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Is anybody worried about the defense?
Posted on 5/13/18 at 6:26 pm
Posted on 5/13/18 at 6:26 pm
I would certainly bet that as long Saban is here our defense will be good. With that said, that is his money maker and we appear vulnerable at two of the three levels. It may turn out great and we see another elite defense not skip a beat but I think we only have about 7 or 8 d linemen on the roster period. That means just one injury hurts a lot more than usual and it means all 7 or so have to be playing well because they have nobody behind to push. No elite nose tackle type. The secondary maybe should concern more but I feel like it will be lights out again.
I am just gathering opinions here. Do you guys think we continue the streak of elite defense or do you think we step back to just good? Not looking for anything overly critical, just your best guess.
I am just gathering opinions here. Do you guys think we continue the streak of elite defense or do you think we step back to just good? Not looking for anything overly critical, just your best guess.
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Posted on 5/13/18 at 6:29 pm to Commander Data
No.
/thread
/thread
Posted on 5/13/18 at 6:48 pm to Commander Data
Bama’s defense will probably be 4-5 pts per game worse than last season.
However, the offense should be 6-10 pts per game better.
However, the offense should be 6-10 pts per game better.
Posted on 5/13/18 at 7:11 pm to Commander Data
Pass rush is going to be nasty.
A bit concerned with the rush defense.
The secondary is talented, just needs experience. Luckily, Bama's schedule sets up nicely and they should have plenty of experience by November.
A bit concerned with the rush defense.
The secondary is talented, just needs experience. Luckily, Bama's schedule sets up nicely and they should have plenty of experience by November.
Posted on 5/13/18 at 7:23 pm to remaster916
quote:
A bit concerned with the rush defense.
With Davis and Buggs on the line and Wilson/Moses at the LB spot rush D should be fine. The pass D for the first few games until the secondary/newcomers gel is what worries me.
Posted on 5/13/18 at 7:32 pm to Commander Data
Not worried the least bit. I'm surprisingly confident for this season. Our schedule sets up nicely so we have plenty of time to iron out the wrinkles and the offense should be helping the defense this year
Posted on 5/13/18 at 8:41 pm to Commander Data
If you're worried about the defense, you're just looking for something to worry about. They're going to be top notch, as usual.
Posted on 5/13/18 at 10:17 pm to TideSaint
According to insiders, Saban was pretty happy with the defense this spring, as they were much further along than he thought they'd be. Considering the injuries last year to our key pass rushers, we might actually have a better pass rush this year, and Deionte Thompson is an absolute beast
We'll likely have the best defense in the country again
In other words, no.
The ONLY thing that would keep us from a national championship this season is if Tua were to get hurt. That's the only thing I'm worried about
We'll likely have the best defense in the country again
In other words, no.
The ONLY thing that would keep us from a national championship this season is if Tua were to get hurt. That's the only thing I'm worried about
This post was edited on 5/13/18 at 10:20 pm
Posted on 5/13/18 at 10:38 pm to Commander Data
I am actually really excited about this year's defense. I know some people are concerned about the DLine but I think Davis, Buggs, Williams, Ray and Dwight is an impressive group. You have 3 potential superstars and 2 rotation guys in that group. Add Musika, Mathis, Baramore, and Wynn; if we get a few rotation guys and a breakout guy from that second group I think we look very good. Not to mention Parks could move inside as well. That is 9 or 10 there and we could add a grad transfer or someone could bulk up and move inside. Honestly I think we expect the depth from 2015 to be the norm and that is just unreasonable. It will be rare that you see the talent and depth from our 2015 Dline replicated if ever, even by Saban. Outside linebacker is loaded I have no worries there. I would have some concerns if Mack and/or Moses goes down but I am super confident in those two. I am super excited about the secondary. I love the safties, Thompson, McKinney,Wright and Mayden. The corners will have to prove themselves but they might be the most athletically gifted group of cbs we have ever had. We will have several studs comeout of that group. Maybe it is Crimson glasses but I think once the secondary gets settled we are going to see a lot of what we are use to seeing from Alabama Ds over the last decade under Saban. With the athleticism of this squad they might even be better than we ever expected.
