Defense dominates

[zephyr]

_ JP, I attended, and my thoughts are in another thread (8/14 scrimmage). I have a question for you: Rich Brooks, before the injury last season, looked to be the 3rd best LB on the roster behind AZ and Fleming. I found it odd that he hasn't been mentioned more. If I recall correctly, he had a knee injury that sidelined him, ACL I think.. Has the injury slowed him down substantially, or hve McCoy, Lewis-Buchanan and others just improved that dramatically? When Brooks got playing time last year, I was excited about his potential..

Also, really enjoyed and appreciate all the write-ups. Well done. _

It was really unfortunate to see Brooks get that ACL injury in 08 right around when Fleming had his. Like you said, he was playing at a high level as a freshman and starting in the middle. I liked having Zanders on the outside and Fleming on the strong side and I was hoping that Brooks would start this year in the middle and keep Fleming strong side but it didn't work out. I think his knee has constantly given him some issues ever since the major injury. Also, I think the injury got to his focus as well. I saw several times in the spring scrimmages that he was getting quite an earful from Rebowe about being out of position and making the wrong reads. I can't figure how a guy who started an entire year and has been in the program for 3 years now could make so many mistakes but I would begin to assume that he has lost a tad of focus. I hope he comes back strong and makes some good contributions this year as we will need him next year. I'd like to see Jelani Mitchell on the strong side and let Brooks patrol the middle but if he doesn't get back to form, I assume that Mitchell will be in the middle.

[HoustonCajun]

_ It was really unfortunate to see Brooks get that ACL injury in 08 right around when Fleming had his. Like you said, he was playing at a high level as a freshman and starting in the middle. I liked having Zanders on the outside and Fleming on the strong side and I was hoping that Brooks would start this year in the middle and keep Fleming strong side but it didn't work out. I think his knee has constantly given him some issues ever since the major injury. Also, I think the injury got to his focus as well. I saw several times in the spring scrimmages that he was getting quite an earful from Rebowe about being out of position and making the wrong reads. I can't figure how a guy who started an entire year and has been in the program for 3 years now could make so many mistakes but I would begin to assume that he has lost a tad of focus. I hope he comes back strong and makes some good contributions this year as we will need him next year. I'd like to see Jelani Mitchell on the strong side and let Brooks patrol the middle but if he doesn't get back to form, I assume that Mitchell will be in the middle. _

Do you mean Jelani Smith who transferred from Arkansas? If so, he is only 6 ft. and 215 lbs. Too small to play middle linebacker. We need a much bigger presence in the middle.

[Parrott]

Smith has put on some more weight and could be an option in the middle. Too soon to know for sure.

[zephyr]

_ Do you mean Jelani Smith who transferred from Arkansas? If so, he is only 6 ft. and 215 lbs. Too small to play middle linebacker. We need a much bigger presence in the middle. _

I agree, which is why I was saying that I hope Brooks regains his form as the staff brought Mitchell in to play MLB, or that is what was stated at the time of his transfer. I believe he would be better served on the outside but I guess the staff was looking at possibilities at him in the middle giving us more speed in the LB corp.