Position Breakdown: D-line

[BWahlberg]

Looking for another awesome year from Kidder, in 2016.

2015...12 games...23 solo...59 assist...82 total tackles...3 solo sacks...1 assist sack...3.5 total sacks

Got a text from someone telling me Kidder might play more D-end this season. If that's the case that'll elevate Davidson (I assume) and then put Schye as more of a situational guy in the 3-4 and pass-rush downs.

Probably just semantics, but the linemen in a 3/4 that are not inside the center/guards are typically noted as D-ends. The wide players are typically outside linebackers. If they have depth inside, I could see him moving wide situationally - got the physical tools to do so. They'd miss him a bit inside, Kidder is one of those guys who typically held their ground, even against a double team. He'll be a matchup problem wherever they put him.

My assumption is he'll be out for most snaps regardless if it's interior or on the end.

 

[BWahlberg]

Coming out of high school, Tucker Schye projected as a downhill linebacker with outstanding straight ahead speed for his size. He dominated in Class B which is important when recruiting from that Class in Montana. However, in college, I thought he projected more as a defensive end because he had tight hips (side-to-side movement) which showed when dropping back in pass coverage as a linebacker. So I wasn't too surprised when Stitt wanted to move him to DE last year. As a 4-3 outside linebacker, his size hurt him a little last year. Now if the Griz move to a 3-4, Tucker can excel as a rush OLB who doesn't really have to cover anyone out of the backfield and his size won't slow him down. A big advantage Tucker will have over his competition will be his technique. He has been steadily improving his speed, strength, and technique since his freshman year and he now has one full year playing defensive line for the Griz. I'm sure Tucker would rather play linebacker but I think Griz fans should be excited if this kid ends up being a 3-4 hybrid OLB who primarily rushes the passer. As a side note, it was really fun to watch Tucker and Mac Bignell dominate the Montana All-star games their post-senior seasons. As defensive players, they were just so damn physical and they brought the wood every play.

.

20 sacks as a HS senior, a 100 tackles. He's made for that wide spot.

Yup. Strong on the edge either defending the run or rushing the passer. Great straight ahead speed and a good enough athlete to bend as a pass rusher.

Not my assessment and it passed through a few chains, so it's presumably changed a bit. However the word back from his former LB's coach (Gregorak) was that Schye was having a hard time with pass coverage and being able to operate/control the defense as the mike-backer. His size and speed made him a little too big and slow to be an OLB and they saw potential in bulking him up a bit to make him more of a pass-rusher, where pass coverage isn't a concern.

 

[VimSince03]

Coming out of high school, Tucker Schye projected as a downhill linebacker with outstanding straight ahead speed for his size. He dominated in Class B which is important when recruiting from that Class in Montana. However, in college, I thought he projected more as a defensive end because he had tight hips (side-to-side movement) which showed when dropping back in pass coverage as a linebacker. So I wasn't too surprised when Stitt wanted to move him to DE last year. As a 4-3 outside linebacker, his size hurt him a little last year. Now if the Griz move to a 3-4, Tucker can excel as a rush OLB who doesn't really have to cover anyone out of the backfield and his size won't slow him down. A big advantage Tucker will have over his competition will be his technique. He has been steadily improving his speed, strength, and technique since his freshman year and he now has one full year playing defensive line for the Griz. I'm sure Tucker would rather play linebacker but I think Griz fans should be excited if this kid ends up being a 3-4 hybrid OLB who primarily rushes the passer. As a side note, it was really fun to watch Tucker and Mac Bignell dominate the Montana All-star games their post-senior seasons. As defensive players, they were just so damn physical and they brought the wood every play.

.

20 sacks as a HS senior, a 100 tackles. He's made for that wide spot.

Yup. Strong on the edge either defending the run or rushing the passer. Great straight ahead speed and a good enough athlete to bend as a pass rusher.

Not my assessment and it passed through a few chains, so it's presumably changed a bit. However the word back from his former LB's coach (Gregorak) was that Schye was having a hard time with pass coverage and being able to operate/control the defense as the mike-backer. His size and speed made him a little too big and slow to be an OLB and they saw potential in bulking him up a bit to make him more of a pass-rusher, where pass coverage isn't a concern.

New signee Trase LeTexier projects very similar to Tucker. Same body build and same style of play. They also are similar athletically. These type of kids would have been no-brainer MLBers if offenses were still running the ground and pound but that just isn't the Big Sky anymore.

 

[griz5700]

Looking for another awesome year from Kidder, in 2016.

2015...12 games...23 solo...59 assist...82 total tackles...3 solo sacks...1 assist sack...3.5 total sacks

Got a text from someone telling me Kidder might play more D-end this season. If that's the case that'll elevate Davidson (I assume) and then put Schye as more of a situational guy in the 3-4 and pass-rush downs.

I like the sounds of that. Kidder would be a solid 3-4 DE who has the strength to set the edge. He also has the athleticism to play DE in the 4-3. Hopefully others step up on the inside.