Lots of potential here with these guys starting in the 3-4...

I'm optimistic about Dom's endurance, that had been a big part of his growth as a player at ISU, no pun. He came in as a freshman at ~350 and played about 20 snaps a game. He worked hard on conditioning and left at ~322 and an all game player. I'm a Cyclone homer and have nothing bad to say about the kid. Word is he's very coachable and loves the game.

BigAl99 wrote:

I'm optimistic about Dom's endurance, that had been a big part of his growth as a player at ISU, no pun. He came in as a freshman at ~350 and played about 20 snaps a game. He worked hard on conditioning and left at ~322 and an all game player. I'm a Cyclone homer and have nothing bad to say about the kid. Word is he's very coachable and loves the game.

Good insight, Al. The reports show he's a force until he gets fatigued, which I guess can be said about any player to some extent. We've got some good depth behind the iDL starters now....Taimani and LDR are best as rotational backups or situational guys. I think Taimani is going to have a competition for his backup spot with The Creature, Eric Johnson II. I don't see both making the roster. TID is that more athletic DE in the 3-4 that should be the top backup guy in that setup.

Banks is 23, Big Citrus is just 22

These guys are babies and will need some time & patience while they mature/learn their craft.

I hope they have a good plan especially for Banks and that foot. And I like JIT's idea to bring a vet on to that IDL for leadership.

purplefaithful wrote:

Banks is 23, Big Citrus is just 22
These guys are babies and will need some time & patience while they mature/learn their craft.
I hope they have a good plan especially for Banks and that foot. And I like JIT's idea to bring a vet on to that IDL for leadership.

Yep, and his suggestion just signed somewhere 😟😠

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/calais-campbell-returns-baltimore-ravens-155559498.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

StickierBuns wrote:

Yep, and his suggestion just signed somewhere 😟😠
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/calais-campbell-returns-baltimore-ravens-155559498.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

Yah, read that yesterday...I'm still hopeful for some vet presence b4 TC.

Really wanted Campbell!

I think Reader is still unsigned

Couldn't be more excited about our DL. The starters are young, big, talented and dangerous, and the depth is good. Think about this: Vikings went from Harrison Phillips (6-3, 307) to a rotation of players getting snaps at nose last year. Allen (6-3, 300), Hargrave (6-2, 307), LDR (6-2, 300) and Redmond (6-3, 305) rotated at nose. I'm sure they'll still rotate for the purpose of disguise, but nowhere near as much as last year. It will be nice to have a dedicated nose in Orange to free Redmond and Banks to play where they're better suited. Redmond could have a massive year.

In the three years prior, Flores has had many opportunities to bring in a DT who better fits the nose tackle size profile, but failed to do so. Now I'm wondering if that was more KAM than BFlo. I can't believe I'm even typing that because it sounds so ridiculous, but who knows...

We got thicker, younger and theoretically better at IDL. Heckuva rotation.

Banks has big upside but he's a bit of a project imo. I'd expect him to be brought along slowly, like Turner. And I expect the fans to do a lot of bitching and yelling of the "B" word, like Turner.

comet52 wrote:

Banks has big upside but he's a bit of a project imo. I'd expect him to be brought along slowly, like Turner. And I expect the fans to do a lot of bitching and yelling of the "B" word, like Turner.

Need a big year from Turner or yeah.....the boo birds will come a callin'.

I think the D gets elite in 2027. This year will show flashes, especially the last 5 or 6 games.

MaroonBells wrote:

In the three years prior, Flores has had many opportunities to bring in a DT who better fits the nose tackle size profile, but failed to do so. Now I'm wondering if that was more KAM than BFlo. I can't believe I'm even typing that because it sounds so ridiculous, but who knows...

IT does sound ridiculous, but it shouldn't be totally dismissed either. I think they were very happy with Phillips until they weren't.

purplefaithful wrote:

IT does sound ridiculous, but it shouldn't be totally dismissed either. I think they were very happy with Phillips until they weren't.

Phillips was good at what he was. He was a lockerroom leader, a NT that worked hard, was intelligent and had moderate abilities. (he is a starter in the NFL, so there is that) but he wasn't a massive physical freak.

Rookie DTs rarely make an impact. It's the nature of the position that it takes a season or two for these guys to learn the nuances of the position.

Knucklehead wrote:

Rookie DTs rarely make an impact. It's the nature of the position that it takes a season or two for these guys to learn the nuances of the position.

And people are going to be quick on the "judge the pick" trigger for Banks too...

This defensive front can be super nasty if Turner and Banks live up to potential. The raw natural talent is off the charts. Big Citrus just needs to do what he does. Redmond best football is still in front of him. More excited about this than I was the Hargrave/Allen combo last year

purplefaithful wrote:

And people are going to be quick on the "judge the pick" trigger for Banks too...

Eh, not sure about that. If you're talking the idiots on X, yeah....everything is the best or absolutely sucks. If Banks has what it takes he'll flash....the consistency comes with some experience in the NFL. He was the 18th pick after all, so the bar is high but shouldn't be unrealistically so as he gets his feet wet.

Many teams seem to do it differently, but what is the ideal size of each of the 3 position on the DL in a 3-4. Obviously you want the huge nose tackle in the middle, but thought on the outsides you would want taller, leaner DL, like a 6'4" 290#, we seem to be going huge in all 3 spots.

JR44 wrote:

Many teams seem to do it differently, but what is the ideal size of each of the 3 position on the DL in a 3-4. Obviously you want the huge nose tackle in the middle, but thought on the outsides you would want taller, leaner DL, like a 6'4" 290#, we seem to be going huge in all 3 spots.

Banks honestly might be in unicorn territory. He's got that type of ability and when you need a rush inside, they'll move him there in a nanosecond on passing downs. They rush with 4 sometimes and that will be now Turner (standing up) - Banks - Redmond and TID. I wonder if Tyler Batty makes a step at OLB? Elijah Williams at DE? BFlo might be at his most unpredictable moving forward.