Spring Practice Thread

#26      

illinipioneer

Richmond, VA
I appreciate the fact that Lovie didn't shy away from the pee performance of the defense last year.

Not that Lovie really shows much in his interviews but I could feel that he has some confidence towards the very end, talking about depth.....encouraging to the eternal optimist in myself
 
#29      
I don't care if it's Meelow, Youlow, Heelow or Herlow, just come close to what JLeman did on the field, and you will be in the UofI football hall of fame!!!
Is Leman in the Hall of Fame?
 
#30      
I appreciate the fact that Lovie didn't shy away from the pee performance of the defense last year.
Lovie can coach-speak as well as the rest, but his statement there (for those who didn't see, he said something to the effect of "We played about as bad on defense as has ever been played in college football. And we're using that.") really gave me a boost. He is not hiding from the truth, and I really appreciate that!
 
#31      
Lovie can coach-speak as well as the rest, but his statement there (for those who didn't see, he said something to the effect of "We played about as bad on defense as has ever been played in college football. And we're using that.") really gave me a boost. He is not hiding from the truth, and I really appreciate that!

I agree, In hindsight, Lovie just didn’t get the college game. He’s making adjustments, can he make them fast enough?
 
#32      
Lovie can coach-speak as well as the rest, but his statement there (for those who didn't see, he said something to the effect of "We played about as bad on defense as has ever been played in college football. And we're using that.") really gave me a boost. He is not hiding from the truth, and I really appreciate that!

I agree. Lovie knows bad D when he sees it and it was bad, very bad. I'm expecting the DL to lead the D. There is no reason why they don't dominate the LOS. The DL has a solid rotation as long as they stay healthy and Avery is a year older.
 
#33      
Not sure I liked the comment that he is always involved in the defense and nothing changes
as far as DC until game day. I think a lot better change!
 
#34      
Who do you think we need to see a leap from, on defense, to make the improvement we need to win 6 games?
 
#35      
DL. Specifically the other DE needs to pressure, maintain contain, and stop the run. DT should be much improved with added depth and just everyone being a year older. But, we need a DE opposite of Roundtree to step up.
 
#37      

Deleted member 654622

D
Guest
Who do you think we need to see a leap from, on defense, to make the improvement we need to win 6 games?
Blockhead is right really, but more specifically, I am going with pressure from the DT spot (anyone step up please) and Milo at the LB. If they can be better than average, our D will be much better. Only thing holding us back from 6+
 
#38      
Blockhead is right really, but more specifically, I am going with pressure from the DT spot (anyone step up please) and Milo at the LB. If they can be better than average, our D will be much better. Only thing holding us back from 6+

This is my take. One person on the line, the LB must be able to be quick enough to make reads and respond. Plus, some better lockdown coverage with Beason and/or one other.
 
#40      
The entire defense needs to improve considering the scheme. Gonna need multiple guys making plays to give other OC's a little more difficult of a time to game-plan for. We need much more strength across the board on D as well. Everyone playing on the same page will be a much better improvement than last year. No more blowouts!
 
#41      
It seems like Del'Shawn has been very under-appreciated on this board. He was a solid linebacker. believe it or not.
I don't take any of this as a slight on Del'Shawn, but he is gone & will be zero help for 2019...we need to get better at most positions, outside of Roundtree + replace Del'Shawn...but it is somewhat encouraging that we have more depth & I expect Roundtree will get better as well if someone else shows up on the offensive line to take some of the load.
 
#42      
It seems like Del'Shawn has been very under-appreciated on this board. He was a solid linebacker. believe it or not.

I agree that del Shawn was solid. I think for Lovies scheme to work in its current format, we need a step up at linebacker. Especially with him gone.
 
#43      
The point I'm making about Del'Shawn, is that there sure are a lot of comments talking about upgrades at the linebacker position. Losing a player of Del'Shawn's ability is more likely to be a net loss than a net gain. I really hope Milo can step in and be an upgrade. Yes he's a specimen in the weight room and has speed, but he was also a 3rd string LB at his previous school. Let's not just assume a former 4 star is going to be a star. (Del'Shawn was also a 4 star, granted borderline)
 
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#45      
Plus, some better lockdown coverage with Beason and/or one other.

And have no suspensions this time as was the case with the DB last year. And no hiding a statue of a deer on the roof of an apartment building.
 
#46      

cuillini

San Bernardino, Ca.
The point I'm making about Del'Shawn, is that there sure are a lot of comments talking about upgrades at the linebacker position. Losing a player of Del'Shawn's ability is more likely to be a net loss than a net gain. I really hope Milo can step in and be an upgrade. Yes he's a specimen in the weight room and has speed, but he was also a 3rd string LB at his previous school. Let's not just assume a former 4 star is going to be a star. (Del'Shawn was also a 4 star, granted borderline)
I recently spoke to a sales rep who was a teammate of Milo's at Washington. In fact, this guy played linebacker. I asked him about what to expect from Milo and he said the guy is an athletic freak with potential NFL talent. He needs to put it all together though both in the classroom and on the field. But the sky is the limit as far as potential.
 
#48      
The point I'm making about Del'Shawn, is that there sure are a lot of comments talking about upgrades at the linebacker position. Losing a player of Del'Shawn's ability is more likely to be a net loss than a net gain. I really hope Milo can step in and be an upgrade. Yes he's a specimen in the weight room and has speed, but he was also a 3rd string LB at his previous school. Let's not just assume a former 4 star is going to be a star. (Del'Shawn was also a 4 star, granted borderline)

I think these are some good points. My comments are not so much comments about Del 'Shawn, it is more comments about what we need at Linebacker. We need the other LBs to step up their game and replace Del ' Shawn. Then we need Milo to come in like a 4* recruit with experience and play to potential. Otherwise I am nto sure how this defense will turn out using Lovie's system. This defense requires a lot from LBs.

Also, the idea that Milo was 3rd string is somewhat misleading. Like most established football programs, Washington had a series of upperclassmen starting. Milo was set to receive significant playing time his redshirt sophomore year as the upperclassmen were leaving. Players in most positions in football won't start or play as Freshmen and mostly won't play or start as sophomores (red-shirt freshmen), which is what he was. The payoff starts to show in year 3 or 4. That is why this year should see a bump and the following year should see a huge bump as the team will be mostly upperclassmen.
 
#49      
I forgot about Donny Navarro, and rumor is that he is making some waves in training camp. We may not be so far off with our receiving corps this year
 
#50      
I get it. I read many of the same reports/articles that you guys do. From all accounts Milo is a freak of nature. That’s why he’s a potential NFLer. But there’s a lot more to LB than being a physical freak. It’s probably the most mentally demanding position besides QB and requires instincts and fast reactions. I’m just cautioning overblown expectations. I hope like hell that he’s a beast, and a catalyst for a vastly improved defense but delshawn was no slouch athletically and had solid instincts and smarts.