SB Nation - Marlon Favorite

Is LSU Planning To Move To A 3-4 Defense?

Richard Pittman — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:00:13 -0000

Our Tigers have run a 4-3 defense for quite a long time, meaning they line up with 4 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers. In this kind of scheme, your defensive linemen have to be quick and athletic to make up for the speed lost by taking out a linebacker and adding a defensive tackle. You need depth at tackle in order to do this, as you will need probably 5 or 6 tackles to get through a season, and that's only if you don't have a rash of injuries.

Take a look at LSU's roster. There are only 3 experienced defensive tackles listed: Charles Alexander, Drake Nevis, and Al Woods. Two of those guys are seniors. If you look at the Class of 2009, which we have been doing, you see two more defensive tackles, Chris Davenport and Josh Downs, with JUCO transfer Akiem Hicks being a hybrid DE/DT. If you look at the commitment list for the Class of 2010, which currently has 21 commitments, you will see we have zero defensive tackles committed to the 2010 class. If you do the math factoring in the guys we KNOW we want like Trovon Reed and Lache Seastrunk, you wonder if there is going to be any defensive tackle signed.

This makes for a situation that appears, at least at first blush, to give us a very thin depth chart at defensive tackle for 2009, and an even thinner depth chart in 2010. This has been caused by attrition (Sidell Corley transferring, Ricky Jean-Francois going to the NFL early), position switches (Cordian Hagans switching to offensive guard) and graduation (Marlon Favorite).

At the same time, you can look at how we've recruited linebackers and see that we are stocking up. Barkevious Mingo, Kevin Minter, Tahj Jones, and Lamin Barrow were all a part of the Class of 2009, while Rockey Duplessis greyshirted from the Class of 2008. Josh Johns could also end up at linebacker. In the Class of 2010, we have added Luke Muncie, DJ Welter, and Justin Maclin, while either Sam Gibson or Houston Bates could eventually end up there as well. That is a huge linebacker haul in terms of numbers in a short period of time, while at the same time our defensive tackle recruiting has slowed down a lot.

All of this comes while the 4-3 defense is being phased out at some other places. The NFL, which not that long ago was composed mostly of 4-3 defenses (popularized by Buddy Ryan in the 1980s), appears to be returning to the pre-Buddy Ryan days of more 3-4 defenses. At Bama, Nick Saban (who ran an unabashed 4-3 system just a few years ago at LSU) quickly converted Bama from a 4-3 to a 3-4. This trend appears to be the defenses' counter to the fact that offenses are moving more towards a wide open, field-spreading attack (even teams that aren't in the "spread" are still trying to stretch the defense more by passing more often than they did a few years ago). Teams are responding by getting more linebackers on the field at the expense of hulking defensive tackles.

This brings up the question. With fewer defensive tackles and more linebackers, are we setting up a switch to the 3-4?

I don't have a definitive answer to that question. After all, positions can be somewhat fluid. While Davenport and Downs are definitely tackles, Bennie Logan and/or Michael Brockers may be as well, though I have considered them defensive ends to this point. Michael Brockers in particular has bulked up quite a bit, as he now is listed at 285#, and reports say he looks it. Class of 2008 signees Lavar Edwards and Chancey Aghayere, who have previously been considered defensive ends, may also see a move to tackle. Lavar Edwards, a redshirt freshman, is actually now listed as a tackle.

Or will these guys just be the kind of big defensive ends that the 3-4 system requires?

I'm not saying it's happening, and I'm not taking a position on whether it should happen. The circumstances have simply made me suspicious about our plans for the future of the defensive tackle position.

Class of 2009: JUCO DT Akiem Hicks

Richard Pittman — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:00:10 -0000

via media.scout.com

That is one of my favorite pictures ever. It almost rivals that picture of Trindon Holliday and Herman Johnson. By the rules I set up in doing this series, I have no choice but to label Akiem Hicks a mystery man. There's no film of him. There are hardly even any pictures of him in action. If you search for photos of Akiem Hicks on Google, you come up mostly with pictures of other prospects, like Kenny Bell, Chris Davenport, and Craig Loston. Even the official LSU bio of Akiem Hicks is sparse in its information. Do not fret. Our mystery man from the 2008 class is getting raves as one of the next great offensive linemen at LSU.

This is not to merely surrender. There are still things we can tell you about Akiem Hicks. He is a product of California high schools and went to Sacramento Community College to play his first two years of college football because he could not get eligible to play FBS football. He was fairly heavily recruited at Sacramento CC, earning offers from multiple BCS and non-*BCS institutions ranging from LSU and Tennessee to Oregon and South Florida. I wouldn't go so far as to say, "Everyone wanted him," because frankly not everyone has a need for a JUCO defensive lineman. LSU did, and that's going to be where we put our focus.

