re: What cheers me up in dark times - looking ahead, defense 2012 vs 2013

Simon was abused all year. I am not worried about that. Our CBs should be better as a whole with another year of experience. Look out for true freshman White to make an entrance.

Kwon, Debo, Barrow, Jones will make a nasty LB core. Best we've had in years. Had Minter stayed I'd say best ever at LSU.

Reid really was mediocre this year. I think he is a combine warrior but was out of position several times this year. I could see Corey Thompson playing as well as Martin. Both will be good players and the drop off shouldn't be huge it at all.

Sam is a bigger loss than Mingo. Mingo will be better in a 3-4. Hunter will be much like Sam IMO, but the locker room presence was huge. DL should get hit the worst, but I think a couple of these freshmen will be very, very good.