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As goes the D-Line, so goes....
Posted on 7/10/18 at 8:48 am
Posted on 7/10/18 at 8:48 am
The first few games of 2017 were a major anomaly for the LSU team. Getting whipped in the trenches by Miss State took a bad situation and psychologically amplified it. Then, the Troy debacle...
But, then the D started to get the main horses back, and as the season played out, started a resemblance of the brand of football that LSU has been known.
Grading on a scale relative to the 2003, 2007 and 2011 teams, which are benchmarks for the D-Line and the the LSU Defense, and grading based on starting quality, depth and rotation, the first part of the 2017 season gets a "relative D" grade (possibly worse), and the ending part of the season developed into a B+ (possibly A-), from a D-Line perspective.
That is an amazing improvement within a single season. Thanks and credit to the defensive coaches, the strength and conditioning coaches, and the players doing the hard work.
It was like two completely different teams in 2017.
And sure, without a doubt,other elements of the team had important changes and adjustments as well, so it wasn't just the the D-line and the D; but it was more about the D-Line than anything else, and by far.
Indeed, as goes the D-line, more than any other position on the LSU roster, so goes the defensive performance, and so goes the LSU identity and confidence.
Now, we look forward to 2018.
Looking at the quality, experience, depth and rotation potential available to Aranda in 2018, the D-Line is DRASTICALLY better than the beginning of 2017, and a solid good bit better than the end stretch as well.
The proof will be in the bread pudding, but I am forecasting an A for the D-Line, possibly an A+, for the 2018 installment of the the LSU D-Line.
As for the overall team, sure the DB's need to stay healthy, and someone has to show up big opposite greedy. Sure many other areas are promising-but-unknowns. Same for the offense and special teams.
But that D-Line is going to be stellar and deep.
That, more than Burrow, or any other factor, is why I am very positive that LSU will surprise the heck out of those who are predicting win totals in the 6-8 range. Those folks are working off of poor data in their projections.
I think the win total will be in the 9-11, possibly 12 range.
And the reason, more than any other, will be the D-Line, buoying the D, which will lift the psychology overall, to bring back the true eye of the Tiger to a level which will bring us to a much better season than most are predicting.
But, then the D started to get the main horses back, and as the season played out, started a resemblance of the brand of football that LSU has been known.
Grading on a scale relative to the 2003, 2007 and 2011 teams, which are benchmarks for the D-Line and the the LSU Defense, and grading based on starting quality, depth and rotation, the first part of the 2017 season gets a "relative D" grade (possibly worse), and the ending part of the season developed into a B+ (possibly A-), from a D-Line perspective.
That is an amazing improvement within a single season. Thanks and credit to the defensive coaches, the strength and conditioning coaches, and the players doing the hard work.
It was like two completely different teams in 2017.
And sure, without a doubt,other elements of the team had important changes and adjustments as well, so it wasn't just the the D-line and the D; but it was more about the D-Line than anything else, and by far.
Indeed, as goes the D-line, more than any other position on the LSU roster, so goes the defensive performance, and so goes the LSU identity and confidence.
Now, we look forward to 2018.
Looking at the quality, experience, depth and rotation potential available to Aranda in 2018, the D-Line is DRASTICALLY better than the beginning of 2017, and a solid good bit better than the end stretch as well.
The proof will be in the bread pudding, but I am forecasting an A for the D-Line, possibly an A+, for the 2018 installment of the the LSU D-Line.
As for the overall team, sure the DB's need to stay healthy, and someone has to show up big opposite greedy. Sure many other areas are promising-but-unknowns. Same for the offense and special teams.
But that D-Line is going to be stellar and deep.
That, more than Burrow, or any other factor, is why I am very positive that LSU will surprise the heck out of those who are predicting win totals in the 6-8 range. Those folks are working off of poor data in their projections.
I think the win total will be in the 9-11, possibly 12 range.
And the reason, more than any other, will be the D-Line, buoying the D, which will lift the psychology overall, to bring back the true eye of the Tiger to a level which will bring us to a much better season than most are predicting.
This post was edited on 7/10/18 at 8:54 am
7
Posted on 7/10/18 at 8:51 am to TigerBert
Didn't really read all of that but what I did get from it is, yes this DLine will be light years ahead of last years. Talent wise and depth(big time) wise.
