re: How good is the defense this year?

This Defense will be better than last year because Fehoko and Lawrence coming back and adding Chaisson. Freshman Stingley, Brooks, and Ika should immediately contribute. Fulton, Phillips, Vincent, Stevens, Harris, Queen, Divinity are really good players too. Grant Delpit is the best Safety I have ever seen at LSU. Only Eric Reed and Sean Taylor were better in college, imo. The dude is great and will be great in the NFL!

I don't know if Chaisson is the "x-factor", but I'm just really ready to finally see what the guy can do.

Orgeron flipped out and raved about KC when he signed, calling him

quote:

---

"the best pass rusher in the nation!"

---

And Aranda professed to having many of his defensive play calls somewhat centered around from where KC was going to pressure.

That's some real confidence and high praise from both O (expert in DL development) and Aranda (arguably the most brilliant DC in today's NCAAF).

I hope the kid absolutely balls out and earns himself first-round draft stock.

Collectively they should be a top 10-20 unit. Beyond that I think it all falls to 'potential'.

Who at the DL pos (include pass rush OLB) steps up and makes an impact every game: Lawrence, Feheko, Shelvin? What does Chaisson look like? How does Divinity continue to improve as a pass rusher?

At LB, does Phillips become that D.W. type ILB? Where does Queen fit in? How is Stevens used as a hybrid LB/S?

In the secondary, all about locking down those WR's with Fulton, Stingley and Vincent. Delpit will makes plays, and Harris and Monroe will also contribute.

When you start adding up the talent and versatility of this unit, it is truly impressive. All of the above mentioned names can't be on the field at the same time. D.A. will constantly make adjustments according to OFF personnel and down/distance. IF we get a few of the above names to really blossom this season, this unit can be just as good, if not better, than the 2011 unit. All about who steps up.

quote:

---

I don't care what anyone says though, losing Devin White will hurt the middle of the defense more than most of us are ready to admit.

---

Maybe a bit. However, if our edge rush improves from the ends, then Delpit won't have to be used in that manner. I think that could help the middle some.

Fulton coming back is huge. He was every bit as good as greedy at defending the pass, he just wasn’t as polished as greedy at picking it off in my completely uneducated and ill informed opinion.

White it being there is huge, but our LB’s will be nasty. Even Baskerville will make plays and he’s like our 6th best linebacker. Throw in Stevens being allowed to be a freak of nature along with delpit roaming this back 8 will be supremely talented.

If the NG spot is solid to really good, watch out because Lawrence and fehoko are both monsters at DE

Georgia Southern runs a triple option. No defense is excellent at containing that, look at what happened to Alabama against the Citadel.

Top 3

I think it will be top ten.
But I also think the offense will be show more improvement than the defense.
That leaves special teams and FG kicker as a question mark.
Overall, a better team.

There may never be another Devin White in the middle Addison again. Doesn't mean the defense overall can't be better.

Having a rotation of IKa and Shelvin should take up blockers and make it easier for the ILBs to flow to the ball and hit gaps. Fehoko can be much more disruptive on the outside and if Lawrence is healthy he should be a difference make.

If Divinity stays outside, a LB group of Chaisson, Queen, Phillips and Divinity will be exceptional.

Stevens looked to finally find his place and he and Delpit could be one of the best safety tandems in CFB.

We now have quality and depth at CB. Who do you test between Fulton, Stingley and Vincent in slot? Good luck.

Bottom line, this a defense without weaknesses and has a DC that knows how to utilize their skill sets. It's going to be very tough for OCs to find areas of this D to exploit.