Defensive Depth Chart

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 10:05 am

This thread is prompted by a new article projecting the defensive depth chart from azdesertswarm.

Here is their projection:

Will this be the group to turn the corner for Arizona's defensive woes? This line from the article doesn't give you a lot of hope.

Is it gross that Arizona has three current/former walk-ons starting on the defensive line? Yes. Although, these walk-ons have stepped up big time over the last few years and will be a huge part of the defense. This is just the result of devastating injuries, failed junior college recruiting, and the inability to hold commitments over the last few years.

Where have you gone Desert Swarm?

cordera89 · Post by **cordera89** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 12:35 pm

Well the writer is being honest instead of bashing the living hell out of it on why our DLine is shit.

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 12:44 pm

I see some things put in and left out that I don't agree with but we shall see how it plays out.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 1:31 pm

The secondary was very young in 2016 and returns almost everyone in 2017

If those guys couldn't beat out Devonte Neal, worst UA corner in recent memory, I am not getting my hopes up.

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 2:19 pm

chiefzona wrote:I see some things put in and left out that I don't agree with but we shall see how it plays out.

It is someone's early prediction based primarily on last year and the couple times spring ball was open and listening to coaches. Props to the writer for making his guess available for debate. If you have a different idea for a depth chart put it out there.

Carcassdragger · Post by **Carcassdragger** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 5:20 pm

Definitely would like to get your perspective on it Chief.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 6:42 pm

Need to bring the helmet decals back as we need big plays on defense. Like Larry Smith used to say, quit talking about it and do it

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 8:30 pm

Depth chart has been an oxymoron on D lately.

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:43 am

I'm not allowed to speak on the matter. You'll have to catch me on Twitter. Releasing my PAC 12 predictions today.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:48 am

chiefzona wrote:I'm not allowed to speak on the matter. You'll have to catch me on Twitter. Releasing my PAC 12 predictions today.

Twitter seems like speech, at least as much as message board posting is.

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:52 am

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
chiefzona wrote:I'm not allowed to speak on the matter. You'll have to catch me on Twitter. Releasing my PAC 12 predictions today.
Twitter seems like speech, at least as much as message board posting is.

This message board is not my blog. I have to keep it simple on here.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 10:03 am

chiefzona wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
chiefzona wrote:I'm not allowed to speak on the matter. You'll have to catch me on Twitter. Releasing my PAC 12 predictions today.
Twitter seems like speech, at least as much as message board posting is.

This message board is not my blog. I have to keep it simple on here.

Ah, so I have to get premium.

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 10:08 am

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
chiefzona wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
chiefzona wrote:I'm not allowed to speak on the matter. You'll have to catch me on Twitter. Releasing my PAC 12 predictions today.
Twitter seems like speech, at least as much as message board posting is.

This message board is not my blog. I have to keep it simple on here.
Ah, so I have to get premium.

No. Twitter is free. I'm not on any premium....just unleaded.

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Wed Jul 12, 2017 12:16 pm

Gabe Encinas with his 5 most important defensive players at AZDS.

5. Jace Whittaker, junior, corner

4. Tristan Cooper, sophomore, safety

3. DeAndre’ Miller, redshirt senior, linebacker

2. Justin Belknap, redshirt sophomore, defensive end

1. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, junior, safety

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 4:04 pm

Good breakdown of the corners from Gabe Encinas at AZDS.

Barring any injuries, which do happen frequently at Arizona, Cruikshank and Whittaker will likely be the starting corners all season long.

Cruikshank is a 6-foot-1, 204-pound corner with Pac-12 speed and great length to cover even the fastest and biggest wide receivers. At times, he struggles to look back for the ball, which often resulted in pass interference calls in favor of the wide receiver. Some of those balls weren’t even catchable, giving opposing teams an easy 15-yard advantage after the call.

