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Excellent job from TT here!
Testudo Times: Meet Brian Stewart, MD's new DC
Started by
BSLChrisStoner
, Jan 17 2012 11:21 AM
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BSLChrisStoner
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Greg Pappas
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Posted 17 January 2012 - 07:18 PM
I'm excited to have him here. Great pickup by the Terps. What once was a horrific season and offseason has really turned into some strong positives.
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BSLChrisStoner
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Posted 18 January 2012 - 11:10 AM
Testudo Times commentary on what the Terps Defense could look like in the 3-4 alignment:
"SDE: Justin Anderson (Jr. / 6-5 / 275) - Anderson is a prototypical strong-side defensive end in this set. He's big enough to hold his own against the rush but also able to be penetrative if need be. He should fit into the role without much of a hitch. Primary backup: Keith Bowers (So. / 6-2 / 260)
NT: A.J. Francis (Sr. / 6-4 / 295) - He'll need to add weight, but Francis is the closest thing to a space-eater Maryland has. This is a physically demanding position, but Francis is by all accounts a hard worker and will relish the challenge. Primary backup: Darius Kilgo (So. / 6-3 / 290) Name for the future: D.J. Reader (Uncommitted '12 / 6-3 / 306)
WDE: Joe Vellano (Sr. / 6-2 / 285) - The weak-side end spot is more like a traditional DT, so Vellano will likely be a better fit here. He needs to eat up blockers and be disruptive in both the run and the pass, enough to draw an extra man and let the weak-side 'backers behind him roam free. Vellano should do well in this area. Primary backup: Andre Monroe (So. / 6-0 / 275) Name for the future: Korren Kirven (Uncommitted '12 / 6-4 / 275)
SOLB: Marcus Whitfield (Jr. / 6-3 / 230) - Whitfield could end up switching spots with Isaiah Ross at WOLB, as it's a bit tough to assess this: the SOLB is supposed to be able to drop back and cover the tight end, and I have much more faith in someone like Whitfield doing that than I do the bulkier Ross. This neutralizes Whitfield's pass-rushing ability, but it's the safer move. Primary backup: Bradley Johnson (Jr. / 6-1 / 220) Other names to consider: Darin Drakeford (Sr. / 6-0 / 240), Lorne Goree (So. / 6-1 / 230) Name for the futures: Abner Logan (Committed '12 / 6-1 / 212), Dorian O'Daniel (Uncommitted '13 / 6-1 / 205)
SILB: Darin Drakeford (Sr. / 6-0 / 240) - Drake has really good size for the spot and his primary job will be (in the run game) taking on blockers to free up the other inside linebacker and (in the pass) covering the middle of the field or rushing the passer. Should do just fine. Primary backup: Lorne Goree (So. / 6-1 / 230) Names for the future: Brock Dean (Committed '12 / 6-1 / 220), Abner Logan (Committed '12 / 6-1 / 212)
WILB: Demetrius Hartsfield (Sr. / 6-2 / 235) - This spot (MIKE) is the most similar to its equivalent in the 4-3. He's basically supposed to be the tackling machine, which is the same role Hartsfield filled last year when he was on the team. He'll rarely blitz and has more responsibilities in the run game, diagnosing and avoiding blockers. Primary backup: Alex Twine (So. / 6-0 / 220) Name for the future: Dallas Griffiths (6-2 / 225)
WOLB: Isaiah Ross (Jr. / 6-1 / 245) - This is supposed to be the elite pass-rusher of the bunch, but unfortunately if Ross doesn't end up here then he'll have to cover a tight end in the passing game ... and I don't want that to happen. Ross is an athletic pass-rusher, mind you, and isn't a terrible fit for the spot, though he's probably not the athletic monster someone like Whitfield or Johnson has the potential to be. Primary backup: Clarence Murphy (So. / 6-2 / 240) Names for the future: Roman Braglio (Committed '12 / 6-3 / 235), Jonathan Allen (Uncommitted '13 / 6-2 / 220)
The secondary should more or less stay the same, with one drastic difference: guys like Mario Rowson, Desmond Kearse, Avery Graham, and, yes, Kenny Tate should be making their way back. These smaller guys really don't have a role with the larger bodies required in a 3-4 set. The only two I could see sticking are Kearse, who's an incredible pass-rusher and could fill in at WOLB in an obvious passing down, and, unfortunately, Tate, who could be tried out at either outside 'backer spot. I don't think it'll happen, mind you, but it could."
Things I like:
1) D-line. Maryland has struggled with depth issues on the line for years. I like that there is some talent here beyond Vellano. If you have Monroe and Bowers as reserves, you are on to something.