People can say what they want but we got our asses whipped in the trenches against State and Troy due to our DLine troubles. Not this year
People can say what they want but we got our asses whipped in the trenches against State and Troy due to our DLine troubles. Not this year
Posted on 7/10/18 at 9:14 am to Lafourche Connection
And the Oline will be very important.
Posted on 7/10/18 at 9:43 am to TigerBert
The defense and especially dline will give us a good chance to win every game on our schedule. So many unknowns on offense could lead to us winning 6 games or 12. If it all comes together we could have a special season.
Posted on 7/10/18 at 9:54 am to TigerBert
I don't think it's any big secret that if you can control the LOS, you can control the game. That has been the BIGGEST key to Bama's success. It was the biggest reason that 2011 defense was so good. If everything gets blown up at the point of attack there's not much an offense can do. It also makes every successive level of the defense better. The LB's can run free. The DB's can be aggressive because they don't have to cover as long with the DL getting pressure.
I'm optimistic that this DL will be the best overall since 2012. Lawrence is a big time player. Alexander (when healthy and motivated) is a load. Hopefully Fehoko lives up to the hype. Lacatoure, Gilmore and Herron had their moments. But at best, they were just role players and not difference makers.
More importantly, there should be so real depth behind the first group. If the OLB's can provide pressure (the biggest ? for the defense IMO) then this defense should be really good.
I'm confident the defense can keep LSU in every game. But still, it's hard to make any definitive predictions because the offense is still such a complete unknown.
I'm optimistic that this DL will be the best overall since 2012. Lawrence is a big time player. Alexander (when healthy and motivated) is a load. Hopefully Fehoko lives up to the hype. Lacatoure, Gilmore and Herron had their moments. But at best, they were just role players and not difference makers.
More importantly, there should be so real depth behind the first group. If the OLB's can provide pressure (the biggest ? for the defense IMO) then this defense should be really good.
I'm confident the defense can keep LSU in every game. But still, it's hard to make any definitive predictions because the offense is still such a complete unknown.
Posted on 7/10/18 at 10:02 am to TigerBert
Well said. The difference in depth on the D line compared to a year ago is night and day. So many more (talented) bodies that we’ll be able to rotate in. If we can stay healthy, I think we will surprise people. Love how under the radar we seem to be. Obviously gotta wait till we see a product out on the field, but I’m definitely optimistic.
Posted on 7/10/18 at 10:52 am to Walter White
quote:Here's Aranda discussing that very thing, and he agrees with you
The difference in depth on the D line compared to a year ago is night and day.
LINK
Posted on 7/10/18 at 11:09 am to Fishhead
Yeah I like the class they brought in. A few guys need to stay healthy and they should be much better this year.
Was interesting to hear him say though that they had much more depth two years ago and that none of the guys had to play more than 30% of the snaps.
Was interesting to hear him say though that they had much more depth two years ago and that none of the guys had to play more than 30% of the snaps.
Posted on 7/10/18 at 11:35 am to TigerBert
If our D line is this good devin White is going to be a bad bad man
Posted on 7/10/18 at 2:40 pm to Geaux23
quote:
our D line is this good devin White is going to be a bad bad man
Yes. The tone and leverage is set by the D-Line, and that facilitates the other defensive elements to leverage off the clog and pressure of the D-Line. Its the base of the frame upon which SEC and Nat'l Champion-level teams are built. The LB's and DB's are huge benefactors, so "all boats rise" (or fall) based on the DIne quality, depth and rotation.
Posted on 7/10/18 at 2:41 pm to Fishhead
The D line improved dramatically through the year
Posted on 7/10/18 at 2:53 pm to RogerTheShrubber
I know there aren't excuses at the big level. However, with the suspensions and injuries we had for those two mentioned losses it's a difficult thing to overcome.
Without substituting the big boys on DL are gassed.
Without substituting the big boys on DL are gassed.
Posted on 7/10/18 at 2:58 pm to Lafourche Connection
quote:
asses whipped in the trenches against State and Troy due to our DLine troubles
how depressing is this. This under any circumstances should NEVER happen. Miss state still has better talent at that position this year.
Posted on 7/10/18 at 3:05 pm to TigerBert
We’ve hyped a lot of dlineman over the last 4-5 years and none of them were anywhere near the players on the teams in the 2000’s. I’m going to wait till about mid season to make my determination.
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