In our D - are the LB's more important than the DL

[BSpringsteen]

Looking back on the past few years, it seemed that our LB's were always gamers. Humpal, Klink, Angerer, Eeds, Greenway, Hodge. This year with the exception of Hunter, they may be the worst unit in the Big 10.

And it gets me thinking, are our LB's who we ask to both stop the run and cover the pass the part of our D, that we really need to be clicking in order to be a great defense?

I don't know if we've ever had such weak LB play in the KF era... and Tarp being out isn't the issue - he hasn't looked like he belongs out there when he was in.

 

[Saginawbay]

Great question and I would say yes. Because no matter how good your front 4 is cannot get a good rush against a quality OL.

 

[EsoxHawk]

Yes is the short answer. More so in our pass defense than in run support imo.

tOSU, NW, and to a certain extent, UM under Rich Rod, has provided the blueprint to beating the Hawks, spread us out, and create mismatches in the passing game by shifting your most athletic players, WR's, RB's or otherwise into the slot against our LB's, who never get subbed in passing situations. In Greenway and Edds, we saw two of the best pass defending linebackers we likely will ever see. All due respect to the Mike's (Humpal, and Klinkenborg), Troy Johnson, Tyler Neilsen, etc. they do not have this strength. That's why, on the final drive, after the fake punt, WI took John Clay out of the game, and subbed Montee Ball (Their best pass catching back). Chryst spread us out and they picked on those matchups in the slot.

Until we either sub a nickel package, or the LB's improve in pass coverage, the rest of our opponents (with the exception of MSU) will do this to us.

 

[okeefe4prez]

The LBs are important, but remember 2005 when we turned over the whole line and we had youngsters out there - King, Kroul, Iwebema and Mattison - that defense was bad because the linemen were getting blown off the ball and the o-line could cut down Greenway and Hodge - that hadn't happened in 2004 when Roth, Babs and Luebke were pushing dudes around up front. The d-line is pretty key, but you do need backers like Angerer who are mean.

I think we are Martez Wilson away from being the clear best team in the B10. Speaking of 'Tez, with Illinois looking a lot better, we're going to have to worry about those clowns again in recruiting.