The more serious problem this creates for the roster is what to do with Alexander's backup's backup. You NEED four defensive tackles. With Alexander out, we have 3 who have played in Dorsey, Favorite, and Al Woods. Those three will likely have to play more, but we will definitely need a 4th.
This is where we miss Ricky Jean-Francois even more. Jean-Francois would likely have been the starting defensive end this year, but also slides inside to play defensive tackle at times. He could easily have been moved to play defensive tackle, and would have been just as disruptive in that role as he is at defensive end.
Without Jean-Francois available, the next option I suppose is to take away one of the freshmen's redshirt. Word is that the leading candidate among the freshmen defensive tackles is Drake Nevis. Honestly, I'm not that fond of redshirting players who are ready, and I think Les Miles redshirts players too often. I'm not happy he may be forced to make an exception to his pro-redshirting policy due to injury, however.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Excellent point about the impact of Alexander's injury from GeauxTuscaloosa:
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Big win yesterday, and for what it's worth I never saw anyone other than Dorsey, Favorite, and Woods playing tackle. It looks like they've put off making that decision for a little while longer. They can't put it off forever though. They're going to have to figure out who's going to be the 4th defensive tackle. We can't go 3/4 of a season with only 3.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, and I thought I remember Jim Hawthorne or Jordy Hultberg pretty much saying they were pulling Nevis' red shirt before the game started. Perhaps he made it in a few plays and I missed it. Will be interesting to see what happens from here. One things is certain - we've got some pass defense work to do before we play Florida.
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