Will the 2016 Defense be better than 2015 and 2014 Defenses?

['68griz]

Griz do only return three defensive starters, so I would say, to start the season, there is no way this defense will be as productive, and I'm worried about the switch to a 3-4 if that's a for sure thing. Montana has always made a living on pass rushers and disruption at the line of scrimmage, and I hate to see that mentality go away.

However, there are bright sports in my opinion.

DL - Kidder will be a monster again, and is the heart and soul of the entire team. Ryan Johnson is a beast, and is full ready to play every single down. Peevey will get healthy and will also add another 10 pounds, and I think he is a force next year. Hopefully, the DT transfer is as advertised as well.

LB - I agree with PR in that it's premature to already anoint the new LBs group, and there is no way any of them are as fast as KVA was on the edge. But, there's no denying, the group is deep and loaded with size and toughness. Strahm and Buss are can't miss dudes, and Jimmy Banks sure looks the part. Alex Thomas is also ready to play a big role, and I wouldn't be surprised if you start to see what Dante Olson, David F. and Sirmon can do in limited situations, much like we saw from Strahm and Buss this year. So, while there is no way you just replace KVA, Kose and Gamboa, the talent and upside is there.

Back end: JR Nelson is the best returning cover corner in the Big Sky imho. He's a lockdown guy now. The competition to start on the other side will be fierce between Ryan McKinley and Markell Sanders but I thought both looked great this season. Yamen Sanders I feel brings a great toughness to the safety position. He's not afraid of anything. If he improves his pass coverage, he's an All-American. Manu wil be better next year too, and it's possible Dellasara will be back too. And while I know everyone wants Evan Epperly to be the next great Griz safety from Montana, the name you will get to know over the next couple of years is Jerrin Williams. He's an absolute athletic freak.

So, while I don't think the 2016 Griz defense could open the season like the 2015 defense did, I think Montana is loaded with young talent, and hopefully, a few more additions to the DL through transfers, and/or the emergence of Jesse Sims and Donald Bedell at DE, and, eventually, the defense should be the Griz defense we've all grown accustomed to loving.

JR was easily my favorite defensive player for the Griz in 2015. Glad to see someone else recognize his talents. Looking forward to seeing what he does in 2016.

 

[PlayerRep]

All will be determined if they bring in some d linemen who can play right away (transfers etc.) I think the LB'S and Secondary can reload to a decent level, but will need a rock wall up front to take pressure off them

I think you're dreaming if you think the backers will be even close to being as good as they were this season. Secondary lost 2 very good starters. There is some depth, but several guys will have to step up. D-line? Replacing 3 starters? I don't think that will be easy, and where's the depth after the starters?

Remember when we we certain there'd be a huge drop off in LB talent after the 2013 class graduated 3 senior starters?

Speak for yourself. I had heard the defensive coaches say that all 4 returning juniors were very good and would be a good set of backers and would bring a few better things to the table than the departing ones, and I had also talked to several of the returning backers who had said the same thing.

 

[Carl Spackler]

I agree with others that KVA will be incredibly hard to replace. I'm sure the other LBs will step up but those are huge shoes to fill imho. My thoughts are the D line is the question mark for next season with the exception of Kidder..

 

[AZGrizFan]

All will be determined if they bring in some d linemen who can play right away (transfers etc.) I think the LB'S and Secondary can reload to a decent level, but will need a rock wall up front to take pressure off them

I think you're dreaming if you think the backers will be even close to being as good as they were this season. Secondary lost 2 very good starters. There is some depth, but several guys will have to step up. D-line? Replacing 3 starters? I don't think that will be easy, and where's the depth after the starters?

Remember when we we certain there'd be a huge drop off in LB talent after the 2013 class graduated 3 senior starters?

Speak for yourself. I had heard the defensive coaches say that all 4 returning juniors were very good and would be a good set of backers and would bring a few better things to the table than the departing ones, and I had also talked to several of the returning backers who had said the same thing.

:lol: So our coaches kept 4 returning juniors on the bench that would bring better things to the table, allowing the other three seniors to get playing time to go to the pros? :roll:

 

[Gaeilge1]

In a word, no, the D will not be as good as the past two seasons, at least not statistically. The two main issues will be experience and depth. While there is talent, with the exception of the secondary the other two units will be largely untested particularly with regard to cohesiveness. Add to that a new DC and a new scheme and it is going to take some time for the defense to gel, whereas the past couple of years they were able to play stellar defense from the opening kickoff of the season.
I am extremely concerned about depth on the defense in 2016. The past couple of years you could argue that the D was at least two deep at each position with players that had at least some game experience. I don't see that same level of depth this year.
Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised and dead wrong, but I won't bet that way.

 

[PlayerRep]

I think you're dreaming if you think the backers will be even close to being as good as they were this season. Secondary lost 2 very good starters. There is some depth, but several guys will have to step up. D-line? Replacing 3 starters? I don't think that will be easy, and where's the depth after the starters?

