Just like last year we’ll hop from both sides of the ball in our weekly discussions. Last week I was in Washington DC, so I couldn’t get this together. For this week a good discussion point will be in regards to the safeties, a position that’s been “under fire” for a few years now.
Free Safety Starter – #12 Matt Hermanson – “Hermey” enters his 3rd year as a starter in the defensive secondary. A mainstay on the field but someone who has been criticized for lack of consistency this year is his final chance to go out strong. After a promising 2011 season he had a very rough 2012 but improved in 2013. Still, much criticism remained as Griz fans have grown accustomed to stud safeties all the time. For Hermey last season the stats were solid, 107 tackles (2nd best on the team), 2 recovered fumbles, and 3 forced fumbles. However there was one thing really missing, 0 interceptions. Hermanson is going to be relied upon to be the “QB of the defense”, he’s going to need to have command of the backfield more than ever before. In 2014 I’m hoping to see a little more ball hawking from the guy and grab some picks. 100+ tackles is great, forced fumbles, yep – but interceptions, build on that. Also, a stat that may speak to challenges in the passing game, only 1 pass break up last year. In spring camp Hermey looked to be in the stride he was in last season, solid but not flashy. I hope to see some more aggression out of him and improvement in the passing game – that’ll go a long way to helping the defensive secondary.
Strong Safety Starter – #31 Justin Whitted - Whitted will be an interesting addition to the safety mix. Replacing Bo Tully I see some nice upgrades in Whitted. First and foremost, he’s a hitter. He’s listed at 191 pounds but that’s a weight from last fall, he’ll probably open this fall closer to 200. I’ve seen him lay some real good punishment on WRs and TEs in a few practices. Whitted is athletic but raw, reminds me a lot of watching Mike McCord – not the fastest guy on the team but doesn’t get run over. Consistency and adapting to starting and playing alongside Rominger will be key. Whitted kind of faded out as spring went on, he can’t do that come the regular season.
Free Safety Backup – #39 Jake Dallaserra – I like what I’ve seen in Jake and I could be wrong but he might’ve also been playing some spot duty opposite of Whitted as well. Dallaserra is another hitter, a little bit smaller than Whitted and Hermey though. His coverage is good but not great. He’ll make a hell of a special teams player this year and will be in line to rotate in this year and possibly start next year as the free safety. Needs to continually work on coverage, had some issues with TE’s and taller WRs. Also when being left on an island as the last line of defense WRs tended to get the best of him.
Strong Safety Backup – #13 Zach Gratton – Zach has been battling with Mick Delaney (the player, not the coach) but seems to have an edge for depth here. Another guy who has a good chance to make some special teams impact this year. Zach’s very fast and quick, last year he was still adapting to safety but this year he’s made improvements. Based on what I’ve seen from Whitted, Hermey, and Dallaserra – he’s not at their level yet, but he’s improving. Better in coverage and good size for run support.
Depth – #28 Jamaal Anderson – A converted corner Anderson is a little on the smaller side at safety (5-11, 180). Anderson must’ve been hurt or just buried the whole spring b/c I don’t recall seeing him out there that often. Will keep an eye out for him this fall.
Depth – #41 Mick Delaney – The coaches grandson has actually shown me a bit this spring. The last week he was absolutely punishing some WRs. It came at the expense of some missed assignments and getting caught looking at the QB too much though, but that’ll come in time. I like the way he plays mean, now build on that pass coverage and we’ll see how he looks in the years ahead.
Depth – Jake Mann – New recruit, will be here this fall. Will have to see what he can add but I’m guessing he’ll redshirt.
Why no Trent McKinney? He’s not listed on the online roster. I’m not sure if he would’ve fit anyways, he showed he was athletic enough but was very unskilled in tackling and was fooled a bunch in coverage.
Free Safety Starter – #12 Matt Hermanson – “Hermey” enters his 3rd year as a starter in the defensive secondary. A mainstay on the field but someone who has been criticized for lack of consistency this year is his final chance to go out strong. After a promising 2011 season he had a very rough 2012 but improved in 2013. Still, much criticism remained as Griz fans have grown accustomed to stud safeties all the time. For Hermey last season the stats were solid, 107 tackles (2nd best on the team), 2 recovered fumbles, and 3 forced fumbles. However there was one thing really missing, 0 interceptions. Hermanson is going to be relied upon to be the “QB of the defense”, he’s going to need to have command of the backfield more than ever before. In 2014 I’m hoping to see a little more ball hawking from the guy and grab some picks. 100+ tackles is great, forced fumbles, yep – but interceptions, build on that. Also, a stat that may speak to challenges in the passing game, only 1 pass break up last year. In spring camp Hermey looked to be in the stride he was in last season, solid but not flashy. I hope to see some more aggression out of him and improvement in the passing game – that’ll go a long way to helping the defensive secondary.
Strong Safety Starter – #31 Justin Whitted - Whitted will be an interesting addition to the safety mix. Replacing Bo Tully I see some nice upgrades in Whitted. First and foremost, he’s a hitter. He’s listed at 191 pounds but that’s a weight from last fall, he’ll probably open this fall closer to 200. I’ve seen him lay some real good punishment on WRs and TEs in a few practices. Whitted is athletic but raw, reminds me a lot of watching Mike McCord – not the fastest guy on the team but doesn’t get run over. Consistency and adapting to starting and playing alongside Rominger will be key. Whitted kind of faded out as spring went on, he can’t do that come the regular season.
Free Safety Backup – #39 Jake Dallaserra – I like what I’ve seen in Jake and I could be wrong but he might’ve also been playing some spot duty opposite of Whitted as well. Dallaserra is another hitter, a little bit smaller than Whitted and Hermey though. His coverage is good but not great. He’ll make a hell of a special teams player this year and will be in line to rotate in this year and possibly start next year as the free safety. Needs to continually work on coverage, had some issues with TE’s and taller WRs. Also when being left on an island as the last line of defense WRs tended to get the best of him.
Strong Safety Backup – #13 Zach Gratton – Zach has been battling with Mick Delaney (the player, not the coach) but seems to have an edge for depth here. Another guy who has a good chance to make some special teams impact this year. Zach’s very fast and quick, last year he was still adapting to safety but this year he’s made improvements. Based on what I’ve seen from Whitted, Hermey, and Dallaserra – he’s not at their level yet, but he’s improving. Better in coverage and good size for run support.
Depth – #28 Jamaal Anderson – A converted corner Anderson is a little on the smaller side at safety (5-11, 180). Anderson must’ve been hurt or just buried the whole spring b/c I don’t recall seeing him out there that often. Will keep an eye out for him this fall.
Depth – #41 Mick Delaney – The coaches grandson has actually shown me a bit this spring. The last week he was absolutely punishing some WRs. It came at the expense of some missed assignments and getting caught looking at the QB too much though, but that’ll come in time. I like the way he plays mean, now build on that pass coverage and we’ll see how he looks in the years ahead.
Depth – Jake Mann – New recruit, will be here this fall. Will have to see what he can add but I’m guessing he’ll redshirt.
Why no Trent McKinney? He’s not listed on the online roster. I’m not sure if he would’ve fit anyways, he showed he was athletic enough but was very unskilled in tackling and was fooled a bunch in coverage.
