3 All Conference Linebackers

[G-BEARS]

Nothing destroys "conference politics" like winning.

Conference Champs with league-leading defense might do the trick. One can hope, right?

Actually even in winning seasons we see it rear it's head. 2011 we had Tru and Roots as our two starting corners and by far the best pass coverage corners in the conference. However Tru got 1st team and Roots 2nd team. It's the way it goes and those awards, while nice, are moderately meaningless anyways.

Roots was very good that year. But to just assume that our 2 guys were the two best in the whole conference is BS. Obviously Tru was, but the guy who beat out Roots for 1st team was TJ Lee, who has gone on to a have a successful career playing professionally in Canada. I didn't look at the stats, but statistics for the cornerback position (besides interceptions/pass break ups) aren't very telling of performance level necessarily. It's not always politics, sometimes other teams have better players than UM even if Um's players are very good.

That year, imo it was.

Roots, 51 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3 Ints, 10 PBU's, 1 FF

Lee, 48 tackles, 0.5 TFLs, 2 Ints, 3 PBU's, 0 FF

Lee obviously went on to have a professional career while Roots didn't, but the choice for was the better corner that season in the Big Sky was wrong.

You failed to include that Roots played 14 games, Lee played 11 games.

 

[kyle_sample]

Griz D might have 3 All Conference Linebackers by year end. All of last years All Conference recipients were Seniors. I hope see something like this....Buss 1st Team, Strahm 2nd Team, & Dante Olsen/Banks or Vika as 3rd Team. They are going to be a fun group to watch.

Vika is a Mike and Dante backs up Buss, so unless there is some reshuffling of responsibilities or injuries to starters, I don't see that happening for the younger backers this year

Who backs up Banks?


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Cy Sirmon was listed on the depth chart last season

 

[HookedonGriz]

Griz D might have 3 All Conference Linebackers by year end. All of last years All Conference recipients were Seniors. I hope see something like this....Buss 1st Team, Strahm 2nd Team, & Dante Olsen/Banks or Vika as 3rd Team. They are going to be a fun group to watch.

Vika is a Mike and Dante backs up Buss, so unless there is some reshuffling of responsibilities or injuries to starters, I don't see that happening for the younger backers this year

Who backs up Banks?


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Cy Sirmon was listed on the depth chart last season

Cy was a Scout three star linebacker coming out of high school and has tremendous potential. His dad was a four year starter at Idaho and his uncle is in Oregons HOF and played professionally. Cy will be a heckuva player

 

[garizzalies]

There needs to be improvement/consistentrncy from all 3 to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd team respectively as discussed. If not by games 3-5 in season, I hope coaches have the guts to give others chances as I think our backups are just as talented at LB That didn't happen at safety at times last year and hurt us.

Josh Buss was a First-Team linebacker last season and everybody knew it. He could miss a multitude of tackles and he's still not only the best LB the Griz have, he's the best defensive player the Griz have.

Don't know if Buss deserved to be first team, as I don't know the others. He's a terrific player who will continue to get better. Nice instincts and speed. Can't make tackles in the backfield and in space. Can get to tackles. However, he didn't play great every game and he made multiple mistakes in various games. Assume he would admit that.

Woah. Way to rip a player, PlayerRip.
Can't make tackles in the backfield? Didn't he lead UM in TFL? As I recall, he may have been one of the leaders in that category for the entire BSC

 

[iaafan]

Buss and Strahm were both 3rd team last year and they are the only returning linebackers from last years rewards. Mostly making an observation and prediction. Olsen is going to be a beast.


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Actually Bignell will be back and he was 2nd team. They mistakenly have him as a senior on the All-Big Sky list.

 

[kyle_sample]

There needs to be improvement/consistentrncy from all 3 to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd team respectively as discussed. If not by games 3-5 in season, I hope coaches have the guts to give others chances as I think our backups are just as talented at LB That didn't happen at safety at times last year and hurt us.

Josh Buss was a First-Team linebacker last season and everybody knew it. He could miss a multitude of tackles and he's still not only the best LB the Griz have, he's the best defensive player the Griz have.

Don't know if Buss deserved to be first team, as I don't know the others. He's a terrific player who will continue to get better. Nice instincts and speed. Can't make tackles in the backfield and in space. Can get to tackles. However, he didn't play great every game and he made multiple mistakes in various games. Assume he would admit that.

