The linebackers

[OttoinGrotto]

On the one hand, I'm thrilled that Mikel Jones has emerged and is getting run as a true freshman. He's made his share of mistakes, but he does look like he belongs out there and appears to be solidifying one of the linebackers spots for the duration of his career.

On the other hand, and maybe I've missed something, but we're not rotating linebackers at all. Armstrong and Williams are out there all the time. Maybe they're our best, but unless things change we're setting up a situation next season where we're once again breaking in completely new linebackers. I remember a preseason article where Dino said playing more linebackers and building more depth was a priority, but if it's happening, I don't think we're seeing it in game reps.

What am I missing here?

 

[Trueblue25]

ive never seen a player hyped up like Richards get so little PT. Or at least it seems.

 

[JeremyCuse]

On the one hand, I'm thrilled that Mikel Jones has emerged and is getting run as a true freshman. He's made his share of mistakes, but he does look like he belongs out there and appears to be solidifying one of the linebackers spots for the duration of his career.

On the other hand, and maybe I've missed something, but we're not rotating linebackers at all. Armstrong and Williams are out there all the time. Maybe they're our best, but unless things change we're setting up a situation next season where we're once again breaking in completely new linebackers. I remember a preseason article where Dino said playing more linebackers and building more depth was a priority, but if it's happening, I don't think we're seeing it in game reps.

What am I missing here?

The WR and LB positions seems to have the most players on the roster but were seeing the least amount of depth being utilized there. I don't know if thats because some of the young guys simply aren't ready or the starters are the best we have, either way its a bad sign. Jones has shown some promise along with growing pains but I think we do need to see more guys get a shot as Armstrong has really struggled this year and Williams hasn't exactly lite it up either. Now there both seeing the most PT they have in their entire careers to date but its clear this team really really misses Guthrie.

The lack of depth being utilized at WR is even more concerning. There's like 15 wr rosters on the roster, where the hell are these guys? Some of the starters broke out a bit vs WMU but all we heard all summer camp was how good the backups looked but now they can't get on the field.

 

[Newhouser]

at a P5 program IMHO you should be able to plug in LB's all the time. Frankly WR's too. It is one of my big concerns as we enter year 4 of the rebuild.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The WR and LB positions seems to have the most players on the roster but were seeing the least amount of depth being utilized there. I don't know if thats because some of the young guys simply aren't ready or the starters are the best we have, either way its a bad sign. Jones has shown some promise along with growing pains but I think we do need to see more guys get a shot as Armstrong has really struggled this year and Williams hasn't exactly lite it up either. Now there both seeing the most PT they have in their entire careers to date but its clear this team really really misses Guthrie.

The lack of depth being utilized at WR is even more concerning. There's like 15 wr rosters on the roster, where the hell are these guys? Some of the starters broke out a bit vs WMU but all we heard all summer camp was how good the backups looked but now they can't get on the field.

Yeah, I don't get it.

Sharod Johnson has looked good when he's played. Doesn't play.

C. Jackson was the talk preseason. Nykeim's not right, Riley isn't lighting it up. Jackson doesn't play.

Bunch of guys have been on the roster for a while. They don't play.

I don't get it.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

We have only 7 LB's listed on the roster (8 if you count Richards):

Andrew Armstrong
Mikel Jones
Lee Kpogba
Juan Wallace
Geoff Cantin-Arku
Kadeem Trotter
Lakiem Williams

 

[PhatOrange]

We have only 7 LB's listed on the roster (8 if you count Richards):

Andrew Armstrong
Mikel Jones
Lee Kpogba
Juan Wallace
Geoff Cantin-Arku
Kadeem Trotter
Lakiem Williams

I think Geoff Cantin-Arku got run on specials Saturday, but whoever it was absolutely lit a kid up.

 

[TheCusian]

If the problem is tackling and reading plays - I bet they are hoping live reps fixes the problem. Rotating means training two at the same time = slower progress.

 

[RF2044]

I think in the preseason, Dino expected to have the team perform better, score more, and translate that into leads which would provide the cushion to work inexperienced players into the rotation more than how it has panned out.

We're also not privy to what happens in practice.

 

[shu 49]

On the one hand, I'm thrilled that Mikel Jones has emerged and is getting run as a true freshman. He's made his share of mistakes, but he does look like he belongs out there and appears to be solidifying one of the linebackers spots for the duration of his career.

On the other hand, and maybe I've missed something, but we're not rotating linebackers at all. Armstrong and Williams are out there all the time. Maybe they're our best, but unless things change we're setting up a situation next season where we're once again breaking in completely new linebackers. I remember a preseason article where Dino said playing more linebackers and building more depth was a priority, but if it's happening, I don't think we're seeing it in game reps.

What am I missing here?

U know how I feel lol Richards should be there somewhere. Couldn’t possibly do as bad as the others.

 

[shu 49]

ive never seen a player hyped up like Richards get so little PT. Or at least it seems.

Kills me

 

[corpjet]

Lee Kpogba was highly touted in last years class, as he received any PT?

 

[bigmike]

Let's see if some of these guys can get an extended run, and open some eyes this week.

 

[PhatOrange]

Lee Kpogba was highly touted in last years class, as he received any PT?

I think he's played a little. All 3 freshman LBs are good but Kpogba and Jones are small. You're talking 210-215. They'll be a lot better at 225.

 

[blizz]

We have only 7 LB's listed on the roster (8 if you count Richards):

Andrew Armstrong
Mikel Jones
Lee Kpogba
Juan Wallace
Geoff Cantin-Arku
Kadeem Trotter
Lakiem Williams

3 of those guys are true frosh. One is a true sophmore. Not sure what people are expecting here.