All this talk about LSU and their juniors. UF is losing more than LSU in 2013

[swg8trgr8]

LSU is only losing 6 starters on their defense.
UF is losing 8 starters on our defense.

We lose both of our DTs
We lose all 3 of our LBs
We lose all 3 of our Safeties


On offense we lose our best RB
Our only TE
Our best WR
2 o-linemen (not a huge loss though)


For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.

That is all, thanks

[oragator1]

In no way do I think it will be an easy game, but I do think that unless Miles knew last recruiting year he was losing these guys, it's a tremendous hit to a program when you lose quality guys you don't expect to lose, and lose almost all of your senior leadership for the next year. Hard to fill the holes 11 early defections will leave on top of your departing seniors, the overall team will be much younger than they expected even if they are talented.

[LimeyGator]

Originally Posted by swg8trgr8

LSU is only losing 6 starters on their defense.
UF is losing 8 starters on our defense.

We lose both of our DTs
We lose all 3 of our LBs
We lose all 3 of our Safeties


On offense we lose our best RB
Our only TE
Our best WR
2 o-linemen (not a huge loss though)


For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.

That is all, thanks

Anyone who thinks ANY away game in Baton Rouge is an easy game needs their medication re-prescribing...

[NoahBeanBizzel]

I haven't seen or talked to any Gator who's said the LSU game is going to be "easy" next fall.

Keep in mind that Florida returns Ronald Powell at the Buck position, and Easley has elected to return. With Bullard and Fowler somewhat ahead of schedule, the additions Muschamp has made through bringing in a couple of JUCO tackles, plus the talent Florida has coming back, our losses at DT won't be as severe as some anticipate. Also remember that a lot of our linemen are cross-trained to play both end and tackle, so guys like Easley and Bullard will shift around as needed, depending on the situation.

Safety isn't a concern at all. Florida has plenty of options-and bodies-to mess around with before opening day. The only position that could get dicey is linebacker. Nobody knows for sure how guys like Taylor, Kitchens and Ball will progress. It's all speculation. None have been special up to this point, and the only proven playmaker returning at the position is Morrison.

Every team loses talent every year in the SEC. It's nothing new.

[j7]

Originally Posted by swg8trgr8

For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.

That is all, thanks

If there was anyone stating this, why did you not respond to them in that thread instead of starting a new thread that does not site where they said that?

[GatorSean]

Originally Posted by NoahBeanBizzel

Safety isn't a concern at all. Florida has plenty of options-and bodies-to mess around with before opening day.

Don't understand this at all. We lose both starters and the primary back-up at safety, not to mention, Elam was probably the best player on the entire D. There is no other position on the entire team where we lose our top three players.

In Muschamp's defense safety is the QB of the D. The players we have coming back have barely played that position at all. Safety is a HUGE concern going into next season.

[Bushmaster]

Strawman thread.

[Gatorrick22]

Originally Posted by swg8trgr8

LSU is only losing 6 starters on their defense.
UF is losing 8 starters on our defense.

We lose both of our DTs
We lose all 3 of our LBs
We lose all 3 of our Safeties


On offense we lose our best RB
Our only TE
Our best WR
2 o-linemen (not a huge loss though)


For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.

That is all, thanks

How many of those 10 juniors LSU is losing to the NFL were starters?

[Danielmaddie]

Originally Posted by GatorSean

Don't understand this at all. We lose both starters and the primary back-up at safety, not to mention, Elam was probably the best player on the entire D. There is no other position on the entire team where we lose our top three players.

In Muschamp's defense safety is the QB of the D. The players we have coming back have barely played that position at all. Safety is a HUGE concern going into next season.

We always go through this at this position, Reggie Nelson, Major Wright, Ahmad Black, Matt Elam, the next great will step in and continue the trend. If there is one position where we have recruited exceptionally well it would be the secondary so I personally am not worried.

[Ahab]

I'm more worried about safety than I am about LB. At least the guys we have returning there have some experience. A LB makes a mistake and it's a first down. When a safety makes a mistake, it's usually a TD.

[luciaboy]

except for murray, we really don't play any outstanding qb's next year. hopefully, that will allow the defense and the safeties to develop

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Originally Posted by GatorSean

Don't understand this at all. We lose both starters and the primary back-up at safety, not to mention, Elam was probably the best player on the entire D. There is no other position on the entire team where we lose our top three players.

In Muschamp's defense safety is the QB of the D. The players we have coming back have barely played that position at all. Safety is a HUGE concern going into next season.

Look, the staff will probably give Watkins a try at free safety this spring, and I think with his ball skills he'll be fantastic-if he can tackle. Poole will be an amazing player wherever the staff puts him, and they've done nothing but rave about him since December. Between Neal, Harris and Washington I believe one will play early. I don't normally assume that a freshman will impact a defense, but please watch film of Keanu Neal. Just do it. Tell me he won't get on the field early.

Gorman has performed well when in games. Marcus Maye and Ledbedder are also on campus, as is Valdez Showers. That's a good combo of experience and talent. I think there might be some growing pains early, but whomever earns the two starting spots will do a great job. That's my opinion. If you don't agree then don't agree. But I think we'll be fine.

[gatordee]

You may find ONE statement like this (For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.), but you will not find two anywhere on GC.

[rserina]

Of course it won't be easy. They have plenty of talent. But it is hardly an insurmountable game with their losses. Had they returned more, they would have been a title contender.

[G8R8U2]

According to the Shreveport Times, losing 10 juniors to the draft might be an all-time NCAA record (and one you don't want); so it must be noteworthy.

