Jabari and the Linebackers

[UKWinsAgainYep]

I'm starting to feel a lot better about the linebacker spots. I thought we were very thin at the position, but now I'm seeing Forrest with a lot of added weight, and our new RS Freshmen to add some depth.

Also, Jabari Johnson laid the wood last season and he's got real size. I think you are going to see some vicious hits from Jabari this season as a run-stopper. I can't wait to see him on the field this season. Coach Buh is really high on Jabari. He could have a real break out season.

 

[Deeeefense]

I really admire Jabari Johnson. He was a lightly recruited Joker guy that could have easily faded under the new staff but he obviously really worked his butt off to develop physically, technically, and earn PT last year. Now this year he will be an even bigger part of the defense and may have a chance to play at the next level. Another example of what this staff can accomplish with a guy that's willing to dedicate himself towards being the best that he can.

 

[anon_7tbtqcx308nxh]

I really admire Jabari Johnson. He was a lightly recruited Joker guy that could have easily faded under the new staff but he obviously really worked his butt off to develop physically, technically, and earn PT last year. Now this year he will be an even bigger part of the defense and may have a chance to play at the next level. Another example of what this staff can accomplish with a guy that's willing to dedicate himself towards being the best that he can.

Agreed. The move to the 3-4 also helped him. He's not really cut-out to play a 4-3 LB, DT, or DE. He's a great boundary 3-4 OLB. Stuffs the run when it heads his way, and his coverage responsibilities are small.

 

[mrschwump]

Johnson's had injury problems almost from Day One at UK. Pretty sure he's had multiple shoulder surgeries that held him back. The previous staff was also unsure where to play him. DT or DE or LB. To his credit he hung in and kept working and now, finally healthy, is getting his chance. Not much is/was expected of him so anything they can get is a positive.

 

[C1180]

Johnson's had injury problems almost from Day One at UK. Pretty sure he's had multiple shoulder surgeries that held him back. The previous staff was also unsure where to play him. DT or DE or LB. To his credit he hung in and kept working and now, finally healthy, is getting his chance. Not much is/was expected of him so anything they can get is a positive.

IMO injuries we more than anything else what held Jabari back at UK. Heck some even though that those shoulder injuries were so severe that they might end his football career.

Actually I thought Jabari was a good looking football player coming out of high school and showed promise before the injuries. Propers to him for working hard and staying the course to get his shot at UK. He is a bit of a tweener but isn't that what you need for the position he is playing?

 

[adolph rollingover]

Opponents really went after the boundary runs last year. CB and Will have to be better too in shedding blocks and getting ball stopped.

 

[catben]

He isn't tall but he is WIDE. He moves very well laterally and is very physical. I love his tenacity and intensity. We need him to have a big year to help out our secondary.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I'm starting to feel a lot better about the linebacker spots. I thought we were very thin at the position, but now I'm seeing Forrest with a lot of added weight, and our new RS Freshmen to add some depth.

Also, Jabari Johnson laid the wood last season and he's got real size. I think you are going to see some vicious hits from Jabari this season as a run-stopper. I can't wait to see him on the field this season. Coach Buh is really high on Jabari. He could have a real break out season.

I am not sure what Coach Stoops MLB's responsibilities are. But with all the spread offenses being faced today that MLB had better be good in space and able to cover TE and RB. Under Grantham he wan't big, no huge, guys on the DL and 250+MLB. We still couldn't stop the run and they couldn't cover the TE or RB. Pruitt had them drop 15 LB, which made them a step quicker. They covered better but still couldn't stop the run. Both our ILB are going to be around 230 this fall, but Pruitt wants them to run like a S. Should be very good in coverage, stopping the run will be determined at a later date I guess.

But my point is bigger is not necessarly better in todays wide open HUNH offenses.

