juniper34

EJ has a High ankle sprain and like I said above don't put too much stock in these press conference comments. You all will find out on saturday but I'd like to say right now, don't get to excited by EJ being "cleared" to play.

Regardless of what Coach Kelly says and his specific verbage regarding Ethan's injury, I wouldn't put too much credence to it. EJ is at about 50-60%, if he improves to 70-80 by saturday afternoon we could see him give it a go and suitup. But I just don't see it happening, high ankle sprains are sprains of the ligaments in the ankle and he was given a 4-6 wk recovery period, being back for the navy game could be pushing it as far as I know. We'll see but there's more of a chance he doesn't play than risking the full season just to play USC. I understand what you're saying that it's his senior year and all but health is the number one concern and there are 5 games left after Navy. I'd be more than happy if we had a 100 % EJ for the remainder of the season than a 50-80% player risking the rest of the season just to play USC or Navy.

Bottom line is we are a better defense with both EJ and Aaron playing. EJ is the starter but Lynch is a great compliment and they both have been having great seasons. Can't wait for EJ to be healthy again.

If one game is all it takes then count me in... But it's not... Who is consistent? Ethan Johnson. If all u do is study stats, look closer at other games this year. Watch the games as well, key in on these guys. You really expect Lynch to be playing more than EJ by yrs end? Really? Based on one game in which EJ played very well in too? 2 tackles, 3 hurries, fumble recovery and a pass breakup... Not bad stats by any means... Plus guess what? EJ and Aaron were on the field together most of the passing downs haha.

EJ had offers from all three schools u mention coming out of high school, most colleges recruited him as a tweener. Not a so called "pure DE" that u wish he was. If you're judging his play based on the notion he needs to be a "pure DE" that's where ur problem lies. HES NOT A PURE DE, he's a tweener! A versatile lineman who can play DE but is a better pass rusher from the 3 technique Defensive Tackle position and guess what a 34 DE is? Basically a DT with athletic ability, guess what EJ is? A prototypical 34 DE, do yourself a favor and google what a 3-4 DE needs to be and you won't find the words "pure DE" anywhere in the definition. 6'4" 300lbs is very different than 6'6" 270lbs! I don't see a comparison to be made between lynch and Ethan, they compliment each other very well. Lynch is a pure pass rushing defensive end who can be put anywhere along the line in PASS RUSHING downs. EJ is a do it all type of lineman who is strong at the point of attack, good to great against the run, and someone who can rush the passer well, he's led the team in sacks since he's been here... The fact is, before lynch and tuitt got here EJ was really the only pass rushing defensive lineman we had along with two linebackers in Shembo and Fleming. Kap is great against the run but a below avg pass rusher. That meant teams would slide their protection to EJ but EJ never had a BACKUP so he was worn down throughout games. What we have now is Aaron to take reps from EJ and keep them both fresh, while also being a great pass rusher. When we go to nickel we line up EJ, Tuitt, Aaron and Darius along the line and they all compliment each other well. As Irishcalves mentioned, EJ had 3 hurries and recovered the fumble Lynch caused. So it's not like Lynch and EJ weren't on the field at different times. The coaches are putting them both out there on pass rushing downs for a reason! They both can rush the passer, difference between them is Lynch is a pure DE, EJ is a tweener and a do it all type of lineman who is very valuable to this team right now. We do have an SEC type dline by the way and EJ, Aaron, Kap, Louis would all see significant time in the SEC if that's where they were right now. Great topic, but I've exhausted it with this post and hopefully I've gotten my point across...

Sorry I must have misread the OP, I thought it said "aaron lynch is already better than Ethan Johnson." I didn't know pass rushing was the exclusive topic, I read it as overall player. Athletic ability isn't debatable and all I'm saying is, they're not really comparable players. Lynch will top out around 285 and be 6'6" with long arms, EJ is more of a DT than a pass rushing DE like Lynch. But my bad if I misread, I guess I saw Xavier's referencing of that horrible thread he started asking why EJ even starts. If you ask me, the two aren't even comparable. Lynch is a dynamic pass rusher and an explosive 270lbs. EJ is a 300lbs hoss who is pretty well rounded as an overall player.

