What will we do on defense w/o Wartman?

[bdgan]

The defense played well until Wartman went out and Bell got dinged up. Not so much after that. Wooten isn't the answer. We can switch some guys around but nobody else has worked at calling the defensive.

Can Bell learn to play middle? Cabinda is probably too young. Maybe Von Walker and Bowen could play outside. No word on Kline.

 

[GregInPitt]

I just read that Cabinda played in the middle during Spring practice. He may be the guy that goes there now. Wooten got caught too far up inside on a couple of plays during the drive where Temple took the lead.

Cooper also played today. Obviously we don't want a true frosh calling the plays, but i looks like he is going to play some this year if CJF burned the redshirt in the first game, probably only due to the injury to WW.

I'm betting it's Cabinda that moves.

I'm sure Reeder played today as well, but it's my understanding he is playing outside. If Cabinda moves inside it will be interesting to see who replaces him outside, as Reeder was listed as his backup. Then who backs up Reeder? Does Bowen also burn his redshirt?

 

[PSUAlum]

The defense played well until Wartman went out and Bell got dinged up. Not so much after that. Wooten isn't the answer. We can switch some guys around but nobody else has worked at calling the defensive.

Can Bell learn to play middle? Cabinda is probably too young. Maybe Von Walker and Bowen could play outside. No word on Kline.

The defensive coaches will have a decision to make. Do they move Cabinda to the middle and play Reeder at OLB or do they move Reeder inside and have him compete with Cooper? The choice will probably be the guy Shoop feels most comfortable with making the calls and adjustments. If he feels comfortable with either Reeder or Cooper, it would be the best for the defense leaving Cabinda at his position. Bell is too valuable to move inside. Bowen played but is not ready to start and Walker is good to spell but I would not want him in there for long stretches. If Cabinda or Reeder moves to the middle, I would not be shocked to see Cooper move outside behind Reeder. MLB and Cabinda's LB position are really similar in Shoop's defense.

 

[danvillenit]

Reeder made a nice TFL late in the game and Bowen also played.

 

[novaclassof90]

Cooper and Bowen burned their red shirts today.

 

[novaclassof90]

Go with bell, Cabinda, reeder

 

[PSU1991]

Bell had a heck of a game until he got hurt. Thankfully, it doesn't sound too serious.

 

[JayWye]

Unfortunately,

The defense played well until Wartman went out and Bell got dinged up. Not so much after that. Wooten isn't the answer. We can switch some guys around but nobody else has worked at calling the defensive.

Can Bell learn to play middle? Cabinda is probably too young. Maybe Von Walker and Bowen could play outside. No word on Kline.

Bowen at this point is essentially a 200 lb safety...likely to get run over in traffic. Related point...what the hell was a kid as important to the D as Wartman doing playing on the punt coverage unit??

 

[GregInPitt]

The defensive coaches will have a decision to make. Do they move Cabinda to the middle and play Reeder at OLB or do they move Reeder inside and have him compete with Cooper? The choice will probably be the guy Shoop feels most comfortable with making the calls and adjustments. If he feels comfortable with either Reeder or Cooper, it would be the best for the defense leaving Cabinda at his position. Bell is too valuable to move inside. Bowen played but is not ready to start and Walker is good to spell but I would not want him in there for long stretches. If Cabinda or Reeder moves to the middle, I would not be shocked to see Cooper move outside behind Reeder. MLB and Cabinda's LB position are really similar in Shoop's defense.

Even though it is early in the season, I don't see Shoop moving the true frosh around. i.e. if Cooper has been practicing in the middle he likely stays there as the backup. But although I don't see Wooten as a starter, he is also at MLB. So if Cabinda moves inside, I double we see other moves. Instead Reeder will likely start outside and Bowen will get more playing time.

 

[GregInPitt]

Unfortunately,

Bowen at this point is essentially a 200 lb safety...likely to get run over in traffic. Related point...what the hell was a kid as important to the D as Wartman doing playing on the punt coverage unit??

1. I have seen pictures of Bowen and he looks bigger than 200 to me. If that is the case we may see Farmer move back to OLB and one of the freshman Safety's play as the 5th Safety. But I don't think that happens as if Shoop didn't think Bowen could play LB this year he would not have burned his redshirt today.
2. CJF is committed to playing his best players on special teams. i agree with you, but CJF is in charge..... Maybe he eventually learns that it's not worth the risk to player his key starters on special teams....

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

Cooper and Bowen burned their red shirts today.

I thought players could play 2 games and still maintain redshirt status.

 

[PSUAlum]

Even though it is early in the season, I don't see Shoop moving the true frosh around. i.e. if Cooper has been practicing in the middle he likely stays there as the backup. But although I don't see Wooten as a starter, he is also at MLB. So if Cabinda moves inside, I double we see other moves. Instead Reeder will likely start outside and Bowen will get more playing time.

If Cabinda moves inside, you will have Wooten and Cooper backing up. They have already used Cooper so you don't want to waste his year of eligibility so they will put him on ST and will want him to get some PT on D at some point. Like I said in my previous post, Cabinda and Wartman-White LB positions are very similar. They could move either Cooper or Wooten to balance out the depth. Cooper may have already gotten reps at OLB. Bowen and Walker are too light for that OLB spot.

To answer Whichreligionis... Once a player plays a non-medical redshirt is not available for that season. If they get hurt in the first couple games (percentage of plays), the player can take a medical redshirt.

 

[blion72]

at this point, this team is stark shape. I personally wouldn't be too worried about redshirts if I am JF. the way this team played against a mid-tier team from a lower conference, there is a good chance they wont win more than 3-4 games. i am not sure many people thought that this team could actually be worse this year vs last year.

Wooten was not ready, and was to me the most responsible person for giving up the 90 yard drive that made the game 10-7. essentially before that moment, Temple had done NOTHING. the only variable was Wooten in place of Wartman. This had similarity to the NW game last year, where Wartman missed and his replacement was picked on continuously.

We seem to have some small fast DE's, who might be interesting to try at LB.

 

[GregInPitt]

at this point, this team is stark shape. I personally wouldn't be too worried about redshirts if I am JF. the way this team played against a mid-tier team from a lower conference, there is a good chance they wont win more than 3-4 games. i am not sure many people thought that this team could actually be worse this year vs last year.

Wooten was not ready, and was to me the most responsible person for giving up the 90 yard drive that made the game 10-7. essentially before that moment, Temple had done NOTHING. the only variable was Wooten in place of Wartman. This had similarity to the NW game last year, where Wartman missed and his replacement was picked on continuously.

We seem to have some small fast DE's, who might be interesting to try at LB.

I saw the same thing with Wooten. He comes up into the line to plug a hole that isn't there and is out of position when the back comes through the hole he left. No way I would be playing Wooten at MLB. I'm betting it's Cabinda or Reeder. I don't see a true frosh starting at MLB (Cooper), but if he is an intelligent player and can improve week to week and it gives us the best chance to win, why not..... But we need a LB in the middle that can read plays and stuff the run. Given that Reeder has been practicing at OLB and that Cabinda practiced at MLB in the spring, that's the logical move now (Cabinda to MLB and Reeder starting at OLB).