LSU Defense

Discussion in 'The Tiger's Den' started by dudley, May 15, 2014.

  1. northernvatiger

    northernvatiger Founding Member

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    Glad to hear this.
     
  2. LSUDad

    LSUDad Veteran Member

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    Yes, he did say 4% body fat.


     
  3. HalloweenRun

    HalloweenRun Founding Member

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    I do, too. Plus another 40!
     
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  4. LSUDad

    LSUDad Veteran Member

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    You are not alone.
     
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  5. cajdav1

    cajdav1 Soldiers are real hero's

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    Lol, I was up there too and decided to do something about it after looking at some pictures of myself.

    Now down to my senior year of high school weight of 165. Was at 197 a year ago.
     
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  6. LSUDad

    LSUDad Veteran Member

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    A look at two future 1st round picks....

    Fast friends Tre’Davious White, Rashard Robinson on fast track at LSU
    [​IMG]
    Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG -- LSU defensive back Tre'Davious White (16) keeps an eye on cornerback Dwayne Thomas (13), left, before the hit during practice drills. LSU practices as an entire team for the first time.

    Ross Dellenger| [email protected]
    Aug. 10, 2014

    0 Comments
    Two years ago at a seven-on-seven camp, Tre’Davious White spotted a tall, skinny defensive back.

    The kid looked like he was good at football — good enough for White to run over and say hello. So he did.

    “The bond clicked,” White said.

    That was the first time White and Rashard Robinson met.

    Now, the LSU cornerbacks are an inseparable duo — on the field, off the field and in preseason all-star teams.

    Despite their age — they are both true sophomores — White and Robinson are being lauded nationally as one of the best cornerback tandems in college football’s strongest conference.

    As LSU’s first week of fall camp comes to a close, the strengths of the 2014 team are emerging: a seasoned, veteran offensive line that returns four of five starters; a group of running backs that includes the No. 1-ranked signee in the land and a pair of seniors; and White and Robinson.

    They’re not long-time veterans and weren’t top-rated recruits, but they proved in just one season last year that they’re talented. Maybe they took some by surprise.

    “It seemed like everybody was just doubting us since we’re young,” Robinson said. “They wanted to see what we really could do.”

    White shook off early problems before replacing an older player and starting the final 11 games. Robinson caught on late, starting two of the last three in replacement of Jalen Mills, who was moved to safety.

    Coach Les Miles was asked about his two cornerbacks’ comfort levels entering Year 2.

    “They were way comfortable last year,” he shot back.

    It’s why they both made at least two all-Southeastern Conference preseason teams.

    The bond between the two is a strong one. It began in the Summer of 2012, a few weeks before their senior years of high school.

    White spotted Robinson from across the football field.

    “I saw he was a guy that wanted to be the best,” said White, a Shreveport native. “We talked a little bit. He was telling me that it was between LSU and a couple more schools. I was already committed to LSU, so of course I tried to persuade him to come here.”

    The two traded phone numbers, and the text messages began to fly.

    A few weeks later, they ran into each other at another football camp.

    “We saw the bond we had and the chemistry we had to be great together,” said White, the more talkative of the two. “I think that played a role in him coming (to LSU).”

    They spend time away from the football field with other defensive backs, namely Rickey Jefferson, shooting pool, playing laser tag and bowling.

    White calls the off-the-field games “heated.”

    As cornerbacks, their games are different.

    Robinson has the natural talent. He’s a tall, rangy figure who can jump. He faster, too, at least after the 20-yard mark, White said.

    Robinson plays physical at the line, pushing and even shoving his defender, said receiver Travin Dural. Robinson did that best last season in his first career start: LSU stuck him on Texas A&M receiver and Biletnikoff Award finalist Mike Evans.

    Evans caught four passes for 51 yards, the third-fewest of his career in an SEC game.

    “His thing is he gets his hands on you and doesn’t let you off the line,” said Dural, who faces each during practice.

    White is the smarter of the two. He allows the receiver to goes free at the line, while he watches and reads the wideout’s moves.

    He knows where you’re going, Dural said. He’s like glue.

    “(He’ll) run the route for you,” the receiver said. “He’s running the route right on the side of you.”

    Robinson has improved, he said, in the mental part of the game. Things don’t seem as fast anymore. He spends time watching his gaffes last season, learning from them to prepare for 2014.

    Take for instance, LSU’s loss to Ole Miss. With 1:40 left in a tie game, the Rebels converted a third-and-9 on a throw to Robinson’s side of the field.

    He was inches from the receiver as the pass arrived. Ole Miss kicked a game-winning field goal minutes later.

    That’s the play that really eats at him.

