REMND Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I had basically penciled Grace in as replacing Manti and all the early comments suggested the sophomore eligible ILB was ready to play the role. He was even complimented in spring by BK as a vocal leader. Then we get the Friday press conference where BK says Calabrese and Fox are leading but it is a three man rotation with Grace. I like two experienced seniors playing ILB with Grace rotating in for coverage purposes. Nix in front of them. Spond and Shembo on either side of them. The best DB backfield we have had in awhile behind them. Both ILBs started last year. I don't feel alarm but I recall many posters were not complimentary about Calabrese earlier and maybe Fox as well. What do posters think now? It feels like competition where experience in role is winning out over potential in Grace right now. I even saw some comments that it might be shot across the bow to motivate Grace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OKCIrish99 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Kelly has already said all 3 will rotate in and out continually all season long. Fox is fine and played very well last year. Calabrese is Calabrese. Great against the run and tough as nails but not the greatest in pass coverage especially with speedy guys. Very hard worker and strong leader though. Grace is more of an unknown as far as the college level but all the reports are positive. All in all, we as fans should feel comfortable in the position going forward as long as everyone's expectations are reasonable sans Teo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawaiiirish Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Its not surprising to see Kelly put the upperclassmen on top---we all should know by now that he likes maturity & experience all things being equal. We also can expect grace to play a lot and how game time production goes will determine who gets the most minutes , that should be resolved by game 4 or 5. ILB is OBVIOUSLY going to be a step down for the defense, that was inevitable when losing a player like manti---But OLB is probably a step up in experience & jaylon of course. DL is clearly a step up with two pre-season AAs going into the season--and plenty of other talent. Corner is a step up with the addition of WOOD & LUKE behind bennet and kievarea---- Safety likely a sideways step until redfield finds his footing. All in all--the defense will be good--very good---but not 10 points a game good----that took a special chemistry. aloha's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OklahomaIrish Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Inside linebacker is very very solid. In some ways I prefer Fox to Manti. We have no worries here. Production wise it will be very similar to last year I have seen Fox give chase to a receiver while retreating, change direction, stay in position, and make a play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndomer4 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Fox took a huge step from 2011 to 2012, if Calabrese makes the same step this year then I wouldn't be surprised if they play more than Grace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishrb Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Honestly, this is totally what I expected....They are upperclassmen who are quite experienced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlabamaDuck Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I still think Grace is the starter. He is fast and a hitter and can cover sideline to sideline. We will see several changes before the number one defense is announced. Carlo is very good against the run but does not gave the quickness for pass coverage. Also, I expect to see Jayon in the middle at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domer Dude Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Carlo and Fox start. Grace works in on passing downs and more and more throughout the season. Kelly always rotates to get experience. See Moore and Schmidt now and then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishFan33 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 It's also that Calabrese worked his tail off this off season to lose weight and worked on his pass coverage game. his hard work is paying off but it''s still early... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanY77 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Agree with the above responses. Also, no coach wants to "coronate" a player. You don't want the guy to think that the spot's his by default. Part of the "culture of entitlement" that Kelly talked about comes from that. If Grace wants the spot, all he has to do is earn it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlabamaDuck Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Carlo and Fox start. Grace works in on passing downs and more and more throughout the season. Kelly always rotates to get experience. See Moore and Schmidt now and then. With Carlo in, there will be more passes in his area on 1st and 2nd downs for some teams. But then, Manti never touched a pass until his senior year. I agree that on a 3rd and long, Grace and Fox will be in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocketsan Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Does Fox still have that lame hair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishFan33 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Does Fox still have that lame hair? Gone and donated to Locks of Love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishguy773 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Agree with the above responses. Also, no coach wants to "coronate" a player. You don't want the guy to think that the spot's his by default. Part of the "culture of entitlement" that Kelly talked about comes from that. If Grace wants the spot, all he has to do is earn it. This guy would disagree.... http://imageshack.us/a/img145/8678/green3ar6.jpg Uploaded with ImageShack.us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocketsan Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Gone and donated to Locks of Love Glad he was doing it for a good cause and not for love of Michael Bolton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDUB Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Glad he was doing it for a good cause and not for love of Michael Bolton For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when Michael Bolton sings "When a Man Loves a Woman" while Dan Fox drops into pass coverage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleJoe Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Been lurking at Domer Domain for about seven years, wanted to post this to try to prevent the idea that Kelly announced that Fox and Calabrese were ahead of Grace on the depth chart from becoming part of the mythology of the board. Gosh, if no one else will do it, I will. Welcome pmarrack, to the best online domer community. And I agree with you on the other thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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