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A porous defense was much to blame for the Stallions' failure to meet expectations in 2004 and the draft saw the selection of Washington standout Neil Glaser to address it. But don’t look for Harold Bryant to concede his starting role to Glaser just yet. The personnel department addressed part of the problem during the off-season by adding inside linebacker James Herzog, right defensive end Lowell “Big Cat” Napolitano and left defensive end Stephen Berard. Herzog provides a much needed run-stuffer in the middle; Napolitano and Berard are an instinctive veteran tandem with terrific tackling skills.
The rest of the improvement must come from the depth the interior of the defensive line. While Jason Minton and Stevie Bakke (traded to Anchorage) were just as much to blame for last season's problems, Bryant was the most responsible of the three, which gives him the greatest potential to make an impact.
Bryant, who missed 8 games due to injury during his first two IFL seasons, must stay healthy in order to experience a breakout year in 2005. Bryant began to show flashes of the rare physical tools that Salt Lake coveted when they drafted him in the inaugural draft. At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, Bryant has a unique blend of size, quickness and power. He has the base to anchor when teams run at him, as well as the penetration skills to disrupt in the backfield.
If Bryant can finally put it all together, it could create a domino effect for the rest of the unit. 1st rounder Neil Glaser and 6th round surprise Kris Halpern should keep him fresh and more effective on obvious passing downs. Jason Minton is a player on the rise at right defensive end and should learn a lot from Napolitano.
With more speed at linebacker and some much-needed competition at free safety between David Azevedo and rookie fourth-round pick Duane Shanahan, the Stallions' defense could be one of the most improved units in the league next season.
The rest of the improvement must come from the depth the interior of the defensive line. While Jason Minton and Stevie Bakke (traded to Anchorage) were just as much to blame for last season's problems, Bryant was the most responsible of the three, which gives him the greatest potential to make an impact.
Bryant, who missed 8 games due to injury during his first two IFL seasons, must stay healthy in order to experience a breakout year in 2005. Bryant began to show flashes of the rare physical tools that Salt Lake coveted when they drafted him in the inaugural draft. At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, Bryant has a unique blend of size, quickness and power. He has the base to anchor when teams run at him, as well as the penetration skills to disrupt in the backfield.
If Bryant can finally put it all together, it could create a domino effect for the rest of the unit. 1st rounder Neil Glaser and 6th round surprise Kris Halpern should keep him fresh and more effective on obvious passing downs. Jason Minton is a player on the rise at right defensive end and should learn a lot from Napolitano.
With more speed at linebacker and some much-needed competition at free safety between David Azevedo and rookie fourth-round pick Duane Shanahan, the Stallions' defense could be one of the most improved units in the league next season.