How do we Look at Defensive End

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NamelessHusker

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We last previewed our LINEBACKERS. This week, we take a look at our defensive ends and what we can expect to see this fall. Keep in mind, these are all predictions and nothing is set in stone. Anyything can change in a moments notice. A player may get injured, drop out or leave the team for whatever reasons. This analysis is based on the current depth chart and who we have coming in from the 2005 recruiting class.

First let me clear up something that may confuss some people. You will hear some coaches refer to defensive ends as weakside or strongside defensive ends. Other coaches might use the terminology Base Side and Open Side defensive ends? What's the difference? Nothing other then terminology, its practically the same thing. Now that we have that cleared up, lets move on to the battle this fall for the DE positions.

Nebraska will feature 11 players on the roster listed as DE players. That list includes:

Wali Muhammad (Sr)

Jay Moore (Jr)

Adam Carriker (Jr)

Adam Blankenship (RFr)

Ty Stienkuhler (RFr)

Zac Potter (Fr)

Barry Turner (Fr)

Andy Poulosky (So)

Thomas Rice (So)

Tony Sullivan (So)

Kevin Luhrs (So)

I will only talk about 8 of the 11 guys merly because the defensive end position is loaded for the next few years and in my personal opinion, those remaining 3 players will only see playing time during mop up duty. Those 3 players include Poulosky, Rice, Sullivan

The Base Side DE (Right End) position will be one to watch for. 6-6, 280 pound Adam Carriker (JR) will return for the 2005 season after starting in 8 of 10 games last year. Despite batteling an ankle injury all season long, Carriker managed 36 tackles, 3 sacks (18 yard loss) and 7 QB hurries. Carriker has played in a total of 17 games during the past 3 years so he not only brings experience, but also size and power to that position. When healthy, he is a strong force at pass rush. Backing up Carriker will be (RFr) Ty Stienkuhuler who had a great spring game. Coach Blake wants a 3 man rotation at both DE positions. So the common question is "does one of the newcomers fill that spot?" My answer is no. I expect both Zach Potter and Barry Turner to redshirt this year. It would not be beneficial for the staff to waste that kind of talent this year when we already have 2 guys who are as talented as any other DE in the Big12. Tony Sullivan rounds out the top 3 while Kevin Luhrs should be listed 4th on the rotation when it's all said and done.

Open End Position (Left End) should get the most competion this fall. Junior Jay Moore seems to have a lock on the starting position. The 6-4, 270 pound DE started 4 games last year. Moore who backed up injured Adam Carriker has given coach Blake and Kevin Cosgorve reason to be hopeful. After a poor performance last year from the defensive line and a lack of a pass rush attack, the DE's look like they have learned the playbook this year. Senior Wali Muhammad should battle for playing time this fall and wont be shy to let the coaches know he means business. After adding some more power to his already monsterous frame, Jay Moore should still beat him out for the starting position. If Coach Blake feels like he isn't up to par, he can easily replace him with Wali. Rounding out the top 3 is (RFr) Adam Blankenship. After seeing the disaster last year in our lack of a pass rush, Adam isn't afraid to wrap up a few QB's this season. He should see plenty of action this season because the coaching staff wants to see him develop. Rounding out the remaining depth at this position will be Andy Poulosky as the 4th option and Thomas Rice.

Zach Potter as mentioned should be headed for a redshirt, but should challange for playing time next year begind Adam Carriker. Turner on the other hand should relieve Wali Muhammad when he graduates this year. Turner who has received All American Honors and is one of the best pass rushers in the nation understands the importance of being patient. Our DE position this year will be our strongest unit. We have several options to go with and the coaching staff will match up the best possible guys with what the opponent throws at us.

Look for the DE's to be more aggresive this year unlike last year.

 
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If Carriker is healthy - I mean 100% - I think he has the potential to have a monster year. It will help if he can't be double-teamed every play, so the rest of the line has to get a push. But I really think this guy will shine.

 
We last previewed our LINEBACKERS. This week, we take a look at our defensive ends and what we can expect to see this fall. Keep in mind, these are all predictions and nothing is set in stone. Anyything can change in a moments notice. A player may get injured, drop out or leave the team for whatever reasons. This analysis is based on the current depth chart and who we have coming in from the 2005 recruiting class.
First let me clear up something that may confuss some people. You will hear some coaches refer to defensive ends as weakside or strongside defensive ends. Other coaches might use the terminology Base Side and Open Side defensive ends? What's the difference? Nothing other then terminology, its practically the same thing. Now that we have that cleared up, lets move on to the battle this fall for the DE positions.

