Shocking News!

[Warthog]

We've moved two more DB's to LB. Can you believe it?

http://tinyurl.com/yrp3zl

Looks like Stanley is definitely gone as well.

I still don't know why the LB position wasn't addressed with recruits. Instead, we sign six more DBs so we can move others to different positions. Makes no sense.

[Falconboy]

We've moved two more DB's to LB. Can you believe it?

http://tinyurl.com/yrp3zl

Looks like Stanley is definitely gone as well.

I still don't know why the LB position wasn't addressed with recruits. Instead, we sign six more DBs so we can move others to different positions. Makes no sense.

You know the pathetic run defense we've seen out of the past 4-5 years and the poor tackling by our linebackers? Prepare to see even worse of the same. Unbelievable.

[JoeFalcon]

You know the pathetic run defense we've seen out of the past 4-5 years and the poor tackling by our linebackers? Prepare to see even worse of the same. Unbelievable.

I'd like to see more beef at the LB position as well, but I wouldn't automatically assume it's going to get worse.

Brandon said that Sanderson is "close to 200 pounds and he’s going to continue to get bigger and stronger," so he's not going to be the size of a DB come fall. They haven't updated the weights since last summer but even back then Fells was 215, Dozier 221 and Basler 238. Stanley was a tackling machine last year at 205.

We're also going to have more size (and depth) on the defensive line to keep defenders off the linebackers and let them use their speed to make plays. The run defense numbers are a bit inflated anyway considering we were #2 in the conference in pass defense. MAC opponents rushed the ball 361 times against BG, more than anyone else in the league, compared to only 240 times against the leader in rush defense, Miami.

[able1]

This gets Mahone, Brown, and Sanderson on the field at the same time. I'm all for it. I haven't been overly fond of alot of the position changes in the past, but I think this one makes more sense.
Too bad about Stanley. He really came in and played well last year.

[bgsufalcon24]

You know the pathetic run defense we've seen out of the past 4-5 years and the poor tackling by our linebackers? Prepare to see even worse of the same. Unbelievable.

The run defense numbers are a bit inflated anyway considering we were #2 in the conference in pass defense. MAC opponents rushed the ball 361 times against BG, more than anyone else in the league, compared to only 240 times against the leader in rush defense, Miami.

No, you've got that backwards. Our pass defense was only good because teams elected not to pass against us. Our run defense was a weakness, so other teams correctly gameplanned to run the ball against us. Just like they elected to throw against Miami, because hey, their run defense is pretty good. Teams will continue to run at us until our run-stopping gets better. THEN we'll see if our pass defense is any good or not. I'm convinced that teams could throw all day on Antonio Smith if they wanted to, he gets burned at least once a game. Kenny Lewis, although he forces turnovers, isn't that much better at coverage. Really PJ Mahone is the only guy I feel really good about in our secondary.

So no, our 2nd ranked pass defense doesn't necessarily mean our secondary is good at defending the pass. Ultimately, the games we lost last year (Michigan State, Tulsa, Miami, etc) were because of our complete inability to stop the pass. Only one (Ohio) was a result of not being able to stop the run. Boston College I'd say was more a result of turnovers than anything else.

[Falconfreak90]

Dang...that's too bad about Stanley. He played well last year.

Nick Davis is still out...I don't like hearing that. I really hope he is ready to go in summer camp. He deserves a healthy season. Good to hear Briggs is back with the team as well.

Before putting too much judgement on the LB situtation, let's see how it plays out.

Spring Game is only 3 weeks away.

[Warthog]

This gets Mahone, Brown, and Sanderson on the field at the same time. I'm all for it.

Yes, those guys are all talented. But I don't understand why someone has to move to LB and be undersized. Why don't we just make the nickel package our base defense and have these guys out there in the secondary. Run a 3-3-5 or 4-2-5, something like that. If DB is where the talent is, but more of them on the field and force the offense to adjust based on what we are doing on defense.

[factman]

Hey Falconboy! I just talked to a few of the LB's and they agreed that they need to improve, and were wondering if you could come out to practice for a few days and put the pads on so they had someone to practice tackling.
Whata ya think? I think it would make a GREAT fundraiser cause I'd pay big money just to watch, let alone the filming rights. It would have to be rated X due to gore and violence, but I still think it would work! Come on.....do it!!!!!

[Flipper]

Yep...we shouldn't move any DB's to LB. Guys like Dozier, Hargrove and Carswell struggled so badly...I can't see why we would think a move like this could work.....

