CDonald to DE...???

[SmokyTheBigOrangeHoundDog]

Boy, now we're thin at LB, and CD gets moved to 3-deep DE.

Let's play... Whassup?
CD is either not physical enough to play LB, or isn't reading responsibilities well.. Who knows?

Bottom Line: My guesstimation is that they might be looking at him as
a pass-rush specialist/drop-end kinda guy. Without a doubt he is fast enough
and agile enough to handle the coverage part of that job, so the move gets him out of the LB's read responsibilities.

Could the staff be considering using 3DE in passing situations?
(Similar to the way McKenzie was used, exc.that CD is big.)
Thoughts?

[IndianVol]

My guess is that he's not quite grasping the LB pass coverage resp., but the staff wants to use his speed and athleticism, so why not try him some as a DE.

[bluegrassvol]

He's an absolute bust at linebacker, and they are looking to see if he can help them anywhere. He's never been able to grasp the mental part of the game. We are looking pretty good at defensive end, so I would be surprised if he made a dent there. Also, when he came in as a true freshman, Fulmer and company tried him at defensive end briefly before moving him to linebacker. I wouldn't be shocked to see this kid transfer out after the season.

[SmokyTheBigOrangeHoundDog]

Agreed, this means he's totally out at LB.
Still think though that the thought is not to put him
into direct competition for a spot at regular DE,
not with the depth we have, and that we have coming,
but rather, as a specialized DE (one that rides the special bus.)
This should simplify things immensely for him.

[Voluble2]

I know this, if he and Gerald Williams get to play end simultaneously we will need someone to make sure they don't both line up on the same side. Past that point I think they could give us a pretty deadly set of back-ups to bring in to rush the passer. Instead of the Mustang we might be able to put 4 ends in the game at one time and let them pin their ears back.

It has been a while since we even potentially had as good a set of rush ends as Walker and the gang. We will have to see if the potential pans out though. I am not holding my breath.

[BrassVols]

I don't think a UT football recruit has exceeded the accomplishments of Brian Darden in being a flat out bust, but Donald is certainly trying to make it interesting. This was supposed to be a 3 maybe 4 year starter, all SEC shoo-in. Can't fookin get his head out of his ass after 2+ years on campus. Now I don't lay any of this on Chris himself, he is what he is, but he was just horribly evaluated by everybody.

Playing DE is not the answer, he's only 220 lbs and will only lose what speed/quickness he had with additional weight. Unbelievable we could have signed guys like him and Daniel Brooks yet not even tried on Patrick Willis and Hightower. Thanks, Phil, you ignorant star whore.



He's an absolute bust at linebacker, and they are looking to see if he can help them anywhere. He's never been able to grasp the mental part of the game. We are looking pretty good at defensive end, so I would be surprised if he made a dent there. Also, when he came in as a true freshman, Fulmer and company tried him at defensive end briefly before moving him to linebacker. I wouldn't be shocked to see this kid transfer out after the season.

[grandpavol]

Going to help him see.Whats best for him.Some kids make it & some don't.Its part of the college football experience.Actually, its part of the H/S experience,also............grandpa

[orangelo]

You could always move him to fullback. Has the physical tools, was a great runner in high school. He had good hands and could probably block pretty well if asked to. The defensive side is often based on quick reaction which is where he seems to be lacking. Put him on the offensive sign where his assignment in many cases are determined pre-snap. Who knows he might surprise some folks.