Defensive Backs

[IrishCalves]

While each position battle is intriguing in its own right, personally I'm most pumped about how the defensive backfield is shaping up. Some random thoughts/questions for the audience:

 

- Is there any word how well Darrin Walls is handling the new scheme? I know CB likes his corners to play physical, favoring press coverage. I also know Darrin has been up and down on the depth chart. I wondered if this old HS profile might explain some of the question marks surrounding him (look under "Areas for Improvement"):

 

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=109&p=8&c=1&nid=1692280

 

- How is the safety battle opposite Zbikowski shaping up? Bruton sounds like the heir apparent, though I know Sergio Brown has been mentioned in high regard as well. I'm just curious though if that is looking more like a real position battle, or a "starter by default" situation, kind of like how Mitchell Thomas v. Anthony Vernaglia never really materialized last year. I also wondered if one of the recruits coming in, Harrison Smith, had a shot of seeing the field, since I've fallen in love with what I've seen of him on film.

 

- Has Leonard Gordon worked at safety or at corner more this spring? He was listed at both last year, and I wondered if that was to remain, or if Corwin wants him to focus on one or the other.

 

Don't have to answer them all at once. But I felt the need to devote some attention to this subject, considering the way the secondary has played since the days of Shane Walton, Vontez Duff, Glenn Earl and Gerome Sapp.

[Guest bfabes05]

Don't have to answer them all at once. But I felt the need to devote some attention to this subject, considering the way the secondary has played since the days of Shane Walton, Vontez Duff, Glenn Earl and Gerome Sapp.

 

Ahh those were the days, those guys were awesome, anyways I think at the start of the year its gunna be Zibby and Herring at the safety spots and then Lambert and Wooden at the corners, but I think Walls is too much of a talent to keep off the field so he eventually gets in there.

[blarney_stank]

I know Zibby is a fan favorite and I hope he does well this year but I think penciling him in as a guaranteed starter is premature. As we all know, he struggled on many occasions last year. I am still not sure whether it was him or the scheme. I hope it was the scheme because I do like a lot of things he does. If it wasn't the scheme, it wouldn't surprise me to see two new starters at the safety spots this year. Watch out for Harrison Smith, this guy will find a way to get on the field.

[Guest bfabes05]

there is no way zibby doesnt start, just listen to the coaches when they talk, they almost make a point of him everytime they are interviewed

[domeanddomer]

there is no way zibby doesnt start, just listen to the coaches when they talk, they almost make a point of him everytime they are interviewed

 

Agreed...and captains don't ride the pine. ie: TT last year.

[DiegoIrish]

Zibby starts; book it.

 

He may rotate a little in different packages but I think he will be on the field....A LOT.

[IrishCalves]

I've also heard snippets that Zibby seems more dedicated and focused on football this spring than any other in the past. Now that he's got a degree in the bank, he knows that this year he can make or break his odds of going pro. He'll be the comeback POY on this team (my somewhat but not really bold prediction).

 

I think this is the unit that has to be a strength of the D next year. The D-line has question marks outside of Laws, and the LB corps has guys who are either a bit small for the 3-4 (Crum, Brockington), or transitioning to new positions (Ryan, Richardson). Considering that 3 seniors will be starting back there (Zbikowski, Wooden, Lambert), I have high hopes for this unit.

[Guest SirJohn]

Well written IrishCalves

[IrishCalves]

Much appreciated.

[Irish_WIN]

I have notice in some of the spring videos that Walls has on the first team in the nickel. Plus he has been playing a lot of second team in the 3-4 from what I have been reading. Coach Brown has been moving some of the CBs around as well to see how they play as a group.

 

Zibby will be a starter and somewhere I read that the second half the season last year he was a little slow from his injury.

[imroc]

I just hope he recaptures that spirit he once had.....

[FROSH]

I know Zibby is a fan favorite and I hope he does well this year but I think penciling him in as a guaranteed starter is premature. As we all know, he struggled on many occasions last year. I am still not sure whether it was him or the scheme. I hope it was the scheme because I do like a lot of things he does. If it wasn't the scheme, it wouldn't surprise me to see two new starters at the safety spots this year. Watch out for Harrison Smith, this guy will find a way to get on the field.[/quote

 

hey blarney no offense or anything, but i really don't know where people get the idea that zibby is a bad safety. He is actually a really talented and intelligent player. His side was not thrown to in the USC game or Sugar Bowl. He can hardly be blamed for incidents that occurred away from or infront of him.

[Guest bfabes05]

frosh, thank you haha

 

finally someone defending my boy on here, he didnt play up to his potential or how good he should of last year and it was dissapointing, but i think it had to do with, im sorry i thought minter was a bad d coordinator and he was injured half the year i guess but just kept it to himself, with him coming back for a 5th year i think he is going to be the mvp of the defense and prove himself to all his doubters out there, period.

[IrishCalves]

I agree Frosh.

 

IMO, if Ndukwe doesn't lay out Calvin Johnson like he did vs. Georgia Tech, people end up blaming him rather than Zbikowski. But thats just me.

[domeanddomer]

Frosh...I like Zibby, don't get me wrong, but he was out of position on so many occasions last year that it made me sick. Being out of position canceled out his speed. He was a let down in the return game all year as well. I realize that there are other factors involved in that, but none the less he was much much less productive all around.

 

Let's hope he is back in 2005 form this year.

[blarney_stank]

hey blarney no offense or anything, but i really don't know where people get the idea that zibby is a bad safety. He is actually a really talented and intelligent player. His side was not thrown to in the USC game or Sugar Bowl. He can hardly be blamed for incidents that occurred away from or infront of him.

 

OK, so I knew this would stir some things up as Zibby is really well respected. I also never called him unintelligent or questioned his talent. It will be interesting to see how he responds to the new scheme and I hope he does well. Without going back and reviewing tape I can't dispute your comments about LSU and/or USC but that being said, do you think he played his best football last year? Granting you the games you cited, there were many times he was out of position on plays to his side of the field. I hope that was Minter's complex scheme but we will see.

 

As I recall, many have been concerned about his defend the run first mentality versus his staying at home and playing safety. I hope he improves his play from last year or I think he will be pushed for PT. Just one man's opinion.

[Stalking_Eagle]

Minter Blew Plain and Simple

[Guest IM4ND]

Gosh Zibby sharing time?????!!!!! I just don't see that. He is going to be the emotional leader of the entire defense. You don't sit your team captain and leader!!! Zibby is going to bring it this year and return to his 05 form!! Last year he was injured and i think he got caught up in the boxing debut and the whole nationa title hype.

[Guest iRiShMaN]

zibby has not been my favorite over the years, but the kid can play. the scheme last year put him in bad positions because of the lack of help from other unnamed safeties. in the 34 he will be able to play a true SS, more like an extra backer. as long as the corners can do what they need to, he will be fine.

[blarney_stank]

Gosh Zibby sharing time?????!!!!! I just don't see that. He is going to be the emotional leader of the entire defense. You don't sit your team captain and leader!!! Zibby is going to bring it this year and return to his 05 form!! Last year he was injured and i think he got caught up in the boxing debut and the whole nationa title hype.

 

While that maybe true, Travis Thomas is a team captain as well and may not be a starter. I hope he brings it this year but the fact that he is a captain doesn't guarantee playing time.