Nebraska will feature 11 players on the roster listed as DE players. That list includes:

Wali Muhammad (Sr)

Jay Moore (Jr)

Adam Carriker (Jr)

Adam Blankenship (RFr)

Ty Stienkuhler (RFr)

Zac Potter (Fr)

Barry Turner (Fr)

Andy Poulosky (So)

Thomas Rice (So)

Tony Sullivan (So)

Kevin Luhrs (So)

I will only talk about 8 of the 11 guys merly because the defensive end position is loaded for the next few years and in my personal opinion, those remaining 3 players will only see playing time during mop up duty. Those 3 players include Poulosky, Rice, Sullivan

The Base Side DE (Right End) position will be one to watch for. 6-6, 280 pound Adam Carriker (JR) will return for the 2005 season after starting in 8 of 10 games last year. Despite batteling an ankle injury all season long, Carriker managed 36 tackles, 3 sacks (18 yard loss) and 7 QB hurries. Carriker has played in a total of 17 games during the past 3 years so he not only brings experience, but also size and power to that position. When healthy, he is a strong force at pass rush. Backing up Carriker will be (RFr) Ty Stienkuhuler who had a great spring game. Coach Blake wants a 3 man rotation at both DE positions. So the common question is "does one of the newcomers fill that spot?" My answer is no. I expect both Zach Potter and Barry Turner to redshirt this year. It would not be beneficial for the staff to waste that kind of talent this year when we already have 2 guys who are as talented as any other DE in the Big12. Tony Sullivan rounds out the top 3 while Kevin Luhrs should be listed 4th on the rotation when it's all said and done.

Open End Position (Left End) should get the most competion this fall. Junior Jay Moore seems to have a lock on the starting position. The 6-4, 270 pound DE started 4 games last year. Moore who backuped injured Adam Carriker has given coach Blake and Kevin Cosgorve reason to be hopeful. After a poor performance last year from the defensive line and a lack of a pass rush attack, the DE's look like they have learned the playbook this year. Senior Wali Muhammad should battle for playing time this fall and wont be shy to let the coaches know he means business. After adding some more power to his already monsterous frame, Jay Moore should still beat him out for the starting position. If Coach Blake feels like he isn't up to par, he can easily replace him with Wali. Rounding out the top 3 is (RFr) Adam Blankenship. After seeing the disaster last year in our lack of a pass rush, Adam isn't afraid to wrap up a few QB's this season. He should see plenty of action this season because the coaching staff wants to see him develop. Rounding out the remaining depth at this position will be Andy Poulosky as the 4th option and Thomas Rice.

Zach Potter as mentioned should be headed for a redshirt, but should challange for playing time next year begind Adam Carriker. Turner on the other hand should relieve Wali Muhammad when he graduates this year. Turner who has received All American Honors and is one of the best pass rushers in the nation understands the importance of being patient. Our DE position this year will be our strongest unit. We have several options to go with and the coaching staff will match up the best possible guys with what the opponent throws at us.

Look for the DE's to be more aggresive this year unlike last year.
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Interesting, you may want to think about Dontrell Moore. If he cant pick up LB position, he may have to be moved to DE, and simply rush the QB on obvious passing situations.

 
Moore is to small to play DE He's only 225. If you Look at Jay Moore, Wali Muhammad and Adam Carriker you will see them listed 270, 260, and 280 respectively

 
Moore is to small to play DE He's only 225. If you Look at Jay Moore, Wali Muhammad and Adam Carriker you will see them listed 270, 260, and 280 respectively
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As an every down, play-the-run end, I'd agree. But for what Eric proposes - as a rusher only on obvious passing downs - I think his lack of size and greater quickness would actually be an asset. Especially against a tackle with slow feet or who can't quickly react to an "opposite" move.

 
Moore is to small to play DE He's only 225. If you Look at Jay Moore, Wali Muhammad and Adam Carriker you will see them listed 270, 260, and 280 respectively
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As an every down, play-the-run end, I'd agree. But for what Eric proposes - as a rusher only on obvious passing downs - I think his lack of size and greater quickness would actually be an asset. Especially against a tackle with slow feet or who can't quickly react to an "opposite" move.
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That would be ideal, but the problem you run into is Moore might end up going against a 300 pound offensive lineman. Regardless if the lineman has slow feet, he can still block out Moore. Another thing that i personally wouldn't do as a coach would put Moore in when we plan on attacking on a pass play. If that becomes a habit, other offensive coordinators will know what we plan on doing and will simply change the play.

 
Moore is to small to play DE He's only 225. If you Look at Jay Moore, Wali Muhammad and Adam Carriker you will see them listed 270, 260, and 280 respectively
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As an every down, play-the-run end, I'd agree. But for what Eric proposes - as a rusher only on obvious passing downs - I think his lack of size and greater quickness would actually be an asset. Especially against a tackle with slow feet or who can't quickly react to an "opposite" move.
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That would be ideal, but the problem you run into is Moore might end up going against a 300 pound offensive lineman. Regardless if the lineman has slow feet, he can still block out Moore. Another thing that i personally wouldn't do as a coach would put Moore in when we plan on attacking on a pass play. If that becomes a habit, other offensive coordinators will know what we plan on doing and will simply change the play.
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Down here in SEC country, I've seen too often the Floridas, Tennessees, Alabamas, Auburns and LSUs use light, speed rushers to great effect too often. One quick move in one direction that a 300 pound tackle bites on leaves that tackle out of position and unable to recover when that speed end suddenly changes direction. Likewise, when one of those speed rushers explodes out of his stance and past the tackle before the tackle can even set his feet.

