Rewatching the Georgia game and in my opinion the biggest problem with our run defense is the Nose. Saban has always had a space eater in the middle to clog up the running lanes and force the run outside where the LBs and DBs can chase it down. Mt Cody, Marcell Dareus, Jesse Williams, Daron Payne. DJ Dale is not a space eater. He is constantly getting pushed around and knocked out of the play. Georgia and Ole Miss both ran right up the gut all night long, and that was something you rarely saw in past Bama defenses. Is this something that can be learned? Is it a matter of technique? Does he need to get stronger? What does it take to make a space eater in the middle? And of course it doesn't help that Moses and Harris keep getting out of position. But it is amazing to me that the middle of the Bama D is so porous, both last yaer and this year. What do you think?
🏈 Bama's Run D
- Thread starter Crtuneman
- Start date
How much of this do you think is related to Ray being banged up this past weekend?
I don't think it made much difference because Ray is an edge player and he's not having a good season either. And like I said they had the same problem against Ole Miss and in the first half against A&M. From my perspective the DL as a whole is not playing well. Barmore is very talented but he still uses sloppy technique from time to time. But I think the biggest issue is the middle.
mando
Member
Never played D line so no idea but that will not keep me from offering an opinion 
. I think it always comes down to strength and technique. You hope the strength part is handled in the off season. With technique comes the concept of leverage including how you use you hands. Can you hold your gap even when double teamed? Can you split the double teams? What I have seen is these guys try to run around the block instead which creates a running lane. It would be better to have less penetration but hold your gap than to get more penetration but create a running lane. Also some of it comes down to tackling when you are in a position to make a play.
We have been very fortunate to have great players that could do this. That does not seem to be the case right now. Is it talent or technique. I believe the latter which should be something that can and should be coached.
. I think it always comes down to strength and technique. You hope the strength part is handled in the off season. With technique comes the concept of leverage including how you use you hands. Can you hold your gap even when double teamed? Can you split the double teams? What I have seen is these guys try to run around the block instead which creates a running lane. It would be better to have less penetration but hold your gap than to get more penetration but create a running lane. Also some of it comes down to tackling when you are in a position to make a play.We have been very fortunate to have great players that could do this. That does not seem to be the case right now. Is it talent or technique. I believe the latter which should be something that can and should be coached.
NickelDoubleDog
Member
Terry - I didn't see it close enough and I think the D was in a 4 man front mostly, but where do Tim Smith and Jamil Burroughs play? Are they the same spot as DJ Dale? Both of those guys are 315+ and could be the space eater, and Saban spoke highly of Burroughs.
It seems like Ray and Eboigbe are more the DE who plays outside in the 4 man front, and not the DT in those fronts. Barmore, Dale, Mathis, and Burroughs/Tim Smith play the DT roles in the 4-3.
Smith is a nose, Burroughs playing end behind Eboigbe and Barmore.
Have either of these guys played this year? I haven't noticed. Mando I think you are right. They are trying to run around blocks, but also they are being pushed around by the OL. And that rarely happened to the space eaters I mentioned above.
Tim Smith and Burroughs both saw their first action against UGA.
The inside runs seems to be the biggest issue in the run game. Even when they know it's going to be a run up the gut for some reason they largely havent been stopping it. And I really doubt it's due to guys getting outphysicaled. They are just not wrapping up on contact and often shooting the wrong gaps. Actually trying to hit the runner in the numbers would help a lot too.
They have had some success when they've been able to string ot out and force a runner to the perimeter.
They have had some success when they've been able to string ot out and force a runner to the perimeter.
Take a closer look at Moses and Harris at ILBs. They had a hard time getting caught up in the “wash”. I used to coach LBs and to me, they seem to be taking too many downhill steps on their run reads and then get caught up in all of the trash inside. This has also gotten them sucked in and lost on RBs out in the flat or on TEs following play-action.
I have noticed the LBs out of position. What do you think about DJ Dale? Will he learn how to fill the middle like the others did? I appreciate your insight and input since you know what you're talking about.
Tidestalker
Member
I’ve never been one to pay real close attention to the DL other than to notice if they are playing too high or not shedding blocks. I think Dale may play too high at times and that’s when you see him getting pushed back. I don’t really know what is being asked of our front to be honest. Are they asked to penetrate and not strong enough or quick enough? Are they asked to plug and hold, mush rush? Or are they just there to occupy OLinemen so our LBs can run free? I have a pretty good friend that was a DL coach and DC in the HS ranks for 30+ years. I’ll ask him what his take is about our DL and in particular DJ Dale.
planomateo
Member
mando
Member
It seemed like 32 had his best game or at least half on Saturday. I think even Saban mentioned that. This is a guy that was out of football for a full year. I would think it is expected that it would take him some time to get back to himself after the injury.
footballer
Member
I like Moses, he seems like a great guy and would be a good friend. However, a knock against him coming out of high school, was that he did not have the natural instincts to be a great inside linebacker. He seemed to play pretty well year before last when he played the position that Harris played last year and this year. Moses on some running plays seems to not read how their ol is blocking and does not fill the hole the rb takes and gets caught up in the wash as some of you put it. All the inside lb's should be taught by their position coach to read their keys. To determine when the offense play is a run or a pass. And there it is in a nutshell. With the rules as they are now with the rpo's, it is definitely hard to know what is what.
But the dc calling the defense plays, seems to be guessing wrong on what defensive play to call on a lot of plays. Hence, lb's and db's out of position to make a play, to make a stop on 3'rd down and so on. This would also account for un - covered rb's out of the backfield and many times little to no coverage of the te. Also, when we play zone, many times our db's get caught flat footed staring at the qb and not staying close enough to the receivers. Which many times makes it easy to complete passes against us. My opinion is we would make more defensive plays if they played more of a match up zone. Which ever receiver comes in your area, stay in his pocket. My 2 cents.
But the dc calling the defense plays, seems to be guessing wrong on what defensive play to call on a lot of plays. Hence, lb's and db's out of position to make a play, to make a stop on 3'rd down and so on. This would also account for un - covered rb's out of the backfield and many times little to no coverage of the te. Also, when we play zone, many times our db's get caught flat footed staring at the qb and not staying close enough to the receivers. Which many times makes it easy to complete passes against us. My opinion is we would make more defensive plays if they played more of a match up zone. Which ever receiver comes in your area, stay in his pocket. My 2 cents.
The first thing I see is they are playing a little high imo. I don’t think they’re using the old Georgia Split technique of monopolizing OLinemen so Backers can make plays. On runs they are getting a little deep and losing ability to cut off backs.
We got so use to having those huge DLinemen that could move so fast, these guys are just not as good as they were.
On top of all that, the RPO can make any lineman look like an idiot. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
This is from my old coaching buddy. I hope this explains things.
We got so use to having those huge DLinemen that could move so fast, these guys are just not as good as they were.
On top of all that, the RPO can make any lineman look like an idiot. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
This is from my old coaching buddy. I hope this explains things.
That's good info. Maybe they will improve their technique as the season wears on. They definitely played better in the second half of the Ga game. Thanks.
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