Something to really get excited about!

[UGAHusker]

As I recall, Pelini explained the comment as being about team chemistry and unit discipline which improves with experience, and enough key players are returning next year that the overall discipline might be even better to start next season than this season.

:yeah I feel as though the longer the defensive system is in place, the more the players get used to it/buy into it, and we become that "we don't rebuild, we relaod" type of team. The offense could help by orchestrating some blowouts so the younger guys can get some reps, even in mop-up duty. I don't know if the defense will be "better" next year, but I think the foundation is being firmly entrenched.

P.S. The non-conference schedule doesn't hurt...

 

[knapplc]

In the secondary we return a LOT of guys. At Corner we bring back Amukamara, Gomes, Dennard and West, or everyone from the base two-deep. We lose our two starting safeties, Asante and O'Hanlon, and that's a blow (especially the way Asante has been playing lately), but we return Hagg and PJ Smith, so we should be just fine. Hagg has been making a lot of big-time plays this year.

We should also have Thenarse back next year. Not sure who will start between Smith/Thenarse, but it's always good to have options.

Either way, I doubt we'll be better next year. Dillard, Suh, Turner, O'Hanlon, and Asante have all played well (some ridiculously well) this year and there will be dropoff with their replacements. We'll still have an excellent defense, just not quite this excellent.

You're right, I totally ganked Thenarse. And I was thinking of him while typing that spiel about the LBs, too. Duh.

I agree that there will be some drop off without Suh, Dillard and Asante. O'Hanlon and Turner... not sure. Matty has been playing lights-out lately, but early in the year he struggled. And I think we'll be just fine with Hagg and Meredith taking over for O'Hanlon and Turner. No drop off there.

 

[NoKoolAidForME]

Ndamukong Suh

29 Solo Tackles - 1st on the team in solo tackles.

24 Assisted Tackles – Tied for 2nd in assisted sacks.

13 Tackles for loss - 2nd in assisted TFL’s

8 PASS BREAKUPS – 2nd in pass break-ups.

17 QB Hurries – 2nd in QB hurries

1 Forced fumble – Tied for 2nd in forced fumble.

3 Block Kicks – 1st in FG blocks

5.0 Sacks on the season

Suh is demanding a double or triple team every play. Even with opponents trying to get the corner on the D he is still making his presence felt. I have never seen a player block as many passes and kicks in a season. Not only will our defense be a year older so will all these terrible and young offensive lines we have faced this year. I hope BO is right but I don’t see it happening.