Margus Wins Starting Defensive End Job?

[ponyboy]

Frazier to be moved to NT.

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com ... tackl.html

[The PonyGrad]

So I guess Grenier backs Hunt up then.

[cutter]

"With Thompson, Frazier and Hunt up front, SMU looks more imposing there than any time I can remember in recent years. "

love it.

[Nacho]

frazier to dt is probably our best move but hunt to starting de at this stage of his development is questionable. we are really thin on the dl.

[Stallion]

Don't really like it for Frazier but for the good of the team I see it as just about the only real good viable option SMU has. Makes our defense much stronger. I'm not sure about Hunt yet as an every down player but we've got better backup options there than at NG

[StangEsq]

The best combo we can put on the field against passing teams for sure...

[ponyboy]

StangEsq, been meaning to ask for a long time. What is the story behind your avatar?

[PerunaPunch]

A couple of points:

1) If you listen to the PonyFans interview with Marquis Frazier last week, Marquis says something to the effect that he expects to slide in to the NT position a lot. So this is old news and does't necessarily mean that he's still not the starting right DE.

2) This is the very beginning of two-a-days. So the coaches are playing with a lot of combinations to see where they want to put people. So the headline "Margus Wins Starting Defensive End Job?" and statements like "Frazier to be moved to NT" are highly premature. All Kate said is "Marquis Frazier practiced this morning for the first time this fall at nose tackle instead of defensive end." Just because they had Josh Emshoff lined up at left guard the other day doesn't mean he's won the starting job there either.

3. That being said, you gotta love the thought of our DL averaging 6-6 and 280+.

[PonyPride]

Frazier did practice this morning at DE, but he did start the 7-on-7 part of the practice at NT, with Margus Hunt at right DE.

That lasted exactly two plays.

It appears that Frazier does have the ability to play inside or outside, and Hunt has the ability to play at either DE spot, but before anyone goes announcing a lineup/position change, it should be noted that the coaches are looking at a lot of combinations.

The notion that Frazier is "moving to NT" is inaccurate. If anything, it could be said that he is moving from defensive end to defensive LINEMAN ... but even that is not much of a change, since he played some NT last year, too.

[cutter]

I like that there are options and combinations that the coaching staff have to play with.
I am confident that they will get it right, and that whomever is in there, it will be stout. can't wait.

[ponyscott]

Don't really like it for Frazier but for the good of the team I see it as just about the only real good viable option SMU has. Makes our defense much stronger. I'm not sure about Hunt yet as an every down player but we've got better backup options there than at NG

Exactly, as if we play Hunt on many downs we will put alot of pressure on their Oline blocking as he creates match up problems, and we do have others that can back Hunt up with smaller less experienced (read Freshman) players that can still play that position and apply attack pressure. The NG spot is so critical in this 3-4 and I just don't see smaller, quick NG options ( Spike Diesel is a tough player but still to light at 265-270 and is a square peg in a round hole, IMO)) really being effective.

[Alaric]

I bet we play a lot more 4 man fronts than the coaches would like

[The PonyGrad]

I would expect to see a lot of rotation and situational line-ups, as opposed to going with four man fronts.

Running downs might put Frazier in the middle. Passing downs might have Davis in the middle and Hunt at DE.

Against teams with big OL you might see a lot of TT, MF/O'Guin, and Hunt or others on the outside depending on down and distance.

Just sayin.

[StangEsq]

StangEsq, been meaning to ask for a long time. What is the story behind your avatar?

That's my 100 lb pit bull ferociously chasing the water sprayer & launching himself into the pool. It's a pretty scary sight for bystanders.

[ponyboy]

Man, no kidding!