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re: Is anybody worried about the defense?
Posted on 5/14/18 at 9:09 am to Fells
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.
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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
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