Thursday August 02, 2007

Opponents' Defensive Lines

Opponents' Defensive Line
Louisiana Monroe
The Warhawks have seven of their top eight defensive linemen returning in 2007 including three starters. There is no all-conference type performer from their pre-season media days but this has to be the strength of their defense. Kendell Mouton and David Cooper are two seniors that started at defensive tackle last season.

Furman
The Paladins will miss All-American defensive end Roy Ravenell and all-conference defensive tackle Wesley Bray but Furman does return some talent here. Wallace Artis is a returning starter at one defensive end and all-conference nose guard Justin Brown is back after a great freshman season. There is some young talent here but for the most part the defensive line is one position you may see a drop off between a I-A and I-AA program.

Central Michigan
Daniel Bazuin had 10.5 sacks last season and he will be missed this year. The Chippewas return Casey Droscha and Steven Friend at defensive tackle but there is little experience elsewhere. This is not the strength of this program but I would say they are about in the middle of the MAC in terms of defensive line talent in 2007.

South Carolina
Everyone comes back in this unit for the Gamecocks and they add a ton of talented newcomers to the group. This is perhaps the most improved unit in the SEC regardless of position in my opinion. If Marque Hall can return from a knee injury I think this group could be special. Hall, Olufemi Ajiboye, Nathan Pepper, Kenrick Ellis, Joel Reeves, Terrence Campbell and Deonte Nichols make up a big talent upgrade at defensive tackle. Hall, Ajiboye and Ellis were highly recruited athletes.

At defensive end Eric Norwood made a big splash as a freshman and Jordin Lindsey has also been solid. However the newcomers like Travian Robertson, Cliff Matthews, Clifton Geathers and Jonathan Williams will help out right away.

If the Gamecocks want a chance to compete in places like Athens, Baton Rouge, Knoxville and Fayetteville they must shut down the run. This group is such an improvement from last year’s unit that allowed 147 yards per game on the ground.

SEC Defensive Line Rankings
1. LSU-Chase Pittman is gone but Glen Dorsey, Tyson Jackson and Marlon Favorite help make up the best line in the SEC. Dorsey is a future first-round draft pick and the best defensive tackle in the league. Kirstin Pittman has not played in a couple of seasons because of injury but he appears to be ready for 2007.

2. Tennessee-JT Mapu and Demonte Bolden are two good looking tackles and Xavier Mitchell is one of the best defensive ends in the league. Antonio Reynolds returns at defensive end for what should be one of the top defensive lines in the conference.

3. South Carolina-See Above

4. Auburn-Quentin Groves could have bolted to the NFL but Auburn fans are happy he decided to return to the Plains. He is one of the top three or four defensive linemen in the SEC. SenDerick Marks is another ALL-SEC candidate.

5. Alabama-Wallace Gilberry is the best of what should be a good defensive line in Tuscaloosa. The Tide may look different with an odd-man front scheme under Saban. Alabama will blitz and blitz and then blitz again and this group should benefit. Bobby Greenwood is a big defensive end that has started some games in each of the last two seasons.

6. Arkansas-Jamaal Anderson had a chance to return to school but the first round money was too much and he leaves a void in this defense, Antwian Robertson and Marcus Harrison return as starters and Hog observers say both have a chance to garnish All-Conference attention. This is a neither a strength nor a weakness for the Hogs in 2007.

7. Georgia-Quinten Moses and Charles Johnson are gone but I think the Dawgs may be better here this season. Jeff Owens and Kade Weston are two of the top defensive tackles in the SEC. Marcus Howard is a great pass rusher but it is not known if he can be an every down defensive end in the SEC. JUCO All-Americans Jarius Wynn and Corey Irvin are expected to contribute right away.

8. Ole Miss-The Rebels return everyone here including some good athletes. Greg Hardy is one of the most athletic defensive ends in the league. Marcus Tillman was one of the top true freshmen in the league a year ago. The Rebels were very banged up as a unit last season so they hope to remain healthy this season.

9. Florida-Derrick Harvey is the only returning starter as the Gators must replace Joe Cohen, Jarvis Moss, Ray McDonald, Marcus Thomas and Steven Harris. No one loses more defensive line talent but Florida has recruited well. Harvey is one of the top three or four linemen in the SEC. True freshman Torrey Davis may get an early look.

10. Mississippi State-Titus Brown enjoyed a good junior season with 7.5 sacks but he will see a bunch of new faces alongside him on the defensive front. State will need JUCO defensive tackle Jesse Bowman to be as good as advertised.

11. Vanderbilt-The Commodores lonely lose three defensive starters off of last year’s squad but two are defensive linemen. Theo Horrocks and Curtis Gatewood should garner All-SEC attention. Both are returning starters and both are seniors.

12. Kentucky-The Wildcats are in need of help on this defensive line. Myron Pryor is the best of the bunch. He is a run-stopping defensive tackle that is the experience Cat up front. Jeremy Jarmon has shown some potential.

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