UT practice notebook: Linebackers should be a strength in 2014

[kamoshika]

"It'll be a great feeling,” said [AJ] Johnson. “Me and Curt say we're going to be unstoppable. That's our goal, to be unstoppable and have a good defense and play together and have fun. I know that's one big thing – wake up every morning and have fun. It's always a blessing to be playing some football."

Sophomore Jalen Reeves-Maybin, a special teams ace in 2013, is the odds-on favorite to fill the third linebacker spot at this point in the spring.
UT practice notebook: Linebackers should be a strength in 2014 | Nooga.com

 

[tabrams]

What about the JC transfer linebacker?? I thought he would start??

 

[Freak]

What about the JC transfer linebacker?? I thought he would start??

Weatherd? I don't believe he was an early enrollee so he isn't on campus yet.

 

[davethevol]

What about the JC transfer linebacker?? I thought he would start??

If you're talking about Weathered, he's not on campus yet.

 

[FEARinSEC]

What about the JC transfer linebacker?? I thought he would start??

Is he on campus yet? I didn't think he was going to be an EE?

Edit: Thanks for the info above.

 

[zidanefan]

Excited to see what JRM can do alongside Curt and AJ.

 

[WhatInVolnation]

I'm guessing that either Maggitt or Weatherd will end up playing a lot at DE, probably even start. This is based on discussions that the coaching staff intends to move Maggitt around a lot, including playing DE at times, and Weatherd having played DE at his JUCO. This would also permit JRM, Bates, or another current player or new enrollee to get snaps at LB and improve team speed. I like the idea of WDE: Maggitt/Weatherd, DT: O'Brien/Saulsberry, DT: Williams/Carr, and SDE: Vereen with OLB: JRM/Bates, MLB: Johnson, and OLB: Maggitt/Weatherd.

 

[Freak]

I'm guessing that either Maggitt or Weatherd will end up playing a lot at DE, probably even start. This is based on discussions that the coaching staff intends to move Maggitt around a lot, including playing DE at times, and Weatherd having played DE at his JUCO. This would also permit JRM, Bates, or another current player or new enrollee to get snaps at LB and improve team speed. I like the idea of WDE: Maggitt/Weatherd, DT: O'Brien/Saulsberry, DT: Williams/Carr, and SDE: Vereen with OLB: JRM/Bates, MLB: Johnson, and OLB: Maggitt/Weatherd.

Good post. I like the concept.

 

[walkenvol]

"It'll be a great feeling,” said [AJ] Johnson. “Me and Curt say we're going to be unstoppable. [/url]

The harsh reality is an SEC RB won't be unstoppable without quality linemen blocking for him and an SEC LB won't be unstoppable without quality linemen tying up the O-linemen. AJ and Curt's season will go as well as the D-line performs.

 

[VOLfrombama]

I hope aj will spend every spare moment getting faster. Then they might be unstoppable

 

[24/7vol]

I want to see some running backs staggering off the field from the hits these guys lay on them during the games. My boy will be asking me what's wrong with him and I'll tell him..he's ok he just got his bell rung. Light em up boys.

 

[mdrew27]

The harsh reality is an SEC RB won't be unstoppable without quality linemen blocking for him and an SEC LB won't be unstoppable without quality linemen tying up the O-linemen. AJ and Curt's season will go as well as the D-line performs.

The harsh reality.... They'll be a hell more talented squad than last year.

 

[walkenvol]

The harsh reality.... They'll be a hell more talented squad than last year.

Agreed. IMO Sapp played fairly well but Maggit is the most explosive LB on the roster. Returning him to the lineup can only help.

 

[FLVOL_79]

One more year of watching AJ body slam opponents..good stuff.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

Really hard to say on the two deep but AJ, Maggitt, JRM, Jakob Johnson, Weatherd and perhaps Creamer are my guesses. Certainly wouldn't rule out DBates and Bryant but I figure CBJ wants to RS at least two guys to develop and hone for next year.

We don't need anymore situations where an entire group of starters leave all at once and that has happened to us 3 times in two years. 2012 WRs, 2013 DLine and OLine.

 

[zidanefan]

Really hard to say on the two deep but AJ, Maggitt, JRM, Jakob Johnson, Weatherd and perhaps Creamer are my guesses. Certainly wouldn't rule out DBates and Bryant but I figure CBJ wants to RS at least two guys to develop and hone for next year.

We don't need anymore situations where an entire group of starters leave all at once and that has happened to us 3 times in two years. 2012 WRs, 2013 DLine and OLine.

Bryant is one I'm eager to see this fall. He'll certainly be behind the cats arriving in spring, but he's got the makings of a great LB.

 

[Biopsyman]

Young- All over the field

 

[LA vol7]

Pulled out of the driveway yesterday, (in Jackson) and Bryant and another dude came running down the street past my house. He's really working hard, working out, and in the classroom! He's such a great kid. I think he can be a really good one! Wish him the best!

 

[smokey0625]

One more year of watching AJ body slam opponents..good stuff.

As long as he isn't on nickel.

 

[terrypedigo]

We got sideline to sideline speed now first time in years we have SEC speed at the linebacker position.

 

[terrypedigo]

Young- All over the field

IN 2 years we will be saying :number1::

 

[walkenvol]

We got sideline to sideline speed now first time in years we have SEC speed at the linebacker position.

Were AJ and Curt slower 2 years back?

 

[gnm53108]

Were AJ and Curt slower 2 years back?

Yes.

2 years ago nobody knew where they were supposed to be on defense....including the coaching staff. Trying to figure that out in a 6 sec play makes you slow.