2013 Gator Defense

[UFish]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

Morrison is moving to ILB then on the outside you have options like Jeremi Powell and Nerion Ball. The EE freshmen Daniel McMillian & Alex Anzalone will aslo get a shot outside.

Anzalone is awfully big to be an outside backer IMO.

If Morrison is moving inside, which would make sense given his physical tools and experience, I would think Ball or Kitchens take over outside.

[oneatatime]

it came up when he was struggling to find a position as a freshman, could Powell play ILB?

[StrangeGator]

I think we're going to be pushing outside guys inside on the DL, mainly Bullard and probably one or more of the incoming freshmen. In that scenario, Bullard would start at one DT spot and Easley at the other, probably as NT. Orr, Jacobs and Cummings back them up. I think Fowler moves to SSDE and Powell gets first shot at Buck. Could be some switching around there, going big with Fowler at Buck and Powell at Sam. I see Cox and Ivie backing up on the strong side with McCallister and a true freshman backing up at Buck. I could even see Ball getting some reps at Buck. He's better rushing the passer than he is dropping back in coverage.

LB is complicated. The only proven player is Morrison and he needs to be in the middle. Every other current player will be competing against a mob of talented incoming freshmen. Wouldn't be surprised to see one of the freshmen start. I think we'll be good there, but it will take a few games to sort it out. If you put me on the spot, I'd say that Ball, McMillan, Anzalone and Taylor are the most likely to fill out the starting spots and key backup spots.

The secondary is baffling to me. Purifoy and Watkins are the best CBs, but they might also be the best safety prospects we have. I think one moves to safety, leaving Roberson and either Riggs or VH3 to start at the other spot. Yea, I think he'll be ready. He's Janoris Jenkins with brains and jets. Might be my imagination, but I think I saw Showers out there on the field quite a bit. I think he's a likely starter at one of the safety spots. Gorman, Maye, Ledbetter and Harris will give us a lot of backups. Haven't mentioned Poole yet, but I think he'll be our #1 nickel and #2 at either a CB or nickel spot. Not counting out Washington as a first year contributor, just not sure what position he plays. He's got the range to play FS, but the hips and quicknesss to play corner.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Originally Posted by gator7_5

Well, we have an idea. And if you hate to at least speculate about it, why even open the thread?

First of all, I don't hate anything. I don't know where that word came from, but I never used that word in my post.

Also, the title "2013 Gator defense" could mean a lot of things...about the 2013 Gator defense. How am I supposed to know that it would be another depth chart?

If you guys want to speculate, go ahead. I'm just interested in seeing how these guys perform during the spring. I think that'll give us a better idea of who will start at LB and safety.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by StrangeGator

I think we're going to be pushing outside guys inside on the DL, mainly Bullard and probably one or more of the incoming freshmen. In that scenario, Bullard would start at one DT spot and Easley at the other, probably as NT. Orr, Jacobs and Cummings back them up. I think Fowler moves to SSDE and Powell gets first shot at Buck. Could be some switching around there, going big with Fowler at Buck and Powell at Sam. I see Cox and Ivie backing up on the strong side with McCallister and a true freshman backing up at Buck. I could even see Ball getting some reps at Buck. He's better rushing the passer than he is dropping back in coverage.

We will rotate heavily at DL again. I think we want Jacobs and Orr at the one-technique, with Easley moving to the three, his position at the next level. Cummings should be in position to compete for the backup spot there. Bullard, Fowler, and Powell will all rotate at end, so the named starter doesn't concern me as much.

I am not as down on Taylor as some are. He gets out of fit sometimes, but the kid hits and plays hard. He could easily win the Will, with Morrison at the Mike and Ball at the Sam. Kitchens played some Will under the previous staff, so might he an option at both outside spots. Of course, any number of those freshmen could contribute, too, since prep linebackers are typically more prepared to play than some other positions.

There should definitely be some position changes in the secondary. We have plenty of talented bodies at safety, but no experience. Watkins could easily make the move and is the more likely of the returnees to do so. Gorman can hold down the strong safety spot, but we won't go unopposed. Lots of good kids coming down the pipeline there.

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by UFish

Anzalone is awfully big to be an outside backer IMO.

If Morrison is moving inside, which would make sense given his physical tools and experience, I would think Ball or Kitchens take over outside.

Anzalone is really good in space one of the best high school LB's in coverage his problem is tackling

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by rserina

I am not as down on Taylor as some are. He gets out of fit sometimes, but the kid hits and plays hard. He could easily win the Will, with Morrison at the Mike and Ball at the Sam. Kitchens played some Will under the previous staff, so might he an option at both outside spots. Of course, any number of those freshmen could contribute, too, since prep linebackers are typically more prepared to play than some other positions.