 

[Rhavicc]

I am not sure what Coach Stoops MLB's responsibilities are. But with all the spread offenses being faced today that MLB had better be good in space and able to cover TE and RB. Under Grantham he wan't big, no huge, guys on the DL and 250+MLB. We still couldn't stop the run and they couldn't cover the TE or RB. Pruitt had them drop 15 LB, which made them a step quicker. They covered better but still couldn't stop the run. Both our ILB are going to be around 230 this fall, but Pruitt wants them to run like a S. Should be very good in coverage, stopping the run will be determined at a later date I guess.

But my point is bigger is not necessarly better in todays wide open HUNH offenses.

It's a good point, but our linebackers are pretty good in pass protection. Maybe it's the way that we utilize our safeties (Kentucky is good for not allowing explosive plays). Josh Forrest had the 2nd most pick sixes in the entire SEC, so however Stoops used him in pass defense, I'll take it.

I think our big flaw was with our red zone pass protection on the outside. Our CB's (before this recruiting class), were all way too small and didn't have the athleticism needed to cause problems for bigger, more athletic receivers in the end zone. The only issue that we had is that in the way that UK was using the linebackers before, there were some times that they were not in the right position as plays developed, and they were slow to read and react. Coaching staff has said that they've improved a lot in that area, and they've beefed up as well, which should mitigate the gashes that UK took against the run. Won't be as many missed tackles.

 

[adolph rollingover]

Here is a clip of good linebacker play. Hatcher et the edge and allowed Forrest to comedownhill inside out.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

It's a good point, but our linebackers are pretty good in pass protection. Maybe it's the way that we utilize our safeties (Kentucky is good for not allowing explosive plays). Josh Forrest had the 2nd most pick sixes in the entire SEC, so however Stoops used him in pass defense, I'll take it.

I think our big flaw was with our red zone pass protection on the outside. Our CB's (before this recruiting class), were all way too small and didn't have the athleticism needed to cause problems for bigger, more athletic receivers in the end zone. The only issue that we had is that in the way that UK was using the linebackers before, there were some times that they were not in the right position as plays developed, and they were slow to read and react. Coaching staff has said that they've improved a lot in that area, and they've beefed up as well, which should mitigate the gashes that UK took against the run. Won't be as many missed tackles.

I thought Forrest was pretty effective last year, he nor can anyone else make tackles on running plays when they are having to run around their DL who are getting driven back into them. My question is, how will the added weight effect his quickness and agility, which I thought were his strengths. Adding size isn't always the answer. and isn't if it compromises your strengths.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Buh seemed positive about Johnson, Ware and Hatcher. Johnson, at one time under Joker, seemed to be a tweener, but this staff seems to like him a lot in run situations.

 

[prospectcat]

I want to see more hits like Jabari laid on the UL running back last year!!!

 

[Rhavicc]

I thought Forrest was pretty effective last year, he nor can anyone else make tackles on running plays when they are having to run around their DL who are getting driven back into them. My question is, how will the added weight effect his quickness and agility, which I thought were his strengths. Adding size isn't always the answer. and isn't if it compromises your strengths.

I feel like the staff would be very careful to monitor that with the catapult system they use. If they see that he's starting to lose speed and agility while gaining weight, they would likely put a halt to the weight game. That's only an assumption though, I just feel like that's the approach that the staff would take.

 

[Pike 96]

I thought Forrest was pretty effective last year, he nor can anyone else make tackles on running plays when they are having to run around their DL who are getting driven back into them. My question is, how will the added weight effect his quickness and agility, which I thought were his strengths. Adding size isn't always the answer. and isn't if it compromises your strengths.

Good question on,Forrests added weight affecting his speed. I had the same thought.

As far as bigger not necessarily bigger. True statement. But as a long suffering UK fan a consistent theme over the last 20 years has been other SEC teams lining up and running it down our throats. If that is the case it's difficult to even start worrying about other pieces
I'm sure all will agree that it's been beyond refreshing to see Stoops really focus on making us truly look like an SEC team. We have a couple nose tackles in the 330lb+ range. Our DT and DE on the line of our 3-4 truly go 3 deep with 285 and a above of guys other schools actually wanted now.
Our 4 starting backers go around 270, 250, 225 and 252.
Does it mean we will be successful stopping the run or anything else on D? Absolutely not, but give me that over the physical mismatches we have become accustomed too the last 30 years every day of the week!