    “I’m like, ‘Are you serious? How could I really make that play,’” Robinson said. “I could have made an interception.”

    Robinson’s not alone in the studying of film and the learning of X’s and O’s. He’s got his good buddy along side of him.

    Nowadays, they’re simply known as “Tre and Rashard,” the packaged deal, more hyped than two sophomores probably should be.

    “I feel like we have a great chance of doing that,” White said, “of living up to that.”
     
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  7. LSUDad

    LSUDad Veteran Member

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    LSU defense's tall task to open season is Wisconsin running backs | Talkin' Tigers

    LSU's biggest Wisconsin challenge: Talkin' Tigers Rachel Whittaker and Randy Rosetta give you insight into Wisconsin's running back weapons.
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    [​IMG] By Rachel Whittaker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
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    on August 25, 2014 at 10:05 AM, updated August 25, 2014 at 10:07 AM


    All Stories | All Photos | All Videos
    LSU's rushing defense ranked third in the stout SEC this past season, but now, the Tigers' relatively raw defensive tackles have quite the tandem to face in game 1 of the 2014 season.

    On today's edition of Talkin' Tigers, sports reporter Rachel Whittaker and LSU beat writer Randy Rosetta break down Wisconsin's running backs - redshirt junior Melvin Gordon and sophomore Corey Clement - and how the Tiger defenders hope to contain them Saturday night in Houston.

    While the Badgers did lose one of last year's powerful rushers to the NFL in James White, their running game is still their best offensive weapon as they sort out a quarterback battle of their own. So how will LSU answer the call?

     
  8. LSUMASTERMIND

    LSUMASTERMIND Founding Member

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    a bit misleading White was a 5 star and Robinson was a 4, if im not mistaken.
     
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  9. LSUDad

    LSUDad Veteran Member

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    Robinson, earned a four-star rating by 247sports.com and Rivals.com ... Listed as a three-star prospect by Scout.com and ESPN.com.

    As for White, rated a five-star prospect by Rivals.com and listed as the nation's 18th-best overall prospect and No. 4 cornerback ... Listed as a five-star player by PrepStar and named to the PrepStar Top 150 Dream Team ... Tabbed as a four-star prospect by ESPN and Scout.

    Yep, ratings are all over the place.
     
  10. LSUDad

    LSUDad Veteran Member

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    Mike D doing some talking......


    DandyDon.com Interviews Mike Detillier About LSU’s 2014 Defense & Special Teams
    Posted 8/26/14



    Scott: Scott: Turning to the defense now, who would you say are the top-three playmakers this year?



    Mike: Defensive end Danielle Hunter, outside linebacker Kwon Alexander and the third is tough, but I will go with cornerback Tre'Davious White over Rashard Robinson.


    Scott: From what little bit I've seen of practice, Jamal Adams looks like a future All-American. To me, he's the defense's Leonard Fournette of the 2014 signing class. How big of an impact do foresee Adams making this year.



    Mike: I agree, Jamal looks a lot like a young Kenny Vaccaro. Special player. I have never heard a buzz on a freshman defender like him since Tyrann Mathieu. Great range, he has a nose for the ball in flight and he is tough in run defense. Major impact early.



    Jalen Mills is quite a performer. He's an All-SEC type guy. He's going to be sat down for a little due to his off the field issues, but he is a really good football player. Ronald Martin has to be the alpha dog/the communicator in the secondary. Plays the ball well in flight and he has gotten stronger and is a good player in run support. This team needs that leadership and the ability to communicate to others out on the field and get everyone in the right spot. Rickey Jefferson is a really good athlete with excellent range and Corey Thompson is the intimidator. Real physical player in run support, but those guys better "buck-up" quick with Jamal Adams on the team.



    Scott: At cornerback, how special is the tandem of Tradvious White and Rashard Robinson?

    Mike: Best sophomore tandem in college football and two future first round picks. Enough said. They are legit shutdown cornerbacks.


    Scott: Last year, LSU didn't create a lot of turnovers. How important is it for the Tigers to improve in that regard, and do you think they will?

    Mike: Pressure breaks the pipes. This team needs to get pressure from Hunter and Rasco and let those very talented DB's make a play on the ball. Yes, it will improve from 2013. The secondary is the strength of the defense. The key to turnovers is the edge pressure from Danielle Hunter and Jermauria Rasco.. If they can bring the heat, LSU's DBs will come up with the interceptions.



    Scott: How much better will LSU's linebacker corps be this year?



    Mike: If Kwon Alexander can stay healthy is an All-SEC performer. He has a chance to be a difference maker this season. Lamar Louis is not a tall kid, but he can run the field like a deer and he is a very physical openfield hitter. Works well dropping back in coverage, too. Debo Jones, Duke Riley and Ronnie Feist are all really talented athletes who can run. I want to see how they use Feist's unique pass rush skills too. Overall I like what they have at outside linebacker.



