A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
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glazeduck
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A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
In looking at our depth chart, obviously we're thin (and going to keep getting thinner barring some miracles) on the DL, but we're pretty damn stacked at LB. Paysinger, Matthews, Pleasant, Kaddu, Littlejohn, Clay, Alonso, Hanna, etc.
Does anybody think we could start to see more 3-4 fronts?
Given the guys we have on the DL -- we've got several big bodies, big enough to play NT, and we have Bair who could be great as a 5 technique (DE in a 3-4) and Werner is a similar player.
Additionally, we seem to be recruiting a DE/LB pass rushing hybrid (1st Rowe, now McCain)...
I've always been of the opinion that you do what you can to get the best players onto the field, and, while it's premature -- especially looking into the future -- I think our LB depth and talent right now is better than our DL. More 3-4 looks would take advantage of that...
Does anybody think we could start to see more 3-4 fronts?
Given the guys we have on the DL -- we've got several big bodies, big enough to play NT, and we have Bair who could be great as a 5 technique (DE in a 3-4) and Werner is a similar player.
Additionally, we seem to be recruiting a DE/LB pass rushing hybrid (1st Rowe, now McCain)...
I've always been of the opinion that you do what you can to get the best players onto the field, and, while it's premature -- especially looking into the future -- I think our LB depth and talent right now is better than our DL. More 3-4 looks would take advantage of that...
- echo31
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
88 Bair, Brandon..............DT...6-7...268...Sr.
99 Clark, Zac...................DT....6-2..260...Sr.
59 Montgomery, Terrance...DT..6-2..283...Sr.
96 Iupati, Andrew.............DT...6-1...286...Jr.
95 Tuiasosopo, Denton......DT..6-1..305...Jr.
93 Anderson, Anthony......DT...6-4...226...RFr.
92 Keliikipi, Wade..............DT...6-3..288...RFr.
Are we really that bad off? Weren't we excited about Keliikipi this time last year?
99 Clark, Zac...................DT....6-2..260...Sr.
59 Montgomery, Terrance...DT..6-2..283...Sr.
96 Iupati, Andrew.............DT...6-1...286...Jr.
95 Tuiasosopo, Denton......DT..6-1..305...Jr.
93 Anderson, Anthony......DT...6-4...226...RFr.
92 Keliikipi, Wade..............DT...6-3..288...RFr.
Are we really that bad off? Weren't we excited about Keliikipi this time last year?

- PDXShogun
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
You're right about Bair, but who did you have in mind for these "big Bodies?" To run a 3-4 full time, you need to have a NT that occupies two blockers on every snap. I don't think we can count in Iupati or Wade K for that yet as they are pretty unproven.
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glazeduck
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
We're not screwed for this year, but down the road we are. I think it's a mistake to bank on Tui doing anything for us. He was a walkon for a reason. Yeah he's big, but big doesn't mean good. Yeah he's a Tui, but Tui doesn't mean good either.echo31 wrote:88 Bair, Brandon..............DT...6-7...268...Sr.
99 Clark, Zac...................DT....6-2..260...Sr.
59 Montgomery, Terrance...DT..6-2..283...Sr.
96 Iupati, Andrew.............DT...6-1...286...Jr.
95 Tuiasosopo, Denton......DT..6-1..305...Jr. walkon
93 Anderson, Anthony......DT...6-4...226...RFr.
92 Keliikipi, Wade..............DT...6-3..288...RFr.
Are we really that bad off? Weren't we excited about Keliikipi this time last year?
After this next season we've got Iupati (who will be a SR) and a small handful of young guys.
So yeah, unless things change, or we bring in 2 or 3 JUCO guys (who can actually qualify) next season, we'll be in some trouble.
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glazeduck
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
Montgomery could get into the 290s by next season. In college that's big enough to get away with.PDXShogun wrote:You're right about Bair, but who did you have in mind for these "big Bodies?" To run a 3-4 full time, you need to have a NT that occupies two blockers on every snap. I don't think we can count in Iupati or Wade K for that yet as they are pretty unproven.
I'm not neccessarily suggesting we switch to this full-time, but certainly continue to mix it in more and more.
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GrandpaDuck
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
Our starting lineup on Defense was run with 3-3-5 personnel in sort of a 4-3 configuration with one DE slid inside (Bair) and the Hybrid Linebacker/DE (Rowe) lining up as a DE. The Hybrid Safety/LB (Pleasant) would often slide in to the line of scrimmage giving a 5-2 appearance, again using 3-3-5 sized personnel.
