What's wrong with Alabama's defense so far in 2014?

We all know of the boastful (well deserved) stance with regards to Alabama's recruiting and coaching... They get the best athletes every year and have some of the best defensive coaching year in, year out.

However, looking at their team right now...Alabama is 3rd in points per game given up (not bad, seems right on the recent path not considering the quality of opponents faced thus far), but they are last in sacks (6.0) and interceptions (2) this year. They seem to be doing pretty well in rush and pass defense from a yards given up perspective. Maybe not as good as in recent years, but still near the top of the SEC. So, what does everyone think the problem is? Youth? Coaching? Talent? Scheme?

SIDE NOTE: I found it pretty shocking that Alabama has only 6 sacks on the year given the personnel on the defensive line... Jonathan Allen, Da'Shawn Hand, Dee Liner, DJ Pettway, A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, Dalvin Tomlinson and so forth (not to mention the linebackers coming off the edge).

7 ...

Report Post

Posted by Henry Jones Jr

Member since Jun 2011

68678 posts

Posted on 10/10/14 at 3:08 pm to TTsTowel

quote:
What's wrong with Alabama's defense so far in 2014?

They're fine in 99% of formations they line up against. But put trips receivers on either side of the field and it fricks their entire world up.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by The Spleen

Member since Dec 2010

38865 posts

Posted on 10/10/14 at 3:08 pm to TTsTowel

No dominating ILB, young CBs(this seems to be a trend the past 2-3 years), underperforming DL, offenses have caught up with defenses across the league.

2 ...

Report Post

Posted by bamasgot13

Birmingham

Member since Feb 2010

13619 posts

Posted on 10/10/14 at 3:14 pm to TTsTowel

quote:
Alabama is 3rd in points per game given up (

Remove the 14 points given up by the Bama O & Bama Special Teams and the D has surrendered an average of 13 points per game. Not sure where that ranks nationally or in the SEC, but one of the posted goals inside of the Alabama football complex is to surrender 13 points or less per game (seriously, that exact number). They may not be meeting your expectations, but they are right in line with their own expectations.

quote:
they are last in sacks

Most teams they've played have used 3 step drops in their passing game game-plans thus minimizing the pass rush and getting the ball into hands of their playmakers against Bama's questionable secondary quicker.

quote:
and interceptions

Again, routes used in the 3 step drop passing game are usually less likely to be picked (screens, slants, skinny posts, outs, etc).

quote:
So, what does everyone think the problem is?

Got to give the opponents some credit for their gameplans.

quote:
Youth?

Part of it, for sure.

quote:
Coaching?

not from my perspective. the coaches have used a particularly wise practice tactic for the hurry up offenses in attempt to simulate that experience. I think it is helping, but will likely be something that helps more later in the year as the players are more used to it.

quote:
Talent?

great Bama teams in the past have had very good LBs (there is no McClain, Hightower, Upshaw, or Mosley playing now - the talent at LB is young) and very good secondaries (there is no Kirkpatrick, Milliner, Barron, HaHa, etc playing now - Collins is the only first rounder, for example, that currently has experience. great bama teams lately have typically had multiple 1st rounders in the secondary at once...I do think Tony Brown has a chance to be a first rounder in 3 years, though).

1 ...

Report Post