How about these two position changes to help the offense get a bit more explosive and more physical. First, let's "trade" Nick Scott for Koa Farmer. Move Scott to S. He is 5-11, 200, quick, seems physical, IMO could be a very good S in time. He is very unlikely to see any meaningful PT at RB for the next three years so for Scott the move is probably h is best chance to make a major impact.
Farmer could be our version of Jabril Peppers. He is 220 pounds and runs a 4.4. I am making an assumption, based on some of CJF's comments, that he is just not comfortable on defense. He could line up at WR, RB , in the slot; just get him 5-6 touches a game and let him make plays. I think he could be a very valuable weapon for the offense and could also give us a tough runner near the goal line.
Second, please move Kevin Givens to FB. We must become more physical on offense and one way to do that is to have a FB. I am not suggesting we become an I-formation team. Just saying there are certain game situations where you need to line up and play smash mouth football. A FB could also be a very valuable asset as a receiver. Michigan used their FB very nicely this year. Givens is (I believe) 6-1, 250 and by all accounts a very good athlete.
Of course the staff knows where he projects on the depth chart but to the casual observer it would appear he is going to be behind Sickels, Brown, Cothran, Schwan, Bucholtz and Miller next year. The following year he may also be behind Simmons, Brown and Joseph. All of those kids appear to be more natural DEs than Givens. So with both Givens and Farmer, they could be much more productive on offense and I doubt we lose anything by taking them away from the defense. The only caveat on this would be if Givens is adding size to the point where the staff projects him to be a 285 pound DT in the near future.
Finally, would also not be opposed to moving Brandon Bell to the inside to team with Wartman. I think Cabinda and Reeder may each be another year away from being really good. We need to shore up the LB corps to stabilize the defense. See if Bowen can handle the OLB slot as that would also make us quicker on D.
Farmer could be our version of Jabril Peppers. He is 220 pounds and runs a 4.4. I am making an assumption, based on some of CJF's comments, that he is just not comfortable on defense. He could line up at WR, RB , in the slot; just get him 5-6 touches a game and let him make plays. I think he could be a very valuable weapon for the offense and could also give us a tough runner near the goal line.
Second, please move Kevin Givens to FB. We must become more physical on offense and one way to do that is to have a FB. I am not suggesting we become an I-formation team. Just saying there are certain game situations where you need to line up and play smash mouth football. A FB could also be a very valuable asset as a receiver. Michigan used their FB very nicely this year. Givens is (I believe) 6-1, 250 and by all accounts a very good athlete.
Of course the staff knows where he projects on the depth chart but to the casual observer it would appear he is going to be behind Sickels, Brown, Cothran, Schwan, Bucholtz and Miller next year. The following year he may also be behind Simmons, Brown and Joseph. All of those kids appear to be more natural DEs than Givens. So with both Givens and Farmer, they could be much more productive on offense and I doubt we lose anything by taking them away from the defense. The only caveat on this would be if Givens is adding size to the point where the staff projects him to be a 285 pound DT in the near future.
Finally, would also not be opposed to moving Brandon Bell to the inside to team with Wartman. I think Cabinda and Reeder may each be another year away from being really good. We need to shore up the LB corps to stabilize the defense. See if Bowen can handle the OLB slot as that would also make us quicker on D.
