BlackNGold
Club Member
A while back I did a my view of the offense so I thought I would now take a shot at the Defense.
Defensive Line:
I would put this group as average. Pericak and Cunningham got most of the snaps at DT last year. Pericak has the most upside, IMO. Bonsu and Goree did not get that many snaps at the DT position so depth and experience is a concern. The DEs did not get the pressure on the QBs in 2009 that was needed. Nick Kasa has to show that he is worthy of the hype he received out of HS. Obi still has to show something. Herrod has been the best pass rusher on the line and hopefully he can step it up.
Pericak, Cunningham, Herrod and Kasa should be a solid starting unit. Have a concern about quality depth.
Last year the DL was pushed around in too many of the early games, they showed some improvement as the season went on but I remember an offensively weak Nebraska team grinding out a TD on the ground when the game was on the line.
Evaluation: C. This unit has a lot of upside but I want to see it on the field. Kasa has to have a big year. Depth is an issue.
Linebackers:
This is an area that I am less optimistic than most. CU lost Smart, Burton and Mohler at the LB spot and they were the top 3 tacklers from the LB position. I love BJ Beatty but he tends to get dinged up from time to time. Sipili has never been the same since he hurt his back a couple of years ago. Jon Major need to step it up to show what type of player he can be. Rippy is another guy who had the hype now he has to show what he can do. West and Nobriga will need to contribute. Defensive schemes did not seem to use the LBs on blitzes as much as I thought they should.
Evaluation: C-. Major has to come around.
Defensive Backfield.
Once again I am nervous. Five of the top six tacklers from last year were DBs. I think the lost of Cha’pelle Brown and Benjamin Burney hurt. Brown took every defensive snap last year and was the team's leading tackler. Burney was huge in plugging the gaps in the secondary. The CBs should be okay with Smith and Brown but depth is an issue. I am really concerned with the safety position, Perkins and Polk have talent but Polk needs to learn the defensive reads a lot better.
Evaluation: C. This group is boosted by the Jimmy Smith at corner but depth is a concern.
Punter:
Have no idea on this. Grossnickle appears to be the man so lets hope he can get it done.
Coaching:
According to Pi$$bomber, Greg Brown was basically the DC after the Toledo game. If true, then we are hurting. I did not like the defensive schemes last year. CU only had two non-offensive scores last year - that is not good - and only one of those from the defense. Last years defense did not get much pressure on opposing QBs and gave up over 4 yards per carry on defense.
Evaluation: D
Overall Defense: D+. After thinking about it long and hard, I am really concerned with the defense. The defense lost several contributors and I don't see the talent coming in to replace those contributors. Add the lost of Greg Brown and I have a hard time giving a better evaluation Best case scenario - Pericak, Herrod, Kasa, Major, Rippy, Polk all move their game up a couple of notches and become a force on Saturdays. I hope that is the case.
Defensive Line:
I would put this group as average. Pericak and Cunningham got most of the snaps at DT last year. Pericak has the most upside, IMO. Bonsu and Goree did not get that many snaps at the DT position so depth and experience is a concern. The DEs did not get the pressure on the QBs in 2009 that was needed. Nick Kasa has to show that he is worthy of the hype he received out of HS. Obi still has to show something. Herrod has been the best pass rusher on the line and hopefully he can step it up.
Pericak, Cunningham, Herrod and Kasa should be a solid starting unit. Have a concern about quality depth.
Last year the DL was pushed around in too many of the early games, they showed some improvement as the season went on but I remember an offensively weak Nebraska team grinding out a TD on the ground when the game was on the line.
Evaluation: C. This unit has a lot of upside but I want to see it on the field. Kasa has to have a big year. Depth is an issue.
Linebackers:
This is an area that I am less optimistic than most. CU lost Smart, Burton and Mohler at the LB spot and they were the top 3 tacklers from the LB position. I love BJ Beatty but he tends to get dinged up from time to time. Sipili has never been the same since he hurt his back a couple of years ago. Jon Major need to step it up to show what type of player he can be. Rippy is another guy who had the hype now he has to show what he can do. West and Nobriga will need to contribute. Defensive schemes did not seem to use the LBs on blitzes as much as I thought they should.
Evaluation: C-. Major has to come around.
Defensive Backfield.
Once again I am nervous. Five of the top six tacklers from last year were DBs. I think the lost of Cha’pelle Brown and Benjamin Burney hurt. Brown took every defensive snap last year and was the team's leading tackler. Burney was huge in plugging the gaps in the secondary. The CBs should be okay with Smith and Brown but depth is an issue. I am really concerned with the safety position, Perkins and Polk have talent but Polk needs to learn the defensive reads a lot better.
Evaluation: C. This group is boosted by the Jimmy Smith at corner but depth is a concern.
Punter:
Have no idea on this. Grossnickle appears to be the man so lets hope he can get it done.
Coaching:
According to Pi$$bomber, Greg Brown was basically the DC after the Toledo game. If true, then we are hurting. I did not like the defensive schemes last year. CU only had two non-offensive scores last year - that is not good - and only one of those from the defense. Last years defense did not get much pressure on opposing QBs and gave up over 4 yards per carry on defense.
Evaluation: D
Overall Defense: D+. After thinking about it long and hard, I am really concerned with the defense. The defense lost several contributors and I don't see the talent coming in to replace those contributors. Add the lost of Greg Brown and I have a hard time giving a better evaluation Best case scenario - Pericak, Herrod, Kasa, Major, Rippy, Polk all move their game up a couple of notches and become a force on Saturdays. I hope that is the case.
