Portland State

[EWURanger]

The lack of a run game bit us again, although our pass O did a lot to make it close. We just let too many opportunities get by us early, because we really needed to score on just about every possession as our D was a seive.

I really thought our DTs would be a strength of this team, but turned into a complete liability late in the year. We were having to pinch an end into the play constantly because our DTs were so uncompetitive with their interior line. No pressure, missed tackles, just a whole big bag of yuckiness on D.

You could fault our offense for the South Dakota and Montana losses... but they got it together late in the season. I have no idea what the hell happened on D.

Again, don't disagree. I gotta think we'll be stronger along the defensive line next season. First off, we will be bigger. Pulu will be eligible (hopefully he is still around).....we get the massive 320 pound Delgado kid who RS'd this season. Plus all the other guys that played this season like Katoa and Day. The other thing that is going to make our defensive line really solid is that we have all of our DE's....guys like Gaylord, Ena, Ceja, Larry, Zysltra, etc. most of which have a lot of experience.

We will also be stronger at LB, which was another problem in this game. We have a true Freshman starting at middle LB, and although he is doing a great job, it takes a while to adjust to this level of play. He will only get better. If Zach Johnson is granted that medical redshirt, that is a huge contributor returning. Slide Zach back out to outside LB with McCarthy in the middle with Williams, Washburn and the others returning.

I actually think the offense will be more of a concern going into next season than the defense. Big ?'s at QB.

 

[eaglesfootball]

i am not worried about qb next season as we have a very capable group returning.

 

[ewunerd]

Teams gonna be great next year. Worst case we could get another dropdown QB but the returners have much potential.

 

[Dozy]

The lack of a run game bit us again, although our pass O did a lot to make it close. We just let too many opportunities get by us early, because we really needed to score on just about every possession as our D was a seive.

I really thought our DTs would be a strength of this team, but turned into a complete liability late in the year. We were having to pinch an end into the play constantly because our DTs were so uncompetitive with their interior line. No pressure, missed tackles, just a whole big bag of yuckiness on D.

You could fault our offense for the South Dakota and Montana losses... but they got it together late in the season. I have no idea what the hell happened on D.

Again, don't disagree. I gotta think we'll be stronger along the defensive line next season. First off, we will be bigger. Pulu will be eligible (hopefully he is still around).....we get the massive 320 pound Delgado kid who RS'd this season. Plus all the other guys that played this season like Katoa and Day. The other thing that is going to make our defensive line really solid is that we have all of our DE's....guys like Gaylord, Ena, Ceja, Larry, Zysltra, etc. most of which have a lot of experience.

We will also be stronger at LB, which was another problem in this game. We have a true Freshman starting at middle LB, and although he is doing a great job, it takes a while to adjust to this level of play. He will only get better. If Zach Johnson is granted that medical redshirt, that is a huge contributor returning. Slide Zach back out to outside LB with McCarthy in the middle with Williams, Washburn and the others returning.

I actually think the offense will be more of a concern going into next season than the defense. Big ?'s at QB.

Agreed. Pulu is still here. He was scout team player of the week recently. All our DE's are back bigger, stronger, and smarter. Freshman McCarthy had 10 tackles yesterday at LB. RS freshman Zylstra was moved from DE to tackle and had 7 tackles yesterday.

I think we're looking solid next year on D.

 

[EWURanger]

The lack of a run game bit us again, although our pass O did a lot to make it close. We just let too many opportunities get by us early, because we really needed to score on just about every possession as our D was a seive.

I really thought our DTs would be a strength of this team, but turned into a complete liability late in the year. We were having to pinch an end into the play constantly because our DTs were so uncompetitive with their interior line. No pressure, missed tackles, just a whole big bag of yuckiness on D.

You could fault our offense for the South Dakota and Montana losses... but they got it together late in the season. I have no idea what the hell happened on D.

Again, don't disagree. I gotta think we'll be stronger along the defensive line next season. First off, we will be bigger. Pulu will be eligible (hopefully he is still around).....we get the massive 320 pound Delgado kid who RS'd this season. Plus all the other guys that played this season like Katoa and Day. The other thing that is going to make our defensive line really solid is that we have all of our DE's....guys like Gaylord, Ena, Ceja, Larry, Zysltra, etc. most of which have a lot of experience.

We will also be stronger at LB, which was another problem in this game. We have a true Freshman starting at middle LB, and although he is doing a great job, it takes a while to adjust to this level of play. He will only get better. If Zach Johnson is granted that medical redshirt, that is a huge contributor returning. Slide Zach back out to outside LB with McCarthy in the middle with Williams, Washburn and the others returning.

I actually think the offense will be more of a concern going into next season than the defense. Big ?'s at QB.

Agreed. Pulu is still here. He was scout team player of the week recently. All our DE's are back bigger, stronger, and smarter. Freshman McCarthy had 10 tackles yesterday at LB. RS freshman Zylstra was moved from DE to tackle and had 7 tackles yesterday.

I think we're looking solid next year on D.

Great news about Pulu. I honestly think he could be a difference maker along the defensive line and it's shitty that he didn't get to play this season alongside Renard.

The more I think about it, the more I am getting excited about what our defense is going to look like next year......IF they can stay healthy. McCarthy had a sick "waterboy" tackle yesterday in which he vaulted over a couple guys and just smashed the running back. He will be a Buchanan Contender in a couple of years, bank on it. Kinda wish we could have RS'd him this year, but the fact that he has been getting a lot of valuable playing time this season will help next year if he ends up being the primary MLB.

Main concern next season is going to be the secondary.......again. Two corners graduating, so I guess Lee and Baines will be to go to guys. Not completely sure about the SS situation. Brown is a great player but might not be quite big enough to be a starting SS. I sort of think he would be a better corner with the speed he has. :twocents: