Linebacker Depth (now that jemison is gone)

[SamsRams]

according to Kolpack's article Ollman is gonna get a look at OLB

http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/eve...icle/id/60592/

[HandoEX]

according to Kolpack's article Ollman is gonna get a look at OLB

http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/eve...icle/id/60592/

Smart move! I've always liked rhee way he had played. Would be great to see him play more snaps!

[BisonNation11]

I love this move! Seasoned vet that already knows the playbook inside and out, and where others are supposed to be. Look for him to play with a lot of heart and smarts out there!

[WRSDBison]

Wow. Our LB's are all undersized as far as weight goes. I'm young but it seems like they have to be lighter now than when we were dominating the DII ranks.

[westnodak93bison]

Speed is more important than 10lb of body weight imho.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[tolnabison]

Beck is only 6' 207. Ollman is 5'11" 201. Really not much difference. Both players are quick twitch players that react well. Seems like when Beck was inserted into the lineup, he was in the mix on just about every play.

[BisonNation11]

I watched the highlights of the Lehigh game last night, and to my shock, it was Mr. Olson that forced the interception for Eaves early in the game. He knows his position and he knows it well. He's a natural leader and will take over the defense the same way Evans did. Everything else is just plugging in the right pieces of the puzzle. And considering our coordinator and coaches, I don't see the LB core being a problem at all.

[CaBisonFan]

I watched the highlights of the Lehigh game last night, and to my shock, it was Mr. Olson that forced the interception for Eaves early in the game. He knows his position and he knows it well. He's a natural leader and will take over the defense the same way Evans did. Everything else is just plugging in the right pieces of the puzzle. And considering our coordinator and coaches, I don't see the LB core being a problem at all.

....agreed....

[BisonNeil]

I watched the highlights of the Lehigh game last night, and to my shock, it was Mr. Olson that forced the interception for Eaves early in the game. He knows his position and he knows it well. He's a natural leader and will take over the defense the same way Evans did. Everything else is just plugging in the right pieces of the puzzle. And considering our coordinator and coaches, I don't see the LB core being a problem at all.

The "core" has never been the problem, it is the depth, as in the lack of players who can honestly be in the rotation without significant drop off.

The strength of the defense last year is that they were two deep at every position and the defense never tired. The DL and DBs are in fine shape, but the LBs don't go six deep like they did last year. I agree the "core" starters may be every bit as good as last year (I think Willson is the toughest to replace), but the drop off is pretty severe in experience.

If that wasn't true, you wouldn't see the coaches moving a SS to OLB. Don't get me wrong, I think that is a superb move. Much better than moving a RB who has never played defense to OLB like they did in 2009. But it is a clear signal that the depth is not there at LB.

Hopefully Rodgers will be able to pick up the defense and contribute soon. Based on Kolpack's comments on the Bisonmedia blog that looks to be the case. He may very well be one of the key components to the "puzzle" you talk about.

[BisonNation11]

The "core" has never been the problem, it is the depth, as in the lack of players who can honestly be in the rotation without significant drop off.

The strength of the defense last year is that they were two deep at every position and the defense never tired. The DL and DBs are in fine shape, but the LBs don't go six deep like they did last year. I agree the "core" starters may be every bit as good as last year (I think Willson is the toughest to replace), but the drop off is pretty severe in experience.

If that wasn't true, you wouldn't see the coaches moving a SS to OLB. Don't get me wrong, I think that is a superb move. Much better than moving a RB who has never played defense to OLB like they did in 2009. But it is a clear signal that the depth is not there at LB.

Hopefully Rodgers will be able to pick up the defense and contribute soon. Based on Kolpack's comments on the Bisonmedia blog that looks to be the case. He may very well be one of the key components to the "puzzle" you talk about.

Beck and Littlejohn were freshman last year. No experience to speak of and we all see how they contributed. I believe they recruit kids that are smart and ready to go if needed. This year will be the same as last year. We need a couple of young guys to step up, do their job, and fill in when the starters need a rest. If the team even has a glimpse of what they did last year this year, we might be seeing some pretty astonishing defensive numbers.