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Gerald Hodges moving to strong side???

  • Where is Mauti playing? Maybe move him to weakside where there is less demanded in space (coming off of an ACL)? Interesting development that hasn't been discussed here... Sounds like Hodges loves it...

    Video: Penn State's Gerald Hodges - Big Ten Blog - ESPN

    The linebacker discusses moving to the strong side, and learning a new system this spring.

    espn.go.com
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  • You often play more in space on the weakside than on the strong side. It takes a blocker off of Mauti. But what I like is that the SLB is the one that does the most blitzing in a defense. Hodges can be a good pass rusher and man on defender, the SLB in this defense could really fit him.

    MTayl72

  • MTayl72 said...

    You often play more in space on the weakside than on the strong side. It takes a blocker off of Mauti. But what I like is that the SLB is the one that does the most blitzing in a defense. Hodges can be a good pass rusher and man on defender, the SLB in this defense could really fit him.

    SLB also has a lot more run responsibilities - face first, which isn't necessarily Gerald's strength. He's much more of a seek & destroy backer. I also think that weak side blitzes are generally more effective because you don't have the TE there to chip you. If you get past the Tackle, you'll have a running back or FB. However, it's a good test to see if Hodges' is the all-around LB we think he is.

    As for Mauti, he should be in the middle. He's a beast physically, he's got great instincts, he's the best we have at shedding blocks, he's our best tackler, and most importantly he won't have nearly as many backside cut blocks on his knees from WRs.

    Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

    appoo

  • Mauti's scheduled for a conference call tomorrow morning, so it will be interesting to find out what he's been told about where the coaches plan to play him this season.

    As you can see by the video, Hodges isn't a guy that gets real excited with a microphone in his face, but I guarantee you he's thrilled with this move. He was frustrated that he didn't get to make as many plays as he wanted to on the weak side (though he wound up making quite a few) last season and this will give him a chance to do that no matter how aggressive Roof's new D is.

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  • Jeff Rice said...

    Mauti's scheduled for a conference call tomorrow morning, so it will be interesting to find out what he's been told about where the coaches plan to play him this season.

    As you can see by the video, Hodges isn't a guy that gets real excited with a microphone in his face, but I guarantee you he's thrilled with this move. He was frustrated that he didn't get to make as many plays as he wanted to on the weak side (though he wound up making quite a few) last season and this will give him a chance to do that no matter how aggressive Roof's new D is.

    Well he'll also get the brunt of the blocking scheme on running plays. It's a huge test for him.

    Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

    appoo

  • I'll take Mauti on the weakside. He has the athleticism and his knees won't take the punding of setting the edge and fighting through the gaps (cut blocks are used by the big fellas too). The key is obviously if Hodges can set the edge against the run physically, and with his growth physically and as a football player I think he could do well. Obviously a challenge like was mentioned though. Now if Fortt were to come in, I would personally move Hodges back to the weakside but that's just me.

    MTayl72

  • I could see it as an in case measure they're taking . In case somethin happens to MM or if he needs a breather

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  • MTayl72 said...

    You often play more in space on the weakside than on the strong side. It takes a blocker off of Mauti. But what I like is that the SLB is the one that does the most blitzing in a defense. Hodges can be a good pass rusher and man on defender, the SLB in this defense could really fit him.

    I dont know what's what with Roof's system, but Hodges was saying that he's excited about the move because you play more in space on the strong side... That didnt really make sense to me, because like you said, you are taking on more blockers on the strong side... I dunno though. The blitzing point is well taken, I know that is almost always constant with most defenses... I think Hodges can play anywhere on the perimeter personally, so if he is excited, Im excited...

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  • MTayl72 said...

    I'll take Mauti on the weakside. He has the athleticism and his knees won't take the punding of setting the edge and fighting through the gaps (cut blocks are used by the big fellas too). The key is obviously if Hodges can set the edge against the run physically, and with his growth physically and as a football player I think he could do well. Obviously a challenge like was mentioned though. Now if Fortt were to come in, I would personally move Hodges back to the weakside but that's just me.

