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2013 Defense--will the unit surprise?

  • Most Nittany Lions fans seem to be concerned about the 2013 defense having significant drop-off from the 2012 unit's production. What are the chances this defense surprises? Rate the following categories for D production in 2013:

    1) PPG: more or less than 2012?
    2) Turnovers: more or less than 2012?
    3) Sacks: more or less than 2012?
    4) TFL: more or less than 2012?
    5) YPG: more or less than 2012?

    Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated!

    mezz

  • more (more opposing off chances)
    more (more int)
    more (better secondary)
    less
    less

    psupower

  • agree on all categories except for YPG which I think will be slightly up

    mezz

  • I'm terrified for our D in 2013. We have some good key guys at every spot but are razor thin with limited depth at some positions that see lots of injuries (see LB). I'm scared we lose soo much experience and so many of our top players. I don't think we have anyone capable of replacing Hill and we aren't going to replace the leadership of Hodges and Mauti (or their talent and experience at LB, frankly). I think we see alot of shoot out games and give up a bunch of points. Hope to be wrong though.

    PSU12 ●

  • Any injuries will decimate the D. It will give some young guys a chance to play though. I think they struggle a bit and we become reliant on the O.

    Goalieman688

  • PSU12 said...

    I'm terrified for our D in 2013. We have some good key guys at every spot but are razor thin with limited depth at some positions that see lots of injuries (see LB). I'm scared we lose soo much experience and so many of our top players. I don't think we have anyone capable of replacing Hill and we aren't going to replace the leadership of Hodges and Mauti (or their talent and experience at LB, frankly). I think we see alot of shoot out games and give up a bunch of points. Hope to be wrong though.

    +1 Replacing Hill, Hodges, Mauti, and Morris will be tough. I'm hopeful some guys really step up but this is the first time in while where I am more concerned about our defense then our offense.

    waylander ●

  • The thing is these are positions with arguably our strongest position coaches in LJ & Vandy. Next man up. Steph Morris in all seriousness barely played his soph & junior years. He was solid and a dedicated team guy but a 5'9 average corner. Mauti and Hodges-point understood. I just have a lot of confidence in this staff and refuse to lower expectations for this D. I am least worried about the D line & secondary but LB corp is a concern. Hull & Carson are a good start though and I like what Wartman showed in limited time. At least I more guy will surprise in this LB group. Remember this staff isn't going to sit guys for two years like the previous staff. Opportunities for talented youngsters abound.

    mezz

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    SickOLBs

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    new-era said... Psu doesnt have enough to beat the conferences better teams and wiscy is one of them.

    leftcoastlion

  • The LB depth is scary thin. I think Hull will create havoc next year, the guy is just a playmaker. The one other area that really concerns me is DT. Does Daquan Jones carry the torch passed by Jordan Hill? Baublitz or Austin Johnson will be serviceable at the other spot, but we need Jones to step up. DE play will improve with Barnes, Zettel, and Olanyion.

    pennstate2012

  • LB and DT concern me. I'm hopeful Jones can really put it together this year and someone like Baublitz, Johnson, Dowrey (etc.) steps up at the other DT spot. We've certainly got talent at LB, the issue IMO is experience and depth.

    There will always be concerns in CFB. So be it. Have to trust each year that kids will step up. I'm excited to see some of these kids (Wartman, Austin Johnson, Gary Wooten maybe) get on the field and get some experience. Some of these players should be building blocks for years to come.

    signature image

    psubills62

  • Well, it may depend on how well the starting QB performs.

    If the offense struggles, the defense will likely play conservatively in order to avoid allowing any unnecessary scores.

    If it picks up quickly, they can play more aggressively.

    Overall, though, there's a lot of inexperience on defense. A few players are going to have to grow up quick, especially the LBs.

    F the NCAA F the BOT F ESPN F Sandusky

    PSU42Fan

  • I think we give up more points per game but still finish top 3 in the conference (which I don't see improving relative to the rest of the country) and top third of the FBS. Don't really care about the rest as long as the points/game is okay.

    signature image

    “We need to keep this (expletive) together,” Mauti and Zordich to Hill

    psujmc1992 ●

  • mezz said...

    Most Nittany Lions fans seem to be concerned about the 2013 defense having significant drop-off from the 2012 unit's production. What are the chances this defense surprises? Rate the following categories for D production in 2013:

    1) PPG: more or less than 2012?
    2) Turnovers: more or less than 2012?
    3) Sacks: more or less than 2012?
    4) TFL: more or less than 2012?
    5) YPG: more or less than 2012?

    Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated!

    1) less. I think with a new qb and a more experienced oline with a proven 1000 yard power back returning lends itself to a a better TOP.

    2) less. Most of our big turn overs were fumbles last season. Think we see a step back there. Unless our secondary starts catching balls, hell even playing the ball would be nice... I dunno about everyone else but seeing a guy signalling incomplete as the ball flys by his head kills me... and all thoes dropped picks.

    3) more. Barnes, Zettle, Hull... more more more

    4) less. I think Jones will do a great job holding the middle of the line, but he won't be as disruptive. Biggest thing we are going to miss is Mauti/Hodges ability to diagnosis plays and the freedom to blow things up in the backfield.

    5) less. We have better TOP, more veteran secondary, a prototypical DT who's going to do a great job holding the point of attack with highly spoken for youngsters lining up with him . Studs at DE, and only 1 question mark at LB with lots of good looking youngsters fighting to fill.

    Our defense has a hole at the DT position, with highly spoken of young guys ready to step up. Hull will ease the transition from Mauti/Hodges helping Carson hold down the fort. Secondary comes back deeper, although still thin, and more experienced.

    Year two of Fitz has a huge impact. I think we see our team as a whole faster, more explosive, and stronger. Which has a bigger impact on our defense.

    Overall, I think our defense will be similar to last years. Better at some things, worse at others.

    smlion ●

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