The Linebackers

[DocRebel]

If there's any one group I desperately want to see improve 1000% this season it's the linebacker corps. They enter the season with a lot of experience but man did they ever struggle last year (obviously the whole team struggled). Lotulelei developed nicely as the season went on but I'd like to see him show quicker lateral movement this season, and the other guys just need to step up big time.

I know the D-line has seen more reconstruction, but I actually feel better about the D-line than I do the linebackers despite having all returners. They have something to prove, imo. My hope is they'll surprise me with drastic improvement. That basically goes for the entire defense.

 

[LasVegasReb]

Agreed with everything. Last year they looked real SLOW. I'm hoping speed increases significantly.

 

[RebelinWA]

Really wish Nela stayed home right about now.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Really wish Nela stayed home right about now.

Not saying Nela wasn't a solid player, but speed and athleticism were a big concern with the linebackers last year and Nela isn't particularly fast or overly athletic. He was an in the box ILB that brought it when he tackled. I think he will prove to be a 2 down linebacker at the college level that comes off the field on 3rd down and obvious passing downs. Again in the right scheme I think he could be effective just not sure he would have instantly improved our talent at LB. I think in the long run they ended up with the better player in Laolagi out of California. Seems to be more athletic than Nela. Time will tell.

I do think however from a 'promotional' standpoint it would have been great for Sanchez to be able to keep Nela home. Would have helped spread the message of a New Era and commitment to local recruiting.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

If there's any one group I desperately want to see improve 1000% this season it's the linebacker corps. They enter the season with a lot of experience but man did they ever struggle last year (obviously the whole team struggled). Lotulelei developed nicely as the season went on but I'd like to see him show quicker lateral movement this season, and the other guys just need to step up big time.

I know the D-line has seen more reconstruction, but I actually feel better about the D-line than I do the linebackers despite having all returners. They have something to prove, imo. My hope is they'll surprise me with drastic improvement. That basically goes for the entire defense.

Really hard to point fingers at any one part of the defense last year. All three levels had their struggles. I still say the majority of the blame should have fallen on the front four. The struggled to keep guys off the linebackers, and generated virtually no pass rush. This isn't to say the linebackers weren't equally bad. I just think the failures of the defensive line last year compounded everything. They generated little pass rush last year which in turn meant the DBs were in coverage for far to long. Even more frustrating was how many 3rd and longs did we give up on QB scrambles last year because the defensive line lost containment.

I am excited to see what the new staff brings and think there were will be some improvement. I just don't expect us to go from arguably the worst defense in country to even an average defense in one year.

 

[LasVegasReb]

Really hard to point fingers at any one part of the defense last year. All three levels had their struggles. I still say the majority of the blame should have fallen on the front four. The struggled to keep guys off the linebackers, and generated virtually no pass rush. This isn't to say the linebackers weren't equally bad. I just think the failures of the defensive line last year compounded everything. They generated little pass rush last year which in turn meant the DBs were in coverage for far to long. Even more frustrating was how many 3rd and longs did we give up on QB scrambles last year because the defensive line lost containment.

I am excited to see what the new staff brings and think there were will be some improvement. I just don't expect us to go from arguably the worst defense in country to even an average defense in one year.

So your saying just mildly bad defense?

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

So your saying just mildly bad defense?

Pretty much.

They were so bad last year that even reducing 100 yards of total offense per game probably still has them bottom half or third of the country.

Even if they hold teams to one less score per game they would still be giving up nearly 30 points a game.

Im not saying they cant get or wont be better but they would have to make some huge strides to be even an average defense statistically.

I will be happy with any progress and improvements.