Linebacker Depth Becoming an Issue
It has been a rather injury-filled preseason camp for Nebraska. Before yesterday, NU had lost four players thought to be contributors in 2010, including an offensive lineman (Mike Smith) a linebacker (Sean Fisher), a tight end (Dreu Young) and a cornerback (Anthony Blue). The list appears to have grown by one on Thursday, as Coach Pelini confirmed that linebacker Will Compton will "be out for some time" with an apparent foot injury. The loss of Compton, combined with the earlier injury to Fisher, makes the Huskers suddenly a bit thin at a spot where they were already seeking playmakers.
Entering this season, the Huskers are looking for answers at linebacker. Specifically, they are seeking a replacement for Phillip Dillard, one of their leading tacklers in 2009. Fisher and Compton were the two most experienced linebackers on the roster, and the most likely candidates to fill that void. Fisher is out for the year with a broken leg. Now, it appears that Compton will miss a significant period of time. This is not great news for a team that has yet to play a down in 2010.
Where do the Husker's go from here? Lavonte David...please pick up a white courtesy phone. There is a call holding for you on line two. David is the buzz-worthy junior college transfer who appears to be making a name for himself at the weakside linebacker spot.
When the Huskers need a thumper in the middle of their defense, expect to see the 240-pound wrecking ball named Eric Martin. Martin's physical and enthusiastic play on special teams made a name for him as a freshman. But, he admittedly had poor practice habits in the film room, and must get the mental aspect of the game locked in before he can play consistently on defense.
Beyond Martin and David, Alonzo Whaley and Mathew May are the other likely candidates to play at either of the linebacker spots.
David and Martin have potential and talent to burn. But, they lack the experience and knowledge base that Compton and Fisher brought to the field. The learning curve just got a bit more extreme for the newcomers, and the Husker just got a bit more thin at linebacker.
Kansas City, MO
9/3/2010
I have an idea, why don’t we just add another “Peso” spot on the field! It’s like a 4-1-2-4 base set!
9/3/2010
Not the ideal time in week 1 but Latravis Washington has been worked at LB before, is looking to get on the field, has paid his dues w/three position changes - some taken for the team- and has a world of athletic talent at about 6’2” and 230 lbs. Plus from a QB’s standpoint his defensive keys may be a little easier to come by.
Too many Pesos and we’re going to have some teams running it right down our throats.
9/3/2010
@Bill: +1. I’ve been thinking about that for some time. Why hasn’t Latravis moved back to LB? They’re 3 deep at QB, and 2 have multiple starts under their belts.
9/3/2010
Chris & Bill H., I can’t argue with that logic at all.
This whole situation is starting to make me nervous.
One more injury, and we might have some problems.
Is there also a chance of Cassidy or one of the other pesos
switching to a LB spot for depth? Obviously they would be a bit
undersized against the run… but only about 10-15 pounds separate them from Compton.
Any thoughts?
9/3/2010
good news: he will probably be back mid way thru the season and since we play in big 12 not many teams pound the ball in our conference.
bad news: were very thin now and dont have much experience at Lb so teams will have more success against us if they can pound the rock consistently we could be in trouble. so that k-state game looks like an big issue now with thomas back.
9/3/2010
And let’s not forget a game on 10/16 with an opponent that has pledged to get back to it’s running game this season. I love our backs and the way we ‘coach ‘em up’ but lets be honest, UT gets pick of the litter in their home state and Rex and Trey are here not there so UT has talent at RB. Can they get it working in time - hope not.
9/3/2010
I really do not know what Washington is waiting for. His size and speed is definitely needed on the defensive side of the field. After the first two games every game is going to be a dog fight. Lets not forget the trap that is set by Kansas State. Thursday night games are brutal for road teams. This is a big blow to the defense.
9/3/2010
@Bill: Don’t be so quick to dismiss Rex on the basis that UT passed him up. USC has their pick of tailbacks out of California and somehow Toby Gerhart—-you know, the second best running back in the country last year—-found his way to Stanford. Point is that plenty of quality backs slip through the cracks.
@All: I hate to say it, but it might be time for the coaching staff to cool their jets on all the hard hitting practices. I complained as much as anyone about Callahan’s soft teams. But Callahan’s soft defense was not entirely the result of non-tackling practices. It was a reflection of the coaching mentality.
I think Pelini could still put a smashmouth, blue-collar, hard nosed team on the field even without going so damn hard in practice. As a follower of USC, I’ve seen just how devastating hard practices can be on the team with rampant injuries. We can’t keep grinding ourselves down before we even play a game.
9/3/2010
Carl already announced it. The new kid on the block Lavonte David and the young prodigy Alonzo Whaley are starting at backer
9/4/2010
Coaches see them every day in practice so they know best but the Washington discussion is one worth having as he’s a lot of talent riding a lot of pine. Special teams - good for him, LB - would love to see, ‘special package’ as receiver/runner/passer in Wildcat - may be the rabbit of the hat we need some day ala Crouch to Collins to Stutz to Crouch v OU.
A ‘Wild Hare’ thought on talent - What’s up with Marcus Mendoza? Was RB, went to WR, now in press guide as CB. Don’t know about attitude/chemistry but he’s got speed to burn. Can he catch a kickoff when needed?