Tillery, Bonner, Dew-Treadway and now Ewell gone..... Ja'mionFranlklin, Hunter Spears injured. This leaves only four DT/NG players for the two positions in the middle of the defensive line (Hinish, Tagoviola, Adiamola and Freshman Jacob Lacy). Lack of size, depth and experience abounds in the middle of the DLine.
Replacing Coney and Tranquill with players that can have anywhere near their production at linebacker is challenge to say the least. Clark Lea will have to be a miracle worker to do that since it is a rebuilding year at LB.
Bottom Line: We may score more points than last year but we may give up a lot more. Hopefully Ja'mion Franklin and Hunter Spears can rehab and get on the field to help out in the middle and we find a couple of linebackers that can surprise. It is the key to any hope for the Irish to return to the playoffs.
Here are a few others:
1. The kicking game. We really don't know what to expect;
2. The lack of a serviceable back up qb. If Book goes down for an extended period of time, we are in big trouble;
3. The lack of an explosive running game. Dexter will be sorely missed. His explosiveness will not be replaced next season.
Hopefully.
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