The LB's in NWU game

[yesrutgers01]

Hey All- Something that stood out to me during the game but I really have no explanation and hope someone else noticed and could fill me in.

Watching on TV- there was almost NO mention of any LB's until almsot the 4th Qtr when Powell and Turay were making significant plays.
I took this as a positive, as most years, it seems like th LB's have to be involved in every play. I also noticed NWU was not burning us on the play that always burns us- the slant over the middle. Were the LB's just taking that play away? And it seemed we never let the RB's get to the 2nd level.

So, my question is to those that watched closer- were the LB's quiet on TV because they and DL were excellent or was it because the LB's just were not active enough to be in every play? I thought it was the former and bodes very well for us.

 

[Randal7]

The LBs looked pretty good to me. Powell was blowing plays up, Toure was pressuring. We bottled up their running completely -- i think their biggest run of the day was on a broken play when their QB scrambled.

Speaking of LBs -- Northwesterns LB's played really well. That group is probably their strongest (and has their captain). Without them, we probably beat Northwestern by 40.

 

[RUGuitarMan]

The LBs played very well, especially Jennings and Powell. I thought the whole defense played well and is maybe why the LBs didn’t seem to stand out.

 

[jakeknight]

As said above RU linebackers played well both in the run game and pass protection, NW linebackers were the strength of their defense and made a number of plays that kept the game from becoming a rout

 

[mdk01]

The LBs looked pretty good to me. Powell was blowing plays up, Toure was pressuring. We bottled up their running completely -- i think their biggest run of the day was on a broken play when their QB scrambled.

Speaking of LBs -- Northwesterns LB's played really well. That group is probably their strongest (and has their captain). Without them, we probably beat Northwestern by 40.

Their LBs and CBs both. The DL was below the B1G standard. I doubt Temple is any better but something to watch later in the in-conference schedule as far as progress of the OL.

 

[gef21]

Their LBs and CBs both. The DL was below the B1G standard. I doubt Temple is any better but something to watch later in the in-conference schedule as far as progress of the OL.

Our DL was below? We got pressure with 4/5 against 7 consistently. They had to constantly double team a DE and a DT. We had sacks and QB hits from the DL. Our DL did not get pushed for field at all.

 

[RAA-1]

gef21 was talking abot the NW dL being below B1G standard

 

[RUChoppin]

It felt like the defense was playing solidly overall as a unit, so the LBs didn't need to be called on to make great individual plays that would result in the announcers calling them out by name.

 

[Randal7]

Our DL was below? We got pressure with 4/5 against 7 consistently. They had to constantly double team a DE and a DT. We had sacks and QB hits from the DL. Our DL did not get pushed for field at all.

NWs DL

 

[Kbee3]

Our DL was below? We got pressure with 4/5 against 7 consistently. They had to constantly double team a DE and a DT. We had sacks and QB hits from the DL. Our DL did not get pushed for field at all.

You bring so much wisdom to this board.
Thanks.

 

[letitrip2]

When you hold a team to 12 yards (2 in the first half) the LB's just don't have much to do.

 

[RUTBAY1]

Either because they wouldn’t or couldn’t, the middle of the field seemed to be off limits for the NU passing attack. I don’t think the LBs had much of an opportunity to do much given our DL play.

I also spent some time watching Holland Pierce pretty much have his way with whomever NU put across from him. He is a big man whose skill is starting to catch up with his size. In general the OL did really well in pass protection but I think about average in run blocking.

 

[mdk01]

Our DL was below? We got pressure with 4/5 against 7 consistently. They had to constantly double team a DE and a DT. We had sacks and QB hits from the DL. Our DL did not get pushed for field at all.

Their DL. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[RUTGERS95]

our dl is the weak point to the d, not the lbs

 

[yesrutgers01]

Thanks guys- pretty much confirmed what I was thinking I saw.

 

[RU#1fan]

our dl is the weak point to the d, not the lbs

Ridiculous.
The D line is a strong unit only to improve throughout the season.

Anyone know the status of LB Walker ? Did not see him.

 

[kupuna133]

The fact that that stats were shared by many is a good sign. When you have one person dominating the stat line is when there are deficiencies. The D played well as a whole.
LB's, DL and DE all contributed. Very impressed by Ahanotu, Bailey, Iton, Fletcher, Lewis and Hamilton. I saw them getting off blocks and being disruptive in the running and passing game.

 

[gef21]

Their DL. Sorry for the confusion.

Oops. My bad. Sorry.

 

[RUTGERS95]

Ridiculous.
The D line is a strong unit only to improve throughout the season.

Anyone know the status of LB Walker ? Did not see him.

must have watched a different game or seen different practice

we'll see at end of year how stout that D line is

 

[rutgersal]

Either because they wouldn’t or couldn’t, the middle of the field seemed to be off limits for the NU passing attack. I don’t think the LBs had much of an opportunity to do much given our DL play.

I also spent some time watching Holland Pierce pretty much have his way with whomever NU put across from him. He is a big man whose skill is starting to catch up with his size. In general the OL did really well in pass protection but I think about average in run blocking.

Our running plays were vanilla.

 

[knightfan7]

Jennings, Powell, and Toure had 23 Tackles (11 Solo), 2 TFL, and 2.5 Sacks. Not exactly MIA

 

[sct1111]

must have watched a different game or seen different practice

we'll see at end of year how stout that D line is

What are you talking about? You seriously think our Dline is a weak point of our defense? How many sacks did we have? Tackles for loss? How many running yards did they have? How can you possibly watch that game conclude that our Dline is a weakness?

It's been discussed over and over again how our Dline is 10 players deep and is one of if not our best units on the team.

 

[TRU2RU]

our dl is the weak point to the d, not the lbs

CLUELESS!!!

 

[RUTGERS95]

CLUELESS!!!

you might want to check Greg's view before posting but hey, your a internet smart guy right?

 

[RUTGERS95]

What are you talking about? You seriously think our Dline is a weak point of our defense? How many sacks did we have? Tackles for loss? How many running yards did they have? How can you possibly watch that game conclude that our Dline is a weakness?

It's been discussed over and over again how our Dline is 10 players deep and is one of if not our best units on the team.

see my previous post. you guys know more than the coaches too I see

Can't wait to see what you guys have to say when we actually play a somewhat competent team

 

[yesrutgers01]

Jennings, Powell, and Toure had 23 Tackles (11 Solo), 2 TFL, and 2.5 Sacks. Not exactly MIA

My OP wasn't to say they were missing in action, you just didn't hear them called out until late in the game- and when you are shutting out the other team, that is usually a good thing.

 

[Kbee3]

Ridiculous.
The D line is a strong unit only to improve throughout the season.

Anyone know the status of LB Walker ? Did not see him.

I didn't notice him either. But the official Rutgers site has him listed as "participating"....and credited with no tackles.

 

[patk89]

Saw him on specials. High hopes for him. Big time recruit.

 

[sct1111]

see my previous post. you guys know more than the coaches too I see

Can't wait to see what you guys have to say when we actually play a somewhat competent team

Greg literally said that it's 10 deep. You're getting confused with the OLine. He's consistently said that our Dline is one of our best and deepest units.

Our only preseason All Big Ten player is DE Aaron Lewis.

Our best position coach/recruiter is our DLine coach Watson.

Where at all did you see weakness on Sunday for our DLine?