Can Hatcher and Ware be better than Bud?

[23jumpboy]

Are Hatcher and Ware the kind of players that can step in for Bud and give us that speed rusher off the edge? I hope that together they can be the type of players that can change how teams gameplan for us.

 

[TBCat]

I'll settle for as good. Bud is a tough act to follow. If they can just reach close to his level that will be a major plus.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Doubt they can be better. But maybe can be more productive.

Bud was the focal point of opposing offenses for most of his time here. Those 2 should have more help; freeing them up to make plays.

 

[KapitalCat]

As good as in time. Better than is hard to say.

 

[mrschwump]

They better be at least as good, UK has GOT to have better production from the D.

 

[K_TIME]

Not in 2015 they won't be equal to or as good. We'll see about 2016.

- Bud's going to be a 1st round NFL draft pick.....
- Hatcher was basically replaced on depth chart by Jabari Johnson and has been a slight dissapointment in his So showing.
- Ware has been reported to have a good quickness/burst off edge....but I'm sure strength issues will arise at times for a RFr DE (which is completely to be expected).

My main negative on Bud is he wasn't always strong vs. the run even from a OLB position. Bud didn't hold the edge all that well and probably Jabari is possibly an improvement vs. the run. But none of them are close to Bud's pass rush ability and we have no idea how they'll perform in coverage which Bud had to do at times.

 

[BlueRaider22]

K_time got it. Bud's likely going to be a 1st rd draft pick. That's hard to follow. However, Stoops has a pretty good pedigree putting DE's in the league with higher draft picks. I think Hatcher/Ware certainly have really good ability. We'll have to see how it plays out.

 

[JPFisher]

Hatcher should be more physical which will give him an edge in Z's vacant role. Ware should have that burst and quickness to be an excellent pass rusher- but like has been said, he is unlikely to attain Bud's strength this year.

Look for someone else to come up and surprise us. Dubose is an interesting option...

 

[Tskware]

Originally posted by K_TIME:

Not in 2015 they won't be equal to or as good. We'll see about 2016.

- Hatcher was basically replaced on depth chart by Jabari Johnson and has been a slight dissapointment in his So showing.

To be honest, neither Hatcher nor Quick have lived up to their hype coming out of Trinity. Both have been playing in the shadow of superior players though (Bud and Parker). Maybe they both will really come on as juniors.

For sure, we really need Hatcher, Dubose, Daniel and Ware to be productive at DE. Otherwise, may see another long season on defense.

Losing Tubman really hurt (assuming he is unavailable), was an outstanding prospect.

 

[MS59]

As mentioned continuing productivity through player development is the key. Missouri is a good example. After the graduation of Michael Sam and Kony Ealy off their 2013 defense you would have thought their pass rush would have taken a significant step down. Then Shane Ray (and whoever else their other DE's are) pick up right where Sam and Ealy left off.


This post was edited on 1/20 1:57 PM by MS59

 

[Deeeefense]

Originally posted by BlueRaider22:

K_time got it.

I agree.

Also the linebacker play and tackle play overall will likely improve which will should make it a little easier on the ends.

 

[23jumpboy]

they both seem light to be DE's that put their hand on the ground. Does this mean that our three down lineman will be sturdy defensive types and our guys outside will be considered OLB's that rush?

 

[RV2]

Bud played OLB for us the past two years. Sam LB to be exact. At times, in our four down pass rush defense, he would put his hand in the dirt and rush just as a 4-3 DE would.

Hatcher has never played nor will he play the end position that Z played.

J Johnson didn't play the same position as Bud nor did he play the same position as Z. He was the stand up Jack DE/LB.

These are three different positions on our defense. I expect Hatcher and Ware to share time at Bud's old position and I hope they fill that spot capably.

 

[JHB4UK]

Bud Dupree was a 3 year (4 year?) starter who will leave as a high 1st round draft pick. No, I don't think we have anyone on our team who will perform at that level in 2015. BUT hopefully whoever is in his spot has 10 other guys playing defense better than those around Bud did in 2014.

 

[jauk11]

I have no doubt they can if they let both of them replace him, double teams seem to work pretty well on offense, I'm sure they would on defense also.

Both have a lot of talent and should be improving year to year, especially Ware. Hatcher has a lot of potential, his high school films were very impressive and wasn't Ware a four star at one time?

 

[Rhavicc]

Ware is going to be our best DE next season. Book it.
Aside from getting stronger, and not having to be put into the fire like Bud did, he has an advantage in that regard. Ware has spent the year learning from one of the best DE's in the game, Bud has been very complimentary of him, as has the coaches.
I believe he'll perform well, and we will not hinder much defensively, especially with the upgrade in the LB corps. The biggest and seemingly most important question to me for the defense next season is, are we going to have Courtney Love available next season to anchor the ILB position on the defensive side of the ball? If so, we can make some adjustments, move Josh Forrest to the OLB position (Very strong and very fast for this position, good in coverage), and we can give Firios the other available spot if he earns it like it sounds like he will.