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What's wrong with Alabama's Pass D?
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:09 am
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:09 am
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Kirby Smart had a lot to talk to his defense about in the season opener.
Although Alabama earned the win last week against West Virginia, the Crimson Tide showed signs of weakness against the pass. West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett threw for 365 yards, the second-most yards Nick Saban’s Alabama teams have ever allowed to one player through the air.
For the first time under Saban, Alabama has allowed back-to-back 300-yard passers, including Trevor Knight in January’s Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma. Below is a breakdown of what went wrong for the Tide last Saturday, along with a reason for optimism in future weeks.
Struggles vs. tempo
West Virginia averaged 19.3 seconds per play against Alabama, the fastest pace Saban has faced as Alabama head coach. The previous fastest tempo he faced was last season against Texas A&M, when Johnny Manziel averaged 21.1 seconds per plays and passed for 464 yards as the Aggies scored 42 points.
Not only did West Virginia run plays quickly, but its short passing game also neutralized Alabama’s pass rush. Alabama pressured Trickett on eight percent of his dropbacks, the Crimson Tide's lowest rate in the last four seasons.
Not Stopping Screens
Trickett completed nine of 10 screen pass attempts for 77 yards. The only time in the last four seasons in which Alabama has allowed that many yards on screens was last year’s bowl loss to Oklahoma.
Part of the problem against West Virginia was shoddy tackling. The Tide allowed six broken tackles, the most it has allowed in a game since the 2010 season against Arkansas (also six).
That helped West Virginia rush for 206 yards after the catch, the most yards after catch Alabama has allowed in the last four seasons.
Too Many Long Passes
West Virginia was also able to take the top off the defense with the deep ball. Alabama allowed 17 completions of 10 yards or more to West Virginia, the most the Tide have allowed since the 2009 Sugar Bowl against Utah.
West Virginia Passing vs Alabama
By Air Yards
COMP PCT YDS PER ATT
Behind LOS 81.2% 6.8
0-14 yds 55.0% 5.3
15+ yds<< 66.7% 15.8
>>5-5, 110 yds, TD off play action
Much of that damage was done off play action. On play action passes traveling at least 15 yards in the air, Trickett completed all five pass attempts for 110 yards, including his only touchdown.
Overall on play action passes, Trickett completed 15 of 19 passes for 217 yards.
Reason for Optimism:
Reinforcements on the Way
Two key players who missed the West Virginia game are expected to return this week in linebacker Trey DePriest and cornerback Eddie Jackson. DePriest, who was suspended for the opener, was Alabama’s only returning starter at linebacker, and his presence was sorely missed against West Virginia’s high-tempo offense.
“We made a lot of mental errors,” Saban said after the game. “But I think not having Trey DePriest, our signal caller on defense up front, created a little confusion.”
Jackson is still working his way back from a torn ACL suffered just over five months ago, but Saban said he will begin to transition back into the lineup this Saturday against Florida Atlantic (Noon ET on SEC Network). He practiced Tuesday in the first-team nickel defense in place of Bradley Sylve, who struggled against West Virginia.
Kirby Smart had a lot to talk to his defense about in the season opener.
Although Alabama earned the win last week against West Virginia, the Crimson Tide showed signs of weakness against the pass. West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett threw for 365 yards, the second-most yards Nick Saban’s Alabama teams have ever allowed to one player through the air.
For the first time under Saban, Alabama has allowed back-to-back 300-yard passers, including Trevor Knight in January’s Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma. Below is a breakdown of what went wrong for the Tide last Saturday, along with a reason for optimism in future weeks.
Struggles vs. tempo
West Virginia averaged 19.3 seconds per play against Alabama, the fastest pace Saban has faced as Alabama head coach. The previous fastest tempo he faced was last season against Texas A&M, when Johnny Manziel averaged 21.1 seconds per plays and passed for 464 yards as the Aggies scored 42 points.
Not only did West Virginia run plays quickly, but its short passing game also neutralized Alabama’s pass rush. Alabama pressured Trickett on eight percent of his dropbacks, the Crimson Tide's lowest rate in the last four seasons.
Not Stopping Screens
Trickett completed nine of 10 screen pass attempts for 77 yards. The only time in the last four seasons in which Alabama has allowed that many yards on screens was last year’s bowl loss to Oklahoma.
Part of the problem against West Virginia was shoddy tackling. The Tide allowed six broken tackles, the most it has allowed in a game since the 2010 season against Arkansas (also six).
That helped West Virginia rush for 206 yards after the catch, the most yards after catch Alabama has allowed in the last four seasons.
Too Many Long Passes
West Virginia was also able to take the top off the defense with the deep ball. Alabama allowed 17 completions of 10 yards or more to West Virginia, the most the Tide have allowed since the 2009 Sugar Bowl against Utah.
West Virginia Passing vs Alabama
By Air Yards
COMP PCT YDS PER ATT
Behind LOS 81.2% 6.8
0-14 yds 55.0% 5.3
15+ yds<< 66.7% 15.8
>>5-5, 110 yds, TD off play action
Much of that damage was done off play action. On play action passes traveling at least 15 yards in the air, Trickett completed all five pass attempts for 110 yards, including his only touchdown.
Overall on play action passes, Trickett completed 15 of 19 passes for 217 yards.
Reason for Optimism:
Reinforcements on the Way
Two key players who missed the West Virginia game are expected to return this week in linebacker Trey DePriest and cornerback Eddie Jackson. DePriest, who was suspended for the opener, was Alabama’s only returning starter at linebacker, and his presence was sorely missed against West Virginia’s high-tempo offense.
“We made a lot of mental errors,” Saban said after the game. “But I think not having Trey DePriest, our signal caller on defense up front, created a little confusion.”