    I think Fortt is something of a tweener, or perhaps someone who's physical ability is ahead of his football skills. With his size, strength, and speed - he screams Sam or Mike backer. But he doesn't seem to play with much instinct out there - which makes those positions very difficult to play, and you'd rather put him at the Fritz, where he doesn't have to think as much.

    Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

    appoo

  • appoo said...

    I think Fortt is something of a tweener, or perhaps someone who's physical ability is ahead of his football skills. With his size, strength, and speed - he screams Sam or Mike backer. But he doesn't seem to play with much instinct out there - which makes those positions very difficult to play, and you'd rather put him at the Fritz, where he doesn't have to think as much.

    I would think that the new scheme would make each LB spot somewhat diff as well... Maybe Fortt finds a comfort in the new roles... But his instincts will catch up I think, maybe the light comes on and he "plays fast" as Van would say and stops thinking as much... I will be interested to see his progress this spring... and in the summer

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  • rmj147 said...

    I would think that the new scheme would make each LB spot somewhat diff as well... Maybe Fortt finds a comfort in the new roles... But his instincts will catch up I think, maybe the light comes on and he "plays fast" as Van would say and stops thinking as much... I will be interested to see his progress this spring... and in the summer

    I think the new "scheme" on D is a bit overplayed to be honest. Based on what I've read, it's going to look a lot like a traditional PSU defense, with a little more blitzing, and more man coverage schemes. Which isn't a bad thing, because from 03 - now, we've had one of the most consistently good defenses in America. Coach BoB talked about how the heart of the defense is going to be the linebackers, and they're linebackers who have to be able to stuff the run and play in coverage, and that's traditionally what made us LBU. Vandy is still here, and he turns kids into COMPLETE linebackers. I don't think our linebackers are going to look much, if any, different from last year - beyond a few more blitzes.

    Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

    appoo

  • appoo said...

    I think the new "scheme" on D is a bit overplayed to be honest. Based on what I've read, it's going to look a lot like a traditional PSU defense, with a little more blitzing, and more man coverage schemes. Which isn't a bad thing, because from 03 - now, we've had one of the most consistently good defenses in America. Coach BoB talked about how the heart of the defense is going to be the linebackers, and they're linebackers who have to be able to stuff the run and play in coverage, and that's traditionally what made us LBU. Vandy is still here, and he turns kids into COMPLETE linebackers. I don't think our linebackers are going to look much, if any, different from last year - beyond a few more blitzes.

    Once again, hard to disagree.

    Now I am waiting for someone to scream about "multiply aggressive" and not realize appoo addressed that without saying it in his post.

    MTayl72

  • appoo said...

    I think the new "scheme" on D is a bit overplayed to be honest. Based on what I've read, it's going to look a lot like a traditional PSU defense, with a little more blitzing, and more man coverage schemes. Which isn't a bad thing, because from 03 - now, we've had one of the most consistently good defenses in America. Coach BoB talked about how the heart of the defense is going to be the linebackers, and they're linebackers who have to be able to stuff the run and play in coverage, and that's traditionally what made us LBU. Vandy is still here, and he turns kids into COMPLETE linebackers. I don't think our linebackers are going to look much, if any, different from last year - beyond a few more blitzes.

    I agree somewhat, but I think more blitzing is huge... We hardly ever blitzed-ever- in the past... Fortt with his size and speed could be a monster coming off the edge. No thought there, peel your ears back and go young man

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  • MTayl72 said...

    Once again, hard to disagree.

    Now I am waiting for someone to scream about "multiply aggressive" and not realize appoo addressed that without saying it in his post.

    Not going to stress the multiple, but I think the aggressive part is a huge difference from years past, and could play into an athlete like Fortt's hands...

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  • You know, I think that will be a good idea, you know, putting him in a good position, you know, to succeed. You know ?

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

    leftcoastlion

  • leftcoastlion said...

