'11 FL DE Aaron Lynch (USF Transfer)

[Whiskeyjack]

Whats his ideal weight he proabably isnt going to pack on as much as tuitt is he he is closer to a prototypical dend

Prototypical 4-3 WDEs usually play around 275. No doubt Longo will try to maximize Aaron's weight without sacrificing speed so he can function as a 3-4 DE, too.

 

[ryno 24]

Thats what I thought I want him to be able to be an every down player without losing what makes him a beast

 

[OCIrish]

Whats his ideal weight he proabably isnt going to pack on as much as tuitt is he he is closer to a prototypical dend

Depends on where he starts losing his speed and agility quickness...I'm guessing 275-285. Maybe less, maybe more. Like I said, just depends on how his body reacts to the added weight.

 

[jonesman]

Looking at his frame, I believe he could easily carry 280 without any loss of mobility. He has several inches on Ethan Johson who is like 300. At 280, Aaron will still look thin. Yet, he will be able to chase down a QB plenty fine.

 

[crzychris]

He's a stud at 271 so why change? He's a fleet DE and I'd like to keep him that way. With all the new studs on the line to build up space, Lynch can fly around all day and give opposing QBs nightmares.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He's a stud at 271 so why change? He's a fleet DE and I'd like to keep him that way. With all the new studs on the line to build up space, Lynch can fly around all day and give opposing QBs nightmares.

Diaco's hybrid defense works best when the same personnel can perform well in both the 3-4 and 4-3 looks. If Aaron isn't heavy/ strong enough to handle the two-gap/ read & flow duties of a 3-4 WDE, then he'll only get used as a one-gap/ QB-seeking missile in our 4-3 looks; thus, whenever opposing defenses see him jogging out onto the field, they'll know what's coming.

Even as a simple pass rusher, Longo will probably want Lynch at 275-80; if he can go heavier without slowing his explosive first step, he may even end up at 285-290. But who knows? Maybe Aaron can perform well in a 3-4 at 275-280 simply by building ridiculous upper body strength.

 

[Riddickulous]

Justin Tuck only weighs 274 and is an elite NFL DE. As long as Lynch has that dynamic first step...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Justin Tuck only weighs 274 and is an elite NFL DE. As long as Lynch has that dynamic first step...

Tuck is a 4-3 WDE who basically has free reign to one-gap on every play. If Lynch is ever going to be more than a pass rushing specialist for Diaco, he'll have to excel at the two-gap/ read & flow duties of a 3-4 DE, which generally requires more weight/ strength.

Maybe Lynch is exceptional enough to be able to do both well at ~275, but pointing out a prototypical 4-3 WDE's weight isn't really applicable to how heavy/ strong Lynch will need to be for Diaco's system.

 

[ryno 24]

Tuck is a 4-3 WDE who basically has free reign to one-gap on every play. If Lynch is ever going to be more than a pass rushing specialist for Diaco, he'll have to excel at the two-gap/ read & flow duties of a 3-4 DE, which generally requires more weight/ strength.

Maybe Lynch is exceptional enough to be able to do both well at ~275, but pointing out a prototypical 4-3 WDE's weight isn't really applicable to how heavy/ strong Lynch will need to be for Diaco's system.

I agree completely with WhiskeyJack its important that he is able to play in the system. We might be going to more 4-3 in the future but right now we need to control gaps if he wants to be a starter. Though this year I do see him mostly being a pass rushing specialist

 

[Domina Nostra]

Prototypical 4-3 WDEs usually play around 275. No doubt Longo will try to maximize Aaron's weight without sacrificing speed so he can function as a 3-4 DE, too.

I understand that the 3-4 is different than the 4-3. But Longo and Kelly should take this slow. This is not the NFL; he's plenty big.

Robert Mathis: 245
Osi Umenyiora 261
John Abrams: 263
Jared Allen: 270
Aaron Lynch: 271
Trent Cole: 270
Justin Tuck: 274
Will Smith: 282
Julius Peppers: 283
Justin Smith: 285
Mario Williams: 295
Richard Seymour: 310

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I think some of you are missing Whiskey's overall point, which from what I'm reading, is centered around the system.

