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The decline of Bama's defense since 2011
Posted on 9/29/15 at 1:38 pm
Posted on 9/29/15 at 1:38 pm
There is a lot of talk as to the reasons the Tide's defense has become a shell of what it once was, but I know the true answer. A good bit of it was not having elite college corners like Dre Kirk and Dee Milliner. Not having a NFL caliber safety has hurt too, but the one thing that has hurt Bama the most is not being able to get to the qb without selling out on the blitz. Bama needs another Courtney Upshaw
This post was edited on 9/29/15 at 1:41 pm
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Posted on 9/29/15 at 1:47 pm to MontyFranklyn
The passrushers aren't good runstoppers yet and the runstoppers didn't develop into good passrushers.
And most of the ones who can do both outgrow the position...
And most of the ones who can do both outgrow the position...
Posted on 9/29/15 at 1:48 pm to MontyFranklyn
Bama is on pace to have the most sacks ever under saban this year, and allowing the 2nd fewest. I have not noticed any especially heavy blitzing.
Posted on 9/29/15 at 1:51 pm to MontyFranklyn
That defense was statistically the greatest defense of the BCS era. There's no where to go but down from that.
I think the decline in our defense is more relative to the changing offensive meta, that requires teams to structure their defense in different ways.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love another Upshaw, but I'm not sure if he'd be equally as effective against the offenses we go up against now.
I think the decline in our defense is more relative to the changing offensive meta, that requires teams to structure their defense in different ways.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love another Upshaw, but I'm not sure if he'd be equally as effective against the offenses we go up against now.
This post was edited on 9/29/15 at 1:52 pm
Posted on 9/29/15 at 2:03 pm to narddogg81
quote:
Bama is on pace to have the most sacks ever under saban this year, and allowing the 2nd fewest. I have not noticed any especially heavy blitzing.
Reed and Robinson are simply dominant up front. Opposing OL's have to account for them at all times. Allen is huge physically, but his first step and overall skillset is elite. He is disruptive and it appears that Da'Shawn Hand is developing into a similar place.
Allen and Hand are our sack guys from the DE positions, but we have started seeing more Tim Williams and hopefully Rashaan and Christian aren't too far behind. Those 3 guys are just fricking fast, but like Mag said, their edge setting isn't where the staff wants it to be... yet.
Posted on 9/29/15 at 2:05 pm to MontyFranklyn
The 2011 Defense is GOAT. No doubt in my mind about that. They could play in any era against any offense. That said, offenses have changed and the offenses that defense faced are not near the caliber or complexity that we face this season.
I think a lot of our issues have been related to pass rush but more especially due to secondary play. Culminating with last year, our secondary progressively got worse. It shouldn't matter who you face, there's no excuse to give up the third and longs that we did last year. Its early, but it looks like we've tightened the screws a bit.
I think a lot of our issues have been related to pass rush but more especially due to secondary play. Culminating with last year, our secondary progressively got worse. It shouldn't matter who you face, there's no excuse to give up the third and longs that we did last year. Its early, but it looks like we've tightened the screws a bit.
This post was edited on 9/29/15 at 2:09 pm
Posted on 9/29/15 at 2:19 pm to MontyFranklyn
The thing that really pisses me off is the defense gives up so many big plays yet they never create any big plays of their own. Whenever they needed to step up against Ole Miss, the defense shite the bed time and time again. They couldn't come up with one forced fumble or interception that could have turned the tide of that game. Instead, the offense continuously had to drive 70, 80 yards to score TDs. It's infuriating to watch.
Posted on 9/29/15 at 2:26 pm to Bench McElroy
quote:
The thing that really pisses me off is the defense gives up so many big plays yet they never create any big plays of their own
Bingo. Good point. We've been lacking in that department. Would be great if started to become the beneficiary of some poorly timed turnovers. Would love to get a few early ones on Saturday.
Posted on 9/29/15 at 2:34 pm to MontyFranklyn
When you take into account that they're facing significantly more plays and being thrust into more difficult situations than the 2012 defense, it could be seriously argued that this is statistically the best defense we've had since 2011.
Defensive averages per game:
2015: 68.3 plays, 267 yards, 3.9 TDs, 1.8 turnovers
2014: 67.5 plays, 328.4 yards, 4.9 TDs, 1.4 turnovers
2013: 59.3 plays, 286.5 yards, 4.8 TDs, 1.5 turnovers
2012: 59.8 plays, 250 yards, 4.2 TDs, 2.1 turnovers
Defensive averages per game:
2015: 68.3 plays, 267 yards, 3.9 TDs, 1.8 turnovers
2014: 67.5 plays, 328.4 yards, 4.9 TDs, 1.4 turnovers
2013: 59.3 plays, 286.5 yards, 4.8 TDs, 1.5 turnovers
2012: 59.8 plays, 250 yards, 4.2 TDs, 2.1 turnovers
Posted on 9/29/15 at 2:37 pm to MontyFranklyn
I think our defense this season is one of the best we've had since Saban started coaching at Bama. They have looked stout in every game so far, and have had very few mistakes. They are definitely not the reason we have a loss and are the reason we almost came back to win in the game we did lose.
Posted on 9/29/15 at 3:27 pm to MontyFranklyn
We haven't had enough players on defense that have a little thug in them, if I'm throwing political correctness aside.