Jackson is still working his way back from a torn ACL suffered just over five months ago, but Saban said he will begin to transition back into the lineup this Saturday against Florida Atlantic (Noon ET on SEC Network). He practiced Tuesday in the first-team nickel defense in place of Bradley Sylve, who struggled against West Virginia.
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Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:11 am to BamaDoc14
Auburn board
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:11 am to BamaDoc14
#Declineisreal
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:12 am to BamaDoc14
Saban has always had issues with DB's even though that's his specialty. He puts them on an island and expects them to win every battle. Maybe some of their recruiting evaluations have missed here and there.
When LSU lost Jack Hunt in 2003 for the only loss of the year against Fla, Saban had no one else ready.
LSU has recruited some under the radar type prospects recently that have been better than any recruiting website rankings - Claiborne and the Badger come to mind.
When LSU lost Jack Hunt in 2003 for the only loss of the year against Fla, Saban had no one else ready.
LSU has recruited some under the radar type prospects recently that have been better than any recruiting website rankings - Claiborne and the Badger come to mind.
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:13 am to BamaDoc14
quote:
Jackson is still working his way back from a torn ACL suffered just over five months ago, but Saban said he will begin to transition back into the lineup this Saturday against Florida Atlantic (Noon ET on SEC Network). He practiced Tuesday in the first-team nickel defense in place of Bradley Sylve, who struggled against West Virginia.
Rushing a player back from a serious knee injury is not about player safety.
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:14 am to nicholastiger
fat and slow
/thread
/thread
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:14 am to nicholastiger
Jackson - first round
Arenas - second round
Kirkpatrick - first round
Milliner - first round
Those are just the corners and when Landon Collins is taken in the first this year, that will make 3 first round safeties. Saban has never had a problem with them until this season and middle to end of last season. It'll be fixed soon.
Arenas - second round
Kirkpatrick - first round
Milliner - first round
Those are just the corners and when Landon Collins is taken in the first this year, that will make 3 first round safeties. Saban has never had a problem with them until this season and middle to end of last season. It'll be fixed soon.
This post was edited on 9/4/14 at 11:20 am
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:18 am to BamaDoc14
I didn't watch any of the game, but how was the pass rush? After watching A&M's abortion defense last year, it's hard to imagine even elite corners faring well when the QB has 6+ seconds in the pocket.
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:19 am to parkjas2001
quote:
Rushing a player back from a serious knee injury
Who is doing this?
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:21 am to nicholastiger
quote:
Saban has always had issues with DB's even though that's his specialty.
I thought his specialty was LBs?
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:21 am to BamaDoc14
quote:
Saban has never had a problem with them until this season and middle to end of last season.
The game passes by everyone eventually.
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:22 am to BamaDoc14
Secondary is very average other than Collins...CB's are below average...and they aren't getting any help from a pass rush...that, coupled with a QB that can't throw an accurate ball over 10 yards and it kind of makes you wonder what in the hell they are ranked #2 for
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:22 am to BamaDoc14
Did you really need to copy and paste the entire damn article?
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:23 am to MMB5DAP
quote:
I didn't watch any of the game, but how was the pass rush?
WVU's scheme made the pass rush largely irrelevant. Almost all 2-3 step drops and quick release passes - zero chance to get to the QB. When Alabama did force 3rd and longs and longer developing pass plays, the pass rush was actually pretty good.
Saban seemed intent on protecting the DBs somewhat in this game by playing softer zones and giving up stuff in front of the DBs and avoiding getting beat over the top. It ultimately worked for the most part as Bama only gave up one TD on defense.
But soft zone combined with quick passes resulted in a shite ton of yards given up and tons of completions.
This post was edited on 9/4/14 at 11:25 am
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:25 am to BamaDoc14
We gonna break 50 on Bama this year. 
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:26 am to Ping Pong
Anybody who says DBs are Nick Saban's specialty are fooling themselves. Even Nick's best corners and safeties compared to the rest of his defenses have been subpar outside of Mark Barron and Demarcus Milliner.
His linebackers have been otherworldly however and it shows in his past teams. Ro, Dont'a, Courtney, Mosley, Reamer, Harris, Anders...........so many.
His linebackers have been otherworldly however and it shows in his past teams. Ro, Dont'a, Courtney, Mosley, Reamer, Harris, Anders...........so many.
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:28 am to FourThreeForty
quote:
Anybody who says DBs are Nick Saban's specialty are fooling themselves.
I've never understood why he's branded as a DB guru by the media.
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:29 am to BamaDoc14
At this point it really does seem like a schematic issue with Bama. It's a trend. Don't feel bad though, it's a schematic issue with everybody except LSU.
If a qb is really on his game, it is nearly impossible to stop. I would rather bring the house every other play and tell my db's to jump routes rather than let a team drive on me at will by nickel and diming down the field. At some point, you have to take the game to them instead of letting them dictate it.
If a qb is really on his game, it is nearly impossible to stop. I would rather bring the house every other play and tell my db's to jump routes rather than let a team drive on me at will by nickel and diming down the field. At some point, you have to take the game to them instead of letting them dictate it.
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:32 am to Mohican
quote:
At this point it really does seem like a schematic issue with Bama
I agree, but also think the talent/experience at CB is lacking going back to last season.
I think it's time for Saban and Smart to simplify the defense some. The corners are asked to do so much at an already difficult position to play.
Posted on 9/4/14 at 11:32 am to FourThreeForty
quote:
Anybody who says DBs are Nick Saban's specialty are fooling themselves. Even Nick's best corners and safeties compared to the rest of his defenses have been subpar outside of Mark Barron and Demarcus Milliner.
Dre Kirkatrick, Kareem Jackson, HaHa Clinton Dix, Landon Collins >>> first rounders. I'd say he knows what he's doing.
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