Can our 240 DE's consistently stop a power running game?

[AUISALL1345162868 0]

I'm not trying to be negative, I just remember Wisconsin running all over us in the bowl game several years ago behind their huge tackles and aginst our smaller DE's.

I'm excited about seeing a more agressive and more successful defense under BVG but I keep seeing the size of our DE's and wonder how our scheme will prevent OC's in the SEC from attempting to exploit this.

[Ouchyfish 67]

I recall Yoda getting on to Luke about a similar comparison.

[BPI 0]

Good question. I think so. Last year the D.E.'s were the bright spot of the d-line. Another years experience and a totally different defensive philosophy (thank goodness) should put more pressure in the middlle , freeing the ends up. Also , our lineman in the middle have been the bright spot of the spring according to almost every report I've read. This will cause a lot of double teaming inside, allowing the ends to be blocked one on one or out of the backfield. In this case the speed should be an asset... Should be fun to watch.

[jcm81 2]

I believe that Nosa will be the starter when the season starts and he will probably be 265, but Ford has cemented abundant playing time.  We will see Lemonier over 250 by the start of the season (He wants to be 255).  I think Harrell and Sanders will both see playing time too.  Both are over 260.  Sigler wants to be at DE from what I understand, but he is over 290.  Our depth at DE is unmatched by any other position.  This will allow us to scheme against our opponents offensive tendencies at this position.  Sanders may get more playing time against a running team and Ford may get more PT against passing team.

In short, I wouldn't worry about our DE's.

[jcm81 2]

Sorry, I forgot about Owens.  We are stacked at DE.

[AUISALL1345162868 0]

Sorry, I forgot about Owens.  We are stacked at DE.

I agree completely and am excited to watch these guys. I was just mostly making conversation while we are between football seasons.

[touchdownAU 6]

I think the most of the time we see Corey and Ford on the field at the same time is in passing situations. I think our 3rd down D will get better just because those 2 will be getting after the QB making him get rid of the ball quicker than usual.

[YaBoyMaxWeezy 0]

unless Eguae comes back and improves a ton, i don't see any way he wins the spot over Dee Ford. Ford is an absolute beast, and Eguae has been extremely ineffective to put it nicely.

[au_bsci_04 407]

Our DE's will contain the edges with their speed. If we can get a better push up the middle with our improved DT's, we'll be much improved on the DL.

[AUenginerd 33]

So probably little chance we see the 4 DE sets we saw a few times last year?  What were they calling that package?  The Wild Boar? 

[touchdownAU 6]

So probably little chance we see the 4 DE sets we saw a few times last year?  What were they calling that package?  The Wild Boar? 

The Cheetah package I think.  What do yall think about on third and long adding the package Texas used last year when all their D-Linemen were standing?

[rollsroyce5 0]

So probably little chance we see the 4 DE sets we saw a few times last year?  What were they calling that package?  The Wild Boar? 

”The Cheetah package”

[AUwenMD 0]

Sorry, I forgot about Owens.  We are stacked at DE.

And Justin Delaine is chopped liver?   

[TigerWar 82]

I believe that Nosa will be the starter when the season starts and he will probably be 265, but Ford has cemented abundant playing time.  We will see Lemonier over 250 by the start of the season (He wants to be 255).  I think Harrell and Sanders will both see playing time too.  Both are over 260.  Sigler wants to be at DE from what I understand, but he is over 290.  Our depth at DE is unmatched by any other position.  This will allow us to scheme against our opponents offensive tendencies at this position.  Sanders may get more playing time against a running team and Ford may get more PT against passing team.

In short, I wouldn't worry about our DE's.

I disagree. I think Ford is hands down the starter and probably the Defensive MVP of spring practice. I think he'll become arguably the top pass rushing DE in all of college football this season. Hide and watch.

[auwrx 0]

So probably little chance we see the 4 DE sets we saw a few times last year?  What were they calling that package?  The Wild Boar? 

The Cheetah package I think.  What do yall think about on third and long adding the package Texas used last year when all their D-Linemen were standing?

[/quote

That is typically used for a gap overload blitz. Manny Diaz, their d coordinator is a big proponent of the fire zone. He wants to show an allout blitz, but only send 5. The object is to leave an offensive lineman standing alone with no one to block while three guys take on two blockers somewhere else. An example being the gaurd and tackle taking the dt and de respectively while the OLB comes untouched into the backfield, hence the term "overload". Three defenders attack one gap with only two blockers.

