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Any word on how he's doing with the move from OLB to DE?

He definitely looks the part. I only watched a few minutes one day, and did not have a roster, but I distinctly made a mental note to find out who #11 was. Its Cory Muse. Another impressive looking guy was #8 who I found out later was DeMyron Martin.

I remember someone making a DeMyron Martin/Eric Dickerson comparison. I believe it was with respect to Martin's build, perhaps his upright running style. Anyone remember that? Man, if we could get somebody one tenth of ED, we'd really have a gem.

I talked with someone who's seen a couple of practices, and he said Cory Muse looks amazing, running by people and a lot stronger than expected. Said that athletically, we haven't had a LB or DE like him in years. I can't wait to see him get after the QB.

If that is true, then why hasn't he won the starting job at DE or OLB yet? Stansbury is supposed to be fighting for SSLB and Williams, according to Bennett quotes, is still a starting DE.

I went to a practice this spring and I remember that #11 stood out. He was tall, fast, all over the field and looking to hit someone, hard. I think along with Jones and Adami, he can be a real difference maker on defense.

So, again, I will ask why wasn't he a starter coming out of the spring? Lee was ahead of him at strong side line backer. And he didn't play the spring game at DE, only outside line backer.

That's an easy one...

Because Muse is an inexperienced RS Freshman transitioning from LB to DE – a position he's never played in his life. Because 230 is too light for a D1A DE. Because Lee and Williams are both seniors with TONS of experience. If memory serves this will be William's third year as a starter. Both Lee and Williams will graduate as four year lettermen.

So to displace a 4-year letterman and starter in his senior year would require a HUGE LEAP in ability, an act of congress, and planets aligning just right. From a PR standpoint if nothing else, you list the senior as the starter. That there are even rumbles about Muse craking the starting lineup tells you a lot about his ability.

It also lets you know that the coaches aren't BS-ing when they say they're going to get the best 11 athletes on the field.

JasonB wrote:If that is true, then why hasn't he won the starting job at DE or OLB yet? Stansbury is supposed to be fighting for SSLB and Williams, according to Bennett quotes, is still a starting DE.

In addition to the seniority issue for Williams, there's also the fact that they've been practicing for less than a week. With players moving to new positions, that's awfully quick to unseat a senior. I'm sure the coaches are trying not only lots of players, but lots of combinations of players to see who works well together. Who starts isn't that important, I would say. If he's as good as many people (including me) think he will be, he should play more and more as he becomes more comfortable within the defensive scheme.