Our Secondary:

KurtRambis4

Redshirt
Aug 30, 2006
15,926
0
36
What's the word on our secondary, in practices so far? Last season, that was the position I was concerned with the most, given the overall talent and experience. However, we've recruited a great deal of talent to compete this season.
 

Msubulldogfan1

Freshman
Sep 12, 2013
8,835
80
48
I expect them to be better. I'm in the minority on that one, of course. Read rayfords doing better but he can't be any worse than last year. Durr was solid so I expect at least slight improvement. I think Cleveland is solid as well, hopefully his injury didn't rob him of much athleticism.
 

ronpolk

All-American
May 6, 2009
9,455
5,480
113
I expect them to be better. I'm in the minority on that one, of course. Read rayfords doing better but he can't be any worse than last year. Durr was solid so I expect at least slight improvement. I think Cleveland is solid as well, hopefully his injury didn't rob him of much athleticism.

I don't know about rayford on defense but that guy one of the best special teams defenders we have. He made a lot of plays last year.
 

josebrown

All-Conference
Aug 4, 2008
3,279
1,400
113
I know that the transfer from EMCC, Taury Dixon, had an interception and a couple pbu's in the scrimmage. Im expecting them to be better top to bottom this year. I also expect our safety play to be good this year.

BTW, I just heard Nick James from Mississippi State while watching the CFL game. He just had a qb pressure.
 

BiscuitEater

Redshirt
Aug 29, 2009
4,178
0
36
CBs are inconsistent. Safeties are kicking butt.

Look for the entire secondary to steadily improve over the season. Think that Durr and Cleveland start the first game but that both Dantzler and Peters take over the starting CB roles by mid season.

McLaurin is solid and if Bryant doesn't return to his old self, Abram is ready to go.

Edit to add .. Terrell Buckley is now in his 2nd year coaching CBs .. Seems like the defense has picked up Grantham's 3-4 system and understand their role better than last year.

Secondary play will be vastly better than last year IF .. we are consistently able to put pressure on opposing QBs.
 
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coach66

Junior
Mar 5, 2009
12,718
343
83
I think they will be more physical and tackle better because of coaching and

juco guys. Cole and Abrams hitting is hopefully contagious.
 

Junction John

Redshirt
Oct 22, 2014
3,249
0
0
Agree, and I also think Grantham's style of defense is light years better for the players mentally.

We have some thoroughbreds back there, but Sirmon kept them reigned in by playing a complicated style of read-react-relent defense the whole time. We basically ran a prevent defense from the first snap, which puts the whole defense on their heels. You've got to (1) simplify the scheme to free their minds and let them use their athleticism, and (2) create an attitude of aggressiveness, which is I think what Grantham does.

I'm expecting a big improvement on D this year.
 
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