What are our expectations for the D-Line?

[BryceC]

I remember last year when Iowa was talking about winning the national title, they didn't take into account the youth on their defensive line. That was a real weak point for them beginning the year and they struggled because of it.

Could we have some of the same results? I'm encouraged because we have Seniors in Curvey and Moorehead on the line to bolster it, but the two true freshman could be run at a whole lot.

I don't doubt that they have ability, but the lack of experience could put us in a real hole come game time.

 

[kuney1]

I think we will just have to see how they look Thursday. Mike Leaders started as a true freshman and he was pretty good right out of the gates.

 

[ISUCLONES15]

If memory serves correct, Iowa's DL was pretty undersized to start the year last year. They were pushed around early and did not come together untill about 3/4 of the way through the season. I feel much more confident in our DL simply because we have depth with good size. Frere is 295 at DT and Tuba Ruben will be coming in to back him up weighing in at 320. Parker is 250lbs and is backed up by Machado at 250. All 8 guys that will rotate through the DL will have solid size. I expect a few growing pains early but overall this should be a solid unit.

 

[ISUFan22]

I think we will just have to see how they look Thursday. Mike Leaders started as a true freshman and he was pretty good right out of the gates.

Ya mean Nick Leaders?

Yeah...I'm with you. I'm not ecstatic over the 2 freshman on the line...yet they very well could turn out to be a strength...we won't know until after the first 3-4 weeks of the season.

In comparison to Iowa...we have 2 guys returning on the line this year. In '05...they started an all-new bunch. Our linebackers are not named Hodge and Greenway...yet the guys we have are no slouches either.

 

[kuney1]

Yes, Nick Leaders. Thanks

 

[cybot]

It's gonna take awhile for them to jel. I think teams will try to exploit our DL. It could get bumpy these first few weeks.

 

[tim_redd]

DL is not like OL. On the OL you need 5 people working as one. On the DL you can freelance and do your own thing. We are only replacing half of the DL. Curvey and Moorehead will see double teams, but that will only help the other two.

 

[CyForPresident]

Take it on the chin for the first seven games but then gel and be a force the last 5. This also has a lot to do with our schedule because we should be favored in the last 5 games of the year.

Whatever happens there are gonna be a lot of growing pains but we do have two returning starters so it might not be that bad after all. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

[troyrew]

In my mind it's 1 serious player 1 ok play 2 unkowns!

 

[Cy Heavy]

The line will be decent early and will really come together down the stretch. Rotating eight players means our pass rush will be strong and our guys won't be gassed at the end of games when teams are desperately passing to catch us!

 

[cycloneworld]

We are going to find out a lot about our team on Thursday night...and I can't wait!

 

[Wesley]

Maybe it was Mike Leaders originally, but after the first game, "You can call me Nick." Has a better ring to it. Still with the Ravens.

 

[Stormin]

According to Mac, Rashawn Parker was pushing Taylor at the #1 prior to his injury. Machado isn't just a warm body and Parker has passed him on the depth chart. Nate Frere is a load and reminds me of a young Nick Leaders who started as a Freshman and was a force against Iowa in their Orange Bowl season. In fact Nick played quite well that year and Nate is actually bigger than Nick was as a freshman. Frere also seems to have outplayed upper classman Braaksma and Stephon Dale and Matt Berg (along with Rubin) to be the starter.

I think the fact that Parker and Frere have passed up some veterans and highly regarded recruits, points more to their great talent and ability rather than weakness in our present Defensive linemen. I think they will have some growing pains but be okay. I think our linebacker play is the key. They all have some experience but are young. Safety concerns me some too. Moser was a rock back there. I don't really know much about Banks, but Berg has been a pretty good special teamer and is reputed to be a tenacious hitter. Too bad about James Smith. Sounds like he would have been like a Bob Sanders type player, which would be pretty good.

 

[bootcy]

If you are complaining about having the two freshamn start, who would you have start in their place. Anyone that we fill into those spots is going to lack experience. I would rather have these two in there, becuase Mac is going to put the best guys on the field, and if they beat out guys that have been around the program while they are new to college life and everything else, that says a lot of them.

 

[goonies_89]

well...the line will be fine(shrugs) you cant run the ball all game. True freshmen get hang of it after a game or 2. Big play Curvey is there to teach so get out the pens and paper!