🏈 Bama Defense Is Still Great

[Che Boludo]

I must not have typed it clearly enough... OUR DEFENSE got exposed... Which is why this group won't be quite as fondly remembered as 2011 in my opinion

Roughly a week+ to prepare for a very good offense that uses a variety of weapons. I think the D plated very well all things considered.

In the BCS format with a month to prep, it's a different game.

Not taking away from Watson or Clemson, they played a great game. Instant classic

 

[JoshB]

I agree with all of that.... We just have different bottom lines.

You however are the one with the knee jerk reaction. In my first post I said this was a great defense. A great defense that happened to have a really bad game that exposed weaknesses. Do you disagree with that?

Pass rush wasn't getting there, the CB's (Minkah Fitz in particular) were giving up big plays, and generally couldn't contain the QB from scrambling... So what exactly did they do well? Aside from the nice INT by Eddie, not much at all.

You touched on it, but the scheme was off. Not having Evans on the field more was crazy. He was the only LB that could keep up with Watson and it wasn't close. The late blitzes were completely picked apart by Watson... He could see them coming from a mile away. Those calls almost always ended up in big plays for Clemson.

I think 2011 defense was the best I've ever seen at Alabama. No question the Clemson QB is special... But he had his way with these guys. So IMO, the 2011 D will go down as a better D which statistics will back up.

I can respect that you took the time to state an actual well thought out opinion. This is much more valuable for everyone than your previous comment.

No, I see it as a flaw in the gameplan and like you said the scheme especially those blitzes (you were better of just letting the backers drop back and spy than trying to throw a late blitz at him cause he was throwing the quick pass everytime it happened). They needed to attack Watson rather than just having the ends kind of "mush rush" (same thing we kept trying with Manziel a few years ago) and did much better with Evans as the "spy." They did play well in spurts but it was only spurts which was the problem, and Clemson kept trying to go to their favorite plays (the draws and traps up the gut) but they shut that down other than the backs one long run (30 yards on one run and 11 for his other 15+ carries).

I would say the '11 defense was better too, overall, tho this is the best and most deep front seven I've ever seen. Hard to beat that '11 secondary tho.

 

[Tidestalker]

Roughly a week+ to prepare for a very good offense that uses a variety of weapons. I think the D plated very well all things considered.

In the BCS format with a month to prep, it's a different game.

Not taking away from Watson or Clemson, they played a great game. Instant classic

Very well?!? Even Saban said they didn't play up to their standard.

Agree to disagree Che... But RTR nonetheless

 

[BamaFan334]

You really think they would fall for that on-side kick four or five more times? :headscratch:

No, but I think our offensive line would be a few blocks better to make up for that.

 

[Crtuneman]

I would just like to add that if you go back and look at the 2011 season that team did not play a great quarterback all year. The SEC had a bunch of really bad or really young QBs and the 2011 defense was superb at shutting down the run and forcing these bad QBs to throw. I'm not saying the 2011 defense wasn't great; they were. All I'm saying is they never faced Cam or Manziel or Watson.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

I would just like to add that if you go back and look at the 2011 season that team did not play a great quarterback all year. The SEC had a bunch of really bad or really young QBs and the 2011 defense was superb at shutting down the run and forcing these bad QBs to throw. I'm not saying the 2011 defense wasn't great; they were. All I'm saying is they never faced Cam or Manziel or Watson.

^This right here folks. Look at all the loses that CNS has had with his defense & there is almost always a QB that had the game of his life! The passes that Watson were making were just damn good! Our defenders were all over them in coverage for the most part but that ball was thrown just dang well. When you are that accurate & can move... it is just tough to beat. You must adjust & attack them differently as mentioned with Evans & Hand was a pretty good adjustment. But remember, they were the number #1 team for a reason. Not chopped liver. Reece Davis was asked about the rarity of the trick plays (context of the onside kick) that CNS uses. He alluded to the idea is that usually 'Bama just has better players & beats up other teams. What this shows us is that CNS has a real HC mindset of coaching his team through a real tough opponent during the game too. We don't see it that much but CNS was spot on at figuring out ways to beat a Clemson team that wasn't going to be intimidated, ever, during this game. Give credit to Clemson; they were determined as hell to win that game. Both teams took blow after blow & nobody was knocked out.

One of the things that has been lost, I think over the years by 'Bama's dominance is that the ONLY teams that beat 'Bama are the teams that play out of their mind! Rarely ('15 Ole Miss) does 'Bama beat itself. So for the first time in CNS era, they played a NC opponent that could just as easily whip our ass if we quit. So what it ultimately came down to was who wanted more & would spill their guts in whatever way possible to win. Think Drake's kick off return or Harrison's TD catch that he stripped by staying with it, or Coker's 3rd down conversion at that last drive.... PURE DETERMINATION. That is what a REAL NC Game should be about!

I LOVE IT!!!! AND Roll Tide Roll!!!!