LSU LB Arden Key talks pass defense
With Arden Key’s move from defensive end to outside linebacker, it’s unclear to most outsiders just how often he will be rushing the passer or dropping into coverage.
Kevin Mawae, a former NFL offensive lineman, told The Advocate’s Ross Dellenger that Key will confuse opposing offenses.
“Some teams will honor Key as a down guy, and they will tag him as a down lineman and adjust their blocking schemes,” Mawae said, “but you take one of your pass-dropping linebacker guys out, and now the offense has to determine, ‘Is he a down guy?’
“It becomes a big issue in pass protection. You’ve got to re-designate who the middle linebacker is. It can create confusion. It makes an offense re-evaluate the defense.”
When reporters asked Key how often he would be in pass coverage, he refused to answer.
“I can’t give you a percentage,” he said smiling, per Dellenger.
That didn’t stop him, however, from setting some pass-coverage goals for the season.
“At least two pick-sixes,” he said “Five batted balls.”
We’ll see if he bats any balls or nabs a pick-six against Wisconsin on Saturday.