BYU inside linebackers, what is the problem?

Teams are taking advantage of our teams lack of sideline to sideline speed. Personally I think we are OK up the middle, but when our linebackers are in space is when they struggle.

The “Mike” and the “Backer” are the two players on the team that should be counted on to make the most plays –more specifically the Mick. The defense is schemed around the Mick linebacker. He has the most opportunities to blitz and also has D-linemen in front of him so he is free to make plays in the running game.

In recent years that Mick spot has been filled with an experienced player with proven play making abilities. This year Bauman has been shouldering the responsibility of replacing two very visible past players –Cameron Jensen and Kelly Poppinga. All three players played different and where good for different reasons. Matt Bauman hasn’t developed his own identity quite yet. Matt plays exceptionally hard and puts himself in good positions to make plays, but he hasn’t proven himself as someone who is going to make the “big play.”

Matt Ahyou and Doman are in the same boat. They are learning and developing, but we are all becoming impatient.

Hooks was the most physical out of the bunch and I have high hopes for Pritchard. The simple fact is our defense is still inexperienced. They aren’t paying attention to the finer points of the game. They haven’t developed into the players they can be. It’s a problem of understanding the X’s and O’x well enough so they can than focus on formations, personal and tendency. Carmeron, Kelly, Markell and Wagner all had a deep enough understand of the defense, which freed their mind up to concentrate of other aspects of playing their postion. In short they mastered their positions, but it didn’t happen over night. They had time.

For me the jury is still out. I have seem both Matt Bauman, Shawn Doman, Matt Ahyou and Hooks play well. But when was the last time you saw a huge hit or a crucial sack from these guys? I can’t remember. Are they turning into solid players that can stop the run and be counted on in coverage? Or should we abandon players that are in their first real year as starters and need more chances to prove themselves?

This group has only lost one game. That means they are doing something right. I would say we need to trust the coaching staff that they are going to put the best players on the field.

Matt Bauman is #35 and we sometimes called him “Little General”. Let’s hope he can continue to develop into another good BYU linebacker.

The defensive back post is coming next, I am putting the final touches on it!!!