With Whittaker, there’s a load of potential as he enters his junior campaign. He is not the biggest guy on the field at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, but has the fundamentals to be a lockdown corner. After starting just seven games last season, he led the team in pass deflections (11). He was able to quickly break on a ball or whip his head around to find it before it reaches the receivers’ hands.

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:28 pm

Brandon Combs, AZDS, breaks down the linebackers.

Defensive coordinator Marcel Yates coached the linebackers last year before moving over to cornerbacks for the 2017 season. His replacement, former Nevada defensive coordinator Scott Boone, has made a positive impression on the group so far.

There are some returners with good experience but for the most part the group is untested and unexperienced.

As a whole, Arizona’s linebacker corps is young and inexperienced, but there is talent and a new position coach, so there are some things to look forward to and we may see improved play compared to a season ago.

Outside of Miller, who hopefully can stay healthy, we are counting on a lot of young players to step up quickly. Coach Boone has his work cut out for him.

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Sun Jul 30, 2017 2:54 pm

Ronnie Stoffle at AZDS on the defensvie line.

Arizona’s defensive line has received criticism regarding their lack of size and inability to pressure the quarterback. Rich Rodriguez and Marcel Yates attempted to address these concerns in the 2017 class by signing defensive tackles Sione Taufahema (320 pounds) and Kurtis Brown (285 pounds). They were also able to land one was Yates’ former players at Boise State in Dereck Boles (296 pounds), assuming he academically qualifies.

As for the pass rush, Arizona was able to land two of the top in-state defensive ends in Jalen Harris and My-King Johnson, in addition to Southern California product Anthony Pandy. These three follow up on a 2016 recruiting class that signed talented edge rushers Francisco Nelson and Jalen Cochran.

Taufahema and Boles are the most likely newcomers to see an ample amount of playing time this year, but it’s nice to see young talent waiting in the wings.

OSUCat · Post by **OSUCat** » Sun Jul 30, 2017 10:50 pm

So, will the defense improve? Probably. enough? Probably not.

The LB core are basically a group of Freshman, but hey at least they have a dedicated and experienced LB coach. I'm glade Yates was able to move back to corners.

I don't have high hopes for the group, its not just because of the lack of size and numbers, but because I don't think the Arizona offense will allow the defense to breath.

But at least I moved to Washington over the summer, so now I don't have to watch blow outs on the East Coast! East Coast Arizona Football fans that stay up to watch games have it rough.....

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:09 am

OSUCat wrote:So, will the defense improve? Probably. enough? Probably not.

The LB core are basically a group of Freshman, but hey at least they have a dedicated and experienced LB coach. I'm glade Yates was able to move back to corners.

I don't have high hopes for the group, its not just because of the lack of size and numbers, but because I don't think the Arizona offense will allow the defense to breath.

But at least I moved to Washington over the summer, so now I don't have to watch blow outs on the East Coast! East Coast Arizona Football fans that stay up to watch games have it rough.....

I think the D improves a bit.

97cats · Post by **97cats** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 9:42 am

looks shitty

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 10:06 am

The D will get better if the O cuts back on the 3 and outs. With some Div I sized big uglies, and an elite running game, and a poor passing attack, keeping the D off the field is possible.

But if RichRod calls for a downfield pass on first and 10, it will be a very long season.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 10:28 am

OSUCat wrote:So, will the defense improve? Probably. enough? Probably not.

The LB core are basically a group of Freshman, but hey at least they have a dedicated and experienced LB coach. I'm glade Yates was able to move back to corners.

I don't have high hopes for the group, its not just because of the lack of size and numbers, but because I don't think the Arizona offense will allow the defense to breath.

But at least I moved to Washington over the summer, so now I don't have to watch blow outs on the East Coast! East Coast Arizona Football fans that stay up to watch games have it rough.....

We were 115th nationally in overall D, so I could see us improving. Largely because there really isn't a whole lot of room to get worse.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 10:32 am

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
OSUCat wrote:So, will the defense improve? Probably. enough? Probably not.