You can't do it every time, but that's actually an advantage - similar to a change up in baseball. Use it at the right time, and you suddenly have a sack in a crucial situation.

And, if the tackle can't handle the speed rusher, then you keep using him. Sooner or later the offense has to put a tight-end over that side or - more often - commit a back to at least chip at the end. That pulls one potential receiver - and possibly the "hot" read - right out of the play, giving the rest of the line more time to get to the quarterback.

 
This is an EXCELENT TOPIC. Thanks for the work you guys put into this stuff I really find it intriguing.

 
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As long as he is healthy, Carriker will be a solid performer. Great size and extremely strong. I am not sure how he is on speed, but he could take a large lineman straight up. I would love to see a smaller rush end this year. As Cally said, we need more pass rush. The best way to do that is line up some speed to come around the corner. Demorrio Williams is a great example of what you can do with a speedy, lighter guy lining up on the line. Hopefully the coaching staff also notices this oppertunity and takes advantage of it. Does Dontrelle Moore have speed like D Will did?

 
Moore is to small to play DE He's only 225. If you Look at Jay Moore, Wali Muhammad and Adam Carriker you will see them listed 270, 260, and 280 respectively
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:bad Again, you are wrong.

The best DE's in NU history were almost all under 260lbs. Wistrom, Tomich, Hill, Alberts, D Jones, Harris. And for part or most of their careers, both Kelsays, Rucker, and VandenBosch played under 260. But that was when we had successful systems in place, too.

If you want SPEED on your D like you all have been talking about, then a 290 lb DE is not going to do it. Moore and Carriker, while they may be decent, are too big to play DE and be an effective pass rusher on a consistant basis. That was part of the problem from last year.

 
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Demorrio Williams is a great example of what you can do with a speedy, lighter guy lining up on the line. Hopefully the coaching staff also notices this oppertunity and takes advantage of it. Does Dontrelle Moore have speed like D Will did?
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I was thinking the same thing dude. Demorrio killed teams with his speed on the outside. What about Octavian? He has freakish speed maybe he can get down in the three-point and go after the QB.

We need something that hasn't been around since maybe Wistrom, that being an outstanding run stopper/pass rusher at the DE spot. I always thought both Kelsey Brothers and Vanden Boch were not as good as people made them out to be. They looked the part but it really didn't carry over onto the field. Maybe the younger Kelsey would of been better if he had someone on the other side so he wouldn't get double teamed. Benard Thomas wasn't as good as he thought he was either. He was always a step to slow. Carricker shows flashes so maybe he will turn out to be what we need.

 
ummmm. Wistrom was at 260, and now plays at 275. Not exactly a small defensive end. That being said, I know that we will rotation some guys in during third down plays. Muhammed is quick coming off of the corner, and you may see a linebacker, most likely Dontrelle Moore, come in and rush on third and long, or used in a zone blitz package. He is not too small for that purpose. Even though this may happen on third down, we need guys who can rush the passer on 1st and 2nd down, and both Moore and Carriker are capable of that. You think they are too big Former? Moore runs a 4.5 forty, and Carriker is in at 4.7 and is the strongest man on the team regardless of position. Both should be able to create a consisten pass rush if they stay healthy, which they didnt do last year. Here is confirmation of speeds, if you want to double check me.

http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.a...ey=1155&Sport=1

 
Moore is to small to play DE He's only 225. If you Look at Jay Moore, Wali Muhammad and Adam Carriker you will see them listed 270, 260, and 280 respectively
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:bad Again, you are wrong.

The best DE's in NU history were almost all under 260lbs. Wistrom, Tomich, Hill, Alberts, D Jones, Harris. And for part or most of their careers, both Kelsays, Rucker, and VandenBosch played under 260. But that was when we had successful systems in place, too.

If you want SPEED on your D like you all have been talking about, then a 290 lb DE is not going to do it. Moore and Carriker, while they may be decent, are too big to play DE and be an effective pass rusher on a consistant basis. That was part of the problem from last year.
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I challange you to name 1 of those players weights that you mentioned. Just 1, and don't throw out numbers because i have rosters i can look at from 1991-2004 and tell whether you are guessing or not.

I say Moore is to small to play DE at 225 and you say he is to big? So in your opinion a DE should be what? 200 pounds? :rollin

 
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