Defensive Line

Pretty tough not to doog all over myself in listening to DL Coach Chaote talk about the D-line.

In the most recent video he talked confidently that there would be an 8-man rotation to spell guys that needed a breather after 5-7 snaps. Starters are likely Qualls, Dissly and Mathis, but then he added Tupou, Johnson, Vea, Gaines and perhaps Turpin as all ready to get reps.

Would be nice to redshirt Potoa'e.

He was even lauding the performance of Ricky McCoy and Jared Pulu (a walk-on). We lost some star power to the NFL, but it sounds like our overall depth is much better.

The Formula: Push up the middle and Heat from the edge.

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Comments

ThomasFremont

Get this football talk off of my Sark bored!

Dennis_DeYoung

Chode makes me doog for 3 reasons:

1. Danny Shelton
2. His beard looks like it's one of those beards certain knit-caps come with.
3. I like the name Jeff Chode.

HeretoBeatmyChest

Hopefully the fact that the #3 and #4 guys should be better than the Hudsons, will mitigate the loss of Shelton and Kikaha.

And hopefully Dissly is a baby Emtman.

GrundleStiltzkin

Chode makes me doog for 3 reasons:

1. Danny Shelton
2. His beard looks like it's one of those beards certain knit-caps come with.
3. I like the name Jeff Chode.

Free pub!!

Swaye

I really want to see what Vea can do.

RoadDawg55

The 8 man rotation sounds good, but it never happens. Some of the R-Fr won't be very good right away, despite their flashes in practice. And some guys will end up being so much better than the others that they will play almost every snap.

But yes, the future of both lines are bright and the coaches (who don't blow smoke very often) have commented on it multiple times.

whatshouldicareabout

The 8 man rotation sounds good, but it never happens. Some of the R-Fr won't be very good right away, despite their flashes in practice. And some guys will end up being so much better than the others that they will play almost every snap.

But yes, the future of both lines are bright and the coaches (who don't blow smoke very often) have commented on it multiple times.

In terms of rotation up front, I think the biggest question mark is at NT and how they produce when we rotate Qualls out so that he doesn't tire out before Q4. To me, Vea and/or Gaines is the most important for depth on the DL and how they play when Qualls is out will be a strong factor in determining how the DL and defense plays overall.

As for the 8-man rotation, it doesn't seem too impractical with this team. Qualls, Vea, Gaines, Dissly, Mathis, Tupou and Johnson should see plenty of downs, and that's already a 7-man rotation.

CokeGreaterThanPepsi

The 8 man rotation sounds good, but it never happens. Some of the R-Fr won't be very good right away, despite their flashes in practice. And some guys will end up being so much better than the others that they will play almost every snap.

But yes, the future of both lines are bright and the coaches (who don't blow smoke very often) have commented on it multiple times.

They rotated 8 guys last year a fair amount.... Especially considering Danny played a ton for a NT:

Danny
Dark Hudson
Light Hudson
Hau'oli (kinda DL)
Jojo
Dissly
Qualls
Tupou
Finau

I think the depth is better this year, so I expect them to rotate 8 (listed 9 below):

Dissly
Qualls
JoJo
String
Tupou
Gaines
Virta
Finau
Bowman

Fenwick

Is it coachspeak or do you all believe he is talking true?

Doogles

I really like the prospects up front, but seeing Shelton continue to physically dominate at the NFL level is pretty worrisome. It's hard to think there won't be a significant drop off from what he provided. Kikaha has been tearing it up for the Saints as well. It's going to be tough, but it's one of the more interesting things to watch this season.

If Pete (coach K/choate in particular) are able to reload after losing all that talent, there will be reason to doog. Until then i think it's safe to temper expectations for the DL.

H_D

Chode makes me doog for 3 reasons:

1. Danny Shelton
2. His beard looks like it's one of those beards certain knit-caps come with.
3. I like the name Jeff Chode.

Flagged for not having 5 Reasons.

Penace

Shelton was such a monster last year. If you study the tape like I do its impossible not to walk away flabbergasted.

HFNY

I'm not going to get too excited about the DL without Shelton, the Hudsons, and Kikaha until the new one forces me to pitch tent. Last Friday, Feeney looked good as the new Buck and Littleton can also rush the passer in sub-packages but we need someone like Mathis and / or Jaylen Johnson to step up.

Until further notice, I'm also concerned about the Run D since Shelton was a 340 lbs block-eating thunder ball who could still make the tackle with a few OL hanging onto him. I really want to see a new NT be able to hold his ground while taking on the C and OG. Will make life a lot easier for the rest of the DL and Victor / Bierria.

RoadDawg55

The 8 man rotation sounds good, but it never happens. Some of the R-Fr won't be very good right away, despite their flashes in practice. And some guys will end up being so much better than the others that they will play almost every snap.

But yes, the future of both lines are bright and the coaches (who don't blow smoke very often) have commented on it multiple times.
They rotated 8 guys last year a fair amount.... Especially considering Danny played a ton for a NT:

Danny
Dark Hudson
Light Hudson
Hau'oli (kinda DL)
Jojo
Dissly
Qualls
Tupou
Finau

I think the depth is better this year, so I expect them to rotate 8 (listed 9 below):

Dissly
Qualls
JoJo
String
Tupou
Gaines
Virta
Finau
Bowman

I get that 8 played last year. There wasn't anything special or abnormal about it though. We didn't really have an 8 man rotation. Qualls would get maybe 10 snaps a game. He barely played. Same with Mathis and Dissly. Shelton played an absurd number of snaps for a 350 pounder.

We aren't at the point where the starters play 60% of the snaps and back ups play 40% with little drop off. Hopefully we can get to that level, but counting on all the R-Fr to be valued members of an 8 man rotation is a huge stretch. I'm hoping one or two will be above average Pac 12 players this season.

jecornel

The 8 man rotation sounds good, but it never happens. Some of the R-Fr won't be very good right away, despite their flashes in practice. And some guys will end up being so much better than the others that they will play almost every snap.

But yes, the future of both lines are bright and the coaches (who don't blow smoke very often) have commented on it multiple times.

Coaches panic most of the time.... 8 man rotation sounds pretty lofty.