Returning Contributors: The Linden Tigers’ Skill Positions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Linden Tigers where a team surprised many outside of the city limits last year. With a 6-3-1 record, Linden tied with undefeated Montgomery and qualified for the playoffs. The Tigers will have a lot to replace this year as their team's two standouts, [player_tooltip player_id='971149' first='Tequan' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='379683' first='Myles' last='Hamilton'], will be graduating and playing college ball next fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As such, Linden will look to replace more than 3200 yards and 35 touchdowns of offense and 385 tackles and 16 sacks on defense. Here are a handful of players they will look to replace that production with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1169095"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"With all-everything quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='971149' first='Tequan' last='Thomas'] off to play college ball, in all likelihood I anticipate [player_tooltip player_id='1169095' first='Tyrone' last='Hinton'] being a huge feature of Linden's offense. In the mean time, however, Hinton was an integral part of their 33 stack front last fall. Hinton made 100 stops (20 solo), 6 TFLs, and 2 sacks on the year.rnrnOne thing that Hinton clearly brings is speed to a defense. He does a nice job reacting and adjusting to bubbles and rockets after he is moving in the opposite direction. He does this, too, without getting too far displaced upfield. His speed is something that Linden sees as an advantage as he has been asked to play QB spy at times. With his speed, Hinton has timing too, particularly along the goal line where he made more than a few key stops.rnrnAwfully physical with oncoming ball carriers, Hinton can wreak havoc in the run game and when rushing the passer. He is fast and quick, slanting violently and at full speed, which makes offensive linemen feel as if they are facing a whirlwind against their defensive scheme. Hinton can stand to become more efficient in his movements. Whether it be reading keys or playing pass-to-run, Hinton's numbers will explode should this area improve.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65bbe91a17383"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16204745/655b84b00660cf042057cf41' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65bbe91a1743e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1169096"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Perhaps the one back-seven defender the Tigers are most excited to welcome back is [player_tooltip player_id='1169096' first='Semaj' last='Irving']. The first clip of Irving's highlight features him at corner covering a go ball against a FBS-bound athlete. We see Irving time is jump well, play through the hands of the the receiver, and intercept a tipped ball that was wrestled away from its intended target. This is a clear indication to me that Irving trusts his ability to run with any-and-everyone. Although he typically seems to play off and is not asked to jam anyone we see the talented corner drive to the ball, and through receivers in the process, on short, in-breaking routes such as slants. In other words, Irving demands you respect his right to the ball.rnrnIrving is also a relatively versatile defender too. There were instances where he was asked to come off the edge, as we see him slip under blockers to mostly force plays to his pursuit. Tackling is something he has the right idea on how to do, tackling low and as he looks to bowl ball carrier's legs from under them. Further, he has solid vision with the ball in his hands as a third-row returner. As a receiver he is presently a body-catcher.rnrnAs a receiver in a run first-, second-, and third- offense Irving went for 16 catches and 174 yards; defensively he made 27 stops (14 solos) with 1 interception and 2 tackles for loss. The one area I think I would like to see Irving to continue to improve is how he recovers to come up on shallow routes as he rallies to the flat.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65bbe91a174ac"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16491074/6568bce532e74d0e0c8e86ee' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65bbe91a174d4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["389786"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"When things were hectic in front of him, [player_tooltip player_id='389786' first='Jawon' last='Lee'] was the adjuster, or dawg safety, to make things right. What I liked about Lee's game was that he is an aggressive defender, specifically the ally. Unabashed to get into the mix in run support, Lee is an equal offender of lowering the boom - specifically using his whole body to break up a pass. Defensively Lee is asked to play in a lot of different positions across the field. It would benefit him to continue to truly embrace and take in the nuances of each role in each situation. He finished the season with 32 tackles (10 solo) with 1 tackle for loss and 1 fumble recovery.rnrnLee also got burn at receiver in the Tigers' heavy run-oriented offense. As a target Lee finds another gear when he seems the void space a zone. He also adjusts to poorly thrown balls nicely, particularly when grabbing arrant throws behind him. As a blocker Lee is able to stick to defenders like glue. I would warn him to be mindful of his hand placement and keep them inside. Lee went 5/56/1 as a target last fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65bbe91a17559"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16481142/6543cce4664bdd03c031c124' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65bbe91a17578"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1031703"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"As just a freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1031703' first='Joe' last='Boyd'] was a contributor on defense from game one, making statistical contributions in 8 games on the season. On the season Boyd finished with 25 tackles (7 solos) with 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery.rnrnAlthough Boyd had no highlight film available, I was able to get Linden's first game tape against Elizabeth. In this game, one in which Boyd actually started, was credited with 4 tackles in the game at middle backer. A few quick observations I made about Boyd's game was that he changes direction rather fluidly at this stage in his career. He seems to know where to go when called upon to blitz; however, should Boyd continue playing linebacker I would like to see him be more comfortable with his reads.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65bbe91a175c9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->