Linebacker question

[BCfanatic2020]

I read the athletic piece. With brothers, Alexander, Saunders and karlaftis on the roster, are the two MLBs really Fakasiieki or Douglas? I mean.. when we aren’t playing Wisconsin or Iowa.. like, for the whole season?

 

[Trekie4Life]

I read the athletic piece. With brothers, Alexander, Saunders and karlaftis on the roster, are the two MLBs really Fakasiieki or Douglas? I mean.. when we aren’t playing Wisconsin or Iowa.. like, for the whole season?

I’m sold on Fakasiieiki and Douglas. I saw all I needed to see when Semisi came downhill against Iowa and Douglas came downhill against Minnesota. These two can play. But they don’t strike me as the stand around guys that they were having to be in Diaco’s defense. Let aggressive players be aggressive!

 

[BCfanatic2020]

I’m sold on Fakasiieiki and Douglas. I saw all I needed to see when Semisi came downhill against Iowa and Douglas came downhill against Minnesota. These two can play. But they don’t strike me as the stand around guys that they were having to be in Diaco’s defense. Let aggressive players be aggressive!

In pass coverage? I doubt neither as tough players who are stout against the run …

 

[nat100]

It’s Alexander and Fakasiieiki. In the middle. Douglas is a backup.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

It’s Alexander and Fakasiieiki. In the middle. Douglas is a backup.

Not what athletic article was saying .. if that’s the case I don’t see a glaring weakness from an athletic standpoint in the starting 22

 

[nat100]

Not what athletic article was saying .. if that’s the case I don’t see a glaring weakness from an athletic standpoint in the starting 22

Don’t have the athletic. Alexander is the best returning lb. he will start barring injury.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

Don’t have the athletic. Alexander is the best returning lb. he will start barring injury.

Yea they did say he started but the article was loaded with quotes from the staff so they weren’t just dreaming stuff up and when they got to MLB they said it was semisi and Douglas …

that could mean that Saunders isn’t ready to be the third linebacker.. but again, there are coaches in this country who would have him ready so long as he’s doing his part

 

[FirstDownB]

Yea they did say he started but the article was loaded with quotes from the staff so they weren’t just dreaming stuff up and when they got to MLB they said it was semisi and Douglas …

that could mean that Saunders isn’t ready to be the third linebacker.. but again, there are coaches in this country who would have him ready so long as he’s doing his part

Seems like Alexander might flex inside or out in order to get the best 3 on the field. May come down to how ready to play Brothers and Saunders are. I see Semisi ideally as a short yardage/red zone MLB. I believe Graham will lock down the hybrid spot with Ball as his backup. Hold on tight, LB going to be an area of focus on this defense.

 

[nat100]

Yea they did say he started but the article was loaded with quotes from the staff so they weren’t just dreaming stuff up and when they got to MLB they said it was semisi and Douglas …

that could mean that Saunders isn’t ready to be the third linebacker.. but again, there are coaches in this country who would have him ready so long as he’s doing his part

Saunders is being semisi. I think his thing is size more than anything else

 

[BCfanatic2020]

Saunders is being semisi. I think his thing is size more than anything else

And mark that down as a pass coverage weakness

 

[BCfanatic2020]

Seems like Alexander might flex inside or out in order to get the best 3 on the field. May come down to how ready to play Brothers and Saunders are. I see Semisi ideally as a short yardage/red zone MLB. I believe Graham will lock down the hybrid spot with Ball as his backup. Hold on tight, LB going to be an area of focus on this defense.

Ah I forgot Graham and that it could be a 4-2-5 look a la holt

 

[nat100]

And mark that down as a pass coverage weakness

I think were going to see a lot of nickel. We have more DBs capable of playing well than LBs.

 

[nat100]

Seems like Alexander might flex inside or out in order to get the best 3 on the field. May come down to how ready to play Brothers and Saunders are. I see Semisi ideally as a short yardage/red zone MLB. I believe Graham will lock down the hybrid spot with Ball as his backup. Hold on tight, LB going to be an area of focus on this defense.

Ill bet Yanni backs up Graham this year.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

I think were going to see a lot of nickel. We have more DBs capable of playing well than LBs.

True

 

[PaBoiler78]

True

speaking of LB's, hard to believe that 2023 prospect Drayk Bowen from Merrillville doesn't have us in his Top 12.

 

[BoilerGrad02]

Thought we’d see Wahlberg’s name being mentioned at least in the two deeps at this point in his career. Looked like a gamer when he committed and this is his 3rd year in the program.

 

[nat100]

Thought we’d see Wahlberg’s name being mentioned at least in the two deeps at this point in his career. Looked like a gamer when he committed and this is his 3rd year in the program.

Nope. I don’t think he played more than a couple special teams snaps last year

 

[BCfanatic2020]

speaking of LB's, hard to believe that 2023 prospect Drayk Bowen from Merrillville doesn't have us in his Top 12.

Que?

 

[nat100]

Que?

A linebacker from the region that is likely going to ND didnt name us in his top 12.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

A linebacker from the region that is likely going to ND didnt name us in his top 12.

Lol ok

 

[PaBoiler78]

A linebacker from the region that is likely going to ND didnt name us in his top 12.

not only that, the 2 BIG10 in his final 12 are UM and iu.