One of the difficulties facing LSU this offseason has been the loss of 5 of our top 8 defensive linemen. Tyson Jackson, Marlon Favorite, Kirston Pittman, Ricky Jean-Francois, and Tremain Johnson are all gone off of last year's squad. Those are 3 starters and 2 primary backups. Even though we all think Drake Nevis is going to be a star, and that Rahim Alem is a star already, we have to be concerned about defensive line depth. Our top 3 defensive tackles are Charles Alexander, Al Woods, and Drake Nevis. Both Alexander and Nevis have had injury problems of varying degrees. After those three, we are going to have to ask freshmen to step in to play. At defensive end, only the starters Rahim Alem and Pep Levingston have any experience at all playing on a college field. While we all believe that Lavar Edwards, Cordian Hagans, Chancey Aghayere, and Chase Clement can play (plus all the really good-looking defensive linemen from the 2009 class), I can't blame Miles for wanting to bring in a more mature and experienced alternative while the freshmen get acclimated.

Plus, after the 2009 season, the only contributors to the 2008 season remaining will be Nevis and Levingston, who were probably the 9th and 10th defensive linemen on the 2008 squad. Adding Hicks to the equation is a nice insurance policy. I'm not saying he's going to be a star player, but who knows, he might be. As I said, it's not like we really know much about him. It's just that after the first few defensive linemen in the rotation, our DL gets awfully young awfully quickly. It's a smart move to bring in an experienced player who will be here for two years while we sort out the next generation of defensive linemen at LSU.

Hicks reportedly can play any position on the defensive line, though his 6'5" 295# frame would suggest he's more natural on the inside. He would be an awfully big 4-3 defensive end, but I suppose he'll play where he's needed.

Panthers Position Review – Defensive Tackle

Jaxon — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:59:09 -0000

In 2008 the Panthers carried four DT’s on their roster into the season opener against the Chargers, two starters (Kemo, Lewis) and two back-ups (Walker, Gibson). Though I expect both starters to remain the same this season both back-ups are no longer on the roster leaving a wide-open competition for those two back-up spots. The following post lists each DT on the roster and where they do or might fit into the Panthers plans.

Maake Kemoeatu – 6-5 345 8^th yr Utah – Starter at LDT

Kemo is one of the unsung players of the Panther defense whom I came to appreciate a lot more last season when he missed the last few games. You may recall the Panther defense got run all over in that stretch. The big guy is a pure run stopper (36 tackles, 31 solo) whos job is simply to occupy two or more blockers and clog up the middle running lanes. He remains a favorite of the Panthers staff and there is no doubt he will start at LDT come game one.

Damione Lewis 6-2 301 9^th yr; Miami (FL) - Starter at RDT

Though Lewis has performed better in a reserve role in his first season in Carolina (2007) I think he will remain the starter on the right side as long as his repaired shoulder holds up. Lewis is more of a pass rushing threat (3 sacks) from the DT spot than Kemo though he bested him in tackles (43) and solo tackles (33). Lewis was essentially an every down DT in 2008 but that could change in 2009 if one of the players listed below presents a better option either against the run or pass, but I’m not banking on I this year.

Corvey Irvin 6-3 302; Rookie 3^rd round pick; Georgia

I give Irvin the inside track on one of the back-up spots simply because the Panthers spent a 3^rd round draft pick on him. Irvin was known more as a run stopper in college, a ‘high-motor’ guy who could potentially develop into a pass rusher if he can combine his long arms with improved technique. Irvin was not highly recruited going into college yet he beat the odds to get to where he is today. I wouldn’t be surprised if that work ethic resulted in a starting assignment by the end of the 2009 season. He would have to completely bomb in TC to not make the roster. Roster Chance: 95%

Nick Hayden 6-4 292 02/04/1986 1 yr, Wisconsin

After spending most of his 2008 rookie season on the Panthers practice squad he finally got the call to replace the injured Damione Lewis and played in the final two games of the 2008 season. Though he didn’t do too much (3 tackles total) in those games he did enough to warrant continued execution of his contract. Whether that results in a roster spot come September though is anything but a sure thing. Roster chance: 60%

Marlon Favorite 6-1 317 UDFA Louisiana State

Favorite is the only remaining guy on this list I have heard of and he comes into Carolina with a lot to prove. He was a Top 100 recruit out of HS but never earned a starting job at LSU. Granted he played along some great LSU DT’s and he struggled with injuries but overall he has to be disappointed with how this has all played out. If Favorite can put all that out of his mind he could be a darkhorse to make the roster as the back-up to Kemo. Though shorter than ideal he is big, strong and plays the run very well. If the Panthers decide that the pass rush will come simply from the multiple DE sets then they may prefer to keep more run stoppers at DT to prevent a repeat of last years run defense collapse down the stretch. Roster Chance: 20%

