Buy/Sell: Our defensive line will be even better next year

[dr_curly]

despite the loss of Peria.

I'm saying buy. (Health will be a concern)

WDE
Greg Hardy- All-American if he stays healthy
Kentrell Lockett- Would start at any other school in the SEC.
Emmanuel Stephens- JUCO Transfer from last year had some flashes of greatness, but didn't live up to 4-star expectations
Other Contributers- Lamark Armour, LaDerrick Vaughn
Bench- Ferbia Allen (might stay at TE), Cameron Whigham (redshirt), Alex Williams (50/50 between Ole Miss and Arkansas, redshirt prospect)

DT
Ted Laurent- Great playmaker when healthy, needs to be more consistent
Lawon Scott- Huge sleeper from the 2007 class
Jerrell Powe- We all know about him.
Justin Smith- Coaches seem to be very high on him, may have wasted his redshirt
Other contributers- Justin Sanders
Bench- Corey Gaines, Bo Tillman (Both will likely redshirt)

SDE
Marcus Tillman- 3-year starter, good against the run, not quick enough to be a major pass rusher
Craig Drummond- 4-star freshman that will be here for spring practice, great performance and US Army All-American game
Other Contributers- Gerald Rivers, Garrett Ryan
Bench- Mike Thomas (if he gets in and doesn't move to OL)

I believe that we have the SECs, and one of the nation's, top returning defensive lines. I'll just have to pray to the sports gods to keep them all healthy.

Another question: Will the Landshark fad continue into next season?

[dgmcdowe]

I'm not sure about Landshark, but I suspect so. It finally caught on at the end of the season, so it would be hard to let it go.

[badmotorfinger]

I'm not sure about Landshark, but I suspect so. It finally caught on at the end of the season, so it would be hard to let it go.

I'm sure Rebchuck would approve.

[done]

Children will be children.....

Still don't and won't care for Landsharks...but to answer the posed question. I think that the DL and all areas of this team will actually be better next year because this amazing coaching staff will have had another Spring and summer to work their magic.

I am so high on this staff (ALL of them) that I am so pumped. And maybe you recruiting junkies will even get your mythical "class ranking" to keep you guys pumped as well. Regardless of what happens on signing day, I can not wait until we kick!

[felicianareb]

Sell. I think It'll be just as good as '08 but obviously have a slightly different character with Jerry gone. If they can slim Powe down a little more and get him in real game-shape he can take up some slack. The ends should be pure misery to the opposing backfield.

[cajunrebel]

Buy depending on who signs tomorrow. If we can get some depth, stress levels go down and learning curves go up. The coaches made playing fun again and the landsharks are having a ball now.

[rrlynch]

Sell. It'll be good, but it'll definitely be noticeably different without Jerry.

[parrotreb]

Sell, initially. The loss of Peria Jerry is significant. He raised the level of play of all around him. We have some DTs who can play but they haven't exhibited anything close to the level of excellence which Peria attained. If Hardy is healthy, and determined to play, that adds a dynamic but takes Lockett off the field. Hardy is the better pass rusher but, and this will raise the dander of some on this board, Lockett may be a better all around DE than Hardy.

[badmotorfinger]

Sell, initially. The loss of Peria Jerry is significant. He raised the level of play of all around him. We have some DTs who can play but they haven't exhibited anything close to the level of excellence which Peria attained. If Hardy is healthy, and determined to play, that adds a dynamic but takes Lockett off the field. Hardy is the better pass rusher but, and this will raise the dander of some on this board, Lockett may be a better all around DE than Hardy.

I agree. I think it was his leadership that will be missed the most. I hope the coaches can challenge the remaining players for someone to step into that role. I also think most of the DTs are capable of puting up the numbers Peria did.

[dgmcdowe]

Sell, initially. The loss of Peria Jerry is significant. He raised the level of play of all around him. We have some DTs who can play but they haven't exhibited anything close to the level of excellence which Peria attained. If Hardy is healthy, and determined to play, that adds a dynamic but takes Lockett off the field. Hardy is the better pass rusher but, and this will raise the dander of some on this board, Lockett may be a better all around DE than Hardy.

It's hard to forget that Lockett was the one who stopped superman in the swamp.

[parrotreb]

So Peria is merely one who falls into a category of "most DTs?"

Sorry, not even close.

[badmotorfinger]

So Peria is merely one who falls into a category of "most DTs?"

Sorry, not even close.

They have the potential, they still have to work hard to put themselves in that position. Peria didn't become the leader of the defense overnight.

[dgmcdowe]

So Peria is merely one who falls into a category of "most DTs?"

Sorry, not even close.

They have the potential, they still have to work hard to put themselves in that position. Peria didn't become the leader of the defense overnight.

while we are on that subject:

Who get the CM patch next year?

[Rebs047]

Jerry was a rare player, very hard to replace. But I think we have the talent to compensate. Trust our staff to get the talent on the field at the right time. It may take a few games to find the right combos. We'll still be great, but again Jerry was a special player.

[parrotreb]

So Peria is merely one who falls into a category of "most DTs?"

Sorry, not even close.

They have the potential, they still have to work hard to put themselves in that position. Peria didn't become the leader of the defense overnight.

while we are on that subject:

Who get the CM patch next year?

The CM patch is worthy of its own discussion. I'll start it with either Kendrick Lewis or Marcus Tillman.