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Here’s why our defense might be a problem
Posted on 10/20/19 at 11:05 am
Posted on 10/20/19 at 11:05 am
From 2008 on (that’s as far back as I checked), every champion has ranked in the top 20 for total defense with the exception of Auburn in 2010. If you discount Ohio State in 2014, all the rest were ranked in the top 10 for total defense. Alabama is currently ranked 26. Unfortunately, the eye test and total offense rankings show that #26 ranking has been built on the backs of terrible offenses (highest ranked offense we’ve played so far is Southern Miss at #38). I’d be stunned if we finish the regular season in the top #25 in total defense.
With Tua, we have a high powered offense that can, and often does, score quickly. That creates its own problem by tiring out an already average defense. If Tua starts to throw interceptions more frequently, that effect gets worse.
Everything we see and know says this is probably not a playoff season, let alone a championship season. If it is, it will be because a healthy Tua is leading us to shootout wins.
Having said all of that, I’ve reset my expectations. I’m going to enjoy this season for what it is and not let previous success, or idiot fans of opposing teams on message boards, ruin it for me.
With Tua, we have a high powered offense that can, and often does, score quickly. That creates its own problem by tiring out an already average defense. If Tua starts to throw interceptions more frequently, that effect gets worse.
Everything we see and know says this is probably not a playoff season, let alone a championship season. If it is, it will be because a healthy Tua is leading us to shootout wins.
Having said all of that, I’ve reset my expectations. I’m going to enjoy this season for what it is and not let previous success, or idiot fans of opposing teams on message boards, ruin it for me.
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Posted on 10/20/19 at 11:21 am to FleshEatingSalsa
Offense is definitely the only chance we have of winning any trophy this year.
Posted on 10/20/19 at 11:57 am to pvilleguru
The sickening part to me is this average defense is going to waste the best collection of offensive talent Bama has ever fielded: the GOAT QB and set of WR ever at the Capstone. Pair them with any defense in the past 10 years and this team is unstoppable. What a shame.
Posted on 10/20/19 at 12:00 pm to phil4bama
This is the opposite of 2016.
Posted on 10/20/19 at 12:12 pm to phil4bama
quote:
The sickening part to me is this average defense is going to waste the best collection of offensive talent Bama has ever fielded: the GOAT QB and set of WR ever at the Capstone.
I understand the sentiment but I think this is a bit unfair. I’m not mad at or disappointed in the players. Recruiting and injuries have played a part. Where I am more than happy to place blame, however, is at the feet of Golding. He’s abysmal, and the players (and fans?) deserved better.
This post was edited on 10/20/19 at 12:13 pm
Posted on 10/20/19 at 12:14 pm to FleshEatingSalsa
But looking around college football, who can say they have it better than us?
Ohio State maybe....maybe LSU but their defense may be worse than ours
If Tua is healthy then I think we stand as good a chance as anyone, I just don't see any team that stands out from the rest except Ohio State maybe, I was dead wrong about them and Fields
Ohio State maybe....maybe LSU but their defense may be worse than ours
If Tua is healthy then I think we stand as good a chance as anyone, I just don't see any team that stands out from the rest except Ohio State maybe, I was dead wrong about them and Fields
Posted on 10/20/19 at 1:17 pm to phil4bama
What’s sick to is to dream if Tua and the receivers came back next year. I miss the days of everyone wanting to stick it out to their senior year. I understand the economics of it nowadays. It’s just a shame to think of what this team would do next year with a more experienced defense and team overall
Posted on 10/20/19 at 2:21 pm to HoldtheRope76
Defensively will we even be much better without Terrell Lewis?
Posted on 10/20/19 at 2:41 pm to FleshEatingSalsa
Warts and all, Alabama may still be the best team in the conference. That may be their ceiling, though.
Posted on 10/20/19 at 3:09 pm to Bamafan4evr12
quote:
If Tua is healthy then I think we stand as good a chance as anyone
Posted on 10/20/19 at 3:15 pm to FleshEatingSalsa
quote:
Golding. He’s abysmal
My only hope that I can hold onto is that he has to be saving the good stuff for our quality opponents.
I mean this is the same cat that sold nick saban on the blackboard, like a gypsy selling an elderly person on their house needing repair.
I am going to give him the LSU game to see what hes got.Hope he delivers.
Posted on 10/20/19 at 3:27 pm to Bamadoc
I’m right there with you doc.. I’m hoping he is saving something. I was very worried when we heard he took over the play calling last year.. it’s not the youth or players. It’s the positions we put them in and how we line up, blitz and stunt that worries me. I am a defensive Co. for a highschool team and I totally understand not being able to run certain packages with youth.. but it’s not the packages I’m worried about. It’s the delay blitzes with a safety on 3rd and 15.. knowing he can never reach the QB. It’s the pulling the DE and NT on a stunt blitz when it’s 3rd and 1.. it’s constantly letting a slow LB cover the slot receiver, and if you do get a CB on him.. blitzing the corner on a delayed blitz only to allow the LB to cover. I don’t see how Saban doesn’t see all this.. our technique is bad very bad. If they are young just run gap assignments then. But we have them stunting and blitzing out of position. It really is a head scratcher
This post was edited on 10/20/19 at 3:28 pm
Posted on 10/20/19 at 3:41 pm to BamaBo7
Bo I was going to mention you in my post. You noticed it early on in the season. I just thought it would take time, but everything he is doing goes against logic.
