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Reggie Ragland: "Guys aren't scared to play us anymore"
Posted on 7/21/15 at 8:40 am
Posted on 7/21/15 at 8:40 am
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I think there's a lot of truth to that. Like the article says, a lot of our defensive advantages have been negated by these newer offense. We just can't sub like we used to. Secondly, I think teams now look forward to the opportunity to play us. It used to be "I hate playing those guys." Now it's "I want a shot at the champ." Part of that is the cyclical nature of things. The other is teams want their Kick 6 moment. They want to be able to storm the field. Teams play a little more loose against us now IMO. If games are close in the second half, they get somewhat energized instead of us simply "Making their arse quit."
I think there's a lot of truth to that. Like the article says, a lot of our defensive advantages have been negated by these newer offense. We just can't sub like we used to. Secondly, I think teams now look forward to the opportunity to play us. It used to be "I hate playing those guys." Now it's "I want a shot at the champ." Part of that is the cyclical nature of things. The other is teams want their Kick 6 moment. They want to be able to storm the field. Teams play a little more loose against us now IMO. If games are close in the second half, they get somewhat energized instead of us simply "Making their arse quit."
This post was edited on 7/21/15 at 10:19 pm
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Posted on 7/21/15 at 8:49 am to FairhopeTider
We don't play with the same attitude defensively either. The groups lead by McClain in 08-09 and Hightower/Barron/Kirkpatrick/Upshaw in '11 took on the attitude of the leaders.
Those groups wanted to intimidate their opponent, they tried to knock the snot out of someone on every play and then tell them to get their arse up so they could do it again.
We don't need thugs or bad seeds, but we do need guys that have that attitude repressed somewhere inside them and know how to release it on the field. Those guys played mad at the world, like it was a sin to give up a yard. They took things personally on the football field, but they cared about each other too, and cares about being great.
We have a lot of talent right now, but I can't point to a guy defensively that plays with an attitude that would strike fear in the opponents.
That's what separated us in the past. Florida reaped the benefits of it too when guys like Brandon Spikes were there
Those groups wanted to intimidate their opponent, they tried to knock the snot out of someone on every play and then tell them to get their arse up so they could do it again.
We don't need thugs or bad seeds, but we do need guys that have that attitude repressed somewhere inside them and know how to release it on the field. Those guys played mad at the world, like it was a sin to give up a yard. They took things personally on the football field, but they cared about each other too, and cares about being great.
We have a lot of talent right now, but I can't point to a guy defensively that plays with an attitude that would strike fear in the opponents.
That's what separated us in the past. Florida reaped the benefits of it too when guys like Brandon Spikes were there
This post was edited on 7/21/15 at 8:51 am
Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:16 am to FairhopeTider
I think it's true. It doesn't help that whenever a team fights back our players act like they have no idea what to do. It kills any fear the opponents have.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:50 am to FairhopeTider
The change in our own offensive philosophy has also hurt the defensive stats.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:50 am to FairhopeTider
Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:52 am to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
We have a lot of talent right now, but I can't point to a guy defensively that plays with an attitude that would strike fear in the opponents.
Rueben Foster.
Unfortunately he hasn't shown he can grasp a defense or stay 100% healthy, yet.
ETA: This quote from Jalston Fowler
quote:
"To be truthful, I think guys just respect him," Fowler said at Wednesday's Alabama pro day. "They just know he crazy and you know you're going to respect the crazy guy. You don't want to piss the crazy guy off."
This post was edited on 7/21/15 at 10:55 am
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:07 am to FairhopeTider
I've been screaming this for the last three years. We lost our swag/mentality/killer instinct/attitude, call it what you will.
The game became too business like in their approach. We're more talented than anyone in the country but some teams of late played with more sense or urgency and desire than we did.
The results are clear.
The game became too business like in their approach. We're more talented than anyone in the country but some teams of late played with more sense or urgency and desire than we did.
The results are clear.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:10 am to bamarep
quote:
The results are clear.
Another SEC championship?
Some of y'all are so damn ridiculous
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:17 am to RTR America
We went from Rolando McClain not letting the guys pour Gatorade on the catch after we finally beat Fla to AJ McCarron crying on the bench when we beat LSU. Got to shake that McCarron shite off.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:33 am to Teague
The change in our own offensive philosophy has also hurt the defensive stats.
And we have a winner.
And we have a winner.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:34 am to FairhopeTider
We haven't had a true alpha dog since Hightower. No offense to CJ but you want someone on defense everybody respects, but also fears. Ro and Donta had that stigma. On offense, our team goes as the OL goes. 2012 was so great because that OL was a force, and their punishing nature set the tone for the rest of the team.
