re: LSU in contact with Kirby Smart to become LSU's next DC

quote:

---

Alabama has 30 Base defensive alignments. Each one has 10 variations. Each variation has 50-100 defensive plays, plus 10-20 audible checkdowns. Every base, variation, play, and check down has a different assignment each player has to know and perform. My dad saw a 5th of the 2011 defensive playbook because that is what they handed out at the 2012 summer camp. He had a coaching friend who went. He told me it was unbelievable the sheer volume the kids have to learn. Leaves one wondering how they have time for class.

Combine that complexity with Kirby Smart calling adjustments constantly before plays begin, all the way up to when the ball is snapped, and it creates a big problem. 2009 and 2011 defenses had veterans everywhere. The past three years we haven't been able to get a full roster of vets all at the same time. The kids are having to constantly think on the field instead of instinctively knowing where they should be. Makes them hesistate.

Cochran has also started phoning it in. Isn't creating monsters anymore. Lot of players are too big, out of shape, and soft. The amount of relatively minor muscle injuries players sustained this year is indicative of bad S&C. Most fans of other teams don't realize just how many starters Alabama had hurt at one time or another. Way more than the norm.

I'm not saying this about Smart and Cochran because the Tide lost in the playoff his year. I started thinking, and saying, these things in early 2013. I've felt this way about Smart since 2012,actually. Should have let him go and kept Pruitt. Has not been one hint of innovation since Pruitt left. Just a bunch of ole buddies trying the same damn stuff that doesn't work. Bama should simplify the defense, play man with the 4 5 star corners on the outside. Take some lumps while they grow up, and let the front 7 go beast mode.

---