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Defense - last 45 minutes of the game (2nd - 4th qtrs) and the impact of the penalties
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:22 am
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:22 am
Excluding the hail mary 30 yard catch on the last play
51 plays
235 yards
4.61 YPP
9 points
Yes, Card was in. But I think we all know that backup QBs haven't stopped us from losing our minds in games in the past (cough cough last trip to Texas cough), and Texas still had Sark calling plays and the best RB in the country in the backfield.
Also, of those 235 yards, 54 of them were penalty yards (23% of them).
- Will Anderson offside turned a 4th down at the Alabama 40 into a 1st down at the Alabama 35. This led to the field that made it 3-0.
- Will Anderson personal foul turned a 3rd and 9 on the Alabama 38 into a 1st and 10 at the Alabama 23. This led to the field goal that made it 13-10.
- Offside penalty turned a 2nd and 10 at the Alabama 37 to a 1st and 5 at the Alabama 32. This led to the field goal that made it 16-10.
Sark schemed us good early and Ewers made some fantastic throws. If he'd stayed in would we have settled down and would he have cooled some? I think probably. Would he have been better than the Card version of their offense? I mean, hard to argue against that. However, even if he stays in, our penalties directly contributed to AT LEAST 6 of their 19 points, and it could be argued 9 of them.
So my takeaway for the defense is kind of just a mind frick of I don't know. I was disappointed how badly we got schemed early, but somewhat understanding given what an elite coach Sark is and how well he knows our scheme........as well as the precision Ewers was making throw with. The penalties were embarrassing - there is nothing else to say there. However, the effort in the last 3 quarters was very good, elite in the red zone and basically saved the game.
All in all - the defense won the game, but I still was hoping to see a more dominant unit out there this season from the get go given the returning players.
51 plays
235 yards
4.61 YPP
9 points
Yes, Card was in. But I think we all know that backup QBs haven't stopped us from losing our minds in games in the past (cough cough last trip to Texas cough), and Texas still had Sark calling plays and the best RB in the country in the backfield.
Also, of those 235 yards, 54 of them were penalty yards (23% of them).
- Will Anderson offside turned a 4th down at the Alabama 40 into a 1st down at the Alabama 35. This led to the field that made it 3-0.
- Will Anderson personal foul turned a 3rd and 9 on the Alabama 38 into a 1st and 10 at the Alabama 23. This led to the field goal that made it 13-10.
- Offside penalty turned a 2nd and 10 at the Alabama 37 to a 1st and 5 at the Alabama 32. This led to the field goal that made it 16-10.
Sark schemed us good early and Ewers made some fantastic throws. If he'd stayed in would we have settled down and would he have cooled some? I think probably. Would he have been better than the Card version of their offense? I mean, hard to argue against that. However, even if he stays in, our penalties directly contributed to AT LEAST 6 of their 19 points, and it could be argued 9 of them.
So my takeaway for the defense is kind of just a mind frick of I don't know. I was disappointed how badly we got schemed early, but somewhat understanding given what an elite coach Sark is and how well he knows our scheme........as well as the precision Ewers was making throw with. The penalties were embarrassing - there is nothing else to say there. However, the effort in the last 3 quarters was very good, elite in the red zone and basically saved the game.
All in all - the defense won the game, but I still was hoping to see a more dominant unit out there this season from the get go given the returning players.
This post was edited on 9/14/22 at 8:34 am
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Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:28 am to SummerOfGeorge
Very accurate observation. Thanks for your data.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:36 am to SummerOfGeorge
The defense was meh, but not bad. The bad tackling came back, and we were blitzing into max protect at times. Those dumb fricking stunts where the DT has to run 15 fricking yards if he's going to make it to the QB also made a a couple of appearances, but overall their performance was acceptable.
We really need to figure things out at corner. Hellams, Battle, and Branch have all played well, but you can't play 4 different guys at CB all season and I'm really not sure the next two games will be able to tell us much on that front. I don't think Jackson is capable of defending anyone with better than ~4.5 speed in man coverage, and Kool-aid either makes a big play or commits a penalty with very little in between. Arnold seems to be the most consistent of the bunch. Kool-aid and Ricks are probably the two with the highest ceilings, but also probably the lowest floors.
