http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec/0-5-266/Rushing-the-passer-just-part-of-Alem-s-repertoire.html Don't know if everyone saw this since I couldn't find it on the first two pages..
I'll take it a step further and say that the Bandits will be back. This might be the best D we've seen since '03. But that's just an opinion.
Dang, they're trying Alem at QB? All those studs under center and not one of them is panning out? Good article. Alem is my favorite defensive player. He was one of the very few that showed tenacity last year. He is seriously one scary dude.
I would certainly not be disappointed if that were the case...as long as the offense comes out swinging. I think our secondary will be improved simply through experience. Peterson was great as a true Frosh and Jones seems to be really coming around. Loston is a wild card...I think we'll find him SEC-ready by game 3 if he gets to play. Linebackers will also have benefited from experience, but the big difference will be coaching. Chief has a history of spotting and developing quality LB's and from what I hear, he recruited Riley and Sheppard pretty hard out of HS. That tells me something. Nevis will break out this year on D-Line. He's Dorsey made over...just watch. Davenport will be in the mix later in games. Alem...'nuff said. Factor in proven defensive coaching talent and I just can't help but see it all coming together.
Wasn't 2003's defense a bit of a surprise? I think I remember reading somewhere that there were huge question marks on the DL and in the LBs before those position players proved themselves. I don't know for sure because I wasn't an addict back then... I was a recreational user...
Talent-wise, we certainly didn't have a bunch of 5-star All-Americans out there. The DL and DBs had really good leaders in Chad Lavalais and Jack Hunt, respectively. One of those things where the right guys gelled together under the right coach. Leadership was something that was sorely lacking last year. If guys like Alem, Nevis and Cutrera can step up and fill those roles, I don't see any reason we couldn't perform to 2003 levels.
