Defensive ends

[whatasteve]

Had lunch with Peruna Punch and the lovely Mrs. Punch (and a not-so-lovely attorney who always seems to show up.)

PP came up with a good question: If Markus Pratt doesn't regain his eligibility (of course we're all hoping he does), who starts opposite Melvin Williams at defensive end? The only other returning DEs I can think of are Khalid Beard and Derek Swofford. I don't know how big Swofford is, but Beard and Melvin would be a pretty small pair of ends.

Are there others I'm forgetting?

[Hoss]

Aren't Swofford and Beard both converted linebackers? We need more size there. Has Melvin Williams gotten any bigger and stronger?

How about moving that Trent Hrncir guy back to defensive end?

[DallasDiehard]

If they don't move him to offensive line, Darrin Johnson could start today opposite Melvin Williams. Imagine those two coming around the corners. Croy, Birdwell and Viloria would have a thousand tackles between them.

[Charleston Pony]

we have a lot of "linebacker" types making the conversion to DE. This raises the question whether this new coaching staff will get creative and build a defense to fit our personnel.

I watched Charlie Strong put together a 3-3-5 defensive scheme at USC because they just didn't have the horses on the defensive front to play a traitional 4-3. I've wondered the past couple years whether we might be better in a 3-4 set.

Is Dineen going to be in the hunt for PT at DE? He was recruited as a DE/TE. Haven't heard much about him. Has he got a chance to be a player for us?

[Juice]

I don't think the team would be benefit from converting to a 3-4. In a 3-4, you need two big DLinemen and a BIG DE. Also, you need fast (and I mean fast) LB's. With the lack of size along the defensive front, the 3-4 would be a horrible decision. Look at our 4-3 defense last year, the guys in the box played great.

If they could change one thing, I would bring the best tackling DB up to a LB spot and tell him to pass cover if he sees pass and to find the ball if he sees run.

[PonyExpress]

Can anyone share some information about this Dineen guy? I've never seen him.
Thanks

[PerunaPunch]

I think Darrin Johnson lining up at DE as a true freshmen would look great on the field, but probably isn't too practical. The reason (I hear) the Johnson wasn't on all the recruiting lists is because he's so new to the game of football.

I just don't see how any 18-year-old can be expected to line up against SEASONED 22-year-olds.

I'm all excited about Johnson, but we shouldn't be setting unreasonable expectations. That being said, there's probably very few people that could help him develop faster than Bennett.

But still, then, the question remains: Who's going to be our other starting DE THIS year?

[2Mustangsons]

Adami has got a shot.

[TEAM-me]

I agree. I think our best bet is to move Adami out to DE again. He has the speed and agility to be great out there. Plus,I hear that he has been putting on some serious mass.
In regards to the comments about the 3-4 defense. You need one magnificent nose guard and two extremely athletic DEs. Not what you said.

[PonyTales]

How big is Adami now?

I remember watching the Red/Blue game a year ago, and he repeatedly beat Sterling Harris, who had 100 (?) pounds on him. Beat him inside with moves, beat him outside with speed. Looked good. If he starts to look like his brother Austin, we've got a stud on our hands. Remember when he signed and people (including me, admittedly) were asking why we were signing a defensive end who was so light?

Let me be the first to publicly eat some crow.
Go get the QB, Allan.