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PITT's defense next year

  • I know that there is still a game this year against a good ole miss team but i cant help but look forward to next season. There will be depth and talent added everywhere especially on the defensive end. This season PITT finished 21st in total defense, 24th in pass defense, and 24th in rushing defense. Rushing the passer was a bit of a problem at times but the defense should be improved in every facet. So im going to take a look at each position on defense and list who of importance (no offense to others but only players that actually would play will be listed here) is leaving and who will be here for the 2013 season.

    DE: Leaving - Shayne Hale
    2013 - Bryan Murphy, TJ Clemmings, Devin Cook, Shakir Soto, Luke Maclean, James Conner (?), Jack Lippert
    DT: Leaving - Nobody
    2013 - Aaron Donald, Ty Ezell, KK, Darryl Render, Terrell Jackson, Tyrique Jarrett, LaQuentin Smith
    OLB: Leaving - Nobody
    2013 - Todd Thomas, Eric Williams, Juan Price, Nick Grigsby, Deaysean Rippy, Bam Bradley (?), Devon Porchia
    MLB: Leaving - Joe Trebitz
    2013 - Shane Gordon, Dan Mason, Matt Galambos (watch this guys senior film.. the kid can play!), Mike Caprara
    CB: Leaving - Nobody
    2013 - Lafayette Pitts, K'Waun Williams, Jahmahl Pardner, Ryan Lewis, Titus Howard, Cullen Christian
    S: Leaving - Jarred Holley
    2013 - Jason Hendricks, Ray Vinopal, Jevonte Pitts, Bam Bradley (?), Trenton Coles.

    The only position on defense i am concerned about is safety. At one spot Jason Hendricks is a stud but the other is completely unknown. As far as im concerned, Vinopal should not play unless its special teams. Hes small and slow and not very athletic. Going down the list i think Luke Maclean will play. If you watch his film he is fast, strong and looks to be a hell of a pass rusher. he may be used on pass rushing situations. I also wouldnt be surprised if Shakir Soto played if he can get used to the speed. Hes bigger than his listed size and i say that based on seeing him in person and my source. Hes a good 6'4" 250, maybe even heavier, and hes very athletic. Tyrique Jarrett is a stud. He might not play because Ty and KK are good players, but make no mistake about it, he will be a very good nose for us as soon as his second year at pitt. The linebacking core will be as good as weve seen it in a while. I mean, look at the speed and athleticism. Ive made known how good i think Nick Grigsby can be but every olb fast and athletic. Also, devon porchia was at the pitt game last night. 6'2" 225? I think not. He's probably in between 6'2" and 6'3" and id say he was 235-240. If you havent seen matt galabos' senior film, watch it. the difference between his senior film and his junior film is unbelievable. he can play. Corners will be lock down. Nuff said there. The best part is, theres still some very good recruits that are very high on pitt in all of these positions that could possibly see time so this can even get better for 2013

    Shady1

  • Nice post. Plenty of reason for optimism next year. If the DBs, especially the CBs, show half as much development as they showed this year, then maybe we can leave them on islands more often to ratchet up the pressure.

    shruggs

  • shruggs said...

    Nice post. Plenty of reason for optimism next year. If the DBs, especially the CBs, show half as much development as they showed this year, then maybe we can leave them on islands more often to ratchet up the pressure.

    good point. the defense should be able to do a lot of different things and throw a lot of looks at people especially since they will finally be with the same coaches and scheme for a second year

    Shady1

  • Shady1 said...

    I know that there is still a game this year against a good ole miss team but i cant help but look forward to next season. There will be depth and talent added everywhere especially on the defensive end. This season PITT finished 21st in total defense, 24th in pass defense, and 24th in rushing defense. Rushing the passer was a bit of a problem at times but the defense should be improved in every facet. So im going to take a look at each position on defense and list who of importance (no offense to others but only players that actually would play will be listed here) is leaving and who will be here for the 2013 season.

    DE: Leaving - Shayne Hale 2013 - Bryan Murphy, TJ Clemmings, Devin Cook, Shakir Soto, Luke Maclean, James Conner (?), Jack Lippert DT: Leaving - Nobody 2013 - Aaron Donald, Ty Ezell, KK, Darryl Render, Terrell Jackson, Tyrique Jarrett, LaQuentin Smith OLB: Leaving - Nobody 2013 - Todd Thomas, Eric Williams, Juan Price, Nick Grigsby, Deaysean Rippy, Bam Bradley (?), Devon Porchia MLB: Leaving - Joe Trebitz 2013 - Shane Gordon, Dan Mason, Matt Galambos (watch this guys senior film.. the kid can play!), Mike Caprara CB: Leaving - Nobody 2013 - Lafayette Pitts, K'Waun Williams, Jahmahl Pardner, Ryan Lewis, Titus Howard, Cullen Christian S: Leaving - Jarred Holley 2013 - Jason Hendricks, Ray Vinopal, Jevonte Pitts, Bam Bradley (?), Trenton Coles.

