K-State's Defensive Size

[d4nim4l]

Or lack thereof...

While researching for my preview piece on WRNL (shameless plug: 2010 Game 3: Iowa State vs Kansas State Preview) I noticed that K-State has similar size problems at linebacker.

LB 56 Alex Hrebec (5-11, 247, Jr.-2L)
50 Tre Walker (6-3, 205, Fr.-HS) OR
45 Kevin Rohleder (5-11, 224, Sr.-3L)

LB 26 Jarell Childs (6-1, 225, So.-1L)
53 Blake Slaughter (5-10, 230, So.-1L)

LB 21 Troy Butler (5-11, 197, Sr.-1L)
22 Thomas Ferguson (6-0, 198, So.-1L)

Starting a guy in the middle at 225 and a guy on the weak side at 197. Their line is not very big either. Standard sized tackles but a 243 pound end on the weak side.

Their situation is not all that different than ours and I really believe we can push these guys around to start the game. If we cannot run on these guys, or if they get a sustained pass rush, we are in for a long season. No reason not to rack up some yards on the ground.

 

[Clones85']

Isn't Troy Butler the Safety that committed to us before Chizik left and Snyder came in? We ended up losing him and getting Sims instead. Interesting to see him as a LB. No different I guess than us putting Washington there

 

[d4nim4l]

Exactly.

It just goes to show we are not the only ones facing size and depth issues. These guys should be ripe for a physical game. Just like our defense is. I think what it all boils down to tomorrow will be mistakes and red zone effectiveness.

 

[VeloClone]

Exactly.

It just goes to show we are not the only ones facing size and depth issues. These guys should be ripe for a physical game. Just like our defense is. I think what it all boils down to tomorrow will be mistakes and red zone effectiveness.

It also comes down to controlling the clock. Whoever can keep the other undersized D on the field for long sustained drives will reap the rewards in the end.

 

[ksu4tc]

Isn't Troy Butler the Safety that committed to us before Chizik left and Snyder came in? We ended up losing him and getting Sims instead. Interesting to see him as a LB. No different I guess than us putting Washington there

Butler is the "hybrid" safety/linebacker who's in there with the 4-2-5 alignment. He does have some good quickness on the blitz.

I agree with assessment that KSU and ISU defensive front 7 looks pretty similar. ISU WILL (I guarantee) have success with the zone read with Arnaud and Robinson. That's the worry spot I have as a K-State fan.

I do see Daniel Thomas getting his yards, but how effective will Carson Coffman be with his throwing? That's the question.

Along with this gem when it comes to the K-State QB... he's playing his first road game of 2010 in front of a ton of friends and family (played h.s. ball in KC area). Nervous? I think he will be.

 

[sdillon500]

It also comes down to controlling the clock. Whoever can keep the other undersized D on the field for long sustained drives will reap the rewards in the end.

Good point. ISU & KSU are pretty evenly matched in most areas; it all comes down to which team is better coached and follows their assignments.

 

[KSUcat]

Our 3rd LB spot is a safety. We play the 4-2-5 so Butler is a hybrid. He isn't supposed to as big as the other LB's. We'd be f*cked if one of our LB's was 197 lbs.

 

[Peter]

It's nice having classy fans from the other team post on CF after all the hawks last week. Thanks guys!

 

[CycloneErik]

Actually, last week's hawks were nowhere near what we used to see. Holy cow have we had some Hawk homers.

 

[ripvdub]

We were pretty hard after Blake Slaughter as well I believe. At least we only have one undersized starting LB.