    Scott: What about the middle linebacker spot – in particular the battle between DJ Welter and Kendell Beckwith? And will Clifton Garrette sees any playing time this season?



    Mike: This position is a big question mark for me, to be honest. I know how talented Beckwith is. He is a big guy in the middle, fast and he hits with some authority. DJ gives everything he has, but he gets blown out at the point of attack at times by bigger players. This is why Kendell is the better fit, but he has to know the position better. DJ knows the game, but physically he gets taken out too many times and this year there's no Ego Ferguson or Anthony Johnson upfront. In time, Clifton Garrett has a chance to be an All-SEC performer. He's physical, very smart, plays off blocks well and he has a knack for getting around the heavy traffic. This is a position of concern because teams will attack the Tiger middle and DJ and Kendell have to play better than a year ago.

    Scott: Of course, a big concern on defense is the tackle positions. As I've commented before, there's surely no lack of talent or depth at DT, but there is clearly a lack of experience. How much of a concern is this for you?



    Mike: Huge concern. It's the biggest question mark on team other than quarterback. Ego Ferguson will be sorely missed and I thought he played terrific last season. No résumé for most of them. I like what I have seen from Christian LaCouture and, to be honest, of all these star recruits that came in he was the least recognized, but he has the look of a really good player. We will have to see the health of Quentin Thomas, but I like his quickness off the snap and he uses his hands pretty well. We talked about this the last writeup, but Frank Herron physically is a lot like Cam Jordan. He is a tall cut player, with good speed and he has a knack for getting around heavy traffic, but more impressive is his pass rush skills. He can really rush the QB inside. I want to see Greg Gilmore, too. He looks the part, but he has to get off of blockers quicker. No secret, teams will attack the Tiger middle. It's a concern, no question. I agree the athletes are there, now let me see the production. Biggest key to success in 2014 will be the development of the DTs. I like when they move Louis Neal inside, too. He can get up the field and he has unique quickness off the snap. I want to see how he holds up in run support.



    Scott, looking at this defense I can't remember another LSU team in recent memory with as many freshman or redshirt freshman or sophomores in prominent roles. This defense is young, very young. They will get tested upfront in Game #1 against Wisconsin.


    Scott: Do the defensive line have what it takes to stop Wisconsin's duel-threat QB and potential Heisman candidate Melvin Gordon?



    Mike: Wisconsin will attack LSU's middle. That is what they do best. Anything East-West helps LSU. The team speed and range of the linebackers and defensive backs are a huge advantage for the Tigers. LSU is used to playing dual threat QBs and that won't be the problem. All of their starting WRs are off to the NFL. Melvin Gordon is a different story. He is the best openfield runner in college football. He is a skinny-built back who has worked hard to get stronger. He is a very patient runner, has good field vision and he has another gear in space. If he would have come out early, he was a redshirt sophomore, I really believe that Gordon would have been a 1st round pick in the 2014 NFL draft. He is very skilled and very instinctive as a runner. This will be a major test. Wisconsin will run the ball 33 to 35 times against LSU. It will be the most physical season-opener ever for Les Miles.



    Scott: Ok, let me get your brief thoughts on special teams. It appears that either Cameron Gamble or Trent Domingue will handle kickoff duties, and Colby Delahoussaye will be the field goal specialist. Punter Jamie Keehn is said to have had a great preseason and even nailed an 80-yard punt in practice (which Miles said was fielded, by the way.) So, I feel pretty good about LSU's kicking game. You agree?



    Mike: I agree. The Tigers are very solid in the kickoff and field goal departments. What we all want to see from Keehn is better consistency. He has a really strong leg, but he has had some inconsistent moments as a punter. I like that part of LSU's special teams.



    Scott: I guess the biggest question on special teams is who will be the return specialists. With so much speed in veterans Travin Dural, Terrance Magee, Avery Peterson, and in freshmen Leonard Fournette, Jamal Adams, and Trey Quinn (among others), there are a lot of exciting candidates. Who do you predict becomes the next OBJ in the return game?



    Mike: I like Travin in that category. He has outstanding foot speed and openfield skills. Trey does a good job in that department too, and D.J. Chark is really skilled in that category. I think we will see a few try, but Dural is my favorite to do it, but I would love to see Chark do his thing as a returner.



    Scott: Ok, as always I appreciate your insight and know the DandyDon readers do too. Let's close out with your prediction for the opener in Houston. Care to give me a score?



    Mike: LSU wins late with a big play on defense or special teams. 24-20 LSU.
     
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