 

[mrschwump]

I thought Forrest was pretty effective last year, he nor can anyone else make tackles on running plays when they are having to run around their DL who are getting driven back into them. My question is, how will the added weight effect his quickness and agility, which I thought were his strengths. Adding size isn't always the answer. and isn't if it compromises your strengths.

Thought the added weight could hurt when I first heard about. My problem with Forrest last year was that he made early contact followed by missed tackles. Seemed to me he had weak hands.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

Thought the added weight could hurt when I first heard about. My problem with Forrest last year was that he made early contact followed by missed tackles. Seemed to me he had weak hands.

or he was exhausted last half of the season along with the rest of our Defense?

 

[mrschwump]

or he was exhausted last half of the season along with the rest of our Defense?

Not really, looked like a problem for him all year. We'll see how it works out for him soon.

 

[fromthe25ydline]

It's like a previous poster stated, LBers need lanes to attack the run and having your D line driven back 2-3 yds takes these lanes away. Shedding blocks and stuffing gaps takes increased weight but I hope the ability to cover isn't affected. UK has had WLB's that couldn't cover opposing RB's and opponents exploited this weakness.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Good question on,Forrests added weight affecting his speed. I had the same thought.

As far as bigger not necessarily bigger. True statement. But as a long suffering UK fan a consistent theme over the last 20 years has been other SEC teams lining up and running it down our throats. If that is the case it's difficult to even start worrying about other pieces
I'm sure all will agree that it's been beyond refreshing to see Stoops really focus on making us truly look like an SEC team. We have a couple nose tackles in the 330lb+ range. Our DT and DE on the line of our 3-4 truly go 3 deep with 285 and a above of guys other schools actually wanted now.
Our 4 starting backers go around 270, 250, 225 and 252.
Does it mean we will be successful stopping the run or anything else on D? Absolutely not, but give me that over the physical mismatches we have become accustomed too the last 30 years every day of the week!

This might surprise you some, but UGA will be one of the smallest teams in the conference,if not the smallest. OL is going to average about 293, DL is going to be 285, 315 and 280, unless one of the frosh wins a spot and he could, he is at 300. LB will be 230, 235, 235 and 245, we may have a 225lb guy in the middle on 3rd and long. Still not sure we can stop the run, couldn't last year and I am waiting to see about this year. But we will be blistering fast, we will be able to pressure the qb, everything else is to be determined.

 

[Anjiejo]

grumpy..With all the great running backs in the sec this year this could spell trouble!!
I believe this league has some very good running backs, but have a lot of average and unknown QB'S to what its used to having...
Believe this is one of the reasons stoops beefed up Forrest ect...

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

grumpy..With all the great running backs in the sec this year this could spell trouble!!
I believe this league has some very good running backs, but have a lot of average and unknown QB'S to what its used to having...
Believe this is one of the reasons stoops beefed up Forrest ect...

I agree, I have some concerns about it. But I been retired 10 years, when I think back to the best defenses I ever coached the one thing they could all do was run to the ball and I am hoping that's what we can do too, but doesn't make me feel better until I see how they do on Saturdays. If the DL does their job it won't matter what size they are, but depth is a concern, at least 2 frosh will be in the rotation, maybe 3. Its why we are looking to sign at least 4 in this class, 5 if they are the right 5.

I don't want to take another shot at Grantham,but when Pruitt came in he said our talent level was barely D1, we don't have many of Grantham's guys left on the roster. Mostly because he never had a backup plan for signing day, and when we missed on a signing day decision we were short a guy for the class, and we missed on most of those guys. At the lowest point we were 18 under the limit, Richt gave 18 walkon's scholarships for a year. That's why we signed so many kids 3-4 years in a row, getting numbers back up, we were playing with less kids than SC was at peak of Bush sanctions.