Most important positions to recruit Offense/Defense

[srsmiley007]

I hear you. But transcendent/generational players at any position are different than being strong/effective at a position. I understand it's very hard to find good players inside on the defense. Few colleges are going to get the very best guys consistently. What a college has to do--especially out West--is not get stuck in a reach situation every year where the team is taking whatever 300 pounders they can get. Often last minute because they've missed everywhere else. Oregon has a history of this, but many teams do. Course every team loves a Garrett. But the Aggies didn't get very far. I often think we over-value the "sexy/stat" positions.

If you just mean which positions are important to recruit at Oregon to be good every year your list would be good. Winning a NC is, in my mind, the goal every year for recruiting, and in that case I think finding a difference maker at OLB/DE, depending on 3-4 vs 4-3, is more important than recruiting ILB. Getting by with solid play at LB is possible if you have guys making a difference outside. Same with DT, especially in the 3-4. If NC is the goal, for me;

Defense (in order of importance): OLB, CB, ILB, DE, NT, S. Offense: OT, WR, G, TE, C, RB

How easy each of those are for Oregon is a whole other discussion

Hey fella's both are salient arguments. However, all of these roles are symbiotic in their relationship and effect the scheme. Great DE's and NT isn't enough. We need a solid outside Rusher.

A solid outside rusher forces forces play inside on the run, affects pass coverage and press schemes. For example, in 3-step drops an effective outside rush can take away hooks and out routes forcing the quick slant. This allows for Leavitt to scheme for this and the corner/safety to jump routes. Hence, if we're weak on the outside, we're screwed in terms of scheme in the secondary, etc. Even if the outside isn't elite but solid, it still has a dramatic impact on many facets of the game and more specifically, turnover ratio. Think Washington and Jordan. Look at our T/O ratio during those years. We were what, +20?

The reality is that we have sucked on the outside for the last couple of years and if we had great DE's & NT's, they can't be counted upon to generate pressure in 3 drop situations consistently. Think 2015 with DeFo.

Sorry, but we need at least a T. Washington type, who can generate 8 sacks a year but pressure outside and affect offensive schemes, throwing lanes, etc. I think we might have that with Bryson, Hollins and even Jelks. Long-arms, quick, 6'3 - 6'7, 240-270 and able to handle the 2-gap depending upon the front used, Eagle Front, etc. against no subsitution/fast play teams. We just can't keep running an Okie or Bear Front because it makes it easier to slide protections thus providing more time for the QB or providing clear throwing lanes.

Moi is also possibility here but not sure about his versatility (two-gap). I wouldn't be surprised to see them move him inside this season as we aren't very deep at the ILB's. No matter what, we need to get good-to-great talent here.

One other note, Leavitt likes to run a 4-2-5 in 3rd and long. Could definately see Moi at the 5/6 tech in this situation.

[FlDuckFan]

I hear you. But transcendent/generational players at any position are different than being strong/effective at a position. I understand it's very hard to find good players inside on the defense. Few colleges are going to get the very best guys consistently. What a college has to do--especially out West--is not get stuck in a reach situation every year where the team is taking whatever 300 pounders they can get. Often last minute because they've missed everywhere else. Oregon has a history of this, but many teams do. Course every team loves a Garrett. But the Aggies didn't get very far. I often think we over-value the "sexy/stat" positions.

If you just mean which positions are important to recruit at Oregon to be good every year your list would be good. Winning a NC is, in my mind, the goal every year for recruiting, and in that case I think finding a difference maker at OLB/DE, depending on 3-4 vs 4-3, is more important than recruiting ILB. Getting by with solid play at LB is possible if you have guys making a difference outside. Same with DT, especially in the 3-4. If NC is the goal, for me;

Defense (in order of importance): OLB, CB, ILB, DE, NT, S. Offense: OT, WR, G, TE, C, RB

How easy each of those are for Oregon is a whole other discussion

I'd move NT up a bit, in a 3-4 scheme if your NT is sitting in the LB's laps you're in for a long game. You could have world beaters on the outside but if you have a weak middle it won't matter.

[akaTheo]

I'd move NT up a bit, in a 3-4 scheme if your NT is sitting in the LB's laps you're in for a long game. You could have world beaters on the outside but if you have a weak middle it won't matter.

For NT I have Balducci as baseline what should be expected. Not going to cause the offense to game plan for him, but like you say, won't be in the LB lap all day long. Or even Heimuli. Heimuli with Kiko behind him, Dion to the outside, and corners of Ifo and Mitchell is one of the best defenses we have ever had, and it wasn't because we had a solid NT. Heimuli held up well enough for his couple years, but he was never a Danny Shelton or anything.

