I'm not sure there are many things that can get done this year to change the defensive situation. I guess my shortlist would be:
i) Continue to look for a DB that can "quarterback" the defensive set ups. Need a vocal leader on D that can set things up to help minimize the coverage lapses. I have no idea who that person is at this point.
ii) Need more creative QB blitzes. Might need to uncork two or three corner blitzes a game. I would like to see Santana Sterling get some serious reps at LB in the next game.
iii) They have already burned many redshirts. Maybe Tahj Wilson should see some reps at corner for spell Bell in the next game. Maybe Swann gets out there too. I don't think our problems in the secondary are strictly scheme related, we need both better tacklers and faster guys. Of the freshman class, I was of the impression that Brown is maybe the fastest, then Swann, Swenson and Olaniyan. Coyle is suppose to be our fastest sophomore, but so far I haven't really seen it on the field, although his speed on the field thus far may be hampered by having to think rather than just play.
Overall, doesn't seem like there is many things the staff can do to really change it up aside from getting guys like Sterling on the field at LB and some shifting in the secondary, like giving a few series to the next man up behind Bell.
All the DBs on the Roster -
NO NAME HT/WT POSITION YR/CLASS HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL
25
Tyler Coyle 6-1/202 Defensive Back RS FR Windsor, Conn. Windsor
39
Chris Jean-Pierre 5-11/205 Defensive Back RS SO Deep River, Conn., Valley Regional
29
Anthony Watkins 5-10/197 Defensive Back RS JR Fort Meade, Md. Lawrenceville (N.J.)
36
Brayden Brown 6-1/192 Defensive Back FR Cumberland, Md. Fort Hill
41
Marshé Terry 6-4/212 Defensive Back RS SO Columbus, N.J. North Burlington
20
Robert P. King III 6-0/167 Defensive Back FR Philadelphia, Pa. Father Judge
44
Ian Swenson 6-1/197 Defensive Back FR Wilmette, Ill. Loyola Academy
30
Jordan Swann 5-10/180 Defensive Back FR Baltimore, Md. St. Frances Academy
21
Jamar Summers 6-0/190 Defensive Back SR Orange, N.J. Orange
37
Kyle Williams 5-7/170 Defensive Back SO Hamden, Conn. Hamden Hall
31
John Robinson IV 6-2/195 Defensive Back RS SO Englewood, N.J. Dwight Morrow
1
Tre Bell 5-11/175 Defensive Back RS SR Union, N.J. St. Peter's Prep
27
Omar Fortt 6-1/190 Defensive Back FR Stamford, Conn. St. Luke's High School
32
Aaron Garland 5-11/193 Defensive Back RS SO Oak Park, Ill. Fenwick
18
Abiola Olaniyan 6-1/186 Defensive Back FR Woodberry Forest, Va. Woodberry Forest
6
Eddie Hahn 6-3/205 Defensive Back RS FR Port Monmouth, N.J. Red Bank Catholic
14
Tahj Herring-Wilson 6-1/190 Defensive Back RS FR Hartford, Conn. Suffield Academy