Comments on: Football: Training camp report — Aug. 19

By: B

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:09:54 +0000

A lot of sunshine pumping, I see. I think y’all are overrating the defense/front 7 quite a bit. Guyton and Owusu aren’t that great (solid enough, but neither is nearly as talented as Cam or Tyson were), and most of the other guys in the mix have never played a snap of Pac-10 football before. Coleman is talented, but can he step up and perform at a high level consistently? Cam wasn’t able to until his senior year. I think Coleman could be starting before the year is up, but I think expectations should be tempered on the basis that most of the real talented kids are really young, and probably not ready to dominate.

At NT, the upperclassmen just aren’t that good. Certainly not a strength. Moala looks like a pretty special talent, but he’s a true freshman – I wouldn’t count on him being a dominant all-conference performer yet, especially since he’ll probably be a part time player.

Similar sentiments from the LB’s. Kendricks is probably the best player on the team, so that’s a plus. Holt is experienced and seems solid. The two outside positions, though, are being manned by Davis and a bunch of freshman who have never played before. Especially since it’s a critical position in a 3-4…I would temper expectations. The kids look talented, but they still might need more experience before they play consistently at a high level.

Overall, I think 2012 might be more of a stepping stone to great future things, but I’m not sure the D will be ready to step up this year right away. Just too much inexperience, youth and unproven talent.

By: bear4life

bear4life — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:22:10 +0000

We all would agree this is one of the best defenses the Bears have seen as a group. The D-line and linebackers will control the game . The D-line are all league with great depth and the linebackers with D.J.,Mychal and Wilkerson its all over for the Offense. Go Bears

By: wehofx

wehofx — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:13:16 +0000

Yeah! Front 7 sounds very strong. Have a feeling the secondary will hold up their end, too.

GO BEARS!

By: BA

BA — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:00:26 +0000

Wilkerson has been playing weakside OLB and most say he will be starting, while the other guys named have been playing the strongside.

Scarlett has been working with the linebackers lately, so his role would seem to be very much up in the air. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing a sort of hybrid pass rushing position.

By: charlie

charlie — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:46:57 +0000

D line play is uber important.

With so much talent i see Cal playing a lot more 4-3, at times.

Think: Owusu, Tipoti, Moala, Guyton up frong with Wilkerson, Holt, Kendricks behind them. It’s going to behard to run agaisnt this defense!!!

And the second unit?: Coleman, Payne, King, Scarlett up front with some conbination of McCain, Whiteside, Davis, and Forbes (once he gets healthy) behind them!!!

P.S. IMO Forbes will overtake Mullins and Fanua once healthy.

By: covinared

covinared — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:14:04 +0000

that’s quite a statement.

By: rotfogel

rotfogel — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:18:59 +0000

I thought before practices began J.O. was a bit hesitant to say the D Line was good. I had no idea of what he was talking about. With that depth, I’ll be surprised if they aren’t the best in the Pac 12 with USC a distant 2nd. That front 7, as a whole, is the most talented group of players perhaps in Bears history.