Now, I understand those were 2 Army All-American players out of HS, but I think we can agree they were never difference makers themselves. Just really solid to good players for us.

[FlDuckFan]

I'd move NT up a bit, in a 3-4 scheme if your NT is sitting in the LB's laps you're in for a long game. You could have world beaters on the outside but if you have a weak middle it won't matter.

For NT I have Balducci as baseline what should be expected. Not going to cause the offense to game plan for him, but like you say, won't be in the LB lap all day long. Or even Heimuli. Heimuli with Kiko behind him, Dion to the outside, and corners of Ifo and Mitchell is one of the best defenses we have ever had, and it wasn't because we had a solid NT. Heimuli held up well enough for his couple years, but he was never a Danny Shelton or anything.

Now, I understand those were 2 Army All-American players out of HS, but I think we can agree they were never difference makers themselves. Just really solid to good players for us.

I agree, I just think I'd swap DE, and NT on your list is all.

[akaTheo]

I'd move NT up a bit, in a 3-4 scheme if your NT is sitting in the LB's laps you're in for a long game. You could have world beaters on the outside but if you have a weak middle it won't matter.

For NT I have Balducci as baseline what should be expected. Not going to cause the offense to game plan for him, but like you say, won't be in the LB lap all day long. Or even Heimuli. Heimuli with Kiko behind him, Dion to the outside, and corners of Ifo and Mitchell is one of the best defenses we have ever had, and it wasn't because we had a solid NT. Heimuli held up well enough for his couple years, but he was never a Danny Shelton or anything.

Now, I understand those were 2 Army All-American players out of HS, but I think we can agree they were never difference makers themselves. Just really solid to good players for us.

I agree, I just think I'd swap DE, and NT on your list is all.

I could see that. No issues there. I just hope the coaches are capable of landing top players on the offensive line, defensive line and LB. Has been a while since we have, and some of those never panned out anyway. I am hopeful for this coaching staff, but they have a lot to do to live up to hype.

[Groundswell]

I'd move NT up a bit, in a 3-4 scheme if your NT is sitting in the LB's laps you're in for a long game. You could have world beaters on the outside but if you have a weak middle it won't matter.

For NT I have Balducci as baseline what should be expected. Not going to cause the offense to game plan for him, but like you say, won't be in the LB lap all day long. Or even Heimuli. Heimuli with Kiko behind him, Dion to the outside, and corners of Ifo and Mitchell is one of the best defenses we have ever had, and it wasn't because we had a solid NT. Heimuli held up well enough for his couple years, but he was never a Danny Shelton or anything.

Now, I understand those were 2 Army All-American players out of HS, but I think we can agree they were never difference makers themselves. Just really solid to good players for us.

Hey folks, great conversation so far. I'm moving the pass rusher up a bit on my list. Couple things: Alabama has been the most dominant team for years based largely on inside linebackers and 5 tech Defensive lineman. But they get the best players in the country at those positions, and the SEC doesn't throw the ball like the PAC. I can't think of an OLB/DE pass rusher that made a team a championship contender. But I'm sure I'm missing some obvious examples. I also consider Balducci kinda the starting point of expectations from your NT. But he arguably was the reason we lost our National Championship game. He got ran over all game long. So if Natty's are your ultimate goal, you gotta do better than Balducci. In the 3-4, the NT is the single most important player on the defense. Pretty much says that on every explanation of the defense I've ever read. Finding a great one is super tough though. Tougher than pass rushers. Thanks for the conversation. Edge rushers are moving up my list because of it.

[Phenom]

Some 5T can be considered EDGE players BTW. Like JJ Watt and even Buckner last year.

[FlDuckFan]

I want to preface this all and say that I could be 100% wrong.

When running a 3-4 here's how I would fill needs based on a team starting with nothing.

OLB- This is the PAC-12 where offense lives you'll need someone who can get to the QB and can cover the flats when needed.

CB- You have to be able to cover

ILB- Need some guys who will stop the run and can play against inside screens and draws

S- Someone over the top is huge

DT- This guy must at least be an anchor anything less than that and WSU sets rushing records against you.

DE- These guys eat blocks and stop flow on the offensive line. Don't need to be world beaters plus a 3-4 DE that makes a difference is probably one of the hardest players to evaluate and recruit.

[Groundswell]

Some 5T can be considered EDGE players BTW. Like JJ Watt and even Buckner last year.

Yeah, depends upon the set. Nomenclature. Typically, when I think of the edge rusher, I think of the guy who's primary job is to beat the Tackle on the outside. A 5 tech in the 3-4 I don't generally regard in that way.