Iowa Football Position Preview: Colbert, Niemann Form Solid Foundation at LB

[RobHowe]

Veterans Djimon Colbert, Nick Niemann anchor group on second level of defense:

LINK

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I'm excited to see Jacobs get out there a little. He sounds like an athletic freak that would be tough to take off the field. He and Nieman with Campbell would be a tall long fast group... Not saying we'll see that group all out there but man just think...

 

[RobHowe]

I like Colbert at WIL. He's getting better and is the most experienced of the group.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Move Neiman inside...find the right Cash who is a hybrid LB/DB...and play the 4-2-5 as your base.

 

[RobHowe]

I think Iowa will remain flexible with the 4-3 and 4-2-5 along with using other packages. It's becoming much more multiple on defense and that's good.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I like Colbert at WIL. He's getting better and is the most experienced of the group.

I just remember him getting burned on that wheel route by USCs back. He's a great tackler and takes good angles in the run game. Pass coverage he seemed to struggle a little sometimes. But he's really experienced and he'll be out there the most I bet.

 

[BVHawk95]

I just remember him getting burned on that wheel route by USCs back. He's a great tackler and takes good angles in the run game. Pass coverage he seemed to struggle a little sometimes. But he's really experienced and he'll be out there the most I bet.

Keep in mind he played nearly the entire season with a torn labrum.

Also, that's just a great scheme by USC. Few LBs are gonna be able to cover a RB wheel too well.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

I really like the 4-2-5 just because if you find the right CASH position player, the freak athlete type with size and speed, it gets more speed on the field at all times. Amani Hooker comes to mind as the perfect CASH player. He was great in run support...physical in space at the line of scrimmage...and could rush the passer and be disruptive.

I'm just not sure why you wouldn't have that defense on the field as your base. If you are playing a team like Wisky, maybe you go to the 4-3 with three true linebackers...but for most of the teams we play...the 4-2-5 seems more appropriate. It just puts more playmakers on the field.

 

[BVHawk95]

I really like the 4-2-5 just because if you find the right CASH position player, the freak athlete type with size and speed, it gets more speed on the field at all times. Amani Hooker comes to mind as the perfect CASH player. He was great in run support...physical in space at the line of scrimmage...and could rush the passer and be disruptive.

I'm just not sure why you wouldn't have that defense on the field as your base. If you are playing a team like Wisky, maybe you go to the 4-3 with three true linebackers...but for most of the teams we play...the 4-2-5 seems more appropriate. It just puts more playmakers on the field.

Because as you said, you need to have an absolute stud at the Cash spot for it to be an every down look.

Amani Hooker was that dude. Belton might be that dude eventually, but he's not quite at that level, especially as a true freshman/soph-to-be)

Plus, when you have athletes like Christian Kirksey, Ben Niemann, and Nick Niemann manning the OLB spot, you can run the 4-3 like the 4-2-5.

 

[Lumberman]

Not sold on Colbert. Can’t cover RB’s out of the backfield, other than to watch them from behind as they run into the end zone for a TD (UNL and USC).

He misses tackles that he should make. Here is to hoping that it is all because of that torn Labrum, but I am skeptical.

I hate calling Out I ndividual players, but he just wasn’t good enough last year. Hopefully, that changes this coming year, if we even have football.