🏈 "Alabama's defense isn't as good as it has been." What's this based on other than speculation? Through three games...

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Jennings is playing in the 265 range and Miller around 245.

In 2012 Hubbard was playing around the 245 mark and Dickson was in the 260's as well as Devall.

What is that? Confirmation that we haven't downsized our defensive scheme? When we were taking on the Johnny Footballs of the world we were recruiting for that 260 lbs. behemoth and putting them all across the field and telling them, "now, go get Johnny." Yeah, that worked well and for Ole Miss too.

By downsizing our scheme, we have eliminated so many of these defacto defensive ends in our recruiting and started bringing in more DBs and safeties, and many more "smaller" DL for depth as we learned to play more specialist in our nickel and dime coverage. The fact that we still have some LBers with there hands in the dirt around the 260 range doesn't change one thing about downsizing our defensive scheme for these spread teams.

Jennings looks to be about 225 and moves really well for a guy that moves the meter to 265. I am amazed at that weight.

 

[TerryP]

@TUSKtimes, Is the defense built to guys with that "twitch" we've heard about so much? Yes. But, has the actual size changed that much with the ends and outside linebackers? No.

In 2008 Deadrick was playing at 300 on one end and Bobby Greenwood was playing between 275-280. Today, we're looking at Buggs weighing in at 285-290 and Davis in the 315 area. Of course there was Cody in the middle and his body type just doesn't come along often but what's key here is the line is bigger on the ends now than it was that season.

In 2013 we're looking at Square and Stinson both coming in the 290-295 area for the ends. I've already mentioned the linebackers from '12, same type size.

From 2008 up until now we've not seen smaller guys at end or at the outside linebacker spots. However, if you look inside Bama had Hightower and McClain coming in at 250-260 and with Wilson and Moses we're looking at 240 and 235 respectively. Last season SDH was in the same area as well.

 

[JoshB]

Jennings is playing in the 265 range and Miller around 245.

In 2012 Hubbard was playing around the 245 mark and Dickson was in the 260's as well as Devall.

What is that? Confirmation that we haven't downsized our defensive scheme? When we were taking on the Johnny Footballs of the world we were recruiting for that 260 lbs. behemoth and putting them all across the field and telling them, "now, go get Johnny." Yeah, that worked well and for Ole Miss too.

By downsizing our scheme, we have eliminated so many of these defacto defensive ends in our recruiting and started bringing in more DBs and safeties, and many more "smaller" DL for depth as we learned to play more specialist in our nickel and dime coverage. The fact that we still have some LBers with there hands in the dirt around the 260 range doesn't change one thing about downsizing our defensive scheme for these spread teams.

Outside of a nose this year, who has been downsized? And even behind him (Williams) there are several 325-350 pound nose guards.

 

[TUSKtimes]

@TUSKtimes, Is the defense built to guys with that "twitch" we've heard about so much? Yes. But, has the actual size changed that much with the ends and outside linebackers? No.

In 2008 Deadrick was playing at 300 on one end and Bobby Greenwood was playing between 275-280. Today, we're looking at Buggs weighing in at 285-290 and Davis in the 315 area. Of course there was Cody in the middle and his body type just doesn't come along often but what's key here is the line is bigger on the ends now than it was that season.

In 2013 we're looking at Square and Stinson both coming in the 290-295 area for the ends. I've already mentioned the linebackers from '12, same type size.

From 2008 up until now we've not seen smaller guys at end or at the outside linebacker spots. However, if you look inside Bama had Hightower and McClain coming in at 250-260 and with Wilson and Moses we're looking at 240 and 235 respectively. Last season SDH was in the same area as well.

As far as front seven size that you addressed, we know almost the exact day that coach Saban told our front seven they were going to scale it down. It was the year Reuben told us that he lost 15 LBs his senior year. Jonathan Allen had this to say at the same time: "I feel like we've become a little more athletic, especially in our linebackers," senior defensive lineman Jonathan Allen said. "We lost a lot of weight, we're definitely not as big as we used to be, but I feel we can play sideline-to-sideline." Daron Payne mentioned he was asked to lose 25 lbs and did so did a host of other DL.

I'm not sure where you are getting your stats and your accuracy. What we saw from Rolando, Hightower, Ragland, inside, you did not see from Shaun Dion, Reuben Foster (senior), Rashaan Evans, Mack Wilson, Dylan Moses, who are around 230 lbs. To be fair, these guys look like a lot more like CJ Mosely at the Capstone.

As far as our hybrid OLBers like Hubbard, how often would these guys even see the field together? How often are we working out of the old 2-gap 3-4 scheme these days? My point is, in the past, we were trying this with 3 behemoth D-Linemen and then 2 behemoth OLBers. We were huge and inflexible when chasing spread QBs and working in space. Great for stopping powerful downhill type of runners and at the same time lets us play zone on the backend.

Now we're morphing to these multi-fronts that like to play out of the nickel and dime. Lots of downsizing, especially when you look on the field and instead of Hubbard these days we see Minkah Fitzpatrick playing outside LBer in the NC game. I'm guessing that makes us smaller too.

 

[TerryP]

I'm not sure where you are getting your stats and your accuracy.

My accuracy comes from my memory. You're more than welcomed to look up the rosters and depth charts going back to '08 if you'd like to verify my numbers. Trust me, they are correct. I'm not trying to be an ass here. It's just a matter of fact I have memory for things I've read.

My point is, in the past, we were trying this with 3 behemoth D-Linemen and then 2 behemoth OLBers. We were huge and inflexible when chasing spread QBs and working in space.

