Positive Outlook for DL in 2011

We have 4 players with extensive starting experience Fuga, Manumaleuna, Putnam and Dulan for 3 spots; and their backups are also very talented. Should be one of the team's best units along with the LBs.



NT Romney Fuga - Travis Tuiloma, Hebron Fangupo.

DE Eathyn Manumaleuna - Jordan Richardson, Mike Muehlmann,

DE Matt Putnam - Graham Rowley, Ian Dulan (may redshirt)

Hopefully some of these guys make waves in the NFL circles. It would be great to see some guys get drafted on the defensive side of the ball, especially for recruiting.

I think our NT position is stacked. And while we have experience at the other spots, still not seeing much of a pass rush from these guys. We will be strong in run support though, since the LBs will be so good this year.

The awesome thing about our ends is they are big guys who can slide down inside and absorb blocks giving our fast backers room to roam. With fuga, manu, and putnam those are three guys that will require double teams on many plays. I expect to see very effective blitzing this year.



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I think Fangupo will see a bit of time at DE and may pass up Putnam on the depth chart. Fuga and Tuiloma can probably hold their own at DT

I believe he would have to pull a Mike Hague transformation to play DE. He is 6-2, 320 and runs a 5.1/40 and has played DT most of his career. I can see Ian Dulan playing DE but not Fangupo.

Reviewing the size and speed of our DL, their size and athleticism will make it difficult to run up the middle - they will be hard to displace. Manu and Fuga are basically nose tackles with a rather large/oversized DE in Putnam.



DE - Manumaleuena (6'2'', 295) - Richardson (6'3", 271), Mike Muehlmann (6'4", 240)

NT Romney Fuga (6'2'', 307) - Travis Tuiloma (6'2'', 316), Hebron Fangupo(6'1'',320).

DE Matt Putnam (6'6'', 271)- Graham Rowley (6'4'', 261), Ian Dulan (may redshirt) 6'1", 255



That being said, our DL is geared to be run-stuffers but not sack-masters. The games played and sacks recorded for the projected starters is not great.



Putnam (13/2)

Manumaleuna (13/2.5)

Fuga (4/.5)



Clearly with the 3-4 alignment, the trenches will be stacked and the LBs will be required to blitz and put pressure on the QB. Here's hoping our OLBs bring the pressure from the wings for lots of tackles behind the lines.

Didn't Fangupo see some time at DE this spring??

He did and got good reviews.

Fowler is pretty fast and if Bryson comes back we really are stacked at dline



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The thing I love about Putnam is that he has a lot of length and athleticism for his position, so when you've got him and Manu in the game, it's hard to find an open passing lane. Even if he never does another good thing on the field, I will always think he was great for the pick he made against UCLA in '08. Julius Peppers made a similar pick that wasn't even that cool, and people started talking Heisman. Of course, Julius Peppers is a lot better than Putnam, but Putnam's best play was better than Peppers' best play. :)

redneckjedi wrote:
The thing I love about Putnam is that he has a lot of length and athleticism for his position, so when you've got him and Manu in the game, it's hard to find an open passing lane. Even if he never does another good thing on the field, I will always think he was great for the pick he made against UCLA in '08. Julius Peppers made a similar pick that wasn't even that cool, and people started talking Heisman. Of course, Julius Peppers is a lot better than Putnam, but Putnam's best play was better than Peppers' best play. :)

Ever since seeing Putnam make that play I have been waiting for him to develop into the next great BYU DE. I'm beginning to think that he may not get much better than he was last season.

I was just sad that after he caught the ball, he ran straight into the qb who basically just dove at Putnam's legs. If Putnam would have been just slightly elusive and changed direction at all, he would have had six on that play.

Schmoe wrote:
I was just sad that after he caught the ball, he ran straight into the qb who basically just dove at Putnam's legs. If Putnam would have been just slightly elusive and changed direction at all, he would have had six on that play.

So true... although, it's not like we needed the points. ;)

redneckjedi wrote:

I was just sad that after he caught the ball, he ran straight into the qb who basically just dove at Putnam's legs. If Putnam would have been just slightly elusive and changed direction at all, he would have had six on that play.

So true... although, it's not like we needed the points. ;)

Yeah, we already had icing on the cake, but nothing wrong with a cherry on top! :crazy: