Past Philosophy of O-Line Apply to D-Line in 2018?

Posted on: April 18, 2018 at 12:37:00 CT

Remember when our O-Line staff (believe it was around the time of AJ Ricker taking over in 2014 or even before) threw all of the offensive lineman in a big pot, practiced all week, and started the best 5? At least they "said" that's what the deal was. There was continuity at C, but various players could play tackle or guard and learned to play both left & right sides of the line.

I'd be open to doing that with the riches we have on the D-Line. Move them around, test instincts, look for strengths, then rate them. Based on what I've seen in the past and project for the future, this could lead to something like:

DE: J. Elliott 6-4 325.
DT: R. Brandon 6-3 300.
DT: T. Beckner 6-4 305.
DE: A. Byers 6-4 295.

2nd Team:

DE: N. Anderson 6-4 265.
DT: A. Thompson 6-5 310.
DT: W. Palmore 6-4 320.
DE: K. Whiteside 6-1 300.

3rd Team: (this is an embarrassment of riches).

DE: T. Williams 6-5 250.
DT: M. Utsey 6-4 305.
DT: T. Jacobs 6-4 290.
DE: C. Turner 6-4 250.

Cheetah Package:

DL: F. Agbasimere 6-2 255.
DL: C. Sampson 6-4 280.
DL: C. Williams 6-3 250.
DL: M. Eaddy 6-0 240.

That size and speed upfront would protect Hall & Lee on the outside and Garrett in the MLB, although I think Jamal Brooks and Aubrey Miller will end up supplanting Lee & Garrett, or at least sharing time fairly equally.

Damn, it's nice to look like and feel like a real SEC Defense in the front 7-size, speed and depth. Getting there with the corners, but safeties need work.

Edited by KCTiger83 at 12:38:10 on 04/18/18