Woah. Way to rip a player, PlayerRip.
Can't make tackles in the backfield? Didn't he lead UM in TFL? As I recall, he may have been one of the leaders in that category for the entire BSC

He led the Big Sky and was 10th in the nation in TFLs

 

[ranco]

There needs to be improvement/consistentrncy from all 3 to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd team respectively as discussed. If not by games 3-5 in season, I hope coaches have the guts to give others chances as I think our backups are just as talented at LB That didn't happen at safety at times last year and hurt us.

Josh Buss was a First-Team linebacker last season and everybody knew it. He could miss a multitude of tackles and he's still not only the best LB the Griz have, he's the best defensive player the Griz have.

Don't know if Buss deserved to be first team, as I don't know the others. He's a terrific player who will continue to get better. Nice instincts and speed. Can't make tackles in the backfield and in space. Can get to tackles. However, he didn't play great every game and he made multiple mistakes in various games. Assume he would admit that.

Everybody makes mistakes, even old grey haired lawyers. You're right that Bus would probably admit his mistakes, unlike some people.

 

[BWahlberg]

A lot of times conference politics seems to come into play and getting an entire starting group from a position on the 1st team doesn't happen. I think in 2013 Tripp, Coyle, and JP were split apart 1st, 2nd, 3rd (or honorable mention) team, but I'm not 100% sure - would have to go back and check. If that group didn't sweep 1st team I don't see this one doing it.

Buss has all the potential in the world to be 1st team and maybe in the talks for defensive MVP. However he's a known quantity now and teams will be keying on him. If he can fight through the attention he's going to get from opposing teams the sky is the limit.

Strahm I see as a possible 3rd/2nd team guy. Physical, imposing, hard hitting. To get the votes though he's going to have to continue to improve in pass coverage when needed and show improvement on play recognition and gap assignments, which was mostly good last year but had a few glaring mistakes to many fans eyes (cat game the prime example).

Banks. Not sure. He's a solid backer but lacks the flashy stats of takeaways, TFLs, and sacks. With the focus on stopping Buss he could have some great chances to start to get those, but time will tell.

Vika is the future of this corps but he's got 1 more year of rotation and ST duty. Maybe he could get an ST nod like Strahm did in 2015?

My recollection is that Tripp and JPK were first team, and Coyle was 2d team. A great showing. Some thought Coyle deserved better. JPK was a great college linebacker. Better than most Griz fans realize. Mobile and a terrific tackler, with few mistakes.

That's right PR - went and checked it.

 

[PlayerRep]

There needs to be improvement/consistentrncy from all 3 to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd team respectively as discussed. If not by games 3-5 in season, I hope coaches have the guts to give others chances as I think our backups are just as talented at LB That didn't happen at safety at times last year and hurt us.

Josh Buss was a First-Team linebacker last season and everybody knew it. He could miss a multitude of tackles and he's still not only the best LB the Griz have, he's the best defensive player the Griz have.

Don't know if Buss deserved to be first team, as I don't know the others. He's a terrific player who will continue to get better. Nice instincts and speed. Can make tackles in the backfield and in space. Can get to tackles. However, he didn't play great every game and he made multiple mistakes in various games. Assume he would admit that.

Woah. Way to rip a player, PlayerRip.
Can make tackles in the backfield? Didn't he lead UM in TFL? As I recall, he may have been one of the leaders in that category for the entire BSC

It says "can" make tackles in backfield and in space. Don't misquote me. Ha. Thx.

 

[UMcheer2000]

A lot of times conference politics seems to come into play and getting an entire starting group from a position on the 1st team doesn't happen. I think in 2013 Tripp, Coyle, and JP were split apart 1st, 2nd, 3rd (or honorable mention) team, but I'm not 100% sure - would have to go back and check. If that group didn't sweep 1st team I don't see this one doing it.

Buss has all the potential in the world to be 1st team and maybe in the talks for defensive MVP. However he's a known quantity now and teams will be keying on him. If he can fight through the attention he's going to get from opposing teams the sky is the limit.

Strahm I see as a possible 3rd/2nd team guy. Physical, imposing, hard hitting. To get the votes though he's going to have to continue to improve in pass coverage when needed and show improvement on play recognition and gap assignments, which was mostly good last year but had a few glaring mistakes to many fans eyes (cat game the prime example).

