September 1, 2010

The Cavaliers have spent the last nine months installing their 4-3 defense and have had a chance to work on it consistently throughout August. One member of the defense is expected to make a pretty big impact on the defensive line, which will have four players on it in the new scheme.

John-Kevin Dolce served as the back-up nose tackle last season and performed well, tallying 2.5 sacks in 2009. Now he's listed as the starter at one of two defensive tackle positions ahead of Matt Conrath. Dolce is listed as weighing 250 pounds on the depth chart, but Mike London and some of Dolce's teammates say that he's one of the strongest members on the team pound-for-pound. As a junior, he tallied 17 total tackles along with the 2.5 sacks. London also says that he's taking instruction from defensive coordinator Jim Reid and defensive line coach Jeff Hanson very well and learning the new system.

Dolce says he likes the new system better and that it's more fun to play because he gets a chance to get after the quarterback. He also says his coaches are doing a great job with the transition and the terminology from last year's schemes. He did make one start last year at defensive end against Georgia Tech, but served as a back-up in the other ten games he saw minutes in.

Click on the above video link to hear from London and Dolce.