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Thoughts on defense, spring game
Posted on 4/19/14 at 5:04 pm
Posted on 4/19/14 at 5:04 pm
I didnt get to watch the whole spring game, but I see a lot on here that y'all were impressed with the 1st team defense. What about them made them look real stout like 2011 and maybe the best in the SEC?
Will this FINALLY be the defense that can shut down really good, fast paced, spread offenses? While having a brick wall run defense and finally a good pass rush as well?
If OL pans out and we find the right guy at QB, where could this team rank all time to Saban's past teams?
Will this FINALLY be the defense that can shut down really good, fast paced, spread offenses? While having a brick wall run defense and finally a good pass rush as well?
If OL pans out and we find the right guy at QB, where could this team rank all time to Saban's past teams?
4
Posted on 4/19/14 at 5:20 pm to The Silverback
D was a beast and what I like the best was they played with very few mistakes. Always where they needed to be and very seldom out of position or the play.
Posted on 4/19/14 at 5:28 pm to The Silverback
I'm not sure if it was the fact that the offensive line is still gelling or what, but the defensive front 7 looked very good. They were able to consistently get pressure on the QB and prevented the most of the carries up the middle from amounting to anything. I have to think that teams will have a hard time running the ball against us (although i don't think we will be as dominant as 2011). If I had to single anyone out from that group as impressing me, I would say Reggie Ragland helped himself the most. After that, Pettaway looked very disruptive.
Tony Brown looked really good and probably will be either starting or playing when we are in nickel. It was pretty tough to judge most of the 1st team secondary because the QBs and to a lesser extent offensive line looked really bad.
I thought Yeldon had a pretty good game all things considered. It was clear that this game was about testing the QBs rather than establishing a running game, so he didn't get into the action too much. I thought he looked the best out of the RBs though. I didn't like how he never put two hands on the ball whenever he got hit. It wasn't well protected, so I think fumbles might still be an issue.
I thought Robert Foster looked pretty good on the 2nd team Offense. Bateman was able to hit him a few times for decent gains.
ETA: If I had to pick two players that dropped their stock, I would pick Blake Sims who generally looked lost most of the time and Chris Black who showed that he could not reliably catch the ball.
Tony Brown looked really good and probably will be either starting or playing when we are in nickel. It was pretty tough to judge most of the 1st team secondary because the QBs and to a lesser extent offensive line looked really bad.
I thought Yeldon had a pretty good game all things considered. It was clear that this game was about testing the QBs rather than establishing a running game, so he didn't get into the action too much. I thought he looked the best out of the RBs though. I didn't like how he never put two hands on the ball whenever he got hit. It wasn't well protected, so I think fumbles might still be an issue.
I thought Robert Foster looked pretty good on the 2nd team Offense. Bateman was able to hit him a few times for decent gains.
ETA: If I had to pick two players that dropped their stock, I would pick Blake Sims who generally looked lost most of the time and Chris Black who showed that he could not reliably catch the ball.
This post was edited on 4/19/14 at 5:31 pm
Posted on 4/19/14 at 5:35 pm to UAFanFromNOLA
Wouldn't it be something if this defense shuts down offenses like A&M an Auburn this season (assuming A&M and auburn are once again very good)
If this happened, would this defense be considered better than 2011?
I was impressed with Bateman. He has an arm. Robert Foster looks like the next AJ Green
If this happened, would this defense be considered better than 2011?
I was impressed with Bateman. He has an arm. Robert Foster looks like the next AJ Green
Posted on 4/19/14 at 6:14 pm to The Silverback
Dre Kirk, Milliner, Barron, and Lester>>>Jackson, Brown, Collins, and whoever the other safety is.
I think that would probably be the biggest difference between 2011 and 2014. I also think Hightower and Upshaw are probably better than any of the LBs we have on this team although the difference isn't as striking.
I think that would probably be the biggest difference between 2011 and 2014. I also think Hightower and Upshaw are probably better than any of the LBs we have on this team although the difference isn't as striking.
Posted on 4/19/14 at 6:39 pm to UAFanFromNOLA
I will disagree with this assessment but understand it based on opinion just like yours so I am no expert.
Brown might end up the best DB under Saban to this point. Coming in I believe he is further along than both Dre and Dee. I loved Barron but overall I think Collins is the better. Collins stands out in every formation we run. As a unit the 1st 4 our better but not player for player in my opinion.
As a unit I will take the current LBs including who is coming in this summer over any other unit. I also think CJ Mosley and Ro as the top 2 LBs we have had.
I also think the biggest difference is the DL which makes the potential of the 14 D that much higher. Yes we have had maybe better players in the past but not the depth we have at DL and LB this year.
But again we each have our own opinion and this season should be fun if this debate carries on through next Jan.
Brown might end up the best DB under Saban to this point. Coming in I believe he is further along than both Dre and Dee. I loved Barron but overall I think Collins is the better. Collins stands out in every formation we run. As a unit the 1st 4 our better but not player for player in my opinion.
As a unit I will take the current LBs including who is coming in this summer over any other unit. I also think CJ Mosley and Ro as the top 2 LBs we have had.
I also think the biggest difference is the DL which makes the potential of the 14 D that much higher. Yes we have had maybe better players in the past but not the depth we have at DL and LB this year.
But again we each have our own opinion and this season should be fun if this debate carries on through next Jan.
Posted on 4/19/14 at 7:19 pm to TideWarrior
I certainly disagree with your assessment of Barron vs Collins. I think Collins is the better athlete, but Barron was much better at reading the game meaning he was more effective. It's hard to compare though right now as 2011 was year three for Barron while we have only seen two years from Collins.
The CBs from 2011 also had an additional year of experienced compared to the likely starting duo from 2014.