Folks...Gregg Brandon, love him or hate him...he isn't going to go out and find a bunch of 240lb guys to play LB. Once a kid hits that number he lines up with the DE's. That's the jus tthe way it is. I have heard him say on one or more occasions that LB and one of the safety spots are somewhat interchangeable in our defense. I do think this opens the door for a true freshman or two...a kid like Davis or Quiles, to see the field in a role beyond special teams this fall.

Speaking of 240lb LB's....I think the Lions will take Jerod Mayo from Tennessee at #15. Who are the Browns looking at?

[Globetrotter]

This gets Mahone, Brown, and Sanderson on the field at the same time. I'm all for it. I haven't been overly fond of alot of the position changes in the past, but I think this one makes more sense.
Too bad about Stanley. He really came in and played well last year.

What position changes were you not fond of?

[Globetrotter]

This gets Mahone, Brown, and Sanderson on the field at the same time. I'm all for it.

Yes, those guys are all talented. But I don't understand why someone has to move to LB and be undersized. Why don't we just make the nickel package our base defense and have these guys out there in the secondary. Run a 3-3-5 or 4-2-5, something like that. If DB is where the talent is, but more of them on the field and force the offense to adjust based on what we are doing on defense.

I think we run a 4-3 in name only. I believe that Briggs doesnt always play with his hand down and the SLB is basically a strong safety. So its 3-3-5 or 4-2-5 like you said.

[JoeFalcon]

So no, our 2nd ranked pass defense doesn't necessarily mean our secondary is good at defending the pass.

Okaaaay. And the fact that Heidi Klum was on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition doesn't necessarily mean she's hot. If opposing coaches thought Antonio Smith and our other corners were as bad as you think they are, they'd attack them constantly and he'd be getting burned a lot more than once a game.

We didn't lose to Miami and Tulsa soley because of pourous pass defense. We lost the Miami and Tulsa games because we were outplayed in every single facet of the game, pass defense included.

If you're this hypercritical of a unit that ranked second in the conference and has every returning starter back next year, I shutter at what you must think of, say, the offensive line.

[bgsufalcon24]

So no, our 2nd ranked pass defense doesn't necessarily mean our secondary is good at defending the pass.

Okaaaay. And the fact that Heidi Klum was on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition doesn't necessarily mean she's hot. If opposing coaches thought Antonio Smith and our other corners were as bad as you think they are, they'd attack them constantly and he'd be getting burned a lot more than once a game.

We didn't lose to Miami and Tulsa soley because of pourous pass defense. We lost the Miami and Tulsa games because we were outplayed in every single facet of the game, pass defense included.

If you're this hypercritical of a unit that ranked second in the conference and has every returning starter back next year, I shutter at what you must think of, say, the offensive line.

The offensive line I'm sure will be fine. We've done some good recruiting there, and although they might take some time to gel, it won't be a bad unit by any stretch.

When in doubt, always follow this formula regarding Bowling Green football.
Offense = good
Defense = bad

[hammb]

So no, our 2nd ranked pass defense doesn't necessarily mean our secondary is good at defending the pass.

Okaaaay. And the fact that Heidi Klum was on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition doesn't necessarily mean she's hot. If opposing coaches thought Antonio Smith and our other corners were as bad as you think they are, they'd attack them constantly and he'd be getting burned a lot more than once a game.

We didn't lose to Miami and Tulsa soley because of pourous pass defense. We lost the Miami and Tulsa games because we were outplayed in every single facet of the game, pass defense included.

If you're this hypercritical of a unit that ranked second in the conference and has every returning starter back next year, I shutter at what you must think of, say, the offensive line.

Our passing defense looked good statistically solely because our rush defense was putrid. That is the only reason period. We didn't have a pass rush and our secondary generally sucks by letting off a ton of big plays. I don't care how long those guys have been starting they're not good.

Your comment that teams would attack them more if they were that bad is patently false. When a defense is lousy all around opposing coaches will always choose to simply pound them into submission without the inherent risk passing the ball comes with. We let off 4.7 yards per carry why should they pass?

Sure our passing defense numbers looked decent, but when you look closer it was fools' gold. We were 93rd in the country in passer rating allowed. Only Central Michigan, Kent, and Toledo ranked worse than us in the MAC. What's that say? Despite our good looking pass defense numbers when teams actually did pass they had great success doing so.

Our defense was crap. It was crap against the run. It was crap against the pass. It's been pretty much crap for the recent past, and I expect it to be pretty much crap going forward. Luckily all the other defenses in the MAC are pretty crappy too, so it shouldn't prevent us from being a winning team if we get the offense where it needs to be.

[jacojdm]

Speaking of 240lb LB's....I think the Lions will take Jerod Mayo from Tennessee at #15. Who are the Browns looking at?

Whomever is left in the fourth round.