There's a difference between saying a game will be easy, and a game should be easier because of a mass exodus like that.

I haven't actually seen anyone say the game will be easy, although it's certainly possible.

Also, the OP is comparing the 10 LSU junior losses with ALL of our losses, including guys who graduate... we only have 4 juniors jumping early.

I have no idea how many seniors LSU is losing; but if you add them to the 10 juniors, 6 of whom aren't projected to go before the 3rd round and who were just coming on and expected to contribute/start next year, the total loss of talent is pretty substantial for a single year.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by NoahBeanBizzel

Look, the staff will probably give Watkins a try at free safety this spring, and I think with his ball skills he'll be fantastic-if he can tackle. Poole will be an amazing player wherever the staff puts him, and they've done nothing but rave about him since December. Between Neal, Harris and Washington I believe one will play early. I don't normally assume that a freshman will impact a defense, but please watch film of Keanu Neal. Just do it. Tell me he won't get on the field early.

Gorman has performed well when in games. Marcus Maye and Ledbedder are also on campus, as is Valdez Showers. That's a good combo of experience and talent. I think there might be some growing pains early, but whomever earns the two starting spots will do a great job. That's my opinion. If you don't agree then don't agree. But I think we'll be fine.

All fairly accurate. Of course there will be a learning curve, but the great thing about defense is that you can compensate for your weaknesses with scheme that relies on your stronger personnel groups to balance things out. We may not blitz as much and put those safeties in man coverage because we get a better pass rush from our ends with Powell coming back and Bullard and Fowler having a year under their belts. We may eliminate some of the more complex mixed coverages early in the season until the new kids get their feet wet. We could see far more cover two and cover three than we have in the past if we are worried about the safeties covering deep.

Regardless, it isn't like we are playing a bunch of true freshmen out there. More importantly, who on our schedule is going to scorch those guys? It is a pretty weak group offensively. Murray and those UGA receivers? Mettenberger? How many touchdowns did Mizzou score all season in our league? I just don't see anyone being able to exploit it the way, say, Woodson or Stafford or Henne did 2007. We may have some iffy moments and I am sure there will be some bad games, likely resulting in a loss or two that will have the entire board questioning Muschamp as a head coach or the direction of the program or longing for the good old vertical passing days or whatever. But we have recruited extremely well defensively and I suspect we have enough talent already on hand to avoid running out true freshmen who don't even know where their classes are yet, as we did in 2007.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Originally Posted by rserina

All fairly accurate. Of course there will be a learning curve, but the great thing about defense is that you can compensate for your weaknesses with scheme that relies on your stronger personnel groups to balance things out. We may not blitz as much and put those safeties in man coverage because we get a better pass rush from our ends with Powell coming back and Bullard and Fowler having a year under their belts. We may eliminate some of the more complex mixed coverages early in the season until the new kids get their feet wet. We could see far more cover two and cover three than we have in the past if we are worried about the safeties covering deep.

Regardless, it isn't like we are playing a bunch of true freshmen out there. More importantly, who on our schedule is going to scorch those guys? It is a pretty weak group offensively. Murray and those UGA receivers? Mettenberger? How many touchdowns did Mizzou score all season in our league? I just don't see anyone being able to exploit it the way, say, Woodson or Stafford or Henne did 2007. We may have some iffy moments and I am sure there will be some bad games, likely resulting in a loss or two that will have the entire board questioning Muschamp as a head coach or the direction of the program or longing for the good old vertical passing days or whatever. But we have recruited extremely well defensively and I suspect we have enough talent already on hand to avoid running out true freshmen who don't even know where their classes are yet, as we did in 2007.

Good stuff. We have three great corners, plus four guys across the line of scrimmage (Fowler, Powell, Easley and Bullard) who can get to the QB. That takes a huge load off the safeties.

If we ran more of a cover-two, zone style of defense (Like Kiffin) maybe I'd be more concerned. But we love man and combo man coverages, and that's hard for QB's to deal with on third and long-especially when you can get to the quarterback. You're essentially throwing into double coverage trying to hit your best receiver when we play a safety-or two-deep. The result is that we really don't get hit deep for big plays.

The safeties are also Muschamp's baby. He really goes after guys who can tackle, and does a fantastic job of coaching them up, so I'm never concerned about missed tackles turning into back-breaking big gains. Combine that with the fact that we're extremely talented at the position, and I just don't see a problem there.

[LAGatorDoc]

Originally Posted by Gatorrick22

How many of those 10 juniors LSU is losing to the NFL were starters?

They lose their whole starting D-line, 2 of their starting o-line, their beast middle LB, their best safety, and their best CB. They also lose a RB who isn't that big of a loss, b/c their best (Hill) is only a freshman.

I say if we lost Powell and Easley, we would be as bad off as them. Right now I still say they are worse off than us with the losses they have taken.

But the game will be no walk in the park. It will most likely be a night game in Tiger stadium. 2 teams have come out of that with a win in the past 15-20 years, and Alabama last year was one of them.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by NoahBeanBizzel

The safeties are also Muschamp's baby. He really goes after guys who can tackle, and does a fantastic job of coaching them up, so I'm never concerned about missed tackles turning into back-breaking big gains. Combine that with the fact that we're extremely talented at the position, and I just don't see a problem there.

Sort of like Meyer and receivers or Spurrier and quarterbacks. They understand that aspect of the game so well and their systems are geared toward their effectiveness. Our ability to limit big plays last year was phenomenal. We used our safeties a number of different ways which were all pretty successful.

[gatorbogey]

good discussion