The LB core are basically a group of Freshman, but hey at least they have a dedicated and experienced LB coach. I'm glade Yates was able to move back to corners.

I don't have high hopes for the group, its not just because of the lack of size and numbers, but because I don't think the Arizona offense will allow the defense to breath.

But at least I moved to Washington over the summer, so now I don't have to watch blow outs on the East Coast! East Coast Arizona Football fans that stay up to watch games have it rough.....
We were 115th nationally in overall D, so I could see us improving. Largely because there really isn't a whole lot of room to get worse.

We said the same thing when Casteel was fired, think his teams were around 115th too. Getting into double digit rankings would be a major improvement.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:10 am

I would just like to see us actually use 20-25 players on defense. RR has always talked about this but he never does it. Developed done depth through game experience. Keep them fresh and attack, attack attack

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:13 am

yaaaaa. giving up 4 tds and a fg instead of 5 tds and a fg would vault us from about 117th place to about 87th place.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 2:28 pm

Here this Boles guy has been impressive in his short time with the squad

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 2:53 pm

azcat49 wrote:Here this Boles guy has been impressive in his short time with the squad

Impressive with what?

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 2:57 pm

According to a guy that attended the new guys first run through on Sunday I think it was, both his strength and his footwork and this guy was a former D1 player

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 4:18 pm

azcat49 wrote:According to a guy that attended the new guys first run through on Sunday I think it was, both his strength and hos footwork and this guy was a former D1 player

It was one hour and hardly a practice. He's got a lot to prove. We'll see how he does.

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 4:23 pm

chiefzona wrote:
azcat49 wrote:According to a guy that attended the new guys first run through on Sunday I think it was, both his strength and hos footwork and this guy was a former D1 player

It was one hour and hardly a practice. He's got a lot to prove. We'll see how he does.

I trust 49's source much more than your garbage posts and "evaluations" on here, but hey it isn't your blog.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 4:26 pm

azcat49 wrote:According to a guy that attended the new guys first run through on Sunday I think it was, both his strength and hos footwork and this guy was a former D1 player

He has a ho's footwork? Is that a good or bad thing?

Just kidding.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 5:36 pm

I get it, a practice against a bunch of walk ons and former HS players is something he should look good in but I also trust a guy who played 4 years of PAC football knowing what a guy should look like

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 5:59 pm

azcat49 wrote:I get it, a practice against a bunch of walk ons and former HS players is something he should look good in but I also trust a guy who played 4 years of PAC football knowing what a guy should look like

Indeed. I thought he only played two?

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 6:01 pm

PHXCATS wrote:
chiefzona wrote:
azcat49 wrote:According to a guy that attended the new guys first run through on Sunday I think it was, both his strength and hos footwork and this guy was a former D1 player

It was one hour and hardly a practice. He's got a lot to prove. We'll see how he does.

I trust 49's source much more than your garbage posts and "evaluations" on here, but hey it isn't your blog.

I don't evaluate on here. Garbage posts I can handle.

You're right....not my blog.

OSUCat · Post by **OSUCat** » Tue Aug 01, 2017 2:17 pm

http://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcat ... e4f56.html" target="_blank

* First-team defensive line: Jack Banda, Parker Zellers, Luca Bruno, Justin Belknap.

* First-team linebackers: Jacob Colacion/Brandon Rutt, Tony Fields II.

* First-team secondary: Jace Whittaker, Dane Cruikshank, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Isaiah Hayes, Tristan Cooper.

* Second-team defensive line: Jalen Cochran, Larry Tharpe Jr., Finton Connolly, Jose Ramirez.

* Second-team linebackers: Colacion/Rutt, Gavin Robertson Jr./Carrington Vaughn.

* Second-team secondary: Lorenzo Burns, Sammy Morrison, Chacho Ulloa, Jarrius Wallace, Troy Young/Scott Young.

(FYI, the Stud LB" was labeled as a D-lineman by Michael Lev)

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Tue Aug 01, 2017 3:00 pm

Is that a 4-2-5 I see?