2) Drakeford and Hartsfield are both very capable. If they can stay on the field more often in '12, they will produce. Goree and Twine both got a lot of time this past year, and Twine was really coming on as the season progressed. Everyone continues to wait for Whitfield to blow-up. I like the idea of Ross just being asked to get after the QB from the WOLB spot.
3) Tate being on the field anywhere is a win. Getting him back to Safety could change the entire defense.
"SDE: Justin Anderson (Jr. / 6-5 / 275) - Anderson is a prototypical strong-side defensive end in this set. He's big enough to hold his own against the rush but also able to be penetrative if need be. He should fit into the role without much of a hitch. Primary backup: Keith Bowers (So. / 6-2 / 260)
NT: A.J. Francis (Sr. / 6-4 / 295) - He'll need to add weight, but Francis is the closest thing to a space-eater Maryland has. This is a physically demanding position, but Francis is by all accounts a hard worker and will relish the challenge. Primary backup: Darius Kilgo (So. / 6-3 / 290) Name for the future: D.J. Reader (Uncommitted '12 / 6-3 / 306)
WDE: Joe Vellano (Sr. / 6-2 / 285) - The weak-side end spot is more like a traditional DT, so Vellano will likely be a better fit here. He needs to eat up blockers and be disruptive in both the run and the pass, enough to draw an extra man and let the weak-side 'backers behind him roam free. Vellano should do well in this area. Primary backup: Andre Monroe (So. / 6-0 / 275) Name for the future: Korren Kirven (Uncommitted '12 / 6-4 / 275)
SOLB: Marcus Whitfield (Jr. / 6-3 / 230) - Whitfield could end up switching spots with Isaiah Ross at WOLB, as it's a bit tough to assess this: the SOLB is supposed to be able to drop back and cover the tight end, and I have much more faith in someone like Whitfield doing that than I do the bulkier Ross. This neutralizes Whitfield's pass-rushing ability, but it's the safer move. Primary backup: Bradley Johnson (Jr. / 6-1 / 220) Other names to consider: Darin Drakeford (Sr. / 6-0 / 240), Lorne Goree (So. / 6-1 / 230) Name for the futures: Abner Logan (Committed '12 / 6-1 / 212), Dorian O'Daniel (Uncommitted '13 / 6-1 / 205)
SILB: Darin Drakeford (Sr. / 6-0 / 240) - Drake has really good size for the spot and his primary job will be (in the run game) taking on blockers to free up the other inside linebacker and (in the pass) covering the middle of the field or rushing the passer. Should do just fine. Primary backup: Lorne Goree (So. / 6-1 / 230) Names for the future: Brock Dean (Committed '12 / 6-1 / 220), Abner Logan (Committed '12 / 6-1 / 212)
WILB: Demetrius Hartsfield (Sr. / 6-2 / 235) - This spot (MIKE) is the most similar to its equivalent in the 4-3. He's basically supposed to be the tackling machine, which is the same role Hartsfield filled last year when he was on the team. He'll rarely blitz and has more responsibilities in the run game, diagnosing and avoiding blockers. Primary backup: Alex Twine (So. / 6-0 / 220) Name for the future: Dallas Griffiths (6-2 / 225)
WOLB: Isaiah Ross (Jr. / 6-1 / 245) - This is supposed to be the elite pass-rusher of the bunch, but unfortunately if Ross doesn't end up here then he'll have to cover a tight end in the passing game ... and I don't want that to happen. Ross is an athletic pass-rusher, mind you, and isn't a terrible fit for the spot, though he's probably not the athletic monster someone like Whitfield or Johnson has the potential to be. Primary backup: Clarence Murphy (So. / 6-2 / 240) Names for the future: Roman Braglio (Committed '12 / 6-3 / 235), Jonathan Allen (Uncommitted '13 / 6-2 / 220)
The secondary should more or less stay the same, with one drastic difference: guys like Mario Rowson, Desmond Kearse, Avery Graham, and, yes, Kenny Tate should be making their way back. These smaller guys really don't have a role with the larger bodies required in a 3-4 set. The only two I could see sticking are Kearse, who's an incredible pass-rusher and could fill in at WOLB in an obvious passing down, and, unfortunately, Tate, who could be tried out at either outside 'backer spot. I don't think it'll happen, mind you, but it could."
Things I like:
1) D-line. Maryland has struggled with depth issues on the line for years. I like that there is some talent here beyond Vellano. If you have Monroe and Bowers as reserves, you are on to something.
2) Drakeford and Hartsfield are both very capable. If they can stay on the field more often in '12, they will produce. Goree and Twine both got a lot of time this past year, and Twine was really coming on as the season progressed. Everyone continues to wait for Whitfield to blow-up. I like the idea of Ross just being asked to get after the QB from the WOLB spot.
3) Tate being on the field anywhere is a win. Getting him back to Safety could change the entire defense.
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