Defense next season compared to the last 2 seasons

I think it'll be worse particularly up front. It might actually be statistically better though because I don't think they'll face as many plays with Daboll as OC

Should be somewhat worse on the dline, although still very good. We will still have the best lb Corp, and the secondary should be even better. We will still probably have the best defense in the sec

Top 3 defense again.

Should be the one of the best secondary Saban has had. Still loaded at LB. The starters in the DL, should be solid. Payne and Hand are former 5 stars and Buggs should take the other DE position.

I agree with all this. Defensive line depth could pose problems if we have key injuries (especially D. Payne).

Linebackers will be great, edge rush will be raw but incredibly talented.

Secondary will be solid again.

I have to think run defense numbers will go from all time best back to top 10 good. I'm really excited for the young, super athletic guys to step in : Hall, Evans, Miller, Williams, Jennings, Wilson, Hall.

I think there's no way to expect it to replicate or surpass 2016 but I could see it being similar to 2015. Payne is a big name like Allen Reed Robinson. Buggs and Ray are coming in to start a new DL trend. Hand former number 1 overalll recruit. DL is going to be fine. Linebacker will take the biggest hit imo losing foster Williams Anderson. I want Hamilton to come back 100 percent but don't know if he can that soon. I'd like for us to go the healthy route and slide Mack Wilson and Ben Davis next to rashaan Evans. Then have Miller and Hall as the new Anderson and Williams. Secondary the same except find a new boundary corner. Either tony brown slides to boundary corner and shyheim Carter takes star or tony brown stays at star and someone like Knott or mayden takes boundary corner. Averrett stays at corner. Fitzpatrick could slide back to star or corner or stay at safety so I think this is a find the best 6 DB's scenario. If so and hootie is a better option at safety than a young guy is at corner then maybe slide Minkah to corner and have hootie start next to Harrison with deionte Thompson as the next safety up.

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similar things when talking about the 2015 unit.

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Did they? I always thought the 2015 defense would be an all time group.

You want to start two guys at LB against FSU who haven't played a single play? That's playing with fire my friend. No doubt they are going to be good ones, but that's a big request. I remember a certain Orlando McCain starting the opening game a few years ago and the opponent found him and attacked him over and over because he didn't know his assignment. Saban had to call a time out and straighten him out before they scored but they had already crossed midfield and were driving.

We all know how good Ruben Foster and Reggie Ragland became, but when they started against West Virginia in 14, they looked a bit lost.

Got to go with the experienced guys in the 1st few games.

Going to be a GREAT defense. We saw what Pruit can do with a dominant 2016. Now with an experienced secondary, and some young up and coming players, I expect the defense to be dominant.

Yes we lose some great players, especially upfront, but history has shown (under Saban) every year when we lose great players, new guys emerge and "fill" the gap. The linebackers will be very good, and the secondary will be the best we've had (if I'm not mistaken we bring back a lot there).