A guide to NIU's defensive personnel changes
by Mike Breese on Oct 27, 2011 4:39 PM CDT
in Football
Email
PrintThe line still hasn't been released for the Toledo game. I expect the Rockets to be at least 6 point favorites in this game. If they were playing the same defense that started the season I would told you that the Huskies had no chance beating the Toledo Rockets. I'm not going to put a whole lot of stock in to the Huskies taking this one, considering it is on the road against the best team in the division. However, we can all hope and dream that this truly is the year that the Huskies take home the MAC Championship. The Huskies probably got all their bugs out of their system last week against Buffalo. Toledo is by far the most important game of the season and I believe that this defense can make a stop or two and let the Huskie offense take over the Glass Bowl on tuesday.
This is a whole new defense. It is nothing like the defense at the beginning of the season, painfully giving up over 40+ points to Kansas, Wisconsin and Central Michigan. This is a new defense with swagger to defeat a really bad offense in Kent State to 10 points, a favorite in Western Michigan to 22 and Buffalo before the Huskies almost gave away the game.
Here is NIU's current lineup on defense, vastly different than the beginning of the season:
Player images from niuhuskies.com
As you can see, Dave Doeren is taking some time to get to know his strengths and weaknesses of his players week-in and week-out. The competition has risen and no spot on the team is safe to being taken by an up-and-coming player. Let's break down the changes at every single position:
Defensive Line:
Mainstays: DT Ron Newcomb, DE Sean Progar
DT Anthony Wells giving into Nabal Jefferson.
DEs Joe Windsor, Alan Baxter and now Kyle Jenkins on the other side.
There could be more stability on one side of the defensive line, but Ron Newcomb and Sean Progar have really stepped it up in the last few games.
Linebacker:
Mainstays: MLB Pat Schiller
OLBs Jamal Delegal, Jamal Bass & Michael Santacaterina
Not too much has changed except for the addition of 'Santa' on 3rd downs and nickel packages. While Bass is improving and Delegal makes the occasional play, this is an excellent addition to the linebacking corps.
Secondary:
Mainstays: CBs Rashaan Melvin
SS Tommmy Davis to Dechane Durante.
FS Demetrius Stone to Jimmie Ward
CB Dominique Ware to Jhony Faustin.
The secondary couldn't be any different. Jhony Faustin started the tidal wave at CB, pushing Dominique Ware to nickelback duty. Jimmie Ward and Dechane Durante were excellent replacements to spell the underwhelming Tommy Davis & Demetrius Stone. Now we have some real safeties making tackles all over the place.
Can the Huskies stop Toledo on Tuesday or is all this moving around of personnel just for naught?
9 comments
|
Add comment
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Ware
Dominique Ware’s name is on both versions…So, that’s prob Faustin’s picture in the new version with Ware’s name under it, right?
Fixed it
Red and Black Attack - Northern Illinois Pride
by Mike Breese on Oct 28, 2011 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Hate to say it , but
I see this as a potential blowout…..Toledo is a better team, played a tougher schedule, and of course, they have the revenge factor after last year’s ass whuppin in DeKalb
I just don’t trust the NIU defense, and unless we can rack up some yds. running the ball, our defense will eventually wear down
That Buffalo game was a “real downer” for me……this team hasn’t shown much on the road
Oh, another point…..if we lose to the Rocketts, what can we expect against Bowl Green??
If we lose to the Rockets...
what does it matter what we do against Bowling Green?
At that point, with a loss to the top dog in the division, we’d be in essence 3 games out of the division lead, considering Toledo would hold the tie breaker, with 3 games to play in the season.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Great Opportunity
The Huskies have a great opporunity to make a major statement on Tuesday. This game will have a huge impact on how this senior class is remembered. Doeren and his staff has done an excellent job rearraning the defense, and it appears like they are playing smart, fundamental, hi-energy football. However, Tuesday is the real test. The LB play has definitely improved, and Durante has made his mark in the secondary. Unlike last Saturday, we have to improve our time of possession, especially later in the game. I think the Huskies are ready to play a complete, 4 quarter game, if they do, I like our chances.
so now we see
I’ve had this little personal fantasy that at least some of the mystery we have experienced this season was because of THIS game. Why show everything you’ve got against Wisconsin if your main objective is to win the division? So, now we (and Toledo) will see ALL the cards. I hope they’ve got some cards that they haven’t been playing.
by niu_huskie_fan on Oct 28, 2011 12:57 PM CDT reply actions
Gotta tell you, you're playing with an empty deck
Unless we show some unbelievable stats in the offensive side of the ball, especially in the running game….we don’t have a chance in this contest
Oh btw, the Whiskey game was a month ago……and we were NEVER in that game
:-)
well done. That’s not the 1st time I’ve heard that.
by niu_huskie_fan on Oct 29, 2011 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
