Very good point!

I put Howell as the starting Edge based on Elko's press conference.

He wasn't as clear on Kennedy's role moving forward (at least it seemed to me based on the language he used). But it makes sense that they will both be out there on passing downs.

Are we talking to current stars not in the portal, my guess is the teams getting the best are.

beerad12man said:

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I think 260-265 is just fine for that spot. That's what both Searcy and Hayes will play. Also Kendall Jackson will likely be close to 260 as a RFR. Maybe Solomon Williams, but he's closer to 250 right now. Depends on his development.

We won't have that 285 pound guy, but Elko has played plenty of 5 techs in the 260-270 range. Clemons, Jay Hayes at ND were both 265-270. His DEs at Duke, etc.

Now, Keke was 285. Leal played some SDE at 290. Obviously our 5 tech was bigger this year.

• Georgia's starting DEs are 265 and 250
• Texas are 260 and 245
• South Carolina is 254 and 248.
• Ohio State is 260 and 269
• Notre Dame is 265 and 251

Those are some of the better defenses in the sec/country.

Right now, I'd project ours to be 250 and 260 (either Howell or Kennedy and one of Searcy and Hayes)

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My concern with this is combining it with a coverage nickel like Chappel leaves us pretty undersized across the board. With that set up we need to find another answer to run situations as last years approach of not swapping the NB left us in some unwinnable situations.

I do wish we would go after a bigger NB but I've heard nothing to suggest we are

In general, Elko's run defense has been about LB and S play more so than the nickel spot. But I get what you're saying. Pretty clear we are going after speed first. I think lack of speed in our front 6, along with gap control, and LBers and S not playing well in gaps either, led to our run defense issues.

If anything, I have seen more complaints about past Elko's defenses lacking speed / coverage than I have his run defense. I think we need to be more gap sound than anything. Not necessarily size.

While a little bigger, I wouldn't call Deshawn Capers-Smith a plus size defender at 6-0 200. Obviously AJ would be the absolute best we have had in this role, but they don't make many of him.

beerad12man said:

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In general, Elko's run defense has been about LB and S play more so than the nickel spot. But I get what you're saying. Pretty clear we are going after speed first. I think lack of speed in our front 6, along with gap control, and LBers and S not playing well in gaps either, led to our run defense issues.

If anything, I have seen more complaints about past Elko's defenses lacking speed / coverage than I have his run defense. I think we need to be more gap sound than anything. Not necessarily size.

While a little bigger, I wouldn't call Deshawn Capers-Smith a plus size defender at 6-0 200. Obviously AJ would be the absolute best we have had in this role, but they don't make many of him.

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Looks like we may be playoff contenders next year ! Love these additions !!

beerad12man said:

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In general, Elko's run defense has been about LB and S play more so than the nickel spot. But I get what you're saying. Pretty clear we are going after speed first. I think lack of speed in our front 6, along with gap control, and LBers and S not playing well in gaps either, led to our run defense issues.

If anything, I have seen more complaints about past Elko's defenses lacking speed / coverage than I have his run defense. I think we need to be more gap sound than anything. Not necessarily size.

While a little bigger, I wouldn't call Deshawn Capers-Smith a plus size defender at 6-0 200. Obviously AJ would be the absolute best we have had in this role, but they don't make many of him.

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What do you think about Kendal Daniels from Okie Lite? He's a monster at 6'3 235lbs, I believe.

He could probably fill in for York at LB on obvious passing downs, as well.

EricHill said:

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beerad12man said:

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In general, Elko's run defense has been about LB and S play more so than the nickel spot. But I get what you're saying. Pretty clear we are going after speed first. I think lack of speed in our front 6, along with gap control, and LBers and S not playing well in gaps either, led to our run defense issues.

If anything, I have seen more complaints about past Elko's defenses lacking speed / coverage than I have his run defense. I think we need to be more gap sound than anything. Not necessarily size.

While a little bigger, I wouldn't call Deshawn Capers-Smith a plus size defender at 6-0 200. Obviously AJ would be the absolute best we have had in this role, but they don't make many of him.

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Looks like we may be playoff contenders next year ! Love these additions !!

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We were this year as well until the last week of the season…This isn't the metric it used to be with the 12 team format.