quote:
If you think about it, almost every DB who had a role except Cyrus seemed like a liability in coverage at times: Sylve, EJ, TB, LC, Geno, Jarrick, Perry, Washington.

Sadly, I have to agree...I actually thought Sylve might've been our second best cover guy last year, but think he lost confidence after White torched him. Sad thing was, Sylve seemed to have decent coverage on White most of that game, it's just that either he couldn't find the ball or White was able to go up and over him and get the ball. Think one of the key turning points on D in the Iron Bowl was when Sylve took over for EJ...

quote:
Leads me to believe the key might not be personnel as much as coaching.

Don't know if I fully agree, but I see your point. Looks like our coaches teach the CBs to play the ball and not the WR, and our CBs, other than CJ, aren't as physical and have trouble knowing when to look back for the ball...hopefully Tucker will make a difference...

I think the larger problem is that the good spread offenses have figured out our scheme and know how to attack it. Many times this past year, our D has looked confused against some formations (like when Ole Miss kept lining up in trips on one side). Makes me long for the days when McClain was roaming the middle; he was like having another coach on the field as he made all the calls on D. I recall several games when spread teams would line up, look at our D's alignment, and then look to the sideline for the play...then Ro would instantly walk up to the line and switch the defensive formation...I don't think we've really had a single player who's fully grasped Saban's D, especially in making calls & changes, since Ro left...