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Tue Aug 01, 2017 3:10 pm

azgreg wrote:Is that a 4-2-5 I see?

No. He included the Studs on the DL.

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Wed Aug 02, 2017 11:51 am

Gabe Encinas, AZDS, on the safeties.

Headlining this group will be junior Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles at the bandit safety, sophomore Isaiah Hayes at free safety, and sophomore Tristan Cooper as the spur safety.

The safety group is split up now, with Marcel Yates taking over the spur positions, leaving Jahmile Addae with only the bandit and free safeties under his control.

OSUCat · Post by **OSUCat** » Wed Aug 02, 2017 11:20 pm

Shocked? No.

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Thu Aug 03, 2017 6:15 am

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Thu Aug 03, 2017 6:46 am

If it wasn't for bad luck we wouldn't have any luck at all.

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Thu Aug 03, 2017 7:15 am

UAEebs86 wrote:If it wasn't for bad luck we wouldn't have any luck at all.

Or a whole new S&C department.

ramcat · Post by **ramcat** » Thu Aug 03, 2017 3:10 pm

Doesn't sound too bad, hopefully back for conference play.

https://www.google.com/amp/tucson.com/s ... f.amp.html" target="_blank

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Wed Aug 16, 2017 8:23 am

Good article by Lev, AZDS, on possible rearrangement of the DBs.

Senior Dane Cruikshank, who started all 12 games at cornerback last season, has been working at the spur position.

The move could be temporary; it could be permanent. Either way, it potentially enhances the versatility of Arizona’s secondary. Cruikshank is plenty big enough (6-1, 206) to play safety. He brings a wealth of cornerback experience and coverage ability to the position.

“We’re just trying to get the best athletes on the field,” Cruikshank said Tuesday. “Make the defense better.”

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Wed Aug 16, 2017 9:44 am

I like the thought of our best athletes being out on the backend of our defense. Man this kool aid is cold and it's good. Going to have some more and hopefully i don't drink to much and throw it all up by October

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Wed Aug 16, 2017 11:01 am

It's usually not a good idea to move anyone and especially is starting corner to a safety position this late. This could backfire big-time if the corners don't step up. It is also not DC's natural position so he's a learning a lot on the fly. It's an interesting move. It tells me that Cooper isn't doing as well as some people thought he was.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Wed Aug 16, 2017 1:51 pm

I thought Cooper was hurt? I would also think that maybe it is because the CB group, maybe Wallace has been better then they thought? Kool aid and vodka maybe but it just might not always be because someone sucks Chief

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Wed Aug 16, 2017 2:42 pm

azcat49 wrote:I thought Cooper was hurt? I would also think that maybe it is because the CB group, maybe Wallace has been better then they thought? Kool aid and vodka maybe but it just might not always be because someone sucks Chief

Not that I'm aware of. Cooper and DFF are not looking as strong and these young guys are pushing them. Moving Dane is a desperation move this late in the game. Sure, Burns is doing well and so is Wallace but come on. If Dane is better at Bandit right now than Cooper or anyone else without ever taking a snap in a real game there????? Think about that. Some kids are not progressing.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Wed Aug 16, 2017 3:16 pm

You better check your facts as Cooper is hurting. I get it about a late change but its because they are experimenting due to Cooper being banged up

chiefzona · Post by **chiefzona** » Wed Aug 16, 2017 3:52 pm

azcat49 wrote:You better check your facts as Cooper is hurting. I get it about a late change but its because they are experimenting due to Cooper being banged up

You don't experiment this late in the game. If that were the case it's next man up which would be Mariscal or one of the young guys we hear so much about. This is suspect. Safeties are saying they are busy learning all 3 positions. Interchangeable is only necessary if there is slow progression. These are intricate safety positions and with young LBs it's crucial to have safeties to cover them and help them out. Many different coverages and packages and you cannot be caught out of position.

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