Could we see Niemann-Welch-Colbert on Saturday?
I thought Colbert had a great first start. Welch was #1 Mike in the spring, correct?
I thought Colbert had a great first start. Welch was #1 Mike in the spring, correct?
Linebacker lineup
- Thread starter ichawk24
- Start date
There has been no reason for Hockaday to be pulled. Has been doing a great job.
Colbert is my new favorite player.
Next to Miguel of course.
Next to Miguel of course.
I am no expert, so I don't know who should be starting. However, it seems like many on this board have the mentality above that so and so hasn't done anything to lose their job, therefore they should continue to start. That may be the case with Hockaday, but what if there is someone that is playing better behind them. Even though the starter hasn't done anything to lose their spot, should we not be playing the better option?
I think Niemann, Welch, Colbert might be the most athletic trio but we probably won't see that combination unless some team is really going pass happy and PP wants to stay in the base 4-3.
I liked what I saw from Colbert last week (Welch was decent in week 1, but did miss a couple of tackles...Niemann has been good on the other side making some big plays, but has also missed some tackles each week). I'd assume Colbert (Welch backup) will start along with Hockaday (A.Jones backup) and Niemann (Wade backup). If Hockaday was to get injured, I'd be for Welch getting a shot at MLB (I think he played a bit at MLB last season). I would definitely like to see Welch move to MLB in the offseason to challenge A.Jones for that spot in 2019 (gives Doyle an extra year to grow into the position if he's not already ready to get solid PT...I'm making an assumption that Doyle will be MLB, but maybe that's not accurate)....then Colbert/McDonald at WLB and Niemann/Wade at OLB (maybe throwing Benson or others into the mix at these positions).
Hockaday has his best day as a Hawkeye against ISU ... and he's still improving. Furthermore, he's been responsible for ensuring that our DL has been set correctly ... it would appear that he's been doing a good job at that! Quite apart from him not doing anything to lose his job ... couldn't it be argued that his play has merited him keeping the job?
Don't get me wrong ... I was really excited about what we saw from Welch in game 1 too. However, there is no reason that they cannot try to rotate the guys a little bit.
If Hockaday gets injured ... we'd see both Welch and Jones at the MIKE spot before we'd see Doyle.
Exactly what I was saying...Welch could move to MLB (if Hockaday gets hurt)...especially if he's a better option than A.Jones (although maybe Amani has gotten, and will continue to get, things figured out). My point wasn't about having Doyle play MLB this season (maybe he won't play there ever...maybe he's working at another spot)...it was about offseason/next season and having Welch move to MLB.
Yep ... I wasn't disputing your point either. I was just agreeing that we'd see Welch at MIKE too. Of course, we'd probably see Amani there first ... depending on how he's looking in practice.
Dillon will be getting mentored by the guys ahead of him too. I'm still wondering about what might prove to be McDonald's best position. I wonder if he might be an even better fit at MIKE than WILL. I'm just thinking that Doyle has the extra "length" that is attractive to have on the edges.
Agree, I thought Hockaday played really well. I was mostly just arguing that the best players should play, whoever that may be. I know, obvious statement.
I think that the MLB situation depends a bit on the type of offense that we are playing. Obviously, Jones struggled with recognition of the spread formations against NIU. He allowed himself to get "formationed" out of the play. But he still could be the right MLB playing against a Wisconsin-style offense where you need to be strong to the ball-carrier. I would like to see Jones get some quality reps at MLB tomorrow (which would also mean that our offense has played well), although I agree that Hockaday has done well at that position.
No Jones was the #1 Mike I believe. It will be interesting to see who gets snaps for the LB group Saturday. Certainly Niemann, Hockaday, Welch, Colbert , and Jones will play. Hopefully will get to see some good minutes for Wade, and possibly Doyle and Benson as well. We'll know more a week from Saturday of course, but this group looks much stronger then some believed.
Welch was the top MIKE to start the spring ... but I believe that by the end of the spring, Jones had wrestled it away from him. In fact, one of the surprises before one of the scrimmages was that Mends and Jones were names the starting ILBs .... and then, shortly thereafter, Mends went down to injury.
Snow flake alert! Just kidding.
Hype train got rolling forever Amani, but voices of reason reminded that guys like him have looked the part in the past yet could not performance well enough on field to start or stay out there much.
I expect to see Niemann Hock and either Welch or Colbert start. Hope we get a chance get a bunch of younger guys quality snaps.
He was lost and confused as if he had his bell rung don't feel too bad for him next man in.
I think Hockaday has pkayed great. I would like to see Jones rotate it with him a lot this week to get another shot and rest Hockaday.
I remember Welch playing MLB at the end of the season last year. Welch, Neiman, Colbert would be a nice line up, but Hockaday has earned his place on the field at this point. Neiman has played very well, and Welch has taken advantage of his time as well.
After the first two games of the year I am starting to feel better about our LB and OLine depth.
After the first two games of the year I am starting to feel better about our LB and OLine depth.