    You know, I think that will be a good idea, you know, putting him in a good position, you know, to succeed. You know ?

    lol Like when Rashard Mendenhall does interviews for the Steelers and says "You know what I mean" after every sentence... lol he will work on it... He's still just a kid. PR people in the NFL will work on his interview skills... As of right now, they need a little work.

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  • rmj147 said...

    Not going to stress the multiple, but I think the aggressive part is a huge difference from years past, and could play into an athlete like Fortt's hands...

    We havent needed to blitz much in the past. And you can bet your bottom dollar that Roof and Co. wont be blitzing anymore than they need to to get pressure.

    Also what Appoo meant, I believe, is that Vandy won't put guys out there consistently if they can't be trusted in all facets of the game. From blitzing to pass coverage.

    MTayl72

  • rmj147 said...

    lol Like when Rashard Mendenhall does interviews for the Steelers and says "You know what I mean" after every sentence... lol he will work on it... He's still just a kid. PR people in the NFL will work on his interview skills... As of right now, they need a little work.

    Mendenhall is a moron who should never do interviews and he's been that way since he's been at Illinois.

    MTayl72

  • rmj147 said...

    I agree somewhat, but I think more blitzing is huge... We hardly ever blitzed-ever- in the past... Fortt with his size and speed could be a monster coming off the edge. No thought there, peel your ears back and go young man

    Understand that blitzing is actually a sign of weakness, when you play a 4 - 3. (3 - 4, it's an entirely different ball game, because your OLB are basically stand up DEs). The reason you blitz in a 4 - 3, is because you don't get the pressure you need from your Down lineman. When you blitz, you leave holes in your backside D, and that's generally when you get hit with either a big run or a big pass. You should only blitz because you HAVE to blitz, and that's only when you don't have the horses on the DLine. My only real criticism of Coach Bradley's scheme was that he didn't he was too hesitant to get aggressive with his schemes - he usually waited until after HT, when we were down a couple of TDs. In fact, this happened EVERY YEAR with Northwestern. But I digress here, my point is don't take "blitzing" as a good thing simply for the sake of it. That's actually how I grade my DCs, and one of my favorite examples was Les Miles vs. Ole Miss maybe 2 or 3 years ago. He blitzed EVERY DOWN, and he got torched almost every time on a key drive, because Ole Miss KNEW it was coming.

    Remember, when you blitz out of the 4-3, you should only do it because you're forced to. When you consistently get pressure without blitzing, the opposing offense is f*cked, and you're actually helping them when you blitz.

    Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

    appoo

  • MTayl72 said...

    We havent needed to blitz much in the past. And you can bet your bottom dollar that Roof and Co. wont be blitzing anymore than they need to to get pressure.

    Also what Appoo meant, I believe, is that Vandy won't put guys out there consistently if they can't be trusted in all facets of the game. From blitzing to pass coverage.

    perfectly said. I believe that's exactly why Fortt couldn't beat our Glenn Carson.

    Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

    appoo

  • rmj147 said...

    lol Like when Rashard Mendenhall does interviews for the Steelers and says "You know what I mean" after every sentence... lol he will work on it... He's still just a kid. PR people in the NFL will work on his interview skills... As of right now, they need a little work.

    I'm just teasing. He was clearly very nervous. I don't think he actually looked at Rittenberg once. Many, many people do things like that when giving public addresses or speeches. Um, like, you know, uh, etc.

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

    leftcoastlion

  • MTayl72 said...

    We havent needed to blitz much in the past. And you can bet your bottom dollar that Roof and Co. wont be blitzing anymore than they need to to get pressure.

    Also what Appoo meant, I believe, is that Vandy won't put guys out there consistently if they can't be trusted in all facets of the game. From blitzing to pass coverage.

