The Italian Army

Vinny Pugliese

Some CU fans responded to my recent post about our very weak defensive line by saying that they thought our linebacking corps was even weaker.

I’m not really optimistic about that group either, but two veterans who have endured a lot and keep getting better and coming back for more give me reason for some hope.

I call returning senior LB’s Vinny Pugliese  and Ray Pesanello our “Italian Army.”

For four years now, the two of them have been bound together by more than just the fact that they’re always right next to each other on the roster alphabetically.

Until last season, they were statistically even as well. But Pugliese emerged in 2013 as a major force, collecting 63 tackles and making some very big plays. Pesanello remained in that area between 10-20 tackles, but still made an impact.

Either way, the two of them represent to most experienced and proven linebackers returning to the team this fall. Gone are Zach Olinger and Brian East, who were the #1 and #2 tacklers for CU last season respectively. And gone is the once-promising Mark Cieslak, who is off the team for unspecified reasons.

The still-promising Toba Akinleye has indeed moved over to LB as some readers pointed out, and that could help. There’s also a lot of hope behind incoming freshman Hagen Patterson, who could be the star of his class.

But when the chips are down for the defense this fall, I think Pugliese and Pesanello are both likely to be on the field. Experience really counts and these guys have that in spades.