re: MJ see PT next year?

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This seems to always be a weak spot for LSU but I have faith in Chavis to have the linebackers ready to play. The Vols always had solid LB's when Chavis was there.

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Too bad Chavis cant recruit them.

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I would have to say, yes, at this point.

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I would say no, but I was wrong with Copeland, Muncie, Maclin, and Simon last year.

Just don't see the need for any immediate DT depth. Freak will play himself into the 2-deep, but I don' think MJ will be more ready than Downs, Brockers, Logan, Ferguson, maybe Edwards as of 2011.

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Edwards was our best overall DE last year. I'd be shocked if he doesn't stay there.

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I'd agree with you, but barring injury, you have to think Montgomery and Adams are the favorites to start. I would say Edwards conceivably could split time at DT and SDE and almost get starter-type reps. With Aghayere, Mingo, and Maclin all getting time at DE, I just think Edwards and Ferguson are the two closest things to tweeners who could contribute at both positions depending onthe situation.

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I think it will depend on how davenport and downs progress during the Spring.

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Somewhat. Brockers looks secure as a starter and I expect Freak to really push everyone for playing time. Some talk around about Ego getting a look inside as well. If MJ gets a r/s year he could be benching 550 by the time he gets his first real action. Kid is insanely strong.

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Edwards was our best overall DE last year.

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After Montgomery got hurt I agree. Montgomery looks to be fully recovered by August so he'll have a starter spot locked up. Edwards, Adams, Chancey, Mingo, Ferguson and Allen will battle for the rest of the playing time. Some talk about Ego getting a look inside and Allen moving to the Oline. Should be interesting.

I look for MJ to be another Al Woods imho, way over hyped

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MJ = Davenport. Overrated

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Davenport was a 5*, MJ is a 4*

Oh, did I mention that MJ is physically ready to step in from day 1? He's stronger than most defensive linemen in the SEC right now.

Davenport was a big body and he was soft. He'd be a 4* this year easily.

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I assume you mean after Sam got injured.

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I do, but he's better against the run than Montgomery, and he actually made plays as well. Unlike Adams, who was pretty much the new Pep Levingston.

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Get him to play disciplined with a healthy Sam on the other side and that's a pretty good pair of bookends.

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I agree. I think they'll wind up being the 2 starters. At very worst, I think Edwards is the 4th best DE. And that assuming Montgomery comes back as good as ever, Mingo puts on a few more lbs and can get on the field more on 1st and 2nd down, and Adams figures out how to use his athleticism to make plays behind the line. The odds of all of those happening are slim to none. So I think Edwards will wind up being a top 1-3 guy at end. Regardless, way too valuable there to just move inside and be another body.


But I'll say it again. The strength of the entire line rests mainly on 2 things:

1) Brockers making huge strides to reaching his ceiling--he needs to be disruptive behind the line. Screw him being a "space-eater" DT, he can wreak major fricking havoc. And needs to.

2) At least 2 of the young guys getting those Glen Davis worms in their belly and being VERY HONGRY to get on the field and stay there. Ego, Freak, Logan, whoever.


Also, I like Josh Downs, but I think he was out of shape a little this year. That combined with his history of nagging injuries, and I think he's a guy that you may not be able to count on week and week out. Whatever he gives you--which could be a lot in any individual game--is just lagniappe.

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I do, but he's better against the run than Montgomery, and he actually made plays as well. Unlike Adams, who was pretty much the new Pep Levingston.

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Yea Adams is probably our safest player on defense. He doesn't make many mistakes but he's got zero playmaking bones in his body.

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I agree. I think they'll wind up being the 2 starters. At very worst, I think Edwards is the 4th best DE. And that assuming Montgomery comes back as good as ever, Mingo puts on a few more lbs and can get on the field more on 1st and 2nd down, and Adams figures out how to use his athleticism to make plays behind the line. The odds of all of those happening are slim to none. So I think Edwards will wind up being a top 1-3 guy at end. Regardless, way too valuable there to just move inside and be another body.

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Yea in no way shape or form do I see Edwards moving inside. To be quite honest I'm a little sick of us overly bulking up our DEs and moving them inside. If it happens with Edwards I'll really be pissed.

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But I'll say it again. The strength of the entire line rests mainly on 2 things:

1) Brockers making huge strides to reaching his ceiling--he needs to be disruptive behind the line. Screw him being a "space-eater" DT, he can wreak major fricking havoc. And needs to.

2) At least 2 of the young guys getting those Glen Davis worms in their belly and being VERY HONGRY to get on the field and stay there. Ego, Freak, Logan, whoever.

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I put our two DL keys at:

1. Mingo adding enough pounds to play consistently. Like you mentioned, him getting on the field for 1st/2nd downs will be huge. Not only does he need to gain the weight but he also needs to learn how to play with it (setting the edge and not flying up field every play). If he can do this thing then our DE rotation now becomes incredible with he, Sam and Edwards.

2. Someone emerging alongside Brockers. I think we know what we have with Brockers. The question is what we're gonna get alongside him. He'll only get better with another year in the program. Also, depending on the development of Freak and Downs, his role could change. If one of those players stepup I think you could see Brockers continue to occupy blockers and let those players be disruptive like Nevis. If one of them doesn't stepup then I think you could see them experiment with him in a more active role like you mentioned. He has the athleticism to do it.

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To be quite honest I'm a little sick of us overly bulking up our DEs and moving them inside.

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Brockers was becoming oversized for a 4-3 defensive end and Chavis cannot generate a pass rush with Levingston at end(see last year). With that, there wasn't a DT who could step up next to Nevis. That's why you saw Brockers and Pep playing ahead of the natural DT's. Now that void reappears with Nevis and Pep both gone and a former DE moving into one of the starting spots.