The CBs from 2011 also had an additional year of experienced compared to the likely starting duo from 2014.
Posted on 4/19/14 at 9:02 pm to UAFanFromNOLA
Tony Brown is one of my favorite players on this team. He will be a great one!
Posted on 4/19/14 at 9:18 pm to TideWarrior
quote:
I loved Barron but overall I think Collins is the better.
I agree with every single thing you posted except for this. Collins has the potential to be as good if not better than Barron but this remains to be seen. Barron was arguably the best player on our defense during his tenure.
This post was edited on 4/19/14 at 9:20 pm
Posted on 4/19/14 at 9:19 pm to The Silverback
I thought the offenses just looked sloppy as opposed to the defense looking great. It's hard to tell about defense in the spring anyway
Posted on 4/19/14 at 9:19 pm to BAMAisDIESEL09
Definitely remains to be seen. LC has a way higher ceiling though. But right now, Barron at Bama > LC at Bama. But LC can change that this year.
Posted on 4/19/14 at 9:21 pm to The Silverback
My reaction to A-Day in emoticons:
Oline:
QB:
RBs:
until Drake's fumble 
TE: Why aren't we using OJ Howard? :beatdeadhorse:
WR:
DL:
LB:
S:
CB:
Special Teams:
Oline:
QB:
RBs:
until Drake's fumble TE: Why aren't we using OJ Howard? :beatdeadhorse:
WR:
DL:
LB:
S:
CB:
Special Teams:
Posted on 4/19/14 at 9:22 pm to chattabama
To be fair I think the return team/coverage units will be very good.
It's anything with a foot meeting a ball that scares me. Maybe Saban will finally let us go for 4th downs more with all this talent.
It's anything with a foot meeting a ball that scares me. Maybe Saban will finally let us go for 4th downs more with all this talent.
Posted on 4/19/14 at 10:26 pm to AllBamaDoesIsWin
Why are people even comparing this unproven defense or its players to 2011 that defense is quite easily the greatest group of players ever assembled in CFB history.
Although, I do believe this defense is > 2013, 2010, and possibly 2012. Possibly. No defense will ever touch that 2011 team in a major conference set up like the B1G or the SEC etc.
that defense is quite easily the greatest group of players ever assembled in CFB history. Although, I do believe this defense is > 2013, 2010, and possibly 2012. Possibly. No defense will ever touch that 2011 team in a major conference set up like the B1G or the SEC etc.
Posted on 4/19/14 at 10:29 pm to FourThreeForty
quote:
Why are people even comparing this unproven defense or its players to 2011 that defense is quite easily the greatest group of players ever assembled in CFB history.
We're talking about potential. The players on this team have more upside than the players on the 2011 team. Does that they're there? No. Does it mean they will be? No. Do these guys have the heart? The want? The desire? The tenacity? Yet to be seen.
quote:
No defense will ever touch that 2011 team in a major conference set up like the B1G or the SEC etc.
I'd venture our 2015 D could do impressive things. It'd return almost the entire D from this 2014 squad, even the two deep. Plus another class on top of it. These guys have to play to their potential for them to be in the same sentence as the 2011 D. Will they? Don't know, but they can if they played to their potential on every down of almost every game like the 2011 group did.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 1:42 pm to UAFanFromNOLA
quote:
Dre Kirk, Milliner, Barron, and Lester>>>Jackson, Brown, Collins, and whoever the other safety is.
I think that would probably be the biggest difference between 2011 and 2014. I also think Hightower and Upshaw are probably better than any of the LBs we have on this team although the difference isn't as striking.
First and foremost, the 2011 defense wasn't really tested. Arkansas was the only remarkable offense that Alabama played, and they were 1-dimensional. There may not be a defense as seemingly dominant and statistically superior as 2011 Alabama, but that doesn't mean a future defense can't be better.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 1:47 pm to FourThreeForty
quote:
Why are people even comparing this unproven defense or its players to 2011 that defense is quite easily the greatest group of players ever assembled in CFB history.
Although, I do believe this defense is > 2013, 2010, and possibly 2012. Possibly. No defense will ever touch that 2011 team in a major conference set up like the B1G or the SEC etc.
See my point from above. I get that the 2011 defense was impressive, but who did they play? The SEC isn't an offensive conference. Offenses have been better than usual the past 2 seasons, but alas, those aren't the seasons in which 2011 Alabama played. I'd like to have seen 2011 Alabama with 2011 LSU's schedule. 2011 Alabama in the PAC or BIG 12 would be nice too. Before someone claims that those conferences are all offense, no defense, it doesn't change the fact that those conferences feature more teams to prove your defense's merit. See Stanford.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 6:07 pm to Aurora Borealis
2011 bama defense never gave up more than 14 points in a game. That defense also had 5 eventual 1st round draft picks that either started in base defense or at least one formation. The lsu offense that appeared anemic against Alabama averaged over 40 points per game if you take out the bama games. It will be 50 years before you see another defense like '11 Alabama. They were a hateful bunch.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 6:46 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
2011 bama defense never gave up more than 14 points in a game. That defense also had 5 eventual 1st round draft picks that either started in base defense or at least one formation. The lsu offense that appeared anemic against Alabama averaged over 40 points per game if you take out the bama games. It will be 50 years before you see another defense like '11 Alabama. They were a hateful bunch.
Great post.
2011 Bama D was as good as it gets in the college game.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 6:50 pm to Hater Bait
I love the 2011 Bama defense. That said, the 2015 defense should have even more depth and arguably more talent. The hunger will have to be there and there may be some inexperience, so it may not work out as well, but in 2011 the Process had just begun.
The Process hits its pinnacle in 2015. And it may stay there for a long, long time.
The Process hits its pinnacle in 2015. And it may stay there for a long, long time.
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