MLB 2014/LB General Discussion

[Upstate]

It's been no surprise that SU has had one of the smaller LB corps the last few seasons, but that doesn't mean they weren't effective and used well with the system. What's the consensus on the 2014 MLB slot? Losing Spruill is a big deal and will be tough to replace. Does Lynch slide over? Hodge take his spot? He looked good in limited action this year.

Also, should we expect some bigger LBs in the coming years, or are we sticking with some slightly undersized LBs, who keep their speed?

 

[All4SU]

I think speed was the initial requirement. Size without speed is a liability in todays game. So they got the best players they could get who had speed. Now we need to work on upgrading to size and speed. Of course, us and every other team in the world.

 

[SmilinBob]

Losing a couple of key interior guys (Spruil/Bromley) hurts and who steps up or fills in has to be at worst serviceable.

 

[kcsu]

Cam is up to 230 and may move inside. Luke has the size not sure about the quickness and speed. Hodge is a tackle machine but is light. My sense is that if he bulks 10 or more pounds we may see him in the middle. My starters are Davis Lynch and Hodge

 

[Upstate]

Cam is up to 230 and may move inside. Luke has the size not sure about the quickness and speed. Hodge is a tackle machine but is light. My sense is that if he bulks 10 or more pounds we may see him in the middle. My starters are Davis Lynch and Hodge

This was my thought process. Can't go too wrong either way.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Broyld.

 

[kcsu]

Broyld.

I hear that he is going both ways. QB and LB

 

[sufandu]

Losing a couple of key interior guys (Spruil/Bromley) hurts and who steps up or fills in has to be at worst serviceable.

I don't think the loss of Bromley can be emphasized enough. In the 5-7 year we has 3 years ago our linebackers looked horrible, but we had lost our whole interior d-line from the previous year that had done a good job of keeping our LB's clean and letting them run around. How our d-tackles play next year will determine how good our MLB looks every bit as much as who's lining up there.

 

[anomander]

It's obvious this staff is emphasizing speed over size. with the kids we recruited this year i don't see that changing. As for next year I think there are only 3 options. I think Hodge will be the favorite Arciniega runner up, and my dark horse because I think he is that good is Colton Moskal. This kid is my sleeper for this entire class and I don't even care who else we sign. He has the most impressive tape I have seen out of any of our LBers (and many of the others we recruited). he is a proven winner playing in front of huge crowds at one of the highest levels of Chicagoland ball. This kid is a baller and will be a player before his time is done here mark it down

 

[money3189]

Lynch, Hodge, Davis. I like both Franklin and Moskal and think they can make the 2 deep. Arciniega can be a pass rushing DE along with Simmons

 

[anomander]

Lynch, Hodge, Davis. I like both Franklin and Moskal and think they can make the 2 deep. Arciniega can be a pass rushing DE along with Simmons

To me Franklin seems like a Spruill clone where he can play either inside or out. About the same size build, speed, now only if Franklin has close to a similar career as Marquis had.

 

[CuseOnly]

I think it will be Dyshawn, Luke and Cam. Although I see one of the underclassmen rotating in at the middle spot with Luke a lot, most likely Moskal or Franklin.

 

[MadNY3]

Cam is up to 230 and may move inside. Luke has the size not sure about the quickness and speed. Hodge is a tackle machine but is light. My sense is that if he bulks 10 or more pounds we may see him in the middle. My starters are Davis Lynch and Hodge

If Cam can take on the Mike, it would be awesome. Best playmaking trio in some time (at least since Smith, Hogue and whoever else was the third). Plus, it would eleviate those painful wheel route/TE TDs that seemingly Lynch got beat on a bunch.

 

[CIL]

I think Luke is a step too slow for our scheme to be anything other than a depth player at the LB position -- I like money's suggestion to see what he can do with a hand down. I really liked what I saw from Hodge this year. We'll probably see some combo of Davis, Lynch, and Hodge out there. It will be nice to see what Kirkland can do with a full year of S and C under his belt. My guess is he, Luke, and one of the frosh back up.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I don't think the loss of Bromley can be emphasized enough. In the 5-7 year we has 3 years ago our linebackers looked horrible, but we had lost our whole interior d-line from the previous year that had done a good job of keeping our LB's clean and letting them run around. How our d-tackles play next year will determine how good our MLB looks every bit as much as who's lining up there.

Art Jones. Chandler Jones. Rinse and repeat.

At a certain point, it becomes about our culture. Next man up. #Hardnosed

 

[sufandu]

Art Jones. Chandler Jones. Rinse and repeat.

At a certain point, it becomes about our culture. Next man up. #Hardnosed

We're certainly in a better position now than we were back then. We've had a lot of guys rotating on the d-line so it seems like we should be solid, but 10 sacks from a d-tackle is pretty sick. Bromley was a beast.

 

[anomander]

I think Luke is a step too slow for our scheme to be anything other than a depth player at the LB position -- I like money's suggestion to see what he can do with a hand down. I really liked what I saw from Hodge this year. We'll probably see some combo of Davis, Lynch, and Hodge out there. It will be nice to see what Kirkland can do with a full year of S and C under his belt. My guess is he, Luke, and one of the frosh back up.

I wasn't aware Kirkland broke his hand during the GT game. I was wondering why he disappeared.

Agree with the assessment of Luke. Wouldn't feel awful if he had to play, but maybe better off with someone a little quicker with what we are trying to do.

 

[kcsu]

In thinking about Luke i was wondering if he might have slowed down as a result of learning the position and having to think too much. Next year with the position learned he may be able to stop thinking so much and just start playing. Once he becomes instinctual on the field his true speed may come out and he could be fine

 

[SmilinBob]

We're certainly in a better position now than we were back then. We've had a lot of guys rotating on the d-line so it seems like we should be solid, but 10 sacks from a d-tackle is pretty sick. Bromley was a beast.

Plus the double teams...going to be hard to replace and imo everyone on the line is going to have to step up to replace him. I see some decent run stoppers but no one with that kind of penetration.

MLB is going to be tough and there is potential there on the roster now and hopefully coming in and if SU can find a stop gap for a year to let the possible successor learn and then take over next year, things will be good.