Ya that's definitely true, this team certainly has the raw talent as in years past. My feeling at least, is that we take a half step back largely due to losing so much experience and leadership over the past couple years.

I could certainly be wrong in that feeling, it just seems to be a bit more cyclical in my mind and while we lose a ton each year, one every few years it catches up so to speak. This years D will be very good but just seems to me like that "changing of the guard" type season with those guys gaining that experience and comfort in the leadership position as they continue to improve. The following years I feel like is when they really show out as those undeniably elite level defenses.

I'm really splitting hairs though and its just kind of the feeling i get looking back over the past three year run of incredible D.

This post was edited on 5/14/18 at 11:01 pm

1 Jump to Post ...

Report Post Jump to Post

Posted by prevatt33

Member since Dec 2011

2837 posts

Posted on 5/14/18 at 11:23 pm to Sneaky__Sally

quote:
losing so much experience and leadership over the past couple years

Everyone in our starting front 7 has played a lot of football for us, both backup OLBs are as good as the starters, and part of our 2nd team Dline has nice PT under their belt. Both ILBs are as good of young playes as anyone could possibly hope for and are both proven. And while our secondary is young, Thompson will be the signal caller back there and has a lot game and practice reps under his belt. Add to that mix the fact that Saban notoriously cross-trains players,develops youth early as part of the process, and everyone in the conversation is either a 4 or 5 star type athlete.

So what are the downsides? Secondary is crazy talented but inexperienced in spots, and the 2nd team Dline needs to continue to develop. A recipe for worry it ain't.

No defense is ever perfect, and I promise you in all those years where we had a "best all-time" type defense, there were preseason concerns each and every year.

If you want to err on the side of either optimism or pessimism, be my guest. But the amount of concerns going into 2019 defensively are no more than a normal year, and we have A TON to be excited about on that side of the ball.

FG kicking, punting, and the performance of both new OCs are both bigger concerns than anything on defense for me. And they're not that big of concerns.

I actually think this could be our most complete team in a number of years.

1 Jump to Post ...

Report Post Jump to Post

Alabama Sports Board - Replies to Post

Return To Board

Page 1

Return To Board