Lorenzo Williams 6-0 310 1 yr Missouri

Williams is a 2^nd year player who has yet to play a down in the NFL. Williams spent most of the 2008 preseason with Baltimore before being waived at the end of August. Williams looks like another player who may compete for a back-up run stopper position but the odds are not in his favor. Good work in TC though could produce a practice squad placement as I’m sure the Panthers will want depth available at this position. Roster Chance: 10%

Justin Kershaw 6-4 271 UDFA Michigan State

Kershaw looks like an undersized DT looking to score a quick payday at TC for as long as he can ride the pony. I can’t think of a scenario where I guy like this makes the roster on his first shot. His best shot will be the practice squad at best. Roster Chance: 1%

Lonnie Harvey 6-3 342 UDFA Morgan State

Harvey is simply training camp meat, a huge body to beat on some of the o-linemen trying to make the roster. Roster Chance: Nil

UPDATE: I'll leave these guys for posterity, but both were waived on 6/26 to accommodate the signings of Mike Goodson and Tony Fiammetta.

Babatunde Oshinowo 6-1 305 1 yr Stanford

Though he only shows one season of NFL experience he has played in 2 games across two seasons for the Bears. Oshinowo has since bounced around a few training camps since the two year dance with the Bears. The Panthers signed him away from the Eagles PS shortly after the 2008 season ended. He’s a smart guy with a EE degree who could surprise anyone taking him lightly in camp. Still the odds are very low. Roster Chances: 5%

Patrick McDonald 6-2 265 1 yr Alberta

McDonald is a former CFL player that must be part of the Canadian intern program? He seems too small to play DT in the NFL and being from Alberta he just might prune up in the Carolina heat in August. Roster Chance: Nil >> Sun-dried Prune Chance: 80%

Update for McDonald: Hat Tip to MP for jogging my memory. McDonald was brought in to compete for the long snapping position though he is listed as a DT. You may recall that our 2008 long snapper Jason Kyle was listed as a LB.

Curtis Taylor and Ricky Jean-Francois to San Francisco; Demetrius Byrd to San Diego

Richard Pittman — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:56:54 -0000

More photos » by Bill Haber - AP

8 months ago: FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2008, file photo, LSU wide receiver Demetrius Byrd (2) breaks away from Mississippi State defender Tay Bowser (28) on his way to a touchdown during an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La. Byrd was in critical but stable condition Monday, April 19, 2009, after a car accident in Miami, and his agent said the NFL prospect was expected to fully recover. (AP Photo/Bill Haber, File)

Browse more photos »

Three Tigers were picked in the final round of the draft today as safety Curtis Taylor was picked by San Francisco, in what I would say was a bit of a surprise, especially considering Darry Beckwith, Demetrius Byrd, Marlon Favorite, Kirston Pittman, Brett Helms, and Ricky Jean-Francois had all not yet been picked. Favorite, Beckwith, Helms, and Pittman would not hear their names called at all. I find that to be a mild surprise in all cases, but especially with Beckwith who some thought would go as high as the second round.

Ricky Jean-Francois was the last Tiger selected, and he will join Curtis Taylor in San Francisco. Jean-Francois was an enigma at LSU, spending more time away from the field than on it for one reason or another, and not having the big season that was expected of him in 2008. He's exactly the kind of player who sometimes makes a better pro than amateur however, as he sometimes shows outstanding athleticism.

Between Taylor and Jean-Francois, San Diego picked wide receiver Demetrius Byrd, who probably would have gone a little earlier had he not gotten into a somewhat serious car accident earlier this week. Byrd will join former Tiger Craig Davis, but Byrd never played with Davis as Byrd was a JUCO transfer who came in after Davis left.

It is a big disappointment that Beckwith was not drafted. He came back for his senior season, but then lost time due to injuries and was not as productive as a senior as he had been as a junior. From his freshman season, he appeared destined to be a solid draft pick and I imagine he must be devastated at being overlooked.

In all, six Tigers were drafted, and that's a pretty nice number, but half of them were drafted in the closing round, and only one was drafted before the 5th round. With Favorite and Pittman not being drafted, it ends a long streak in which every regular starting defensive lineman at LSU was drafted into the NFL. I do not have the numbers, but the streak goes back a number of years, into the Lavalais, Spears, Hill era and perhaps beyond.

One is forced to conclude that the 2008 version of the LSU Tigers just were not all that talented, at least among the seniors. Between players being drafted lower than expected and players not being drafted at all, this was a rather disappointing draft for LSU, despite Tyson Jackson's surprise top 3 pick. The deficit spans the transition time between the Saban and Miles eras, as H. Johnson, Favorite and Pittman were Saban signees and Beckwith and Francois were Miles signees.

