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2011 Defense Thoughts
Posted on 6/19/21 at 11:19 am
Posted on 6/19/21 at 11:19 am
Enjoying some coffee and watching highlights from the 2011 season, particularly the defense. Here are some thoughts of mine on that defense. Just thought I'd share, its the off-season and it's always time to talk about Alabama Football in some way. Anyway, thoughts below.
That defense had such incredible chemistry. I know they didn't have the fast-twitch guys up front like 2016, but everyone on that defense did their job and was so damn competitive. As I said, the chemistry was off-the-charts. They rarely if ever were fooled by gimmick plays or pre-snap window-dressing. The tackling and fundamentals were also superb... its not too often you see defensive backs (Kirkpatrick and Barron) make hits that rival that of defensive ends. I don't think a defense has ever been as violent as this one was. They would be outlawed in today's game.
I think because of how well they played together, the experience (10 starters returned from 2010), discipline, physicality and just how fricking mean this group was that this was the best defense ever at UA. I know that's a minority opinion now due to the evolution of the game and the 2015 and '16 defenses having been so good (and better equipped for the pass-first game we have today).
That defense had such incredible chemistry. I know they didn't have the fast-twitch guys up front like 2016, but everyone on that defense did their job and was so damn competitive. As I said, the chemistry was off-the-charts. They rarely if ever were fooled by gimmick plays or pre-snap window-dressing. The tackling and fundamentals were also superb... its not too often you see defensive backs (Kirkpatrick and Barron) make hits that rival that of defensive ends. I don't think a defense has ever been as violent as this one was. They would be outlawed in today's game.
I think because of how well they played together, the experience (10 starters returned from 2010), discipline, physicality and just how fricking mean this group was that this was the best defense ever at UA. I know that's a minority opinion now due to the evolution of the game and the 2015 and '16 defenses having been so good (and better equipped for the pass-first game we have today).
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Posted on 6/19/21 at 11:22 am to The Silverback
I have a feeling that this year's defense will rival the great defenses that you mentioned.
Posted on 6/19/21 at 11:23 am to bamatide07
I hope so. Several guys returning plus a phenomenal group in the recruiting class. We will see.
Posted on 6/19/21 at 12:22 pm to The Silverback
Statistically greatest defense of the BCS era. Those numbers arent gonna be beat ever with how the game has changed.
Posted on 6/19/21 at 12:30 pm to The Silverback
They were a hateful bunch. Their only weakness was the triple option.
I'm not sure that style of defense would perform well in today's game though, which is crazy because that was only 10 years ago.
I'm not sure that style of defense would perform well in today's game though, which is crazy because that was only 10 years ago.
Posted on 6/19/21 at 3:26 pm to Robot Santa
quote:they wouldn't hold up to current offenses and rules.
I'm not sure that style of defense would perform well in today's game though, which is crazy because that was only 10 years ago.
Posted on 6/19/21 at 10:42 pm to Robot Santa
And even then before I call the triple-option a “weakness”, I wonder if that was due to not taking the opponent as seriously as they should have.
Posted on 6/19/21 at 10:45 pm to narddogg81
See, this is where I am once again in the minority as far as opinions go.
That defense wasn’t just a great unit that had great numbers, they were physically dominant and superior to the opposition. And as mentioned violent and ultra competitive.
If they didn’t dominate in today’s game, I think they’d quickly adjust. They had a great secondary and the front seven would man-handled most offenses and shut down the run.
Would be interesting to see how they fair against 2013 FSU, 2015 Clemson, 2018 Clemson and 2019 LSU.
That defense wasn’t just a great unit that had great numbers, they were physically dominant and superior to the opposition. And as mentioned violent and ultra competitive.
If they didn’t dominate in today’s game, I think they’d quickly adjust. They had a great secondary and the front seven would man-handled most offenses and shut down the run.
Would be interesting to see how they fair against 2013 FSU, 2015 Clemson, 2018 Clemson and 2019 LSU.
Posted on 6/19/21 at 11:13 pm to The Silverback
quote:
And even then before I call the triple-option a “weakness”, I wonder if that was due to not taking the opponent as seriously as they should have.
When asked who was the toughest offense they played in the 2011 season, Donta Hightower didn’t hesitate when he said Georgia Southern and it’s hard to argue; they rushed for 300+ yards against us. How many offenses have done that against a Saban defense?
Donta’s answer doesn’t speak well of the offenses Bama faced in 2011. I looked it up a while back and I think the highest ranked team in total offense Bama played that year was Arkansas at #29; the next highest ranked offense they played was something like #84. So it’s hard for me to know just how good that D was comparatively; personally, my favorite defenses of the Saban era have been, in order, 2009, 2015, and 2017…
This post was edited on 6/19/21 at 11:14 pm
Posted on 6/19/21 at 11:32 pm to OldPete
True, but perhaps Hightower (being the leader of the defense) had to say GSU because of how poorly the defense played or how good the offense was - whether it was the former or latter, who knows.
My favorite defenses have been 2011, 2015 and 2016.
My favorite defenses have been 2011, 2015 and 2016.
Posted on 6/20/21 at 6:13 am to The Silverback
quote:
And even then before I call the triple-option a “weakness”, I wonder if that was due to not taking the opponent as seriously as they should have
That was tongue in cheek.
They'd have shut that shite down if it had been someone other than Georgia Southern. Hell, LSU ran like a dozen option plays on 1/9.
Posted on 6/20/21 at 11:12 am to Robot Santa
Yeah and I'm one of the few who don't believe they would struggle today. The personnel on that defense was superior to probably any group (defense) we've seen in the modern era of the spread. Not to mention the experience and how that defense worked so well together. Everyone did their job and did so at a high level. And if anyone wants to question their speed, you can find game film of Hightower running step by step with Auburn's Tre Mason
If that defense would struggle in today's game, then so would every single defense before them. And that includes the likes of our '09 team, '08 UF, '95 Nebraska, etc.
I stand by what I said though... they would not struggle. And even if they did, it'd only be at first before they adapt. I would love to see one of these yuppie, big-time receivers in today's game who are coddled by the rules and safe from car wreck-type hits play against that '11 defense.
Greatest defense of all time.
If that defense would struggle in today's game, then so would every single defense before them. And that includes the likes of our '09 team, '08 UF, '95 Nebraska, etc.
I stand by what I said though... they would not struggle. And even if they did, it'd only be at first before they adapt. I would love to see one of these yuppie, big-time receivers in today's game who are coddled by the rules and safe from car wreck-type hits play against that '11 defense.
Greatest defense of all time.
Posted on 6/20/21 at 9:22 pm to The Silverback
I don’t think they’d struggle badly in today’s game. You have have to know that if they were playing in 2021 our staff would have them all significantly leaner (and faster) to adapt to the offenses of the day. Everyone in the front 7 would be 15-20 lbs lighter. That was just a sick unit, they’d be tough as crap today too.
Posted on 6/20/21 at 11:38 pm to The Silverback
I love the 2011 defense, but...... Give me that 2015/2016 front seven any day of the week.
Posted on 6/21/21 at 8:03 am to The Silverback
2016 was the only one close and at full health, I think would be #1 of the Saban era. But losing our best player in Eddie Jackson was a killer, and he wasn't the only one we lost.
Posted on 6/21/21 at 8:20 am to OldPete
quote:
Donta’s answer doesn’t speak well of the offenses Bama faced in 2011.
Yeah. It was a great defense, but I always felt like it was a down year for college football.
Neither us or LSU had great offenses and we still destroyed most teams.
This post was edited on 6/21/21 at 9:41 am
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