Ed Reed said he use to mess up intentionally against inferior opponents so peyton manning would notice on film, and when he would try to exploit ed, he was expecting it.
Thats what I'm hoping for. 8 games worth of bait
Ed Reed said he use to mess up intentionally against inferior opponents so peyton manning would notice on film, and when he would try to exploit ed, he was expecting it.
Thats what I'm hoping for. 8 games worth of bait
Posted on 10/20/19 at 3:46 pm to BamaBo7
Our young defense is not championship material this year.
We'll still support & root them on no matter how it turns out. It could be a 10-2 regular season, Fiesta type Bowl to finish things off.
We'll still support & root them on no matter how it turns out. It could be a 10-2 regular season, Fiesta type Bowl to finish things off.
Posted on 10/20/19 at 4:19 pm to FleshEatingSalsa
I thought we all decided it was Tua or bust after Duke.
That hasn't changed.
That hasn't changed.
Posted on 10/20/19 at 4:41 pm to BamaBo7
Yep gap assignment defense will work at all levels especially when you have better talented players
This post was edited on 10/20/19 at 4:53 pm
Posted on 10/20/19 at 4:54 pm to Canyon16
quote:I'm afraid this is correct. Another thing I've noticed is that there seems to be a decline in the overall strength of the defensive front seven. I realize that it's probably due to the number of younger (freshmen) players we've got out there at any given time, but it simply is what it is.....3rd and 2s(or less) have unfortunately become regular successes for our opponents.
Our young defense is not championship material this year.
Posted on 10/20/19 at 5:27 pm to Che Boludo
That’s where I’m at. Defense is what it is.
Posted on 10/20/19 at 6:54 pm to FleshEatingSalsa
Being an eternal optimist...i don't think you can objectively use stats to describe this team. We all know this team skews young. I think only U Maine has as many true frosh playing. 45% of the D starters were in HS last yr. Then factor in Young Egboigbe. I think the only way to judge this group is....are they getting better every week? And...is their potential Nat Champ potential? Look at the UGA natl champ game. In the second half Bama won because of Tua Najee Leatherwood Devonta and Jeudy - all true frosh. All on the field in crunch time. How good were they at game 7? Because that where wev are with this D.
I do think they are better than two weeks ago. Fewer over running plays more physical. Last night i saw UT run over left guard (their best oline man) and on several of their long runs...Dale would take an outside path (left side of left guard) leaving a hole that led to long runs...i figureb that those runs were enabled by young LBs not in sync with what the line was doing...not filling that hole ?)
In short...this D may not have the luxury that the 5 frosh in 17 in not being counted on to beat LSU and AU but...i do think after 14 games that
they will be pretty darn good. Good enough to be a national champ D? Very possibly but they may not get the chance by not being natl champ D in game 9
I do think they are better than two weeks ago. Fewer over running plays more physical. Last night i saw UT run over left guard (their best oline man) and on several of their long runs...Dale would take an outside path (left side of left guard) leaving a hole that led to long runs...i figureb that those runs were enabled by young LBs not in sync with what the line was doing...not filling that hole ?)
In short...this D may not have the luxury that the 5 frosh in 17 in not being counted on to beat LSU and AU but...i do think after 14 games that
they will be pretty darn good. Good enough to be a national champ D? Very possibly but they may not get the chance by not being natl champ D in game 9
This post was edited on 10/21/19 at 5:58 am
Posted on 10/20/19 at 7:22 pm to Vestigial Morgan
Ohio State was just wasting talent on defense in the last few years of the Urban Meyer era. And it was the Achilles heel to being champs. More than anything else, it was the reason the buckeyes kept getting ambushed by inferior talent each season. And couldn't match up with the Clemson's of the world.
This season, they've brought in a new DC and brand new approach. I thought it was interesting what they called their new philosophy on D. We stopped trying to shift into all types of last-second calls. They said they simplified everything and they decided to let their talent decide the game. Does everyone realize that their defense is ranked number 3 or 4 in the nation in total defense the entire season? With basically the same talent and players as last season's team. More than Justin Fields, it's their brand new defensive approach.
Can Golding simplify this defense? I believe in my heart of hearts that coach Saban hates to give up his complicated NFL style of morphing and complicated disguises. And I believe coach Saban would rather eat a dirt sandwich than admit it just isn't the best approach for these spread offenses we see.
This season, they've brought in a new DC and brand new approach. I thought it was interesting what they called their new philosophy on D. We stopped trying to shift into all types of last-second calls. They said they simplified everything and they decided to let their talent decide the game. Does everyone realize that their defense is ranked number 3 or 4 in the nation in total defense the entire season? With basically the same talent and players as last season's team. More than Justin Fields, it's their brand new defensive approach.
Can Golding simplify this defense? I believe in my heart of hearts that coach Saban hates to give up his complicated NFL style of morphing and complicated disguises. And I believe coach Saban would rather eat a dirt sandwich than admit it just isn't the best approach for these spread offenses we see.
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