Two deep vs. them Mercer Bears

[gofurman]

all public as two-deep is posted:

Again looks like Gilby gets start over a very good McKoy at ILB

Interesting to me is that Perryman and McKoy have switched spots this late in career. Perryman Senior now is playing WLB now and McKoy as Junior moving to MLB now - *Can someone explain to me are these positions very very similar and easy to switch? I would have to think so for them to change Perryman and Mckoy as upperclass players now.

Hope starting over Vann - interesting as his story is whether a 3 down LB or pass rush specialist

Hodge back w Start over Stokes though they both play a lot and seem to change the starter often at NG - actually maybe Hodge got start last week, I don't know, the two deep said Stokes. Appears they are neck and neck

I suspect (don't know) Weems is still a lil' gimpy and we only see him if he plays out ok this week in practice - would be nice to have every corner available - some more athletic.. some more experienced - more options is always betta'

Great to see Austin Jones listed; interresting - i understood he had enrolled early to practice at SS and now this week moves to FS

Hugh Ryan looks to be starting at SS again.

Great job to the D last week and let's beat Mercer !!!

[The Jackal]

Like most things in football, there's a general answer but then subject to a ton of variations.

Furman, like most 3-4 defenses, have two ILBs - a MLB and WLB. The WLB is going to most often line up on the same side as our Bandit (Hope/Vann) - to the weak side of the field (based on whatever call our defense to designate the strong side of an offensive formation, which varies by opponent).

The MLB is typically going to line up on the strong side of the field. That will ordinarily be the same side as our SPUR (Willis/Wilkins).

Just an example from Saturday

Standard formation for Furman - VT has has the TE lined up on the defensive left, so I assume that's the strong side. Hodge slides over to the strong side of the Center. Furman now has 4 men to the left of the center (Hodge, Tibbs, Willis, Gilby). The weakside has only three (Perryman, Sochovka, and Hope).

This isn't always the case, but your weak side players are often more athletic run-and-hit type guys - they have to cover the same ground with fewer men. Both positions, though, are coached by the same guy and are largely similar.

[The Jackal]

I hadn't noticed this the first time, but on that sack by Sochovka, VT has 8 men blocking and still gives up a sack.

Nice play call by Coach Vaughn - corner blitz draws the running back while Hope attacks inside drawing a double team. The Center, realizing there's no linebacker blitzing, tries to reach Sochovka, but can't.

[gofurman]

Jackal, Thank you for the explanation !