Most Improved Defensive Player

[Anchorman]

Manti is a beast, but we knew that already.

Statistically, he's doing what he's been doing for two years. The increased hype is a result of the team elevating around him. He's also roaming behind a beast of a defensive front this year, which makes him look better.

Motta has elevated his whole game.

 

[Cogs]

I put Shembo just for the fact we saw him a lot more last year than we did with Motta. The only play I can recall Motta making last year was the fumble return against the Noles. Shembo looks like a completely new person out there.

 

[stlnd01]

Motta. Fox.
To me they were the two weakest links on the defense (at least among returning players) coming into the season. Both have elevated their game to the point that they're not weak links anymore.

 

[stlnd01]

I put Shembo just for the fact we saw him a lot more last year than we did with Motta. The only play I can recall Motta making last year was the fumble return against the Noles. Shembo looks like a completely new person out there.

Motta played a lot last year. He just didn't make a lot of plays.

 

[koonja]

Bump.

Alright, Zeke. You're the unanimous favorite as 'most improved' player on defense. I say no way. You were always great at run support but pretty bad at passing defense. We haven't had a great passing team yet, so I haven't seen significant improvement. You are going against a great passing team this week, but you have a top-5 fron seven to help you out. No excuses. Please make me eat my words. Go Irish!

 

[yankeeND]

This one is tough. You really could make a case for every one in the starting line-up. If I had to choose one guy I would say Kap but the thing that has made them so successful is that they are playing well as a group opposed to just one guy.

 

[irishpat183]

People are saying Motta....LOL


Can't cover, has been outta position numerous times....but he's such a big hitter


Love Zeke and I think he's a decent saftey...but come on.

I'll wait till after Kenny Stills before I label him most improved.

 

[irishpat183]

The OU game will tell us how improved Motta is.

Hope he brings his A game.

 

[koonja]

People are saying Motta....LOL


Can't cover, has been outta position numerous times....but he's such a big hitter


Love Zeke and I think he's a decent saftey...but come on.

I'll wait till after Kenny Stills before I label him most improved.

Word. I hope I can say I was dead wrong after Saturday. I think Zeke's poor angles/lack of speed is a bigger concern than Russel starting as a true frosh.

 

[irishpat183]

Word. I hope I can say I was dead wrong after Saturday. I think Zeke's poor angles/lack of speed is a bigger concern than Russel starting as a true frosh.

Exactly. I will probably get destroyed for that comment...but whatever. I'm just not sold on his pass coverage. And you have to do both. Big hitter doesn't mean jack when the Navy 2nd string WR is running by you...


Like you said, I love being proved wrong (Harrison Smith is doing it every week in the NFL) on these kinds of things.