I realize we were fortunate enough to have several linebackers that could make up for the cichy loss on paper. In fact, Orr was the started last year, now he is back to help fill that void. But does anyone feel like a little wind has been taken out of our sails by the cichy loss?
It seems like if you want to compete for championships, you need a defender who can be a big time name, big time player, someone who stands out when people talk about a teams Defense.
Last year it was TJ watt. Not only was he a watt, but he was a great player. Tons of energy, always flying around etc.... People thought about TJ watt when they thought about the wisconsin D... Almost a guy that instills fear into the opponent. Someone they are always watching out for.
I thought Cichy would be that guy this year.
Dont get me wrong, we have plenty of solid players... plenty of guys who are going to do an excellent job and do the right things. We will be very good on D. But who will be the star... who will be TJ watt?
Could Leon Jacobs finally break out and use his freak athletic ability and jump way up the NFL draft board?
Maybe it will be a guy like Nelson at CB.. possibly our linebackers just play solid D and not get beat by the run, and Nelson picks off everything thrown his way... I could see that.
Although we are "fine" without cichy, I just get a feeling that we have lost a little of the "it factor" needed to come out and beat teams like Ohio State, Michigan, Penn state or even beyond that if we win the B1G championship. A guy who is going to take his game to another level to keep a great QB in check like JJ watt did against ohio state a few years back at home.
Im not hitting the panic button, but I feel like the loss of Cichy is huge and has been a bit understated.
Yes, wisconsin is known as a solid defense since aranda was here. Makes us feel comfortable... but look at the players we have had!
It seems like if you want to compete for championships, you need a defender who can be a big time name, big time player, someone who stands out when people talk about a teams Defense.
Last year it was TJ watt. Not only was he a watt, but he was a great player. Tons of energy, always flying around etc.... People thought about TJ watt when they thought about the wisconsin D... Almost a guy that instills fear into the opponent. Someone they are always watching out for.
I thought Cichy would be that guy this year.
Dont get me wrong, we have plenty of solid players... plenty of guys who are going to do an excellent job and do the right things. We will be very good on D. But who will be the star... who will be TJ watt?
Could Leon Jacobs finally break out and use his freak athletic ability and jump way up the NFL draft board?
Maybe it will be a guy like Nelson at CB.. possibly our linebackers just play solid D and not get beat by the run, and Nelson picks off everything thrown his way... I could see that.
Although we are "fine" without cichy, I just get a feeling that we have lost a little of the "it factor" needed to come out and beat teams like Ohio State, Michigan, Penn state or even beyond that if we win the B1G championship. A guy who is going to take his game to another level to keep a great QB in check like JJ watt did against ohio state a few years back at home.
Im not hitting the panic button, but I feel like the loss of Cichy is huge and has been a bit understated.
Yes, wisconsin is known as a solid defense since aranda was here. Makes us feel comfortable... but look at the players we have had!