Taylor is just horrible in coverage you cant have him out there when we are in the middle of the field. That is why he comes in the game when the other team is inside the 30.

[Tebowism0823]

Originally Posted by rserina

We will rotate heavily at DL again. I think we want Jacobs and Orr at the one-technique, with Easley moving to the three, his position at the next level. Cummings should be in position to compete for the backup spot there. Bullard, Fowler, and Powell will all rotate at end, so the named starter doesn't concern me as much.

I am not as down on Taylor as some are. He gets out of fit sometimes, but the kid hits and plays hard. He could easily win the Will, with Morrison at the Mike and Ball at the Sam. Kitchens played some Will under the previous staff, so might he an option at both outside spots. Of course, any number of those freshmen could contribute, too, since prep linebackers are typically more prepared to play than some other positions.

There should definitely be some position changes in the secondary. We have plenty of talented bodies at safety, but no experience. Watkins could easily make the move and is the more likely of the returnees to do so. Gorman can hold down the strong safety spot, but we won't go unopposed. Lots of good kids coming down the pipeline there.

Agreed. Taylor isn't as bad as some want to make him sound.

[VolsFan07]

Did Easley ever state whether he was coming back or not?

[15gator05]

Originally Posted by VolsFan07

Did Easley ever state whether he was coming back or not?

He said he was.

[VolsFan07]

Originally Posted by 15gator05

He said he was.

Thanks. I read the article saying he was on the fence, but nothing since then. Sucks for the Vols, kid is unstoppable when he wants to be.

[15gator05]

Originally Posted by VolsFan07

Thanks. I read the article saying he was on the fence, but nothing since then. Sucks for the Vols, kid is unstoppable when he wants to be.

Yeah he sent out a tweet saying he was comin back stating he had things to take care of. But i agree when the guy is focused and has his motor running he can be as good as any.

[sleeze]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

Taylor is just horrible in coverage you cant have him out there when we are in the middle of the field. That is why he comes in the game when the other team is inside the 30.

Maybe,,,,but having him in the middle would be to his benefit. I think he is a good run stopper. Maybe take him out on passing downs.

When u think of Middle LB ,,,coverage skills is not the first thing u think of.

[gatorbait96]

Per twitter...Cody Riggs and Jaylen Watkins will get a look at safety.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Originally Posted by gatorbait96

Per twitter...Cody Riggs and Jaylen Watkins will get a look at safety.

Watkins makes sense at free safety. If we're going purely off of ability to cover and ball skills, HE is a guy I'd want to be my last line of defense. The only question is whether or not he's a good enough tackler to play the position.

Riggs will probably play in the nickle a lot this season.

[Mayhem41]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

Morrison is moving inside they are not starting Mike Taylor. Everybody has a shot at those safety spots watch out for Riggs

IMO Riggs will have a difficult time getting on the field next season.

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by Mayhem41

IMO Riggs will have a difficult time getting on the field next season.

we are in Nickle 60- 70 percent of the time Riggs will see the field somewhere

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by sleeze

Maybe,,,,but having him in the middle would be to his benefit. I think he is a good run stopper. Maybe take him out on passing downs.

When u think of Middle LB ,,,coverage skills is not the first thing u think of.

The league is changing if you cant cover you cant play. I think he will have the same role he had at the end of this year come in when the other team is inside our 30

[GATORAZ]

CWM mentioned Marcus Maye at his most recent press conference so expect him to get a real shot at one of the safety positions along with Shower Gorman & maybe Watkins and Riggs. I think Brian Poole will win the nickle corner spot that Elam played but Riggs and VH3 could see time there as well.

[Mayhem41]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

we are in Nickle 60- 70 percent of the time Riggs will see the field somewhere

Just think there will be a load in front of him. Watkins, Purifoy, Poole, Roberson and Hargraves will all be in front of him at CB/NB. His best bet will be Poole and/or Purifoy getting moved to safety (my guess is Poole gets moved). Just based on my limited exposure to Riggs I think he has his work cut out for him. I don't see safety in his future, either. I could be wrong, though.

P.S. We aren't in nickel anywhere near 70% of the time, but I don't think nickel makes a difference in this matter, as stated earlier. Of course that depends on the offense we are playing against in any given game, also.

Nickel is completely predicated on the offensive personel grouping you are going against in a given play. If we were in nickel 70 percent of the time, that would mean we only faced base and jumbo type packages 30 percent of the time or fewer. I don't think that's the case. I'm sure you already know this, though.