We really need to figure things out at corner. Hellams, Battle, and Branch have all played well, but you can't play 4 different guys at CB all season and I'm really not sure the next two games will be able to tell us much on that front. I don't think Jackson is capable of defending anyone with better than ~4.5 speed in man coverage, and Kool-aid either makes a big play or commits a penalty with very little in between. Arnold seems to be the most consistent of the bunch. Kool-aid and Ricks are probably the two with the highest ceilings, but also probably the lowest floors.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:41 am to Robot Santa
quote:
We really need to figure things out at corner. Hellams, Battle, and Branch have all played well, but you can't play 4 different guys at CB all season and I'm really not sure the next two games will be able to tell us much on that front. I don't think Jackson is capable of defending anyone with better than ~4.5 speed in man coverage, and Kool-aid either makes a big play or commits a penalty with very little in between. Arnold seems to be the most consistent of the bunch. Kool-aid and Ricks are probably the two with the highest ceilings, but also probably the lowest floors.
Yep - I think that is kind of the lynchpin of the season defensively. I mean, it was the difference in this game being a shutdown effort and what we saw. They would have hit a few plays because the QB had big arm talent, their WR is a stud and Sark can scheme, but 2-3 mistakes/getting beat/etc led to 13 pts.
Unfortunately, I think they just aren't sure yet (which I get cause I'm not either). Jackson is great in run support and is generally in good position, but he seems to have zero ball skills and is always 1-2 steps late (vintage Eddie Jackson on 1 leg 2014 vibes there). Ricks and Kool-Aid, like you said, seem to either make great plays or tackle guys. And Arnold seems to be the most consistent but he's a true freshman (and he wasn't forced to defend Ewers/Worthy together either, so a little TBD).
The good news is we have some talented players there. So, it's not like 2019 with ILB or anything. But we have to pick some guys and roll with them and they have to improve on their deficiency areas. Like you said, I think Jackson is the one whose deficiency area is physical and can't really be improved (though has intrigue at other positions). The other 3 should all be able to get better at their areas of issue/inexperience. You can definitely see WHY Saban kept saying all offseason that it truly was wide open, because all 4 of those guys have different pros/cons.
This post was edited on 9/14/22 at 8:46 am
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:45 am to SummerOfGeorge
I'm afraid you're never going to see a dominant unit as long as PG is defensive coordinator. I'm not bashing on him. I have really wanted him to succeed and was hopeful he would grow into the job. But after 4 years it's painfully obvious this is going to be our defense under Golding. Some games when we look great and shut a team out but other games where the defense just looks mediocre. No consistency. If the other team has a good offensive coordinator or players with similar talent the coaching weaknesses get exposed.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:49 am to SummerOfGeorge
I think we'll see Ricks on the field with Arnold or Kool Aid going forward. I don't think the competition will go beyond this weekend. Ricks need to make efforts in practice to get on the field.
I actually think If Will penalties didn't happen, I think Defense confidence would've been higher and play more aggressive going forward. But I definitely agree with this. Our stupidity cost us 13 points that could've been a shutout.
I actually think If Will penalties didn't happen, I think Defense confidence would've been higher and play more aggressive going forward. But I definitely agree with this. Our stupidity cost us 13 points that could've been a shutout.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:49 am to panhandlebama
I thought Pete called a pretty good game Saturday. I mean, nothing spectacular, but I'd imagine you don't want to do a whole lot of aggressive stuff against Sark because you know he has a feel for it and will bite you on it. Especially in a low scoring, field position type game like we were playing. Even most of the big pass plays early on weren't some sort of scheme deficiency thing or us looking confused - they were just solid execution or individual issue (Jackson on Worthy, for example) by Texas. Ewers made some fantastic throws those first 2 series (the deep sideline throw on 3rd down I think to Worthy was undefendable, just perfect throw and catch).