The defensive line all stand up and the linebackers cheat up to show blitz confusing the offensive line calls. Two out of the seven bail back into coverage while five attack. This is considered a safe blitz because you still have six in coverage. Most NFL teams use some variation of this including the Falcons under CBVG. The line may or maynot stand up but thats like running the power from shotgun or i-formation, it's just window dressing and the concept is the same regardless of formation.

Saban also uses this type blitz in his 3-4 and TCU out of thier 4-2-5, so it's adaptable and I would expect to see it some this fall.

[Budapesttiger 2]

I thought they called the 4 DE front Firehouse or something like that. I like it - if the DTs are not getting push. You'd have never pulled Nick Fairley out because he was so quick and strong. If the DTs are anything like that then we may not see it.

[CMPluvAU04 0]

Yeah I gotta agree, I think more concern is with our DTs. The concern def isnt talent or depth, it has more to do with the growth and matureness of them. I have complete confidence that they will show huge signs of dominance in the years to come. I truly believe we will be fine at DE. I dont know how good this team will be,but this may be the most excited ive ever been in a long time to see all the talent we have grow into greatness!!!! :wareagle:

[1TexasTiger 55]

unless Eguae comes back and improves a ton, i don't see any way he wins the spot over Dee Ford. Ford is an absolute beast, and Eguae has been extremely ineffective to put it nicely.

You can't be serious

[bootskii 268]

Is Craig Sanders still at DE or is he a DT now?

[au_bsci_04 407]

Is Craig Sanders still at DE or is he a DT now?

Still an end I believe, along with; Ford, Eguae, Lemonier, LO, Delain, and Harrell. Incoming freshman, Gimmel President, should also be a DE I think.

[Warbird82 160]

I'm not trying to be negative, I just remember Wisconsin running all over us in the bowl game several years ago behind their huge tackles and aginst our smaller DE's.

I'm excited about seeing a more agressive and more successful defense under BVG but I keep seeing the size of our DE's and wonder how our scheme will prevent OC's in the SEC from attempting to exploit this.

Getting back to the original question: DE's don't stop a power running game...DT's do.  So to answer your question, yes we will stop the power running game which will force the runners outside and that plays right into our hands.  Picture a cheetah chasing down a Wilda-beast on the Serengette...that will be our speed to the outside this year INCLUDING the DE's!

[dpwspringer 0]

I'm not trying to be negative, I just remember Wisconsin running all over us in the bowl game several years ago behind their huge tackles and aginst our smaller DE's.

I'm excited about seeing a more agressive and more successful defense under BVG but I keep seeing the size of our DE's and wonder how our scheme will prevent OC's in the SEC from attempting to exploit this.

I thought that was always a trade-off with a 4-3 defense, a more powerful DT sized DE for run defense or a quicker LB sized DE for pass rush and you see substitutions to get the situational match up you want.  And with a 3-4 defense you use a more powerful DT sized DE and use blitz's with LBs or DBs for pass rush.

[Tiger n Miami AU83 25]

I'm not trying to be negative, I just remember Wisconsin running all over us in the bowl game several years ago behind their huge tackles and aginst our smaller DE's.

I'm excited about seeing a more agressive and more successful defense under BVG but I keep seeing the size of our DE's and wonder how our scheme will prevent OC's in the SEC from attempting to exploit this.

I think so. 240 or so is big enough for a DE that has all the tools and carries the 240 well (mostly muscle). Sure 250-260 is a bit better, but guys like Lemonier carry 240 or so very well (though he may get to 250 or so). As long as we have size and talent at DT, along with depth to rotate in (which we do), I think we are fine.

I think the Dline will easily be the strong suit of the defense this year. Last year, we were not too bad at stopping the run until we got worn down as games went on and couldn't get off the field on 3rd down. A year older, bigger stronger and deeper at Dline and I think we will have a good one this year.

[BirdofPrey76 0]

I'm afraid our LBs will be our defensive weak spot this year.

[ArmchairAthlete7 21]

I'm expecting a pretty good rotation during games. Nosa is a run stopper and Ford is a pass rusher. Lemonier is probably the one that does both best. I could see Nosa starting over Dee or Dee starting over Nosa, depending on who we are playing. Plus you have Owens and Delaine who are guys that will see their fair share of playing time. This might be the deepest Auburn has been at DE that I can remember.