Diaco's hybrid defense works best when the same personnel can perform well in both the 3-4 and 4-3 looks. If Aaron isn't heavy/ strong enough to handle the two-gap/ read & flow duties of a 3-4 WDE, then he'll only get used as a one-gap/ QB-seeking missile in our 4-3 looks; thus, whenever opposing defenses see him jogging out onto the field, they'll know what's coming.

It doesn't matter what any one DE in the NFL weighs because those teams aren't running hybrid defenses. I'm not saying that Diaco is some defensive genius and this is the first time something like this has been done (or that it will even work), but the fact remains that this seems to be the direction of the defensive scheme and our DL/OLB need to be able to perform all the jobs required to basically play two schemes. If Aaron can perform his duties and not specialize in one area, then it doesn't matter what he weighs.

 

[koonja]

The Steelers play a 3-4 and their DEs weigh the following:

268
268
285
298
294
261
265
298
262

I don't think Longo's too concerned about Lynch needing adding weight

Pittsburgh Steelers Roster at NFL.com

 

[Domina Nostra]

The Steelers play a 3-4 and their DEs weigh the following . . .
I don't think Longo's too concerned about Lynch needing adding weight

Exactly. In College hoops, everyone wants 6'9" PFs, and a few schools get them, but there are a lot of 6'7" kids who are just as effective in the college game because they are more athletic or because they have skills.

Regardless of what defense we are playing, I think Lynch is plenty big for the 3-4 because (a) He already weighs 270 and does not need to play starter's minutes and (b) his quickness and length more than make up for a hypothetical 10-20 pounds. I know that you target bigger kids in the 3-4, but those kids are significantly are slower. Hardly is an exception to the rule because hardly anyone his size is that fast (last year maybe 3-5 kids?), so its relative.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Here is a decent article about 3 4 and 4 3 ...

from our favorite place...BR!

Notre Dame Football: The Irish Defense Will Dominate College Football | Bleacher Report

 

[Whiskeyjack]

The Steelers play a 3-4 and their DEs weigh the following:

268
268
285
298
294
261
265
298
262

I don't think Longo's too concerned about Lynch needing adding weight

Pittsburgh Steelers Roster at NFL.com

Check out the Steeler's 2010 Defensive 2-deep. Hood and McClendon at LDE; Keisel and Eason at RDE. Weights are 300, 280, 285, and 305 respectively.

Exactly. In College hoops, everyone wants 6'9" PFs, and a few schools get them, but there are a lot of 6'7" kids who are just as effective in the college game because they are more athletic or because they have skills.

Regardless of what defense we are playing, I think Lynch is plenty big for the 3-4 because (a) He already weighs 270 and does not need to play starter's minutes and (b) his quickness and length more than make up for a hypothetical 10-20 pounds. I know that you target bigger kids in the 3-4, but those kids are significantly are slower. Hardly is an exception to the rule because hardly anyone his size is that fast (last year maybe 3-5 kids?), so its relative.

Speed isn't nearly as important as strength and size for a 3-4 DE (which is why they're usually converted DTs). A 3-4 DE doesn't attack the OL and try to penetrate; he engages, holds his ground, reads the play, and flows to the ball. If he's too light, he'll have a hard time holding his ground, thereby opening running lanes. If he's not strong enough, he'll have a hard time swimming through OL to make a tackle once he reads the play.

Aaron is a prototypical 4-3 WDE. He'd almost certainly start as a freshman on any 4-3 team in the country. But a 3-4 DE requires a different skillset and build altogether; consequently, I doubt Aaron will challenge for the #1 WDE this season. How Longo ultimately shapes his body will be very interesting.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

Check out the Steeler's 2010 Defensive 2-deep. Hood and McClendon at LDE; Keisel and Eason at RDE. Weights are 300, 280, 285, and 305 respectively.



Speed isn't nearly as important as strength and size for a 3-4 DE (which is why they're usually converted DTs). A 3-4 DE doesn't attack the OL and try to penetrate; he engages, holds his ground, reads the play, and flows to the ball. If he's too light, he'll have a hard time holding his ground, thereby opening running lanes. If he's not strong enough, he'll have a hard time swimming through OL to make a tackle once he reads the play.