Remember when we we certain there'd be a huge drop off in LB talent after the 2013 class graduated 3 senior starters?

Speak for yourself. I had heard the defensive coaches say that all 4 returning juniors were very good and would be a good set of backers and would bring a few better things to the table than the departing ones, and I had also talked to several of the returning backers who had said the same thing.

:lol: So our coaches kept 4 returning juniors on the bench that would bring better things to the table, allowing the other three seniors to get playing time to go to the pros? :roll:

The recent backers were very good, but I'd take the prior set anytime. The recent backers had more speed.

 

[PlayerRep]

In a word, no, the D will not be as good as the past two seasons, at least not statistically. The two main issues will be experience and depth. While there is talent, with the exception of the secondary the other two units will be largely untested particularly with regard to cohesiveness. Add to that a new DC and a new scheme and it is going to take some time for the defense to gel, whereas the past couple of years they were able to play stellar defense from the opening kickoff of the season.
I am extremely concerned about depth on the defense in 2016. The past couple of years you could argue that the D was at least two deep at each position with players that had at least some game experience. I don't see that same level of depth this year.
Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised and dead wrong, but I won't bet that way.

Very good post. Pretty much my thoughts too.

 

[Ursus1]

So then....will the offense be better?

 

[fanofzoo]

Are we going to change schemes because we have more LB material than DE,DT's ?

 

[grizindabox]

Are we going to change schemes because we have more LB material than DE,DT's ?

not sure I buy that for the reason....especially when it it more difficult to find a 3-4 NT than 4-3 DT's.....

 

[Ursus1]

What did the run at Mines under Semore as DC?

 

[AZGrizFan]

Remember when we we certain there'd be a huge drop off in LB talent after the 2013 class graduated 3 senior starters?

Speak for yourself. I had heard the defensive coaches say that all 4 returning juniors were very good and would be a good set of backers and would bring a few better things to the table than the departing ones, and I had also talked to several of the returning backers who had said the same thing.

:lol: So our coaches kept 4 returning juniors on the bench that would bring better things to the table, allowing the other three seniors to get playing time to go to the pros? :roll:

The recent backers were very good, but I'd take the prior set anytime. The recent backers had more speed.

Agreed. That's why the first three are playing professionally and these three will not.

 

[George Ferguson]

I think it's kind of dumb to compare. I think the senior group was every bit as productive as the one before it. I don't disagree that the 2013 class was incredible and better pro prospects, but it's what they do in their time in a Griz uni that matters most to me, and all six guys were Great Griz players.

And honestly, and it might be sacrelig to some that only love Montana-born players, but I'd take Caleb McSurdy's senior season over any other LB the Griz have had since.

 

[BWahlberg]

What did the run at Mines under Semore as DC?

Going back and looking at CSM's 2014 stats their defensive starters listed showed 3 linemen and 4 LBs... Thus a 3-4.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I think it's kind of dumb to compare. I think the senior group was every bit as productive as the one before it. I don't disagree that the 2013 class was incredible and better pro prospects, but it's what they do in their time in a Griz uni that matters most to me, and all six guys were Great Griz players.

And honestly, and it might be sacrelig to some that only love Montana-born players, but I'd take Caleb McSurdy's senior season over any other LB the Griz have had since.

I'm not trying to compare, hav. My point was that there was a LOT of handwringing about how we were EVER going to replace a group like Colye, Tripp and Kanongata'a, and it could be argued we replaced them with three that were even BETTER. Now there's handwringing about how we're going to replace Kose, KVA and Gamboa and I believe there's a TON of talent waiting in the wings and we'll see very quickly that we're in great hands with the LB corps....no, there won't be a KVA, but there will be a different (and potentially even better) mix of skills that will complement each other and take the Grizzlies to the next level.

 

[George Ferguson]

AZ, my comments aren't directed at you. Just were comments in general that all six Griz' LB over the last four years were GREAT players. I'm in total agreement with you, in that, the Griz will be just fine at LB next season. The only concern I have, and some loved him, and some didn't, but there is no denying that Ty Gregorak has had a major hand in how great the Griz have been at linebacker in recent years, and that influence is gone.

 

[Buttegrizzle]

Yes. The 2016 D will be better. There may not be a sack highlight reel guy like Holmes but the D line will be bigger and better across the board. Kidder will have a breakout year. The LBs will be less experienced but will fine. The Dbs will be very good. I expect the overall numbers to be better than 2015.

 

[BozAngelesGriz]

speaking of linebackers, wasnt Schye supposed an up-and-comer at MLB? i think he got moved to corner or something though.

 

[Ursus1]

speaking of linebackers, wasnt Schye supposed an up-and-comer at MLB? i think he got moved to corner or something though.

D-end last season. Not sure if permanent or will go back now

 

[Ursus1]

What did the run at Mines under Semore as DC?

Going back and looking at CSM's 2014 stats their defensive starters listed showed 3 linemen and 4 LBs... Thus a 3-4.

No wonder the talk of 3-4. Could kidder add some more beef and be a NT?