I'm hoping Ragland and Reuben can maybe be that force. The ones who command everyone's respect and unquestioned obedience. It provides a better pack mentality.
OL needs to just be nasty as hell. Strike the kind of fear in the defensive fronts that affects the way they come off the ball and the way they tackle.
I'm hoping Ragland and Reuben can maybe be that force. The ones who command everyone's respect and unquestioned obedience. It provides a better pack mentality.
OL needs to just be nasty as hell. Strike the kind of fear in the defensive fronts that affects the way they come off the ball and the way they tackle.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:45 am to nb200016
What might help is not going out of the shotgun so damned much. Let the OLineman put their hand in the dirt, fire out, dent some face masks, and establish physical and psychological dominance.
I hate that passive, OL-rocking-back-on-their-heels crap. When I see us in the 'gun on short-yardage or goalline situations I want to unload my magazine into the TV screen.
I hate that passive, OL-rocking-back-on-their-heels crap. When I see us in the 'gun on short-yardage or goalline situations I want to unload my magazine into the TV screen.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 12:34 pm to nb200016
quote:Bruh.
No offense to CJ but you want someone on defense everybody respects, but also fears.
CJ wrecked fools out there. He was a monster blitzing up the middle. He was so sound, but I think you're forgetting how relentless he was. Everything about him screamed scary LB to me.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 12:56 pm to ReauxlTide222
I find the whole notion of this thread hilarious.
These are college football players I have serious doubts any of them were ever "scared."
We had a serious talent drop off in the defensive backfield, MLB, and on the O-line. Plus we've been struggling to adapt to all of the new high powered offenses.
A lot of this stuff just feels like hyperbole
These are college football players I have serious doubts any of them were ever "scared."
We had a serious talent drop off in the defensive backfield, MLB, and on the O-line. Plus we've been struggling to adapt to all of the new high powered offenses.
A lot of this stuff just feels like hyperbole
Posted on 7/21/15 at 1:09 pm to RTR America
I mean, they weren't losing sleep over it, but a big part of the huge deficits, even against good teams, was because Bama made their arse quit. It's one thing before the game to believe you can win, but then you get on the field and see all of the talent on the other side of the ball and eventually you just don't even want to be on the same field as them anymore.
That's how I've always seen it, anyway. Lately that hasn't been happening quite as often.
That's how I've always seen it, anyway. Lately that hasn't been happening quite as often.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 1:12 pm to nb200016
I don't completely agree, but I think you're right in the sense that CJ was more of a quiet leader.
I'm not sure the team can handle a true leader though. We all remember the reports about them being asshurt that AJ was yelling at them. I don't know if they can take it.
I'm not sure the team can handle a true leader though. We all remember the reports about them being asshurt that AJ was yelling at them. I don't know if they can take it.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 1:18 pm to AllBamaDoesIsWin
quote:
I mean, they weren't losing sleep over it, but a big part of the huge deficits, even against good teams, was because Bama made their arse quit.
That was because our defense was better and those teams weren't as well coached as they are now
quote:
It's one thing before the game to believe you can win, but then you get on the field and see all of the talent on the other side of the ball and eventually you just don't even want to be on the same field as them anymore.
I am starting to wonder if you ever played a competitive sport before
quote:
Lately that hasn't been happening quite as often.
Because of what I referenced.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 1:34 pm to RTR America
quote:
That was because our defense was better and those teams weren't as well coached as they are now
No doubt.
quote:
I am starting to wonder if you ever played a competitive sport before
I did. I never believed I'd lose because I'm too cocky (not the good kind) but if we were getting run over my teammates were giving in. Though that was HS so it hardly counts.
quote:
Because of what I referenced.
Very well. I wasn't trying to argue at all.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 3:34 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
I'm kind of happy about the new criticism coming from ESPN. It's been a long time since we've had an offseason where the media did nothing but wax fantastic about Alabama, and maybe these boys will use a lot of it as motivation. I think we've all seen it work quite a bit for previous other teams. ('11 LSU, '14 OSU, '13 Oklahoma, '08 Texas, '12 Florida, and to a lesser extent '92 Bama.)
Posted on 7/21/15 at 3:44 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
So early on in the Saban era, TV talking heads always discussed Saban's exotic blitz packages and how we always showed people things they had never seen.
I don't remember the last time something like that was said about our defense. Did rules changing make us not be able to play the same attacking style we used to play or is it personnel or coaching philosophy?
I don't remember the last time something like that was said about our defense. Did rules changing make us not be able to play the same attacking style we used to play or is it personnel or coaching philosophy?
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