The House of Blue

And if a guy or two like the Alexander twins pick UK? Then this defense would take off talent wise.

Talent wise on D we're in better shape than 2-10 suggests most certainly. I'd take that to the bank all day. Especially consider what we're putting together in this class. Just need a few more JUCO's and a couple big time high school talents that can contribute right away.

I'm not sure how it will shake it with individual players. I've been burned too many times trying to guess. Which players will come to the forefront and shine from the leftovers and which kids we'll end up signing and making a difference for us will depend on hard work and how they fit the new scheme but I think it will be a good enough mix for us to get excited about.

Minter's defense was not sound. It did not adjust to motion. The way it was set up was to identify a strong side and weak side. Go back and watch the uofl game. They'd line up with their strength to one side and then shift the strength. We didn't adjust. Happened to us all year.

I don't think that's a problem with the system, but more coaching and on the field decisions. I think Minter's system could've been decent here. We never saw what it could've done with better talent and experience across the board....the talent was lacking. Minter could've fielded a defense way better than what we saw, but would it have been a defense good enough to help us do well in the SEC?

That being said, we are better off now. We have a sound and proven system and coach.

What's the deal with Jackson you are the second person that has said that?

If we land another solid CB to go along with Jaleel I think we may see Harmon moved to safety if he doesn't slide over to WR due to need. We haven't had good safety play in a while and with his instincts, size and athleticism it only makes sense (if both corner spots are taken care of) for him to go back to the free safety position. Stoops will put his best 4 db's on the field. JD done very well at times but he doesn't have great speed. Quinn is small but he's going to be very good (to bad we couldn't redshirt him), Tiller has good potential as well, Jaleel may end up starting as a true freshman and Nate Willis is a great athlete with NFL tools. I believe our secondary could lead our defense if we land Willis or the 5 star kid. The quality of a entire defense is dictated by the secondary, a defense is only as good as the back end. GO CATS!!!

DL Lauren Jackson 6-4/280 East Mississippi JC

Good points made by all of you. I love the Stoops D..allows his kids to play full speed..dosent slow them down with too much responsibilites...its a read and react type..heavy on zone with Stoops own version of a hybrid Zone-Press coverage..mixes man press with classic zone...Stoops isnt a big blitz guy..he does blitz..but not all that much. Stoops relies on his front 4 to get to the Qb..lots of coverage sacks..hes VERY good at creative pass rushing and disguising where the pressure is coming from.
I think with the addition of Za'darius Smith, We will be Ok at De..a weak spot on paper going into 2013..I think Bud Dupree could blow up at DE.

Yeah..he could Quag. I could see him staying at OLB..and playing De in pass rush situations..at 6'4 250 Dupree has the size,body,speed that Stoops likes in his WDE's. Either way..I think our D will be so much improved under Stoops/Eliot. Huguenin could be a double digit sack guy under Stoops. Jimmy Brumbaugh will have our DL playing at a high clip..and DC Eliot will no doubt take time out from coaching the linebackers to help out with the DE's..his forte at FSU was developing DE's..just ask any Noles fan.

You are right of course..tWhit. Speculation is part of the fun though..dont you agree? Hopes and goals..sucesses and failures..its all part of what makes college football the greatest sport..IMO. I just see a lot of potential in huguenin..kid had 17 sacks in his lone season in prep school. I think we will see a lot of the holdovers bloom..I really feel one of the biggest reasons Uk failed under Joker was he was way too laid back..too easy on his kids. Stoops is a fire and brimstone type compared to Joker..

Hop you are exactly right, I cried about that all the time on here and on BBK before it went members only. Another problem with the hybrid is the SEC is a big physical conf, the 34 Hybrid we ran expected a 220# SAM to do way to much. I also don't understand why we would only use a sub package on 3rd down even if the offense went empty-5 wr's on first down. I don't see how Minter expected that same base to defend a 4 wide set one play and then a 2 TE I formation the next... The Hybrid we ran would be perfect in the Pac/Big12 as a base but in the SEC I will always favor a conventional defense until teams spread us out then it's time to use a Sub Package.

I've always been a fan of getting hands on wr's especially speed guys. Knocking wr's off their stem is the best way to stop the play above. ND would have been much better off in press 2-man.