Banks. Not sure. He's a solid backer but lacks the flashy stats of takeaways, TFLs, and sacks. With the focus on stopping Buss he could have some great chances to start to get those, but time will tell.

Vika is the future of this corps but he's got 1 more year of rotation and ST duty. Maybe he could get an ST nod like Strahm did in 2015?

My recollection is that Tripp and JPK were first team, and Coyle was 2d team. A great showing. Some thought Coyle deserved better. JPK was a great college linebacker. Better than most Griz fans realize. Mobile and a terrific tackler, with few mistakes.

Yes, Kags was underrated as a tackler.i was always impressed with his angles and how he tackles effectively.

Sign him as an quality assistant of tackling somewhere in the dept..

 

[kemajic]

There needs to be improvement/consistentrncy from all 3 to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd team respectively as discussed. If not by games 3-5 in season, I hope coaches have the guts to give others chances as I think our backups are just as talented at LB That didn't happen at safety at times last year and hurt us.

Yes, I'm left wondering where these potential All-American LBs were when an 18 year old one dimensional QB ran simple QB draws up the middle up and down the field.

 

[bgbigdog]

There needs to be improvement/consistentrncy from all 3 to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd team respectively as discussed. If not by games 3-5 in season, I hope coaches have the guts to give others chances as I think our backups are just as talented at LB That didn't happen at safety at times last year and hurt us.

Yes, I'm left wondering where these potential All-American LBs were when an 18 year old one dimensional QB ran simple QB draws up the middle up and down the field.

To be fair, four players contributed to a total of 368 rushing yards that day. The kid had the stats lead, but it wasn't like there was a struggle for state ag to run the ball.

 

[1Griz_Fan]

already handing out awards before spring ball even... :lol:

As opposed to handing out conference and national championships before the season begins as some of your delusional fans do...OKAY :thumb:

 

[HookedonGriz]

There needs to be improvement/consistentrncy from all 3 to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd team respectively as discussed. If not by games 3-5 in season, I hope coaches have the guts to give others chances as I think our backups are just as talented at LB That didn't happen at safety at times last year and hurt us.

Yes, I'm left wondering where these potential All-American LBs were when an 18 year old one dimensional QB ran simple QB draws up the middle up and down the field.

Over pursuing usually, and getting pancaked by cats O Linemen when they didn't do that. It was a day I'd like to forget. Thanks to all who keep bringing it up.....every single day.

 

[garizzalies]

Josh Buss was a First-Team linebacker last season and everybody knew it. He could miss a multitude of tackles and he's still not only the best LB the Griz have, he's the best defensive player the Griz have.

Don't know if Buss deserved to be first team, as I don't know the others. He's a terrific player who will continue to get better. Nice instincts and speed. Can make tackles in the backfield and in space. Can get to tackles. However, he didn't play great every game and he made multiple mistakes in various games. Assume he would admit that.

Woah. Way to rip a player, PlayerRip.
Can make tackles in the backfield? Didn't he lead UM in TFL? As I recall, he may have been one of the leaders in that category for the entire BSC

It says "can" make tackles in backfield and in space. Don't misquote me. Ha. Thx.

Well of course it says that now after you were called on it and edited it. That's a little creepy; you even edited my quote above(in 2 spots), but apparently you can't change my original quote or kyle's quote, which clearly state "can't." If it was a simple typo, just say so and move on. No need to be weird.
What's even weirder is you throwing shade on our best defender.

 

[PlayerRep]

Don't know if Buss deserved to be first team, as I don't know the others. He's a terrific player who will continue to get better. Nice instincts and speed. Can make tackles in the backfield and in space. Can get to tackles. However, he didn't play great every game and he made multiple mistakes in various games. Assume he would admit that.

Woah. Way to rip a player, PlayerRip.
Can make tackles in the backfield? Didn't he lead UM in TFL? As I recall, he may have been one of the leaders in that category for the entire BSC

It says "can" make tackles in backfield and in space. Don't misquote me. Ha. Thx.

Well of course it says that now after you were called on it and edited it. That's a little creepy; you even edited my quote above(in 2 spots), but apparently you can't change my original quote or kyle's quote, which clearly state "can't." If it was a simple typo, just say so and move on. No need to be weird.
What's even weirder is you throwing shade on our best defender.

