Last week we discussed the Defensive Line on here and the fact that we have some real questions there. A major one is if Dewayne Hendrix is as healthy and as good as advertised. We’ll see about him in about four weeks when Spring Practices start… along with other players we have yet to see in action.
But with the main defensive question mark staying the same – which is who is going to be in the defensive backfield for us – because God knows we need all the help we can get there. That’s been discussed to death.
But I think our Linebackers are going to play a huge role in how well this season’s version of our defense plays.
Looking back at 2016’s LB corps we saw SR Matt Galambos as a constant four-year player and a three-year starter. He was in there mainly for his football knowledge, his devotion during practice and classroom sessions, and his ability to call the defense… which isn’t going to look great on his resume’ considering our defense was a pile of dung on Heinz Field’s 50 yard line.
He was not a star by any means but he also didn’t make many mental errors and for a middle linebacker that is paramount. Slow afoot though.
Next to him we saw SR Mike Caprara in at the “Money” LB slot with SR Bam Bradley and rising JR Oluwaseun Idowu switching out at the “Star” LB position – with the Star usually lining up over the TE. There isn’t a whole lot to say about those four starters other than Paul Chryst didn’t really know how to recruit defensive players very well.
pittpov.com 