with some very good db play?
We are second in the country in sacks now with the secondary we had most the year.
We are second in the country in sacks now with the secondary we had most the year.
Can you imagine how many sacks we will have
- Thread starter President Stache
- Start date
Don't underestimate the loss of Price to our sack and TFL numbers. Best pure pass rusher we've had probably since Zeke Garson. We won't replace his production with one player next year, but we can and should have a much better overall defense man for man than this one in a couple of years.
It is possible that his production could be replaced if Dewayne Hendrix can get healthy and playing at a high level. Not saying it will be easy to replace. I'm just stating that we do have another really quality athlete that may be able to fill that role.
H2P
We could match or exceed total team sack and TFL numbers, but i don't see Hendrix or anyone else matching Juan's individual sack and TFL numbers next season. Hendrix is a different kind of DE--not a pure pass rusher like Price. I'm expecting Hendirx to be a nice combo of pass rusher and edge-setting run defender. Price is really explosive at the snap and plays with a ton of lower body leverage, the closest comparison i can think of is James Harrison, maybe Elvis Dumervil. He's like a cannonball shot out of his snap. I think Hendrix with is size and athletic package is likely more of an edge-setter in a 4-3 scheme than a fast twitch pass rushing specialist like Price. I'd imagine Juan will play OLB in a 3 technique D at the next level. It will be nice to finally get Hendrix on the field and see what he can do, that's for sure. We should be more athletic overall but less experienced on D next year.
Pitt doesn't have an athletic group of linebackers either and have left a number of sacks on the table. They have a great pass rusher with Price, but the scheme also looks very good at creating pressure. As more talent gets into place, you can envision this developing into a solid defense in the near future.
Agree. Just not sure that will be the case next year with all the inexperience and new faces. it will take a while for them to come together and develop some consistency. We definitely have better athletes in line to get on the field soon on the defensive side, especially at LB and DB. Some LBs that can run and make plays sideline to sideline will change the look of this D considerably.
