Looks like we are going to start both Naz Jones and Dalton

[randman1]

Sounds like a good move to me. Best 2 D-linemen on the field at the same time. Jones has moved to NT.

So looks like the starting front 4 will be Drennon, Jones, Dalton and Mickey Bart.

 

[HeelFan58]

I sure hope to see improvement in both stopping the run and pressuring the passer. I think we have a strong secondary but you can't give any QB all day to find a receiver,

 

[WoadBlue]

I sure hope to see improvement in both stopping the run and pressuring the passer. I think we have a strong secondary but you can't give any QB all day to find a receiver,

We need the DL to remain healthy. If it is healthy, it can be decent.

 

[dgheel57]

How big are these guys?After the way those big ole monsters on Baylors o-line man handled our guys I hope we've added some beef.

 

[matt 1976]

Both 300+ pounds. Also, our backups are over 300 pounds as well with Clarke and Crawford. Size/weight isn't an excuse this year. Now, skill level might be.

 

[randman1]

Yep. We're not undersized at DT. Those 2 positions should be a strength this season if we're healthy.

 

[Archer2]

I sure hope to see improvement in both stopping the run and pressuring the passer. I think we have a strong secondary but you can't give any QB all day to find a receiver,

Much less worried about our pas defense than I am our run defense. Our secondary should be a strength of this team. And a little more pressure on the QB would be nice. But we have to defend the run better if we're going to have a chance to win the ACC and play in a meaningful bowl game. Clemson and Baylor both gashed us with their running game. And I think limiting Georgia's potent rushing attack will be crucial to our chances of winning that game.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Much less worried about our pas defense than I am our run defense. Our secondary should be a strength of this team. And a little more pressure on the QB would be nice. But we have to defend the run better if we're going to have a chance to win the ACC and play in a meaningful bowl game. Clemson and Baylor both gashed us with their running game. And I think limiting Georgia's potent rushing attack will be crucial to our chances of winning that game.

Half the teams we played gashed us on the ground. It was just harder to notice when we blew them out. If you'll remember, A&T and Illinois both gashed us badly

 

[randman1]

Half the teams we played gashed us on the ground. It was just harder to notice when we blew them out. If you'll remember, A&T and Illinois both gashed us badly

True. We struggled against the run against a lot of teams but there were games like the VA Tech game where the defense carried us a bit. Even in the Clemson game, the defense did sufficiently well had Marquise been on his regular game the first half and part of the second, we'd have won. Clemson scored a lot on Alabama as well.

I thought, considering Clemson's talent level, our defense did fairly well.

This year looks like we are starting Jones and Dalton at DT. That ought to help a lot in terms of not getting pushed around.