    The only position on defense i am concerned about is safety. At one spot Jason Hendricks is a stud but the other is completely unknown. As far as im concerned, Vinopal should not play unless its special teams. Hes small and slow and not very athletic. Going down the list i think Luke Maclean will play. If you watch his film he is fast, strong and looks to be a hell of a pass rusher. he may be used on pass rushing situations. I also wouldnt be surprised if Shakir Soto played if he can get used to the speed. Hes bigger than his listed size and i say that based on seeing him in person and my source. Hes a good 6'4" 250, maybe even heavier, and hes very athletic. Tyrique Jarrett is a stud. He might not play because Ty and KK are good players, but make no mistake about it, he will be a very good nose for us as soon as his second year at pitt. The linebacking core will be as good as weve seen it in a while. I mean, look at the speed and athleticism. Ive made known how good i think Nick Grigsby can be but every olb fast and athletic. Also, devon porchia was at the pitt game last night. 6'2" 225? I think not. He's probably in between 6'2" and 6'3" and id say he was 235-240. If you havent seen matt galabos' senior film, watch it. the difference between his senior film and his junior film is unbelievable. he can play. Corners will be lock down. Nuff said there. The best part is, theres still some very good recruits that are very high on pitt in all of these positions that could possibly see time so this can even get better for 2013

    why not gonsalez and hendricks at safety? i think that kid has a lot of talent and its a shame that he wasnt moved to safety earlier in his career. he was a kid who really got screwed over by our coaching revolving door. he was a college qb from day 1, but he showed his excellent athletic ability from day 1.

    go panthers!
    brian

    Ironworks

  • Ironworks said...

    why not gonsalez and hendricks at safety? i think that kid has a lot of talent and its a shame that he wasnt moved to safety earlier in his career. he was a kid who really got screwed over by our coaching revolving door. he was a college qb from day 1, but he showed his excellent athletic ability from day 1.

    go panthers! brian

    I knew i was forgetting a safety!! Thanks. Yes i think gonzalez could be a very good safety if he puts forth the effort. It seems like thats also been a hindrance to him as well as the position changes.

    Shady1

  • It shall be an amazing defense. It's extremely exciting and the offense will be better with a new QB and hopefully more experience at OL .. and more speed at WR.

    One thing .. remember when Hale looked so dominant in his high school film? He was a monster. He was faster .. stronger .. bigger .. looked like a man amongst boys. What happened to him? And how can i trust any high school film? I'll wait to see this Galambos kid on a college field.

    Pitt0008mmd

  • fair enough. all i can say about galambos is in his senior film he was MUCH faster and harder hitting than in his junior film. im not predicting him to play early or anything but i think he may surprise some people

    Shady1

  • Ironworks said...

    why not gonsalez and hendricks at safety? i think that kid has a lot of talent and its a shame that he wasnt moved to safety earlier in his career. he was a kid who really got screwed over by our coaching revolving door. he was a college qb from day 1, but he showed his excellent athletic ability from day 1.

    go panthers! brian

    I love the defense for next year also and the starting safety could be Tyler Boyd if he commits. I understand you don't want to start a true freshman but the guy is an incredible athlete.

    Avoid Lloyd

  • I agree that the defense should be excellent.

    I think being in the same system for two years will help a lot, too. The players will be more comfortable, which it was obvious it took them a few games to get there this season.

    Additionally, the staff will be more familiar with the players and talent available which should also help.

    I'd like to see Hendricks at FS next year. He has a good knack for finding the ball and his experience could be a real asset at the position next year. I'd like to see Bam Bradley tried at SS in the spring. I think his physicality at the position could make him a potential impact player there. I'd rather him be there than just being a backup LB, where we appear to have decent talent and depth now.

    Vinopal and Gonzalez give us good depth at S, IMO. J. Pitts could surprise, as well.

    signature image

    Let's get another receiver to "Foster the People" like AB!

    Sanctuary80

  • Many good points made in these posts.

    Only fly in the defensive ointment is if Aaron Donald leaves early... Losing our best play-maker would really hurt this defense.

    Hoping AD sticks for his senior year.

    Go Pitt.

    MajorMajors

  • Gotta get Cook on the field as he is the only DE w/ some burst. Otherwise, this defense can never maximize the other players. Need another DL who can help out Donald, because Donald's talent actually hurts this defense at times because if you only have 1 guy who can play on the other side of the LOS, it exposes the other guys.

    signature image

    steelcurtain55

  • steelcurtain55 said...

    Gotta get Cook on the field as he is the only DE w/ some burst. Otherwise, this defense can never maximize the other players. Need another DL who can help out Donald, because Donald's talent actually hurts this defense at times because if you only have 1 guy who can play on the other side of the LOS, it exposes the other guys.

    "I had a dream last night
    'Cause it looked just like a dream
    I had a dream last night
    But it looked unlike a dream
    Mercy, mercy, I made a call
    Make me a suit so I can get it off
    Heaven help me, my head is spin'n round
    Stop this airplane cause I got to get down" - butthole surfers

    ok .. what the freak are you talking about Steel? Am i trippin' ballz?

    Pitt0008mmd

  • Pitt0008mmd said...

    "I had a dream last night 'Cause it looked just like a dream I had a dream last night But it looked unlike a dream Mercy, mercy, I made a call Make me a suit so I can get it off Heaven help me, my head is spin'n round Stop this airplane cause I got to get down" - butthole surfers

    ok .. what the freak are you talking about Steel? Am i trippin' ballz?

    huh?

    signature image

    steelcurtain55

  • Pitt0008mmd

  • Avoid Lloyd said...

    I love the defense for next year also and the starting safety could be Tyler Boyd if he commits. I understand you don't want to start a true freshman but the guy is an incredible athlete.

    i agree, he is a huge talent and will be a starter very early in his pitt career if he comes to pitt and i hope he does!
    does he want to play offense though? i think he would be a very good wr in college, but he could end up in the NFL if he plays safety.

    go panthers!
    brian

    Ironworks

  • He might want to play offense but if he gets an opportunity to play or start I bet he would jump on that chance.

    Avoid Lloyd

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