My question regarding the DOG position is this: If it is the toughest physically + mentally then why did we play a true Frosh last year along with a out-of-position Shembo only to have neither their this year, and now we have a converted safety, a rs frosh (sophomore with 4 years eligibility for those who are uber detailed), a true frosh lb, and true frosh converted safety? If it were so hard mentally to understand the position wouldn't we have kept someone there and/or recruited BEFORE year 3 a lb who is used to being in coverage? Just seems like maybe the position isn't as mentally demanding as it is just having the abilities to cover. Just my opinion though.
I have thought about this long and hard. Not so long and hard that I have hurt myself, but here is what I have got.
OSL Skills:
1) Rush the quarterback
2) Play the run
3) Cover the receiver (usually on the field side under)
CAT skills:
1) When required
2) When required
3) Rarely
DOG skills:
1) Less frequently but when required
2) When requiered
3) When required
The differences between the skills for CAT and DOG:
1) DOG requires greater foot speed
2) DOG requires greater better coverage skills
3) DOG requires greater deciciveness as to what the coverage countdown (keys in order are) is - mind speed.
4) Cat requires greater strength at the point of attack
One and two are rare enough, three is really uncommon. Shembo had footspeed and decent coverage skills as did Flemming. Niklas had some of all three, but remember they simplified when they played him against MSU. And at the end of the season they played Slaughter a lot!
Now the rest of the story: The coaching staff knew they were growing a Councell, who they selected for the job, suspected that Spond could move to it with work. And that is exactly what they saw for Okwara, as they recuruited him. On signing day Kelly made a bit of a mention of Okwara having the skill to cover . . .
And ND has never had a truly great DOG, yet.