Clearly something was off this year, as I firmly believe that Beckwith, Favorite, and PIttman all would have been drafted had they declared in 2007.

Scouting The Draft: Day Two Nose Tackles

Matty I — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:15:08 -0000

Editor's note: Don't forget to cast your vote in our "Pulse of Dolphins Nation" poll about who you want drafted with the 25th overall pick.

It's widely expected that one of the things Miami's font office is spending time on leading up to the draft is the potential selection of a nose tackle. According to many, myself included, the nose tackle position is the most important position in a 3-4 defense. Simply put, you cannot run a 3-4 scheme without a reliable nose tackle. With Jason Ferguson turning 35 years old in November, it's becoming increasingly important for the Dolphins to find Jason's "heir apparent."

B.J. Raji, the draft's top defensive tackle, can certainly play the nose - but will be long gone by the time Miami picks. His college teammate, Ron Brace, is a likely second round prospect - and could be on Miami's radar. But I wanted to focus more on potential second day nose tackle prospects.

One guy who won't be on this list is Temple's Terrance Knighton - who I like a lot as a potential nose. The reason? I already included him on a "day two prospects" list a few weeks back - and you can view that by clicking here.

Terrance Taylor, Michigan
6'0 1/8", 306

You'd like your nose tackle to be a little taller, but Taylor is still a solid nose candidate because how stout he plays at the point of attack. A lot of scouts rave about how Terrance is able to keep his pad level low - which is very important in keeping his leverage. He has the ability to occupy multiple blockers and he has a terrific initial push. The biggest knock on him, though, is that he might not be in the best shape and has poor stamina. But with the patented "Bill Parcells offseason conditioning program," I wouldn't be too worried about Taylor's stamina. Give him a year in Miami under this regime and he'll be ready to play as a full-time starter in 2010.

Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman
6'3 7/8", 329

Here's a guy whose stock has risen very quickly to the point of possibly sneaking into round three. He was immensely productive in college, tallying 12 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in his last two seasons. But that was playing against division II talent - not exactly good competition. But there's a lot to like about him. He's got terrific size. He benched 225 pounds 27 times, showing off his strength. He has very long arms (34"). And he's very agile for his size - something a nose tackle has to be, though people often times forget that. The biggest knock, according to scouts (other than his experience against subpar competition) is that he doesn't always play with great leverage and that he must improve his pad level. That's something you can coach up - and guys of his physical stature and talent simply don't come along too often.

You can read more on Sammie Lee Hill in GatorPhan's terrific scouting report.

Chris Baker, Hampton
6'2, 326

Baker is a typical "boom or bust" player. He has all the physical talent in the world. He's strong, explodes off the snap, and will stand up his man at the line of scrimmage. His long arms (34") also allow him to to really get great leverage against his blocker. So why was he at Hampton? Baker transferred to Hampton for his 2008 season after being dismissed from the Penn State team for 2 felony charges that stemmed from 2 separate fights. He began his college career as a backup at Penn State in 2006 before starting 12 games in 2007 as a redshirt sophomore - when he totaled 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 8 tackles for loss. In his one season at Hampton, Baker had 8.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. It'll be interesting to see where he falls on draft day. How much of a concern is Baker's character? Some believe it's a major red flag while others feel he was just a kid at the wrong place at the wrong time. If the Dolphins' front office is leaning more towards the "wrong place, wrong time" theory, then you have to imagine Chris is on their radar.

Dorell Scott, Clemson
6'3 1/4", 312

If you're talking strictly about measurables, then Dorell Scott is the player in this draft who most closely resembles Jason Ferguson. They have similar builds - and truth be told - they have similar styles of play. He's very strong (benched 225 pounds 29 times) but is nimble and quick off the snap. He's also a smart player who will get in the passing lanes and put his arms up to make it tougher on the quarterback. He's willing to take on blocks and can hold up at the point of attack. The biggest knock on him, though, is reportedly his leverage. He doesn't keep his pads low on a regular basis, which allows blockers to get under him and shove him backwards. But, again, that's a technique issue that can be worked out. And one of the things I've read about Scott from various scouting reports is that he has the frame to be able to put on another 10 pounds or so without it really restricting his play.

Marlon Favorite, LSU
6'0 7/8", 314

Right off the bat, the obvious knock on Favorite is his lack of ideal size. But he knows how to play despite his ideal height - keeping his pads low andp laying with leverage against his blocker. He holds up well at the point of attack, even against double teams. And he's not afraid to mix it up with opposing linemen. He doesn't possess the kind of initial explosion off the line that you'd like, though. But he has a high motor to make up for that. He's also a locker room favorite and a guy whose teammates tend to look to as a leader - which is similar to the locker room traits that Jason Ferguson possesses.