Posted on 5/14/18 at 8:56 am to CAbamafan
quote:
The ONLY thing that would keep us from a national championship this season is if Tua were to get hurt.
Or if Tua throws lots of picks. He still is a largely unknown quantity.
Posted on 5/14/18 at 9:03 am to Commander Data
I think we will take a step back from last two years but still be very very good / elite, just not in the "best Defense under Saban" tier largely due to the number of players we lost in the last couple years.
I don't fall into the "only way we don't win national championship is losing Tua" camp. Still a lot of unknowns on this team.
I don't fall into the "only way we don't win national championship is losing Tua" camp. Still a lot of unknowns on this team.
This post was edited on 5/14/18 at 9:04 am
Posted on 5/14/18 at 9:09 am to Fells
Two big concerns for me:
1) Rush defense, particularly up the middle. Maybe this will be fine -- it always has been, since Saban has been here -- but as of right now, we don't have a proven anchor at nose. And depth is a concern.
2) Communication in the secondary. I think we're going to have some serious growing pains and busted coverages at times. Minkah made the right decision to go pro, and I don't begrudge him leaving one bit ... but man, I'd love to have him back there for one more year to help all these new guys learn the system.
I freely admit I'm spoiled. I'm accustomed to seeing Alabama roll out a top-three defense, if not top-ranked, every year for the past several years. We may not be at that level this year, but I still think we'll be top-10, worst case, unless we have significant injuries again.
1) Rush defense, particularly up the middle. Maybe this will be fine -- it always has been, since Saban has been here -- but as of right now, we don't have a proven anchor at nose. And depth is a concern.
2) Communication in the secondary. I think we're going to have some serious growing pains and busted coverages at times. Minkah made the right decision to go pro, and I don't begrudge him leaving one bit ... but man, I'd love to have him back there for one more year to help all these new guys learn the system.
I freely admit I'm spoiled. I'm accustomed to seeing Alabama roll out a top-three defense, if not top-ranked, every year for the past several years. We may not be at that level this year, but I still think we'll be top-10, worst case, unless we have significant injuries again.
Posted on 5/14/18 at 10:56 am to Sneaky__Sally
quote:
largely due to the number of players we lost in the last couple years
I really don't see how this even matters.
1) Turnover is a part of CFB and always has been. College eligibility is limited. It's not some new thing.
2) We recruit at a crazy clip.
3) Regarding the "number of players we lost in the last couple of years" - What do you think happened the couple of years before that? We lost a ton of elite talent.
Simply put, Saban recruits at such a high level and has proven time and time again that he'll put an incredible defense on the field each and every year. Sure there are ups and downs relatively speaking, but since 2008, the lowest we've finished the year in Total Defense is 12th, which was in 2014. We've been top 3 every other year.
And while it's unreasonable to expect each unit of our defense to be the best in football, statistically speaking our bottom as a defense is top-15 and will more likely be one of the best defenses in CFB.
Posted on 5/14/18 at 11:34 am to Fells
quote:
He still is a largely unknown quantity.
Totally. All we know is that he was able to beat the second best team in the country last year in one half, with a 13 point head start, for a national championship.
We really don't have a clue if Tua is any good yet.
This post was edited on 5/14/18 at 12:29 pm
Posted on 5/14/18 at 11:45 am to Sauron
I definitely get the concern on the rush defense with us losing Payne, Hand and Frazier but overall I feel good about the group. When we struggled last year with the run I felt that came down to our inside linebacker play more than Dline play and both groups were dealing with injuries. By the end of the year Davis and Buggs were dominating the point of attack. Payne was beastly but watch Davis and Buggs during the playoffs, they were really good also.