Yes, He is a dominant pass rusher! We all know that, but to try and praise him at the expense of one of our teams leaders and best overall defensive lineman is just hilarious... Like others have said, and I will repeat, HE IS A GREAT addition to Ethan Johnson. Ethan shouldn't be thrown out just because we have depth, in fact, EJ was right there with Lynch gettin in Cousins face on a lot of instances and ended the game with 3 QB hurries himself. We have a great Dline in the making and Lynch, EJ, KLM, NIx, TUITT all have their specific roles. The great thing I'm seeing is Ethan and Kap are benefitting from playing alongside other talented dlineman and aren't the only ones anymore. This is making their games really shine and Lynch is, in fact, helping EJ in many ways. It's all a good situation, I just disagree with you and Xavier's constant disdain for EJ... It's annoying and unnecessary.

This thread is another embarrassment for Rocket31 and Xavier... U two are reaching pretty hard saying Lynch is a better overall player than Ethan. Why even say that in the first place? Because u were owned in a previous thread on this topic? Lynch is a very dynamic pass rusher and yes he's the best we have, he's also 270lbs, 6'6" with a huge wingspan. Something EJ naturally was not born with, Ej is 6'4" 300lbs so he is more of a DT who has the versatility to play 5 technique. In case u smart guys didn't notice, EJ was in there getting after the quarterback right with Lynch anyways... Yes Lynch is a beast, but so is EJ, KLM, Nix and Tuitt all in their own rights. To put one on a podium at the expense of the others is just not right. Let's let the season play out atleast.... Another thing I'd add is when Aaron was in the game most, we were up and had been stopping the run thanks to EJ, KLM and Nix mostly... This put MSU in a position where we knew they'd pass, which is when Lynch can really come in and just do what he does best, but watch the game Ethan was gettin after it as well and forced some incompletions of his own, while also being in the backfield on Aaron's sack to recover the fumble. Hatewhy the negativity anyways?

This is an inaccurate post.. KLM had offers from Texas and LSU, EJ had offers from Auburn and Tennessee

Interesting list considering Rees and Bennett Jackson don't even start... Plus a kicker over our two/three best dlineman? Hmm

Before the season, lets have a little fun and rank who we think the best 10 will be during this season coming up. Here's my list: 1. Mike Floyd 2. Manti Te'o 3. Darius Fleming 4. Harrison Smith 5. Ethan Johnson 6. Zach Martin 7. Gary Gray 8. Dayne Crist 9. Tyler Eifert 10. Robert Blanton 10a. Cierre Wood I think all these guys will have huge years and be the reason why our team is so successful.

Amen, exactly my thoughts on this! The new seasons about to start and all these negative opinions will change.

Noo Lynch is superman, he will single handedly shut Denard Robinson down, with one hand tied behind his back. Haha, seriously though I agree with u, it's a little ridiculous to expect Lynch to do much besides rush the passer, he's still just learning the defense. Our D will stop Robinson with the veterans playing gap disciplined football and putting helmets into Denards gut.

Another one of these "this guy has underperformed so he'll lose his spot to someone who hasn't played yet" posts. Nice. Kapron hasn't been a sack artist but besides that he's played very well these past two seasons, all things considered. His skill set is one that he's not a great pass rusher but besides that, he makes plays against the run very well. If he's back for a 5th year, it won't be to do anything else but start at Defensive End. Tuitt is very talented, yet very RAW technique wise. Kap coming back would not only help Tuitt, it would help the team. He'd be a captain and would be in his 5th year (4th year starting). I would like to see if you say he's underperformed after this season because not only will this be our best season defensively as a group it'll be the best season for many of these individuals such as Kapron, Manti, Ethan, Harrison, Darius, Gary, Robert, etc... We should let this season play out before we state that if Kap comes back, he won't be as a starter. You must be one of the same people who are baffled at the fact Ethan Johnson starts haha.

Hope you realize this was a '2nd string' scimmage and none of the starters were playing... Unless Crist is named the starter tomorrow of course.