Big South DL 2013

[bjtheflamesfan]

I had an event come up on Monday so I am posting the second of two open discussion threads for my position previews today so Big South fans get an extra couple days to talk up their defensive linemen. I know Liberty and Gardner-Webb fans will have plenty to say about their boys so I will be disappointed if you dont come out in force over the next week or so

[kdinva]

VMI:

Denton Ensminger (6'4", 268, Jr.) is the lead for NT. Justin Smith (6'1, 260, R-Sr.) and John Washington (6'2", 257, R-Jr.) should start at DE.

R-Fr. Joe Nelson (6'3", 266) had a great spring, will get reps at NT. Connor Mays (R-Jr., 6'3", 240) will play DE, and OLB Chris Harper (6'6", 252, R-Sr) could play DE if needed......VMI's boundary side OLB is about the same as a hand on the ground DE anyway. Need to develop further depth.

[EagleDawg]

Gamedays define all but with that said, I will go out on a limb to my BS brethen, GWU has a excellent shot to surprise many in the league in 2013. The Defense has the potential to be a dominant force with the DL manned by O.J. Mau, Matt Goods, Preston Pemasa, Reddick, Fata and Shelton all pushing for a starting spot gives the Dawgs excellent quality and depth at DL in their new 3-4 scheme. With pre-season honors to Goods and Pemasa it may be a helluva of a war to win a spot in the DL starting 3. It's a rare and nice problem to have 6 plus quality guys fighting over 3 starting spots. In my previous 4 years following the GWU program I don't recall the Dawgs having both the quality and depth potential that this edition has.

Pair the DL along with the returning LB's of Tanner Burch (Pre-Season All American), Azzis Higgins, Bradley Taylor, Chad Geter, Jebrai Regan, Michael Cunningham and Justin Miller, the Dawgs front 7 can be a special unit. Back those front 7 with a defensive backfield starting with Ivan Toomer, Keon Williams manning the corners and Lonnie Johnson (Syracuse transfer) and either Brandon Swayze, Tiko Thompson, Jonathan Sherrill or Bobby Clark at safety and you have the makings of a defensive unit that can compete and dominate against all our scheduled competition. The question is whether the offense does it's job to take care of the football, manage time of possession and when in the red zone consistently come away with points.

There can be no doubt that GWU has the tools in the passing game with QB Beatty, WR Cook and TE Cranfill, the $million dollar question is whether the OL can gel and protect the QB in the passing game and run block to move the chains, get the tough short yards when needed and control the clock. If and it's always a big if in football, no matter the level, is whether or not the breaks and dang ball bounces our way. I love our Running Bulldogs and especially ol Jeff Harris a 5th yr Sr with 11 prior starts and game experience in 10 other contests. From Buffalo, to Houston, to Long Island, Norfolk, Richmond, Birmingham and BCS stops in Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Akron and Athens, OH it's been a journey that the Ms's and I are not ready to end. 12 games, 1 season, the likely final roll call for our youngest, let's git r done Dawgs.

[bjtheflamesfan]

Good thoughts G-W. I think you guys are a darkhorse pick to knock off either LU or CCU (though I dont think you will get both of them)

[Stickman]

Good thoughts G-W. I think you guys are a darkhorse pick to knock off either LU or CCU (though I dont think you will get both of them)

Kind of curious as several sources have GW as the sexy pick to pull a suprise in the Big South. They are coming off a 3-8 season (with one win over an NAIA school) and were not that good last year (and have a new coaching staff). Guessing they could be be 0-4 in their first four games (not sure what Furman will look like this year as they also were 3-8 last season) and have Liberty and Coastal back to back on the schedule. On paper looks like a challenging season, where is all the talent coming from to support the turnaround? Did they pull in alot of transfers?

[bjtheflamesfan]

I think a lot of people are high on their returning defense. also, I believe they get both LU and CCU in Boiling Springs. The Flames have proven almost unbeatable at home (some have come close of late)