When they went to the odd package it was often with 3-2-6 personnel.
The names of positions used on Oregon's depth charts are archaic for the defense Oregon now runs. Pleasant's position at places running similar defenses is often called a "Rover" and what Oregon calls a Rover a Strong Safety.
The vast majority of time Oregon used only 3 true lineman. They sometimes brought a hydrid DE/LB and/or a Hybrid Safety/LB to the line of scrimmage. In their 2 deep when they moved Bair out to DE they could use Clark and Simi inside for a true 4 lineman 4 man front. I don't recall this happening often though.
Common internet wisdom is you need a huge nose tackle to run a three man front, but the Oregon defense led the Conference in sacks, 2nd in lowest yards per carry against (.1 ypc from first), first in fewest yards per pass attempt while using 3 medium sized lineman.
When they went to the odd package it was often with 3-2-6 personnel.
The names of positions used on Oregon's depth charts are archaic for the defense Oregon now runs. Pleasant's position at places running similar defenses is often called a "Rover" and what Oregon calls a Rover a Strong Safety.
The vast majority of time Oregon used only 3 true lineman. They sometimes brought a hydrid DE/LB and/or a Hybrid Safety/LB to the line of scrimmage. In their 2 deep when they moved Bair out to DE they could use Clark and Simi inside for a true 4 lineman 4 man front. I don't recall this happening often though.
Common internet wisdom is you need a huge nose tackle to run a three man front, but the Oregon defense led the Conference in sacks, 2nd in lowest yards per carry against (.1 ypc from first), first in fewest yards per pass attempt while using 3 medium sized lineman.
- UOducksTK1
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
echo31 wrote:88 Bair, Brandon..............DT...6-7...268...Sr.
99 Clark, Zac...................DT....6-2..260...Sr.
59 Montgomery, Terrance...DT..6-2..283...Sr.
96 Iupati, Andrew.............DT...6-1...286...Jr.
95 Tuiasosopo, Denton......DT..6-1..305...Jr.
93 Anderson, Anthony......DT...6-4...226...RFr.
92 Keliikipi, Wade..............DT...6-3..288...RFr.
Are we really that bad off? Weren't we excited about Keliikipi this time last year?
Andrew Iupati isn't on our team anymore according to talefeathers.

Do Not Fear. Isaiah 41:13
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glazeduck
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
?????UOducksTK1 wrote:echo31 wrote:88 Bair, Brandon..............DT...6-7...268...Sr.
99 Clark, Zac...................DT....6-2..260...Sr.
59 Montgomery, Terrance...DT..6-2..283...Sr.
96 Iupati, Andrew.............DT...6-1...286...Jr.
95 Tuiasosopo, Denton......DT..6-1..305...Jr.
93 Anderson, Anthony......DT...6-4...226...RFr.
92 Keliikipi, Wade..............DT...6-3..288...RFr.
Are we really that bad off? Weren't we excited about Keliikipi this time last year?
Andrew Iupati isn't on our team anymore according to talefeathers.
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mdm0302
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
WHATTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!! WHY???? i was excited about that guy... heard lots of good things about himUOducksTK1 wrote:echo31 wrote:88 Bair, Brandon..............DT...6-7...268...Sr.
99 Clark, Zac...................DT....6-2..260...Sr.
59 Montgomery, Terrance...DT..6-2..283...Sr.
96 Iupati, Andrew.............DT...6-1...286...Jr.
95 Tuiasosopo, Denton......DT..6-1..305...Jr.
93 Anderson, Anthony......DT...6-4...226...RFr.
92 Keliikipi, Wade..............DT...6-3..288...RFr.
Are we really that bad off? Weren't we excited about Keliikipi this time last year?
Andrew Iupati isn't on our team anymore according to talefeathers.
- UOducksTK1
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
Someone said it on talefeathers, might not be true. Sorry to jump the gun!mdm0302 wrote:WHATTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!! WHY???? i was excited about that guy... heard lots of good things about himUOducksTK1 wrote:echo31 wrote:88 Bair, Brandon..............DT...6-7...268...Sr.
