I realize the obvious question this week is whether or not it was a good idea for Bronco to fire Jaime Hill and to start calling defensive plays. However, that decision will sort itself out. I personally think it will work out just fine. It certainly couldn't be any worse. What I'm waffling on this week is the wisdom to "cross-train" DE Thomas Bryson at OLB, while Jordan Pendleton and Jameson Frazier nurse injuries the next two or three (or five) games. I realize he is not the only guy they are cross-training, but here is why I think it's a bad decision.
First, the defensive line is already thin. BYU typically has 8 or 9 DL that play significant minutes in a season. This year, however, even prior to Fuga getting hurt, they really only played 5 or 6. After Fuga went down, Vic So'oto has played nearly every play at DE. Eathyn "Santa Claus" Manumaleuna is playing way more than his usual snaps, and doing it at NT, which is more physically demanding. Realistically, Bryson hasn't even played much on the DL. If he isn't good enough to see the field on a thin DL, why is he good enough to see the field at another position? In addition, why they are wasting his time learning a new position when he needs reps, and BYU needs his help, on the DL is beyond me. So'oto is undersized for a DE. Manumaleuna is undersized for a NT, in fact, he dropped weight so he'd be better at DE (well, that was more of a result of his mission than wanting to lose weight, but still). Those guys will not last the whole season. They are already wearing down a bit with how much the D has been on the field. Play Bryson more on the DL, and less elsewhere.
Second, it would be a lot easier for an inside linebacker to learn outside linebacker, and be athletically inclined to handle the position, since it requires less size and more athletic ability in BYU's 3-4 style. They have played 5 guys at ILB. Only two can be on the field at a time. Now they are also working with ILB Aveni Leung-Wei on the outside, which is good, the man is a beast and a half. But what about cross-training Shane Hunter or Austin Jorgensen (best option, IMHO). Or better yet, since I am such a fan of getting Corby Eason on the field more: move Eason to CB, move either Brandon Bradley to FS (preferable) or Brian Logan to SS and have FS Travis Uale or SS Jray Galea'i cross-train at OLB. They only need to play 4 DBs and they have 5 (well 4 actually, Bradley and Logan each only count for a half with their atrocious run-support this season), even without Andrew Rich.
Third, this is only a temporary need. Jameson Frazier and Jordan Pendleton could be back after the bye week for the final 6 games. Even if you only get one of them back, BYU would still be in decent shape at OLB with Kyle Van Noy and Jadon Wagner. Andrew Rich will be ready to go in the next week or two, though maybe they hold him out until after the bye week. Then they will have another extra body from the secondary that they could spare for the OLBs, if the need was extended beyond that. There is not anyone coming back from injury on the DL to provide a body to replace Bryson. If anything, they will be sending more guys from there to the training room with how many plays those guys are logging.
Long-term, BYU will need an experienced DE a lot more than they will need an ILB or Safety. Let Bryson get as many reps as he can with the DL. That is the decision I am waffling on the most this week. Well, that and why Luke Ashworth is still seeing playing time.
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