re: How does the defense adapt with 2 inexperienced players at MLB?

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The 1st 5 or six games will probably have bad ILB play, think 14 West Virginia or 17 Miss St type play. They should improve as the season goes on.

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I don't really think this is true. Both Lee and Harris are as athletic as the come - this was not true of the that 14 WV unit.

Regarding the OP and what changes to make, I don't think too much will change schematically. My reasons:

1) Lee has been here since January and should have a pretty good grasp of the scheme and calls. Additionally, the Mike LB's pass coverage responsibility is nearly 100% "cover the back out of the backfield." Mike will be OK. The rub is making sure Lee is playing fast and not thinking on the field. Thinking, rather than reacting, is the worst thing for ILBs.

2) Playing Will is different, however, as Will has much more complicated coverage responsibilities. Losing Moses was a particularly bad blow, as many of us assumed Moses was going to be the one who made sure Harris was in the right place each play. Now that falls on Lee and...

3) ...the likelihood that some of the call responsibility will shift to the secondary. Normally, the front 7 is called in it's entirety from the Mike position. My guess is that now, Mike will still make all of the front calls, but now Will will get the coverage calls directly from the secondary, McKinney or whomever.

Sure, we may shift some communication as it relates to who is listening to whom pre-snap, but I see little reason to dumb down the defense. As long as Will is told who to cover, we should be completely fine. It can get squirrely with the "Under" call (not sure if nomenclature correct), where a Corner gives off coverage responsibility mid-play to the ILBs when a WR runs a short cross, but we may just adapt and eliminate this coverage hand off. We may see Corners following guys clear across the field, which might be the biggest change we make.

And as others have alluded to, against teams who want to pass constantly, we make just play more walked-up Dime.

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Well the Alpha started as a True Freshman back in 2007.

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Saint I don't want the 2007 defense. I don't want them at all.

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I don't really think this is true. Both Lee and Harris are as athletic as the come - this was not true of the that 14 WV unit.

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That 14 game against West Virginia had Ragland and Foster starting at ILB, very athletic players that didn't know the defense and were completely lost out there.

Ragland had been at Bama since 12 and Foster 13, much more experienced players then the two who will start for Bama this Saturday.

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That 14 defense had Fat,slow, out of shape Trey Depreist.... Harris/Lee are both major upgrades

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That 14 defense was the last of a dying breed and the talent, as proven out by the NFL draft, was as low as we've had since 2007.

I suspect we may see someone move behind the freshman for depth or possibly start in the next week. I assume some of the backers work at different positions but I could see a chance for Allen and maybe Mwikuta to maybe move inside as did Moses and Evans if need be.

I am usually far from the voice of reason but there is still way more to be excited about than there are things to worry about regarding this year's defense. At least these freshman arrived already possessing elite size/strength and both are certainly fast enough and quick enough to make plays in space. It certainly makes things tougher but I believe the drive and will to dominate the opposition plus the fact that Saban is a defensive guru makes fielding an elite defensive unit all but a certainty.

We can scheme around youth and while starting two true freshman at the most important tackling position on defense isn't ideal the game is still played man against man and I still think we out talent every team on our schedule even with the new guys. We are gonna be ok George.

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Kaho

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I hope he changes my mind but he has had nothing but issues since he got here it seems like. I have zero expectations from the guy because of it. It would be great for Davis to suddenly put it all together.

Definitely keep it simple, at least in the early games. We will find out at TAMU if its going to be a back breaker.

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Kaho had a really nice 2018 on special teams, and is going into his 2nd year. Relax.

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Meh, he has had multiple mental issues and left and come back.

I hope things work out and he does a great job, but his track record is not inspiring at the moment. Especially not to rely on for the 2019 season.

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Some folks have a more difficult path to walk. Have you been in his shoes?

He's still here and fighting, and is a very young player. The sky is still the limit for him, and he deserves our support - as does each and every Bama player.

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I support the hell out of him, as do the coaches. The coaches have him at 3rd team on the depth and 4th team before the injuries, so they pretty clearly have a pretty similar perspective on his place on the roster for 2019 as I do.

I hope he's an All-American before he leaves, but to this point he's not proven to be ready to be on the field on defense per his status on the depth chart. Those are just facts.