99 Clark, Zac...................DT....6-2..260...Sr.
59 Montgomery, Terrance...DT..6-2..283...Sr.
96 Iupati, Andrew.............DT...6-1...286...Jr.
95 Tuiasosopo, Denton......DT..6-1..305...Jr.
93 Anderson, Anthony......DT...6-4...226...RFr.
92 Keliikipi, Wade..............DT...6-3..288...RFr.
Are we really that bad off? Weren't we excited about Keliikipi this time last year?
Andrew Iupati isn't on our team anymore according to talefeathers.
Now they are speculating if he is just taking a term or two off before he returns. Perhaps personal issues?

Do Not Fear. Isaiah 41:13
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canaduck
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
He's right, many people think that a 3-4 is the solution to not having many good linemen, but if you do switch to that your linemen have to be great. We only have 1 D-lineman over 300 pounds according to that list and like PDX said he's gotta be able to just eat up blocks. Our LBs are our strength, and 4 down linemen protects them a bit more, and lets them use their speed. I also think the transition from 4-3 DE to 3-4 OLB is harder than some might believe.PDXShogun wrote:You're right about Bair, but who did you have in mind for these "big Bodies?" To run a 3-4 full time, you need to have a NT that occupies two blockers on every snap. I don't think we can count in Iupati or Wade K for that yet as they are pretty unproven.
- OreDucks01284
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
wow next year will be thinner on DT postion, well now its a must get 2011 DT recruits!!glazeduck wrote:We're not screwed for this year, but down the road we are. I think it's a mistake to bank on Tui doing anything for us. He was a walkon for a reason. Yeah he's big, but big doesn't mean good. Yeah he's a Tui, but Tui doesn't mean good either.echo31 wrote:88 Bair, Brandon..............DT...6-7...268...Sr.
99 Clark, Zac...................DT....6-2..260...Sr.
59 Montgomery, Terrance...DT..6-2..283...Sr.
96 Iupati, Andrew.............DT...6-1...286...Jr.
95 Tuiasosopo, Denton......DT..6-1..305...Jr. walkon
93 Anderson, Anthony......DT...6-4...226...RFr.
92 Keliikipi, Wade..............DT...6-3..288...RFr.
Are we really that bad off? Weren't we excited about Keliikipi this time last year?
After this next season we've got Iupati (who will be a SR) and a small handful of young guys.
So yeah, unless things change, or we bring in 2 or 3 JUCO guys (who can actually qualify) next season, we'll be in some trouble.

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maxduck
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
Doesn't appear he is listed in the student directory.UOducksTK1 wrote:Someone said it on talefeathers, might not be true. Sorry to jump the gun!mdm0302 wrote:WHATTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!! WHY???? i was excited about that guy... heard lots of good things about himUOducksTK1 wrote:echo31 wrote:88 Bair, Brandon..............DT...6-7...268...Sr.
99 Clark, Zac...................DT....6-2..260...Sr.
59 Montgomery, Terrance...DT..6-2..283...Sr.
96 Iupati, Andrew.............DT...6-1...286...Jr.
95 Tuiasosopo, Denton......DT..6-1..305...Jr.
93 Anderson, Anthony......DT...6-4...226...RFr.
92 Keliikipi, Wade..............DT...6-3..288...RFr.
Are we really that bad off? Weren't we excited about Keliikipi this time last year?
Andrew Iupati isn't on our team anymore according to talefeathers.
Now they are speculating if he is just taking a term or two off before he returns. Perhaps personal issues?
- oreducks77
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
I know in the NFL you don't just decide "hey we're gonna start running the 3-4"... they usually hire a defensive coordinator who has only worked the 3-4 for his entire career, or someone that REALLY knows it. Also, personnel wise you have to have a nose tackle that can really clog up the middle, and BIG FAST linebackers (think USC '08) that can take on offensive linemen. If you don't have the right personnel for it, the 3-4 is extremely vulnerable. It's also more difficult to run, which is why you don't see it as much in college, the front seven has more responsibilities and really has to know their sh/t.
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glazeduck
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Re: A way to minimize the lack of depth in the trenches?
Ugh...
Some of you people need to READ.
I NEVER said "we should switch to the 3-4".
I said, do you think we'll see more 3-4? Which means, will we mix it in some more?
We're not only going to be short on talent, but short on bodies, so a part-time 3-4 could lighten the load.
Some of you people need to READ.
I NEVER said "we should switch to the 3-4".
I said, do you think we'll see more 3-4? Which means, will we mix it in some more?
We're not only going to be short on talent, but short on bodies, so a part-time 3-4 could lighten the load.