You need mean alpha dogs out there. McClain, Upshaw, Barron, Kirkpatrick..those were bad dudes. Hit you in the mouth and then let you know about it bad dudes.
I hate the word "swagger" but a lot of those guys on the past defenses had it.
You need mean alpha dogs out there. McClain, Upshaw, Barron, Kirkpatrick..those were bad dudes. Hit you in the mouth and then let you know about it bad dudes.
I hate the word "swagger" but a lot of those guys on the past defenses had it.
This post was edited on 9/29/15 at 3:28 pm
Posted on 9/29/15 at 3:46 pm to Bench McElroy
quote:
Whenever they needed to step up against Ole Miss, the defense shite the bed time and time again.
What game were you watching. Did they shite the bed when we fumbled the ball on our 20yd line on the opening kickoff and our D held them to a FG. They stepped up better than just about any D in the country could have. Especially when we turned it over 5 times.
And big plays come on again I do not think you actually watched the game just read the post game stats. Nothing any D could do on the lucky bounce off a player to a catch for a TD. And the other big play should have been called back.
Some of you on here.
Posted on 9/29/15 at 3:50 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
I hate the word "swagger" but a lot of those guys on the past defenses had it.
I feel like that is something our team in general has been missing.
Posted on 9/29/15 at 4:12 pm to MontyFranklyn
Targeting has also rendered us a lot less intimidating in the secondary. Safeties are generally hesitant to lay the boom on a WR who is being given every opportunity to go up and get a ball practically uncontested.
People use to fear getting lit the hell up by our defense. With big hits being penalized egregiously these days, it's just hard to strike the fear of Gawd in offenses even when you're bigger, stronger and faster
People use to fear getting lit the hell up by our defense. With big hits being penalized egregiously these days, it's just hard to strike the fear of Gawd in offenses even when you're bigger, stronger and faster
Posted on 9/29/15 at 4:41 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
Upshaw, Barron
These guys weren't shite talkers at all.
Posted on 9/29/15 at 4:43 pm to FairhopeTider
quote:
The 2011 Defense is GOAT. No doubt in my mind about that. They could play in any era against any offense.
I disagree. They were great but a lot also had to do with who they played that year regarding both the level of competition and style of play. And I doubt they would have those stats in this current season with our current schedule. And before we speculate back and forth lets look at the the 2011 season and actual numbers.
Beside Ark and LSU the other conference teams we played had a combined record of 12-36 in conference play. The real interesting stat is Vandy had 2 wins that season in conference vs. UT who had 1 and Ole Miss who went 0-8 in conference play. So in 2011 Ole Miss was not the team have been for 2 years now, nor MSU. Not to mention a&m was not in the conference with their HUHN. Out of UF, Vandy, and UT UF finished the best with an overall record of 6-7.
Now lets look at some other stats.
Penn State 58% was run first(more carries than pass attempts)
Arkansas 47%
AU 65%
UF 68%
LSU 68%
MSU 60%
Ole Miss 60%
UT 49%
Vandy 59%
Arkansas & UT are the only teams(Power 5) we faced that year that actually attempted(not completed) more passes then they carried on the ground. They were also the only teams to pass for more yards than Alabama.
We only saw 2 good teams that year. LSU twice and Ark. We did not play in the SECCG and the rest of our conference sucked badly that year.
This post was edited on 9/29/15 at 4:44 pm
Posted on 9/29/15 at 4:48 pm to nb200016
I have a feeling this D is about to turn it on. The OM game was an anomaly. They are gaining swagger and Georgia plays right into our strengths. Can't wait for Saturday. I think the Bama D makes a statement. Just hope the O can help 'em out. Roll damn Tide.
Posted on 9/29/15 at 5:47 pm to Fells
More of it is due to the lack of elite pieces the defense needs. That defense is a complex NFL scheme and requires top notch guys at the spots. Not only do they need talent but fit the physical mold.
That defense had that. They were also a very experienced bunch, and had GREAT chemistry. Everyone did their job. We had 10 starters returning on defense going into the 2011 season
We haven't had that perfect storm of a combination of all that since
They were also extremely tough and competitive.
That defense had that. They were also a very experienced bunch, and had GREAT chemistry. Everyone did their job. We had 10 starters returning on defense going into the 2011 season
We haven't had that perfect storm of a combination of all that since
They were also extremely tough and competitive.
Posted on 9/29/15 at 5:51 pm to TideWarrior
Well we can look at the schedule an all but if this defense wasn't the best ever, who was?
The 2011 defense wouldn't have 2011 numbers on today's schedule, but they would be much better. Imagine our current front 7 with a vastly better secondary. That's what the 2011 team was I guess you could say
And why the frick did we schedule fricking penn state, north Texas, and Kent state that year? Poor job of scheduling right there, especially since Bama is a national power
The 2011 defense wouldn't have 2011 numbers on today's schedule, but they would be much better. Imagine our current front 7 with a vastly better secondary. That's what the 2011 team was I guess you could say
And why the frick did we schedule fricking penn state, north Texas, and Kent state that year? Poor job of scheduling right there, especially since Bama is a national power
Posted on 9/29/15 at 6:55 pm to The Silverback
quote:
And why the frick did we schedule fricking penn state, north Texas, and Kent state that year? Poor job of scheduling right there, especially since Bama is a national power
At least Penn St was a P5 school. Wished we had played at least one more P5 team rather than N.Texas or Kent St.
This post was edited on 9/29/15 at 6:56 pm
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