2016 Leatherneck Football Preview - Linebackers

[Leatherneck57]

Scott,

Mertens was an ILB on a "52" defense [consisting of three DL, two DEs and two LBs]. This defense was designed to stop the popular option offenses of the era [triple option, veer and wishbone].

In 1973, Mertens was flanked by Dickie Vasquez at the other ILB position. After the season, Dickie left Western and transferred to Florida State with Mudra and his staff.

Another outstanding LB that comes to mind is Joe Byrne. He had great years in 1974-75.

Bob

Let's not forget Robyn Blaha...he was a great MLB...unfortunately he and Joe Byrne are deceased. Another hard hitting Middle LB from the early 70's was Paul Cesaretti. A couple of teammates of mine Don Ziegler and Charlie Skinulis were also solid LB's...Charlie is deseased as well. Don reminded you of Jack Lambert former Pittsburg Steeler...same mentality. Charlie and Don were the MLB's in '77 and then I played side by side with Charlie in '78. And we can't forget about Steve Tresmer...Crazy LB from the late 60's.

Yes, definitely agree on Robyn Blaha. He was excellent in 1974-75 as well! I am sorry to hear both he and Joe are deceased. Paul Cesaretti was an OG and is listed as such in one of my 1973 programs. This is how I remember him. Steve Tresmer was a wild man both on and off the field. Stories on his exploits "uptown" were legendary. Other LBs who really came on from 1973 to 75 were Tony Cozzi, Washington Bush and Joe Notorangelo.

Bob

You're right Bob on Paul Cesaretti...my mistake. He was a GA in 1979 at WIU. Seems like he helped ou the defense but maybe not. Great guy and a little crazy himself.

[ST_Lawson]

Yea, so I was flipping through the record book, working on my D-Line preview for this coming Thursday, and I realized that I missed a few guys that kinda jumped out at me...

Bryan Cox (who I, for some reason, thought was a D-line guy...maybe because he's a D-line coach now, but he played LB) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Cox
Lamar McGriggs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_McGriggs
David Bowens - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowens

[ST_Lawson]

I hope we stay in the 4-3. Elson ran a 3 man front at SIU last year, a 4 man as DC with New Mexico State and as HC with WKU they had a 3 man in 2009.

From some pics yesterday it looked like the DL was lined up 4 across, if that means anything.

I'm hoping they go with 4-3 if that is the case then.

SIU did not have a good defense last year...they gave up an average of 467.7 yards per game (113th out of 123 in the FCS) and 34.6 points per game (101st out of 123). The only thing that kept SIU in some games was their exceptional QB, Iannotti, and they still only finished 3-8 overall).

WKU in '09 also had a really bad defense...giving up an average of 478.25 yards per game (118th out of 120 in the FBS) and 39.58 points per game (119th out of 120). WKU in '09 didn't win a game.

Then again, New Mexico State had the 4-man, but still didn't do well. In 2013 (his last year as DC there), they gave up 549.5 yards per game (last out of 123 in the FBS) and 44.6 points per game (120th out of 123).

If anything, I'd say that this is the only real "worrisome" aspect to our coaching staff. I'm sure he's a great guy, and I trust Coach Fisher's judgement, but Elson hasn't had a great deal of success at the DC or HC role outside of his first ~10 years at WKU, when he was DB coach, then DC (under coach Jack Harbaugh), then HC. In that time they did do well in the Ohio Valley, then came to the Gateway conference, did well and won the I-AA championship. Once they moved up to the FBS level, he had trouble having success. So he has had success at the FCS level in the past (just not at SIU) and I'm hoping that it's one of those situations where he just didn't have the right players to be able to really do it (but we do).

[letsgonecks]

Yea, so I was flipping through the record book, working on my D-Line preview for this coming Thursday, and I realized that I missed a few guys that kinda jumped out at me...

Bryan Cox (who I, for some reason, thought was a D-line guy...maybe because he's a D-line coach now, but he played LB) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Cox
Lamar McGriggs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_McGriggs
David Bowens - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowens

I've been confused in the past on Cox also. In 1987 he's listed as 2nd Team All-Conference at DL, but bio says had 30 tackles as a reserve nickle back? 1989 he's 1st Team DB and 1990 he's again 1st Team DB. He would have been a huge Safety, but maybe played more of a hybrid. He played middle LB in the NFL and now coaches DL.

McGriggs was also a safety in 1990 that played LB in the NFL/CFL.

Bowens might have been considered a DE while here. He was at Michigan and thought WIU ran a 4-3. He was an OLB and DE in the NFL.

[ST_Lawson]

Yea, Cox moved around quite a bit, but did LB in the NFL. The listing I was looking at was showing players by their positions in the NFL.
So, it sounds like Cox played a bit of both when he was here (really though...if you're good enough to make it for a while in the NFL, you're probably good enough to play both DL and LB).

[ST_Lawson]

Quick roster update...
Redshirt Freshman CJ Weydeman has been moved from DB to LB. He was originally listed as a QB last year, but was one of those who went over to the defensive side of things.
http://goleathernecks.com/roster.aspx?r ... h=football

[ST_Lawson]

Another quick roster update: Freshman Bryant White (Anderson, IN) is no longer listed on the roster