I won't pretend I wasn't sitting there sarcastically saying "HERE WE GO AGAIN", but after the game settled for a while and so did emotions, most of their offensive stuff was just good on their end, not us looking lost or bad (like we did a lot the last 2 years). I still hate some of the blitzes we run, but I hated some 3rd and Kirby stuff too, and I think we'd all agree he's a pretty decent defensive coach
I won't pretend I wasn't sitting there sarcastically saying "HERE WE GO AGAIN", but after the game settled for a while and so did emotions, most of their offensive stuff was just good on their end, not us looking lost or bad (like we did a lot the last 2 years). I still hate some of the blitzes we run, but I hated some 3rd and Kirby stuff too, and I think we'd all agree he's a pretty decent defensive coach
This post was edited on 9/14/22 at 8:53 am
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:58 am to SummerOfGeorge
I feel like as long as PG has superior talent he does fine. But I don't have confidence in him to out coach anybody. I'm not saying he's terrible. Just seems mediocre. I guess it just seems that Bama isn't getting the most out of the talent on their roster. And I'm honestly surprised all of the coaching changes year in and year out took this long to catch up to Bama. Really just shows how great Saban has been.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 9:10 am to panhandlebama
quote:
I'm afraid you're never going to see a dominant unit as long as PG is defensive coordinator.
I don't think it has anything to do with Golding. You aren't going to see a dominant unit against an elite offense. (I'm not saying Texas has an elite offense but they do have probably the best playcaller in the country, arguably the best RB, and a 1st round wide receiver.) I'm just talking about the state of college football in general. Elite offense beats elite defense 9 times out of 10. It's the way the game is now. UGA had a generational defense last year. We still lit them up in the SEC championship game and would have lit them up again in the natty with Metch and Jamo healthy.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 9:13 am to SummerOfGeorge
At the end of the first half, there was a play where Bijan Robinson ran a wheel route and Dallas Turner was in man coverage on him 35 yards past the line of scrimmage, with no one over the top.
This type of shite happens regularly. I remember Will Anderson playing man coverage on some 3rd and longs last year as well. Same goes for Anfernee Jennings the year prior.
It is mind blowing to me that we would ever run a scheme that involves Will Anderson or Dallas Turner playing coverage more than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage on 2nd or 3rd and long.
This type of shite happens regularly. I remember Will Anderson playing man coverage on some 3rd and longs last year as well. Same goes for Anfernee Jennings the year prior.
It is mind blowing to me that we would ever run a scheme that involves Will Anderson or Dallas Turner playing coverage more than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage on 2nd or 3rd and long.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 9:26 am to Hawaiian Punch
quote:
At the end of the first half, there was a play where Bijan Robinson ran a wheel route and Dallas Turner was in man coverage on him 35 yards past the line of scrimmage, with no one over the top.
This type of shite happens regularly.
RB wheel routes are a built in weak point of the kind of defense we run. They gave us fits with Kirby and Pruitt too. A 250+ pound DE/OLB can't run with a RB the way a 220lb 4-3 OLB can. The only reason teams don't run that play 20 times a game against us is that it's one of the slowest developing plays in football and a good way to get your QB killed if you go to the well too many times.