Aaron is a prototypical 4-3 WDE. He'd almost certainly start as a freshman on any 4-3 team in the country. But a 3-4 DE requires a different skillset and build altogether; consequently, I doubt Aaron will challenge for the #1 WDE this season. How Longo ultimately shapes his body will be very interesting.

He'll be a starter by the USC game, if not than I'm buying. I move to Phoenix on Saturday.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He'll be a starter by the USC game, if not than I'm buying. I move to Phoenix on Saturday.

12,000 vBucks says that, barring a KLM injury, Aaron doesn't start at WDE this season.

Oh, and welcome

 

[GBdomer]

No way Lynch starts over KLM. You can have all my V bucks baring an injury if he does. Kid hasn't even played a down yet at Notre Dame and we have him starting over KLM. Unreal if you ask me.

 

[military_irish]

He has the POTENTIAL to start but it will be hard to jump the vets on the team. I think he gets put in during pass downs and just go for the ball. While he learns the other dynamics of being an all around DE.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

You can't say Aaron has a realistic chance of starting this season without seriously underestimating KLM first (barring injury of course).

KLM is an NFL-caliber talent who's two years ahead of Aaron both physically and mentally.

 

[military_irish]

You can't say Aaron has a realistic chance of starting this season without seriously underestimating KLM first (barring injury of course).

KLM is an NFL-caliber talent who's two years ahead of Aaron both physically and mentally.

I don't know exactly who you were talking with this but I will answer anyway. I don't think he will start, unless injury like you say. But he has the talent no one can deny that.

He will have less minutes than KLM but I think he could also get equal playing time without necassarily having the "starter" over his name.


P.S. I never want a Freshman to start, unless he is a one in a decade athlete. The upper classmen should always be better.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

Lol I was honestly going for the drinks rather than AL being the starter.

 

[Riddickulous]

No way Lynch starts over KLM. You can have all my V bucks baring an injury if he does. Kid hasn't even played a down yet at Notre Dame and we have him starting over KLM. Unreal if you ask me.

Correct.

You can't say Aaron has a realistic chance of starting this season without seriously underestimating KLM first (barring injury of course).

KLM is an NFL-caliber talent who's two years ahead of Aaron both physically and mentally.

I agree entirely.

KLM has improved dramatically every single year he's been here. He's put on 50-70 pounds since he's been here.

In the spring, Mike Elston said that KLM had made "significant" progress in the time between the Sun Bowl and spring ball, and that he was probably the most improved player on the entire defense.

Buzz out of camp is that he is the most dominant player there.

He will surprise.

I don't mean any of this, being board jinx and all.

 

[Domina Nostra]

You can't say Aaron has a realistic chance of starting this season without seriously underestimating KLM first (barring injury of course).

KLM is an NFL-caliber talent who's two years ahead of Aaron both physically and mentally.

Agreed. Neither EJ or KLM seem like the kind of seniors destined to get displaced by pure talent. They are not only talented themselves, but big and smart players. Either could have a break-out year.

That said, wouldn't he displace EJ? Does KLM or EJ usually play opposite the CAT?

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Let this thread end. And leave Britney alone.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Let this thread end. Leave the kid alone. He knows what he has to do. Honor his Mother. Stay in shape. Learn from his professors and maybe strive for a Masters or pHD. Kick some booty. Enjoy NDduLac

Amen.

But have you ever stood next to KLM and EJ? Them is powerful big dudes.. Nice guys too. (I was not wearing an opposing jersey.)

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Let this thread end. Leave the kid alone.

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Sorry just had to do it.

Besides, what's wrong with having a discussion on the future Diaco Defense? No one is doubting Aaron as a person or player. We're just talking about DE's in general for this defense and how their physical build comes into play.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

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Sorry just had to do it.

Besides, what's wrong with having a discussion on the future Diaco Defense? No one is doubting Aaron as a person or player. We're just talking about DE's in general for this defense and how their physical build comes into play.

^OMG!

 

[Irish To The Core]

Hey, if Aaron is so good that he can win a starting spot over KLM or EJ then we have a true prodigy in our midst and we are blessed. I don't see that happening but Aaron should see plenty of the field in 4-3 sets and passing downs. I certainly expect to see plenty of platooning to keep the guys fresh. The depth and talent on the d-line makes me salivate.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Let this thread end. And leave Britney alone.

Look what you started! Are you happy, deer?