akin to 2008-2009 or 2007 when Pelini was at LSU with Dorsey. Having that solid interior force COMPLETELY changes the dynamic of a game.
Absolutely. I remember thinking early in Suh's career "it's really odd that we're not rushing our DEs at all - they're just playing contain".
Then I figured out we didn't need to rush our DEs because we had one guy (with help from a partner) who could do all the damage we needed on the inside and could play more conservatively with our DEs and never really have to blitz our LBs (not that we never did - just didn't need to to provide consistent pressure). Leaves way fewer holes in a defense when you can do that.
That is a very good point. If the interior turns out to be stout, how do you think that it will affect Gregory's plan/assignments in the scheme? I can't imagine that we'd go conservative/contain-mode with him, right?
No, I don't think we'd do it to that extent now. Not with Gregory on the outside - and possibly Newby in passing situations on the other side. Not to mention I doubt anyone we have will be as disruptive as Suh. But
even if you can get consistent pressure with your down four and not have to bring LBs, it makes a world of difference. Not that I don't ever want us to blitz, just not HAVE to blitz to get pressure.