With the staff in place, the news of Carl (and presumably Monty) returning, along with the talk of Cam Toney not transferring, it seems apt to take an early look at the 2016 defense.
I'm guesstimating on the depth charts and not trying to nail down the exact 2-deeps.
Secondary:
In the secondary, we lose two key assets in JJones and Countess, but potentially get one back (Holsey), as well as a healthy TJ Davis to further bolster depth.
Safety: Tray Matthews, Tim Irvin, M Boston, Atkinson?
Safety: Rudy Ford, Nick Ruffin, Stephen Roberts
Nickel: Josh Holsey, Tim Irvin, TJ Davis, Atkinson?
Corner: Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Javaris Davis/T.J. Davis
Corner: Jeremiah Dinson, Jamel Dean, Javaris Davis/T.J. Davis
Analysis: Assuming a healthy Dinson, a healthy Holsey and Dean being as good as advertised, I believe this unit should be in the upper half of the league, and show marked improvement as the season progresses. Early season we will rely heavily on Rudy, Trigga, Carlton and Holsey while the rest of the crew gets their sea legs.
Linebackers:
We lose two of the most seasoned, experienced LBs in AU history. While they finished their career with a fizzle, replacing them at the same time will be a tall task. Tre now takes his position as the unquestioned star of the LB corps and defacto play-caller, but will need a running buddy or two to step up and become SEC LB material.
ILB: Tre Williams, Darrell Williams, Kenny Flowers
ILB: Deshaun Davis, Cam Toney, Richard McBryde
SAM: Jeff Holland, Javy Mitchell/Darrell Williams/Richard McBryde
*For this exercise, I'm throwing the Buck LBs/WDEs in with the DL.
Analysis: CKS and TWill have their work cut out for them. Davis, Williams, Toney and McBryde all need to make significant improvements this offseason.
Defensive Line:
Assuming Monty is back, we return virtually everyone sans Lambert. If this crew can stay healthy and Garner can earn his paycheck with Monty & Cowart, this should be one of the better defensive fronts in the league.
SDE: Byron Cowart, Paul James III, Gimel President
DT: Montravius Adams, Maurice Swain, Jaunta'vius Johnson
DT: Dontavius Russell, Devaroe Lawrence, Jaunta'vius Johnson
Buck/WDE: Carl Lawson, Jeff Holland, Raashed Kennion, Prince Tega
Analysis: FINALLY. Finally, after two long miserable seasons of zero pass rush, we have a group of jimmys & joes capable of getting to the QB. If Garner can do his job and develop some of these guys, we could not only have one or two, but up to 4-5 guys who can pressure the QB.
The biggest area of concern is clearly depth at DT. Lawrence, Swain and Jaunta'vius Johnson all need to be developed and improved during the offseason, in order to keep Monty & DT from having to play 70 snaps per game. If they do, when combined with this secondary, this unit should be able to make marked improvement over 2015.
/end
I'm guesstimating on the depth charts and not trying to nail down the exact 2-deeps.
Secondary:
In the secondary, we lose two key assets in JJones and Countess, but potentially get one back (Holsey), as well as a healthy TJ Davis to further bolster depth.
Safety: Tray Matthews, Tim Irvin, M Boston, Atkinson?
Safety: Rudy Ford, Nick Ruffin, Stephen Roberts
Nickel: Josh Holsey, Tim Irvin, TJ Davis, Atkinson?
Corner: Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Javaris Davis/T.J. Davis
Corner: Jeremiah Dinson, Jamel Dean, Javaris Davis/T.J. Davis
Analysis: Assuming a healthy Dinson, a healthy Holsey and Dean being as good as advertised, I believe this unit should be in the upper half of the league, and show marked improvement as the season progresses. Early season we will rely heavily on Rudy, Trigga, Carlton and Holsey while the rest of the crew gets their sea legs.
Linebackers:
We lose two of the most seasoned, experienced LBs in AU history. While they finished their career with a fizzle, replacing them at the same time will be a tall task. Tre now takes his position as the unquestioned star of the LB corps and defacto play-caller, but will need a running buddy or two to step up and become SEC LB material.
ILB: Tre Williams, Darrell Williams, Kenny Flowers
ILB: Deshaun Davis, Cam Toney, Richard McBryde
SAM: Jeff Holland, Javy Mitchell/Darrell Williams/Richard McBryde
*For this exercise, I'm throwing the Buck LBs/WDEs in with the DL.
Analysis: CKS and TWill have their work cut out for them. Davis, Williams, Toney and McBryde all need to make significant improvements this offseason.
Defensive Line:
Assuming Monty is back, we return virtually everyone sans Lambert. If this crew can stay healthy and Garner can earn his paycheck with Monty & Cowart, this should be one of the better defensive fronts in the league.
SDE: Byron Cowart, Paul James III, Gimel President
DT: Montravius Adams, Maurice Swain, Jaunta'vius Johnson
DT: Dontavius Russell, Devaroe Lawrence, Jaunta'vius Johnson
Buck/WDE: Carl Lawson, Jeff Holland, Raashed Kennion, Prince Tega
Analysis: FINALLY. Finally, after two long miserable seasons of zero pass rush, we have a group of jimmys & joes capable of getting to the QB. If Garner can do his job and develop some of these guys, we could not only have one or two, but up to 4-5 guys who can pressure the QB.
The biggest area of concern is clearly depth at DT. Lawrence, Swain and Jaunta'vius Johnson all need to be developed and improved during the offseason, in order to keep Monty & DT from having to play 70 snaps per game. If they do, when combined with this secondary, this unit should be able to make marked improvement over 2015.
/end