Interestingly, looking back at 2015, part of our dline this year looks a lot like our Dline that year. An elite Dlineman in A'Shawn Robinson/Raewkon Davis. A respected Juco transfer on the otherside in Reed/Buggs. Both serve as leaders and enforcers. An underappreciated senior NT with Lake/Dwight being challenged by a talented freshman Payne/Mathis or Wynn. An elite rotation guy who will likely see the majority of snaps by end of the year in Allen/Ray. If Williams and Musika can fill the Tomilson/Hand role to add depth I think we are in great shape. Again I'm not saying that we will be that good or deep but I am super confident that group can stop the run at a level we are use to if the ILB's do their job.
Add to that our outside linebacker group is incredible and deep, it has the potential to be nasty up front this year.
I also get what you are saying in regards to Minkah and communication because he did so much, but I like our safety group and they have all been in the system at least one year and all have played well. If there is one thing I would worry about are the corners, but if Smith hits the ground running look out.
Interestingly, looking back at 2015, part of our dline this year looks a lot like our Dline that year. An elite Dlineman in A'Shawn Robinson/Raewkon Davis. A respected Juco transfer on the otherside in Reed/Buggs. Both serve as leaders and enforcers. An underappreciated senior NT with Lake/Dwight being challenged by a talented freshman Payne/Mathis or Wynn. An elite rotation guy who will likely see the majority of snaps by end of the year in Allen/Ray. If Williams and Musika can fill the Tomilson/Hand role to add depth I think we are in great shape. Again I'm not saying that we will be that good or deep but I am super confident that group can stop the run at a level we are use to if the ILB's do their job.
Add to that our outside linebacker group is incredible and deep, it has the potential to be nasty up front this year.
I also get what you are saying in regards to Minkah and communication because he did so much, but I like our safety group and they have all been in the system at least one year and all have played well. If there is one thing I would worry about are the corners, but if Smith hits the ground running look out.
This post was edited on 5/14/18 at 2:50 pm
Posted on 5/14/18 at 12:42 pm to CAbamafan
quote:
All we know is that he was able to beat the second best team in the country last year in one half, with a 13 point head start, for a national championship
He also threw more picks in the half than Jalen did all year.
I'm obviously not saying that Tua sucks or "isn't any good" (not sure why you would even think that from my post), but to act like we know exactly what we're getting with him this year is absurd.
People have great moments, but what matters is consistency, which we haven't had the opportunity to see. I mean, Trevor Knight destroyed us like he was Tom Brady that one game.
Posted on 5/14/18 at 12:50 pm to Fells
That’s why I’m not buying all this Tua hype until I see it for more then a few games. More often then not, when players are hyped up this much they don’t live up to it. I’m not saying he won’t, but rather not get my hopes up too high with him.
Posted on 5/14/18 at 1:14 pm to Fells
quote:
to act like we know exactly what we're getting with him this year is absurd.
We, the fans, have but a few data points as we've only seen 2 quarters of greatness and some garbage time. The coaching staff and team, however, has that info plus hundreds if not thousands of practice reps to go on.
And so while the fans are waiting to see what Tua really is, the coaching staff and team already knows. And many of us fans are using the leaks of info from this group to base our expectations on, and as a result, our expectations are quite high.
And it's fine.
This post was edited on 5/14/18 at 1:15 pm
Posted on 5/14/18 at 1:23 pm to Fells
quote:
He also threw more picks in the half than Jalen did all year
Tua threw the same number of picks in the half as Jalen threw all year, 1. I don't think comparing interception stats with Jalen gives any insight into Tua. With that being said, I think many of us have seen enough of him to be really confident but there is a chance he could be Garrett Gilbert, who knows.
With that being said I get your point. It is a little odd for Bama fans to jump completely behind a QB with such a limited sample size. Your skepticism is legitimate. However I think the odds are in favor of him being, at worst a better option than Jalen and Jalen is a damn good option.
This post was edited on 5/14/18 at 1:24 pm
Posted on 5/14/18 at 2:44 pm to Carlton
Look, tua can hand off just as good as any QB we have had before that has won a Natty...the fact that he can throw too is what will put us over the top Offensively...
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