Defensive tackles

[PonyTales]

I've read that Allan Adami is going to retain his starting spot at one DT spot, but that his counterpart could be Darrin Johnson (new to the position), Brent Karrington (coming off shoulder injury and hasn't played), Randy Denman (undersized and redshirt freshman), or one of two true freshmen.

With that in mind, do PonyFans anticipate any changes in scheme to accomodate the lack of size and/or experience on the inside? Can we shove D.D. Lee up right behind them to fortify the interior run defense, or would that leave too big a gap in the middle of the field that would expose the Ponies to underneath crossing routes? Can we rotate some of the larger defensive ends (Ieremia-Stansbury, Karrington if he bumps outside, etc) and have them stunt back into the middle to create more of an interior pass rush and to add bodies to the middle of the field against interior running plays?

[PerunaPunch]

Ah yes, the million dolla question. I don't know whether to be excited about Darrin Johnson getting two sacks and a tackle for loss at this weekend's scrimmage or disappointed (because the O-line is porous).

I still like the idea of Johnson lining up at DT, although Coach Bennet has said Johnson?s skills and mentality are better suited at tackle.

Does anybody know whether Johnson was lining up at righ DT or left? If he's lining up on the left side (replacing Croy, right?), I'd feel better about the whole situation because the right side of the O-Line (corresponding to the left DT) is the same crew as last year.

[PonyTales]

Other way around. Lute Croy was on the right side last year, next to Melvin Williams — Allan Adami was on the left. So I assume that means Darrin Johnson was on the right side, meaning he was lined up over Brad Kieschnick or between Kieschnick and Steve Reindl. Either way, that doesn't sound good for the offensive line, since Kieschnick (I thought) was our best offensive lineman last year, and Reindl is a veteran (senior) center. Hope the offensive line gets it together, and quick.

[PonyFan]

That's a little unnerving if Kiechnick was getting run over. He and Reindl were the strength of the offensive line last year.

[PerunaPunch]

I look at it the other way. If Kieschnick and Reindl are solid, perhaps that indicates that we'll be O.K. with Adami and Denman/Johnson at DT.

I still think we're light on the defensive line, but hopefully, we're not going to get runover.

[GrapevineMustang]

But do we all agree that at least one true freshman will have to contribute at defensive tackle?

What's the status of Brent Karrington's shoulder?

[hpfan]

Last season Randy and Brent were on the travel squad all season and were a nats hair away from using eligibility but retained it. This season the team will probably do the same with one or two of the freshmen. Karrington is about 8 weeks ahead of schedule rehabing and heard he is now even lifting upper body.

[Pony4Life]

Lifting upper body already? That shoulder must be feeling better -- that's GREAT news! I thought it would be well in to the summer before he could lift again. Get better quick, Brent.