Actually, what's weird is that it never occurred to you (a) that there was a typo in what I wrote (read it again); (b) that after my 15 years of posting in support of players that I would "rip" on a player; (c) that it wouldn't occur to you that I knew that Buss was one of top TFL players in the conference/nation; (d) that you didn't remember that I have consistently supported Buss and that I may have been the first poster to call attention to Buss' upcoming greatness (when he was red-shirting); and (3) that you apparently don't know what "Ha. Thx." mean. As you know, I think you are a total football idiot.

 

[kemajic]

There needs to be improvement/consistentrncy from all 3 to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd team respectively as discussed. If not by games 3-5 in season, I hope coaches have the guts to give others chances as I think our backups are just as talented at LB That didn't happen at safety at times last year and hurt us.

Yes, I'm left wondering where these potential All-American LBs were when an 18 year old one dimensional QB ran simple QB draws up the middle up and down the field.

Over pursuing usually, and getting pancaked by cats O Linemen when they didn't do that. It was a day I'd like to forget. Thanks to all who keep bringing it up.....every single day.

It has to be brought up when threads come along espousing how good our linebackers are. They looked pretty bad at times. All-Conference comes from better consistency.

 

[kemajic]

There needs to be improvement/consistentrncy from all 3 to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd team respectively as discussed. If not by games 3-5 in season, I hope coaches have the guts to give others chances as I think our backups are just as talented at LB That didn't happen at safety at times last year and hurt us.

Yes, I'm left wondering where these potential All-American LBs were when an 18 year old one dimensional QB ran simple QB draws up the middle up and down the field.

To be fair, four players contributed to a total of 368 rushing yards that day. The kid had the stats lead, but it wasn't like there was a struggle for state ag to run the ball.

Beaten that badly and that consistently seriously questions whether these LBs can be considered All-Conference. The kid was the difference in the game - yards plus two TDs.

 

[garizzalies]

Woah. Way to rip a player, PlayerRip.
Can make tackles in the backfield? Didn't he lead UM in TFL? As I recall, he may have been one of the leaders in that category for the entire BSC

It says "can" make tackles in backfield and in space. Don't misquote me. Ha. Thx.

Well of course it says that now after you were called on it and edited it. That's a little creepy; you even edited my quote above(in 2 spots), but apparently you can't change my original quote or kyle's quote, which clearly state "can't." If it was a simple typo, just say so and move on. No need to be weird.
What's even weirder is you throwing shade on our best defender.

Actually, what's weird is that it never occurred to you (a) that there was a typo in what I wrote (read it again); (b) that after my 15 years of posting in support of players that I would "rip" on a player; (c) that it wouldn't occur to you that I knew that Buss was one of top TFL players in the conference/nation; (d) that you didn't remember that I have consistently supported Buss and that I may have been the first poster to call attention to Buss' upcoming greatness (when he was red-shirting); and (3) that you apparently don't know what "Ha. Thx." mean. As you know, I think you are a total football idiot.

Sorry I don't keep notes on what other posters think/post because that's creepy, weird, and I have better things to do.

 

[PlayerRep]

It says "can" make tackles in backfield and in space. Don't misquote me. Ha. Thx.

Well of course it says that now after you were called on it and edited it. That's a little creepy; you even edited my quote above(in 2 spots), but apparently you can't change my original quote or kyle's quote, which clearly state "can't." If it was a simple typo, just say so and move on. No need to be weird.
What's even weirder is you throwing shade on our best defender.

Actually, what's weird is that it never occurred to you (a) that there was a typo in what I wrote (read it again); (b) that after my 15 years of posting in support of players that I would "rip" on a player; (c) that it wouldn't occur to you that I knew that Buss was one of top TFL players in the conference/nation; (d) that you didn't remember that I have consistently supported Buss and that I may have been the first poster to call attention to Buss' upcoming greatness (when he was red-shirting); and (3) that you apparently don't know what "Ha. Thx." mean. As you know, I think you are a total football idiot.

Sorry I don't keep notes on what other posters think/post because that's creepy, weird, and I have better things to do.

People don't take notes, but most posters seem to be smart enough to remember, at least generally, what other posters are saying. It's called reading comprehension and retention.