This post was edited on 9/14/22 at 9:27 am
Posted on 9/14/22 at 10:38 am to Robot Santa
quote:
We really had a chance to maybe get early control of the game when Moody stop them with very a good read/tackle for lost on that third down but will was off sides.That stop would have forced a punt back to us coming off a good opening drive were we got on the board with a FG. Texas does not get a FG there and then Jase hits them to the house after change of possessions and we are up 10-0.This 10-0 lead maybe holds Sark back as far as aggressiveness and taking those shots. We are Used to us getting 2 solid 70-80 yrd scoring drives per half along with one short field drive. Which normally gets us taking control early,but that dont happen when were making the mistakes we made early on. All & All we saw our new WR core and a O-line still with moving parts on the road in a big game.Bryce made it work along with getting latu mixed back in.The offense answered when the game was on the line to pull it out and this will really pay off at a Arky,Lsu.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 10:57 am to AjA77
Take away Will's 3 stupid penalties and the BS call on Turner when he hurt Ewers and Texas likely ends the game with 12 points (no TD's). Got to clean up the penalties, but defense is going to be just fine moving forward. Where we all need to be worried is our OC who has been absolutely terrible through 2 years. He has the best QB in the nation, a great backfield, a vet TE, solid if not great options at WR and a veteran/decent OL. No reason he shouldn't be putting up 35+ every single game. Dude has zero creativity. Just dumbfounding.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 5:35 pm to Robot Santa
Felt like they were more successful running than they actually were. We were kinda terrible at first contact. Tons and tons of broken tackles, but we did swarm really well
Posted on 9/14/22 at 6:03 pm to SummerOfGeorge
Glass half empty
The interior DL wasn't great last year, and we lost the better player Mathis to the NFL. Lot of guys return but does that actually mean they are going to be much better?
We return one ILBer that is pretty good and his partner has been at Bama for 5 years and never started yet we think he is going to be really good?
Two safety's are pretty good along with Branch.
The DB's are a work in progress to say the least.
The two outside LBers are elite.
JMO but we have more just good players than we do elite players on defense.
I believe the defense played pretty damn good vs Texas but we will have to see how Texas does going forward before we can judge our defense.
I am not really disappointed in Bama at this point. Once the game with The Hogs is in the books, we will know the deal on Bama. (I don't believe The Hogs are elite at all but playing them at their house will be a problem).
The interior DL wasn't great last year, and we lost the better player Mathis to the NFL. Lot of guys return but does that actually mean they are going to be much better?
We return one ILBer that is pretty good and his partner has been at Bama for 5 years and never started yet we think he is going to be really good?
Two safety's are pretty good along with Branch.
The DB's are a work in progress to say the least.
The two outside LBers are elite.
JMO but we have more just good players than we do elite players on defense.
I believe the defense played pretty damn good vs Texas but we will have to see how Texas does going forward before we can judge our defense.
I am not really disappointed in Bama at this point. Once the game with The Hogs is in the books, we will know the deal on Bama. (I don't believe The Hogs are elite at all but playing them at their house will be a problem).
Posted on 9/14/22 at 6:29 pm to JoseyWalesTheOutlaw
Arkansas is going to be a problem. They are legit.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:06 pm to Syd
Arkansas is a run first offense with their QB. Not that worried about our run defense
So long as the ghost of Treylon Burks doesn’t appear I think we’ll be fine
So long as the ghost of Treylon Burks doesn’t appear I think we’ll be fine
This post was edited on 9/14/22 at 8:08 pm
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:09 pm to UhOhOreo
Was gonna say - while Arkansas will be a test, their offense without Burks is actually something we match up pretty well with.
We shut their run game down last year. Most of their offense was Burks going ham on our CBs one on one outside.
We shut their run game down last year. Most of their offense was Burks going ham on our CBs one on one outside.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:21 pm to JoseyWalesTheOutlaw
quote:
We return one ILBer that is pretty good and his partner has been at Bama for 5 years and never started yet we think he is going to be really good?
Moody has actually been really good so far this season.
Posted on 9/14/22 at 8:25 pm to TideSaint
The only part of the defense that struggled Saturday were the corners. And that was magnified because Sark did an incredible job the first 2 series of finding ways to expose it.
The front 7 didn't get a ton of pressure because Sark did a great job of mixing up OL blocking schemes, misdirection, quick stuff, max protect on targeted long routes to specific matchups (Worthy v Jackson the main one). It was a masterclass.
Run defense was great.
The front 7 didn't get a ton of pressure because Sark did a great job of mixing up OL blocking schemes, misdirection, quick stuff, max protect on targeted long routes to specific matchups (Worthy v Jackson the main one). It was a masterclass.
Run defense was great.
This post was edited on 9/14/22 at 8:31 pm
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