    I agree. Our LBs and Vandy's message is having to be an all around LB. No disagreement there. I am just saying the complexity of scheme and all of the things that we will show pre snap and everything really, will just be more complex and what we do... And we really don't know what Fortt's progress will be. I think he could very well play a key role. Carson is pretty good, but compared to Mauti and Hodges, could be the odd man out... I look forward to a battle. It will make everyone better. We needed to blitz against Houston... And against Wisconsin... As Roof would say, "You gotta affect the QB"... And its pretty apparent in the bowl game that we didn't do that AT ALL. Picked us apart and had all day. I think we will blitz occasionally no matter what and keep offenses out of rhythm. I will welcome that change. However, I think that we will be in a very good position no matter what bc our LBs are so fundamentally sound (from Vans coaching) and can cover. LB is not an area of concern this year no matter what the argument is... And I think Fortt will benefit from competition and benefit others from pushing them...

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  • appoo said...

    Understand that blitzing is actually a sign of weakness, when you play a 4 - 3. (3 - 4, it's an entirely different ball game, because your OLB are basically stand up DEs). The reason you blitz in a 4 - 3, is because you don't get the pressure you need from your Down lineman. When you blitz, you leave holes in your backside D, and that's generally when you get hit with either a big run or a big pass. You should only blitz because you HAVE to blitz, and that's only when you don't have the horses on the DLine. My only real criticism of Coach Bradley's scheme was that he didn't he was too hesitant to get aggressive with his schemes - he usually waited until after HT, when we were down a couple of TDs. In fact, this happened EVERY YEAR with Northwestern. But I digress here, my point is don't take "blitzing" as a good thing simply for the sake of it. That's actually how I grade my DCs, and one of my favorite examples was Les Miles vs. Ole Miss maybe 2 or 3 years ago. He blitzed EVERY DOWN, and he got torched almost every time on a key drive, because Ole Miss KNEW it was coming.

    Remember, when you blitz out of the 4-3, you should only do it because you're forced to. When you consistently get pressure without blitzing, the opposing offense is f*cked, and you're actually helping them when you blitz.

    I didn't say blitz every down... However, you basically made my point by mentioning NW every damn year. Also look at the Car Care Bowl again... Pre snap, Houston knew EXACTLY what we were doing. And we were so vanilla that it really didnt matter. Then we tried to blitz out of vanilla looks. Again, didnt work. Showing different looks pre snap and in general is a welcome change. I don't know really what you are disagreeing with here with me... If you can't get pressure with your front 4 (which was a lot of times the case the past couple of years), you blitz and show diff looks, drop a DE into coverage, zone blitz, etc. Like I said, I am not going to argue just to argue... What are you disagreeing with me on? Serious question.

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    WE ARE! And we will always be...

    rmj147

  • rmj147 said...

    I didn't say blitz every down... However, you basically made my point by mentioning NW every damn year. Also look at the Car Care Bowl again... Pre snap, Houston knew EXACTLY what we were doing. And we were so vanilla that it really didnt matter. Then we tried to blitz out of vanilla looks. Again, didnt work. Showing different looks pre snap and in general is a welcome change. I don't know really what you are disagreeing with here with me... If you can't get pressure with your front 4 (which was a lot of times the case the past couple of years), you blitz and show diff looks, drop a DE into coverage, zone blitz, etc. Like I said, I am not going to argue just to argue... What are you disagreeing with me on? Serious question.

    You seem to think Blitzing = positive. I'm saying Blitzing = negative, because it means we're deficient somewhere in our defense.

    Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

    appoo

  • rmj147 said...

    I didn't say blitz every down... However, you basically made my point by mentioning NW every damn year. Also look at the Car Care Bowl again... Pre snap, Houston knew EXACTLY what we were doing. And we were so vanilla that it really didnt matter. Then we tried to blitz out of vanilla looks. Again, didnt work. Showing different looks pre snap and in general is a welcome change. I don't know really what you are disagreeing with here with me... If you can't get pressure with your front 4 (which was a lot of times the case the past couple of years), you blitz and show diff looks, drop a DE into coverage, zone blitz, etc. Like I said, I am not going to argue just to argue... What are you disagreeing with me on? Serious question.

    What you originally said with the aggressive being so much more important, to what you just wrote is very different. Thats why both of us said what we did.

    But I am done with this thread, all that can result from here on out is a massive migriane. Good talk appoo

    MTayl72

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