You're both right and wrong here.

Yes, there is a difference when we compare the athleticism between guys like Hubbard compared to others. But when it comes to the size of these guys? ^That has not changed. Bama is still fielding the same sized players. If you look at the class of '19 you'll see DJ Dale (DT) is checking in at 320. If you look at the '18 class you'll find Musika (DT) coming in close to 340.

I know there are more than four linebackers in this past class who are already in constant communication with Amy Bragg because the staff wants weight gain before arriving on campus; Mwikuta is one of her biggest projects. She's also been working with Eboigbe and Chaney in effort to get weight on them as well. (That's taking into account these kids are still growing as well.)

 

[alagator]

we see Minkah Fitzpatrick playing outside LBer in the NC game.

This isn't accurate. He was lining up against Georgia close to the line of scrimmage than you'd normally see a defensive back. On an occasion or two he was practically on the line of scrimmage. As soon as the ball was snapped he booked back to the defensive backfield. The look you were seeing was nothing more than a disguised coverage.

 

[TUSKtimes]

My accuracy comes from my memory. You're more than welcomed to look up the rosters and depth charts going back to '08 if you'd like to verify my numbers. Trust me, they are correct. I'm not trying to be an ass here. It's just a matter of fact I have memory for things I've read.

And I'm quoting Reuben Foster, Jonathan Allen, Daren Payne, and A'Shawn Robinson. So trust me, I'm not having a vision in the night in my old age. Your argument isn't with me at this point.

Yes, there is a difference when we compare the athleticism between guys like Hubbard compared to others. But when it comes to the size of these guys? ^That has not changed. Bama is still fielding the same sized players. If you look at the class of '19 you'll see DJ Dale (DT) is checking in at 320. If you look at the '18 class you'll find Musika (DT) coming in close to 340.

Come on Terry, no way we want these inside LBers the same size as Reggie Ragland and Hightower. As the spread game keeps morphing to the pass first teams, the more these guys are going to be asked to cover and tackle in space. And the less demand for Bama to be the world's greatest run stoppers. I see the future putting a premium on even more speed off the edges and having long, rangy players. That's why I believed LSU was always ahead of us with their defensive spread concepts. They want long rangy DEs and faster linemen with smaller LBers. They always put great emphasis on their DBs and safeties being elite and deep. That strength is something we are going to be striving to emulate even more as passing spread teams flood the market.

 

[TerryP]

And I'm quoting Reuben Foster, Jonathan Allen, Daren Payne, and A'Shawn Robinson. So trust me, I'm not having a vision in the night in my old age. Your argument isn't with me at this point.

I know. Your argument is with weight scales.

I'm well aware of what Foster said as well as the other players. But, I'm also aware that sizes haven't changed.

Come on Terry, no way we want these inside LBers the same size as Reggie Ragland and Hightower.

Wait a second here. Now you've moved from outside linebackers and defensive ends to the inside guys. And, I've already addressed that a few posts above this one.

From 2008 up until now we've not seen smaller guys at end or at the outside linebacker spots. However, if you look inside Bama had Hightower and McClain coming in at 250-260 and with Wilson and Moses we're looking at 240 and 235 respectively. Last season SDH was in the same area as well.

 

[TUSKtimes]

I know. Your argument is with weight scales.

I'm well aware of what Foster said as well as the other players. But, I'm also aware that sizes haven't changed.

I like stats too, but when Reuben went from 240 to 225 he said he was now more "Ferrari than Tahoe." See if you can find that on your listed program?

 

[TUSKtimes]

This isn't accurate. He was lining up against Georgia close to the line of scrimmage than you'd normally see a defensive back. On an occasion or two he was practically on the line of scrimmage. As soon as the ball was snapped he booked back to the defensive backfield. The look you were seeing was nothing more than a disguised coverage.

Wow, an @alagator sighting. I wonder what prompted that?

 

[94 Grad]

We can nitpick the Defense to death, but does it really matter? Watching Tua and our WR/RB play is magical. It's not that our WR are making spectacular catches or anything... it's that Tua is easily finding the open receiver and hitting him in stride, on time and on target. I really don't foresee defenses being to to stop our offense on a consistent basis. Conversely, I think our Defense is good enough to win more drives than they lose... Do we give up 21 points to some team down the road... sure. The question then becomes, do we score less than 21 points in any game this year? I don't see that happening.

 

[TerryP]

I like stats too, but when Reuben went from 240 to 225 he said he was now more "Ferrari than Tahoe." See if you can find that on your listed program?

You're changing your tune mid-stanza.

Really didn't help that our OLBers were as big as defensive ends and we were huge along the DL.

I know I don't have to ask this but it almost feels needed. What position did Reuben play? Outside linebacker? No.

I honestly don't get how you're missing what I'm saying or what Josh was saying earlier...or hell, your friend @alagator . I pointed out where the inside backers are smaller. I also pointed out where the outside backers and defensive line are still the same size.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

We can nitpick the Defense to death, but does it really matter? Watching Tua and our WR/RB play is magical. It's not that our WR are making spectacular catches or anything... it's that Tua is easily finding the open receiver and hitting him in stride, on time and on target. I really don't foresee defenses being to to stop our offense on a consistent basis. Conversely, I think our Defense is good enough to win more drives than they lose... Do we give up 21 points to some team down the road... sure. The question then becomes, do we score less than 21 points in any game this year? I don't see that happening.

If Bama can score 31 points against every team then they will be in Atlanta to play The East.....

Every 3 and out stop the defense can muster will add a possession for Tua and the offense which will be a big big deal for Bama.