This may be a hawwt take, but

[ChocaEgg]

Better than Robinson? I can see that. But better than Reimer? No way.

Reimer has games where he is complete ass though

 

[Fargo Husker]

Reimer has games where he is complete ass though

He also has games where he makes multiple big plays. Mathis has no games like that, and that’s why I chose to keep him off the list along with some other starters who could likely be back next season like Henrich and Farmer.

 

[slattimer]

Really this was my overall point. Do I think our defense is good? No. But we are closer to being good on defense than we are on offense.

Here are the pieces I feel decent about (I’m going to assume we switch back to a 4-3 next year because, frankly, I want to):

DE: Nelson
DT: T. Robinson
DT:
DE:
LB: Reimer
LB: Hausmann
LB:
CB: Hartzog
S: Buford
S:
CB: Newsome(?)

We definitely still need an infusion of talent but I do feel there are some good building blocks for a good DC to do some work with.

Shit, take Buford off the list, he's fucking awful. Constant terrible angles to tackle, constantly overruns plays, constantly having piss poor coverage. But he makes one good tackle every now and then....

 

[RedDeanRedemption]

Kinda pointless to speculate on this stuff in the portal era. I’m sure there will be big roster turnover on both sides.

 

[Kaladin]

Shit, take Buford off the list, he's fucking awful. Constant terrible angles to tackle, constantly overruns plays, constantly having piss poor coverage. But he makes one good tackle every now and then....

He’s young and a first year starter.

 

[slattimer]

He’s young and a first year starter.

He's still bad

 

[Kaladin]

Even if we don’t get any upgrades through the portal, our defense should be serviceable next year based on experience alone.

DE: Mathis, Nelson
DT: Robinson, ?
LB: Reimer, Henrich, Haussmann
N: Gifford
CB: Newsome, Hartzog
S: Buford, Farmer

That’s 11 guys with quite a bit of starting experience. We could use some upgrades but with a competent DC that group could at least keep us in games.

 

[Kaladin]

He's still bad

Ah yes, and apparently he is not capable of improving over time.

 

[ChocaEgg]

Even if we don’t get any upgrades through the portal, our defense should be serviceable next year based on experience alone.

DE: Mathis, Nelson
DT: Robinson, ?
LB: Reimer, Henrich, Haussmann
N: Gifford
CB: Newsome, Hartzog
S: Buford, Farmer

That’s 11 guys with quite a bit of starting experience. We could use some upgrades but with a competent DC that group could at least keep us in games.

DL would still be atrocious

 

[Kaladin]

DL would still be atrocious

We need a big, competent NT like we had with Daniels in 2021. There’s gotta be somebody out there who will come for the right $$$.

 

[ChocaEgg]

We need a big, competent NT like we had with Daniels in 2021. There’s gotta be somebody out there who will come for the right $$$.

Those guys are hard to find. Between portal and JUCO we need 10 OL and probably 4 DL. Both lines are complete dogshit

 

[herbsinator]

We’re only 18-19 guys away from having a middle of the pack B1G roster

 

[KidsSeeGhosts]

Ryan Walters made Illinois one of the best defenses in the country in year 2. Hire elite coaches.

 

[Jim14510]

He also has games where he makes multiple big plays. Mathis has no games like that, and that’s why I chose to keep him off the list along with some other starters who could likely be back next season like Henrich and Farmer.

I think Mathis is more consistent. Reimer is ass against anyone with a pulse. He got ran over and thrown around all day yesterday.

 

[Cash68847]

I think Mathis is more consistent. Reimer is ass against anyone with a pulse. He got ran over and thrown around all day yesterday.

Reimer really isn’t the type of guy who will have success against smash mouth BIG teams. He would have been better off going to k-state and playing in the Big 12.

 

[Jim14510]

Reimer isn’t really isn’t the type of guy who will have success against smash mouth BIG teams. He would have been better off going to k-state and playing in the Big 12.

Agreed.

Henrich is more built for the big. You rarely see him get blown up at the point of attack. Other issues with him though of course. He fills the gap but half the time he doesn't even look like he's trying to get off the block and make the play. I know it's not always about making the tackle but watching our LB's is beyond frustrating.

Of course being too slow and lots of missed tackles.

Reimer does pretty well in coverage. Henrich is terrible.

 

[ChocaEgg]

Agreed.

Henrich is more built for the big. You rarely see him get blown up at the point of attack. Other issues with him though of course. He fills the gap but half the time he doesn't even look like he's trying to get off the block and make the play. I know it's not always about making the tackle but watching our LB's is beyond frustrating.

What?

Henrich gets murdered in big ten play. He's awful.

 

[Jim14510]

What?

Henrich gets murdered in big ten play. He's awful.

You watch him specifically and dispute what I said. He has his issues for sure but you hardly ever see him blown off the ball. Reimer is 8 yards down the field most plays.

 

[Cash68847]

Agreed.

Henrich is more built for the big. You rarely see him get blown up at the point of attack. Other issues with him though of course. He fills the gap but half the time he doesn't even look like he's trying to get off the block and make the play. I know it's not always about making the tackle but watching our LB's is beyond frustrating.

Of course being too slow and lots of missed tackles.

Reimer does pretty well in coverage. Henrich is terrible.

They both also looked better last year. I wonder why? Oh yea they were playing behind a much better d line.

 

[Jim14510]

They both also looked better last year. I wonder why? Oh yes they were playing behind a much better d line.

For sure. That makes a lot of difference. Jojo and better corner play, better safeties particularly Dismuke against the run.