Day 12: In-depth Defense report

[IHateUGAlyDawgs]

The secondary and defensive line had a great day for the Florida defense. The two units have been very impressive the entire spring.
Defensive line-

SDE- Justin Trattou, Carlos Dunlap, Jaye Howard
DT- Matt Patchan, Terron Sanders
DT- Lawrence Marsh, Troy Epps, John Brown
WDE- Jermaine Cunningham, Duke Lemmens, Earl Okine

What I liked: Matt Patchan took every snap with the first team defense today. You’d expect him to get tossed around being around 250 pounds, but he was impressive. He knows what his strengths are, and he uses them to get by linemen. He is extremely quick off the ball. His swim move is the main move he uses, and it looks effective against the Pouncey twins. Justin Trattou was back at practice after an injury Saturday, and he looked pretty good. He looks really quick from the edge, broke inside Trautwein and drug Rainey down. His speed off the edge helped him chase down an option play on the opposite side of the field. Tebow pitched the ball to Rainey, and Trattou completed the play by making the tackle. Carlos Dunlap continues to be a force as well. He stays low enough at the snap and uses his height as leverage to push the lineman backwards. During the scrimmage at the end of practice, he even stood at the line of scrimmage standing up, and dropped back into pass coverage in the middle of the field. How many guys of his size in the nation can do that? Terron Sanders also drew praise from defensive line coach Dan McCarney. Troy Epps looks to be every bit the space eater the staff wanted when they signed him. Sanders and Epps combined to dominate the interior of the second team offensive line. Lawrence Marsh did some very nice things as well, and Meyer was pleased with his performance after practice. Earl Okine had at least one sack today and showed good burst off the snap.

What I didn’t like: With all the potential the interior of this line has, its mind blowing why Matt Patchan is getting first team reps. He’s had twelve days of practice and is being talked about as a starter? Something isn’t right about that. Jermaine Cunningham needs to pick up his play. I’m not suggesting he won’t start, but Dunlap and Trattou are just that good. Cunningham has been dominated by both Trautwein and Jason Watkins this spring. Whether that’s a good sign for the offensive line or bad sign for Cunningham is up for debate. The two minute offense had the defensive line pinning their ears back and going after the quarterback, and when the offense ran the football, a long run was pretty much a guarantee.
Linebackers-

OLB- Brandon Hicks, Jerimy Finch
MLB- Brandon Spikes, Lorenzo Edwards
OLB- Dustin Doe, Chris Pintado

What I liked: Brandon Hicks had a good day. Coach Meyer and Coach Strong were constantly applauding his efforts and patting him on the back after the plays he was making. The blocking drills gave Hicks a chance to shed blockers, and he did so very impressively. The tackling drills had him standing Mon Williams, right after a great day of practice, up and throwing him out of the drill. He has improved every day of the spring. Jerimy Finch will be on the field this year simply because of God given ability. I firmly believe right now that he and Lorenzo Edwards are the second and third best linebackers on the team. Edwards is a good tackler in the open field. He stays disciplined and always wraps up the ball carrier. Dustin Doe also had his best day of the spring. The one-on-one tackling drills had given him serious trouble this spring, but he looked good today. He went up against Rainey, who has always given people trouble this spring. Doe stood patiently as Rainey tried a few moves in front of him, and then attacked him when Rainey tried to go around. It was probably the best anyone has contained Rainey this spring.

What I didn’t like: Brandon Spikes had his worst day of the spring. He seemed to lack the intensity that makes him the player he has been for this defense. The good part is that if there is one player on defense I’m not worried about, it’s Brandon Spikes. I also saw John Jones walking into the trainer’s office, and he didn’t participate in practice after that.
Secondary:

CB- Joe Haden, Moses Jenkins, Janoris Jenkins
CB- Wondy Pierre-Louis, Jacques Rickerson, Jeremy Brown
S- Major Wright, Jamar Hornsby, Bryan Thomas
S- Dorian Munroe, John Curtis, Ahmad Black

What I liked: Moses Jenkins had a great day. Coach Bedford was very complimentary of his effort in drills. He deflected at least four or five passes in coverage. At one point during the two minute drill he deflected back-to-back passes. His height gives him an added advantage. It’s scary looking at him tower over the other cornerbacks and think about the potential he has. Joe Haden had a good day, just like every other day he’s had this spring. He’s developing into the shutdown cornerback everyone thought he had potential to become when he was being recruited. He made two pass breakups today where the receiver made the catch, and he just ripped the ball out of his hands. Haden didn’t participate in the end of practice for some reason, and Rickerson stepped in his place to make plays. He bumped a receiver off the line and broke up a few slants. He also had an interception on a Tebow pass that went through the hands of Justin Williams. Jeremy Brown also had an interception on a pass dropped by a receiver that would have been returned for a touchdown in a game. The safeties had a good day, but nothing in particular stuck out about them. Major Wright had a good day in pass coverage, breaking up at least two throws.

What I didn’t like: Wondy Pierre-Louis had a bad day. His hands need some serious work. I don’t think I saw him catch a football during the drills. He also got burnt in coverage over and over again. Jamar Hornsby had the trainer’s looking at his neck for about five minutes during the first part of practice, but no one knew what happened. Luckily he went right back in to drills and didn’t seem to miss a beat. Markihe Anderson missed practice because of a concussion.
Player of the Day:

Moses Jenkins. I was impressed with the day he put together. His potential is through the roof.

[radbag]

for some reason, i can envision WPL being a dick about wright being a leader...just my gut feel


also, with respects to spikes lacking the energy and enthusiasm - i'd like to say that it's very, very difficult to keep that level of emotion and intensity up at such lofty levels during a practice and for as many days in a row that they're practicing. i think the vocal ones need days off for that alone...he had a day off so to speak...i'm sure he'll be back firing on all pistons soon.