Battle Impact on D-Line
Senior DE Rod Battle is out for the season with an injured knee. Heart goes out to him. Coming off shoulder surgery, he worked so hard to come back and make a big impact in his senior season. Like Sturdivant, it just doesn't seem fair.
So, who's the next man up? It's good timing that Justin Houston is coming off his 2-game suspension this week, and he's the best DE the Bulldogs have got. Last season, Houston paid some dues as a redshirt freshman. At times he looked impressive. But he also took it on the chin a lot. They need the 2009 Justin Houston to be a force. Sort of like in the spring game, when he had 3 sacks. He's talented and explosive off the edge. Martinez would be thrilled to see him throwing Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett to the ground a few times Saturday night.
Cornelius Washington got his 1st sack against South Carolina. He shows some promise. Kiante Tripp got some PT last Saturday but looked like a fish out of water the few plays I watched. Dobbs continues to mix it up and hold his own. These guys need to come on fast. Right now, it's mostly a struggle getting pressure on the QB.
That's one of the reasons why Martinez is playing the Nickel Package so much. He can get better pass rushers on the field. Not much heat on the QB, when they are in their base 4-3. In the Nickel, he can zone blitz'm more effectively. Gamble and Curran can fly around. Now with Houston back, they get some push from the edge. I'd be smart to feature Houston in the Nickel Package this week. Keep him fresh to rush Mallett. Let one of those other guys play some of the run downs.
DeAngelo Tyson deserves some more PT at DT. He'd be starting at most SEC schools, even though he's just a sophomore. His block of the extra point changed the outcome of the South Carolina game. Looks like he's emerging as an impact guy.
Here's how I would play it: In the base 4-3, I'd have Dobbs and Geno Atkins in at DE, with Owens and Weston at DT. In the Nickel, Atkins, DeAngelo Tyson and Houston would be featured. The pass rush is big this week against Arkansas.
Razorback QB Ryan Mallett looks great standing in the pocket throwing it around, when there is no pressure. But at 6'7" 240, he's not so mobile. You've got to figure that for the 'Dogs to win, they will have to hit and pressure Mallett.
So, who's the next man up? It's good timing that Justin Houston is coming off his 2-game suspension this week, and he's the best DE the Bulldogs have got. Last season, Houston paid some dues as a redshirt freshman. At times he looked impressive. But he also took it on the chin a lot. They need the 2009 Justin Houston to be a force. Sort of like in the spring game, when he had 3 sacks. He's talented and explosive off the edge. Martinez would be thrilled to see him throwing Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett to the ground a few times Saturday night.
Cornelius Washington got his 1st sack against South Carolina. He shows some promise. Kiante Tripp got some PT last Saturday but looked like a fish out of water the few plays I watched. Dobbs continues to mix it up and hold his own. These guys need to come on fast. Right now, it's mostly a struggle getting pressure on the QB.
That's one of the reasons why Martinez is playing the Nickel Package so much. He can get better pass rushers on the field. Not much heat on the QB, when they are in their base 4-3. In the Nickel, he can zone blitz'm more effectively. Gamble and Curran can fly around. Now with Houston back, they get some push from the edge. I'd be smart to feature Houston in the Nickel Package this week. Keep him fresh to rush Mallett. Let one of those other guys play some of the run downs.
DeAngelo Tyson deserves some more PT at DT. He'd be starting at most SEC schools, even though he's just a sophomore. His block of the extra point changed the outcome of the South Carolina game. Looks like he's emerging as an impact guy.
Here's how I would play it: In the base 4-3, I'd have Dobbs and Geno Atkins in at DE, with Owens and Weston at DT. In the Nickel, Atkins, DeAngelo Tyson and Houston would be featured. The pass rush is big this week against Arkansas.
Razorback QB Ryan Mallett looks great standing in the pocket throwing it around, when there is no pressure. But at 6'7" 240, he's not so mobile. You've got to figure that for the 'Dogs to win, they will have to hit and pressure Mallett.
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