Today we hit up #8 - the Defensive Line
Depth Chart - Here is a look at the very young and unproven defensive line depth chart as it currently stands:
Talent - Average, but good numbers and some upside. Kapron Lewis-Moore (4 star end from Texas, and draft day commitment in 2008 - pictured right) redshirted last season, but created quite a buzz on the scout team later in the year. Many felt he could have been starting at the end of last season, but a season of eligibility was preserved.
The most talented player on the defensive line, and possibly the entire defense, is Ethan Johnson (pictured below - incidentally wearing the same number 9 worn by fellow sophomore tight end Kyle Rudolph, featured yesterday). The true sophomore from Oregon was a top 50 player who narrowed his college choices down to USC or Notre Dame. He played defensive end last season while learning the defense, sacking the QB in both the USC and Hawaii games. He moves inside to the 3 technique DT, which is likely his best position. He is definitely a player that can play any position on the line, and will be asked to be on the field as much as possible.
Ian Williams (3 star) has shown spurts of being a very solid nose tackle, but has lacked the focus and stamina to be an every down player. He has had a great summer and fall camp, showing a renewed sense of urgency. Kerry Neal started out as a freshman making an impact, but has not turned the corner towards being an every down consistent player, being weak against the run.
Of the backups, the sophomores have been making huge strides. Brandon Newman (3 star), Sean Cwynar (4 star), and Hafis Williams (3 star) all have been pushing each other on the fluid depth chart for the DT and NT position (Hafis not listed but battling wih Cwynar for backup DT spot). The trio bodes well for depth and the future, but they are all totally green.
Changes - Coaching changes were huge this offseason. Randy Hart is the new Defensive Line coach, replacing Jappy Oliver. Bryant Young (former Irish All American, 1st rd draft, and 4 time NFL pro bowler) is the Defensive Line Graduate Assistant coach (read about all coaching changes here). Hart brings lots of experience and energy to the position, and has gotten great reviews early. Bryant definitely has the ears of the players, as he is only 2 years removed from a 14 year NFL career. Ethan Johnson played a lot of defensive end last season, largely out of need. This year, he will move more inside, which likely is his best position. Kerry Neal is going to have to hold down that other end spot to make this depth chart stick together. Otherwise Ethan shifts back to end and the chart is shaken up once again.
Depth - We finally have the bodies and the numbers. A healthy number of redshirt sophomores (Hafis Williams, Cwynar, and Brandon Newman) provide the inside positions 4 years of stability. Defensive End lacks a true playmaker, but KLM should be a solid upgrade over what we had at the position last year. Just as with the offensive lines, numbers don't necessarily mean quality. Now that the line a good number of bodies, the next level is to get 2 or 3 more Ethan Johnson NFL caliber talents in the mix. They are on the way recruiting wise, at lease via Chris Martin, #1 DE in the country in the 2010 class, who is already verbally commited to the Irish.
Goals - To increase sacks and more importantly, tackles for loss. 26 sacks last year was not bad - but unfortunately over 75% of them were "blitz sacks", where the offensive line was overloaded. Rarely did a defensive lineman beat his blocking in a regular 4 man rush and get to the QB. Ethan Johnson did it a few times, being the exception. Of the mere 60 tackles for a loss last season (our opponents having about 80 against the Irish), the defensive line only was responsible for a third of those. That must improve, both in total as a team and in the defensive line's favor. I would say 40 TFL is a very good goal for the DLine, whereas 25 sacks would be as well. I doubt we get to both, as 30 TFL and 20 sacks are almost going to be a necessity by the defensive line if the Irish want to go BCS-bowling.
Final Analysis - I have heard it said that the 2009 season will come down to 3rd and 1 - Can we get it on offense? Can we stop it on defense? Difficulty in answering those questions is why the offensive and defensive lines are so low on my confidence rankings. The story is the same for both the lines - some potential stars, finally plenty of solid bodies after years of not enough players, but no proven production. Which line will have the better year? I am betting with only the slightest lean to the defense, solely for the reason that with 2 stars (KLM and Johnson) comprising 50% of the 4 man line on the field for most downs, that's better than 2 out of 5 on the offensive line (Robinson and Young). Most people probably like the returning experience on the offensive line and favor them. This defensive line is largely new, whereas the offensive line was mostly around last year - thats the difference in my book.
Hopefully both units are successful against 3rd and 1 - if both sides of the ball are, then we'll be playing in 2010 to cap off the season.
No comments:
Post a Comment