🏈 Defense needs major fixing

[BAMAneck]

As much as I would love to see him back in a BAMA uniform again , it would be selfish to ask him to potentially risk it all for a game or two ... We have the offensive talent to play with anyone.....

However , I believe the defense will actually decide if we will win a championship this year or not .. All of the teams that will make the playoffs will have legit offenses , we haft to be efficient on 3rd to consistently get the stops ... to try and separate ourselves from them . The games like the ole-miss game leave to much to chance and put super amounts of pressure on the offense to haft to score every time out .

Hell every player on defense from the 2015 and 2016 teams went to the NFL and we still lost to Dabo U in 2016 and pulled it out in 2015 by the skin of our teeth

Great defense today means holding them to 24-30 points

True of the defense, but if I’m not mistaken that was the year Lane was sent packing before the championship game ...

 

[UAgrad93]

Trask made some outstanding throws last night to some guys (1,8,84) that are matchup nightmares and Mullen and OC Brian Johnson did a great job of calling and creating those mismatches. It also doesn’t take a great offensive mind to figure out that when an ILB goes all the way out to the sideline to cover a RB, it’s man and that is the mismatch you want. Our guys were in position a lot of times but we either, tripped when we had the route diagnosed, mistimed our jump, or simply panicked when we didn’t trust our talent and grabbed the receiver. Now 1 of those saved a TD and another on Moses, should’ve been called a hold because the ball wasn’t close to being caught. I’ll add that really my one biggest gripe with ILB play all year has been simply our depth. I used to coach ILBs and I always liked our guys to have some depth in their alignment. It allows them to take their initial read steps and not get caught in the wash so much and still make a play. Too many times, it looks like our guys are way too close, get caught in the wash, and can’t be involved more because their misstep in the read and they are toast. I wish Golding would just back those guys up 2 good steps.

 

[rick4bama]

Had two weeks to make sure!

 

[BetyoursoulBamaisbetterthanyou]

You’re right about defenses holding teams to 13 points and under being a thing of the past but I think good coaching and talented players like Bama recruits should be able to hold great offenses to something like 26 points per game.

All that being said ... just take this one fact into account then tell me Bama’s defense is fine in that Florida scoring 46 was just the result of modern football. The one fact: Florida scored more against Bama than they did against any other team other than Ole Miss and Arkansas. If that one’s not enough here’s another ... Florida only scored in the 30’s against SC, Texas A&M, Vandy, Kentucky, LSU and the Vol’s. And one last fact - Track threw for more yardage against the Tide than he did against 6 other SEC teams. The bottom line is Bama’s defense, even taking modern offenses into account, isn’t great. That’s not to say Bama can’t or won’t win the NC because they can and I most certainly hope will it all ... but if they do it will be because of their prolific O.

Yeah with good coaching and recruiting if you can hold folks under 4 scores most days now, that would be successful. And I get they held Arkansas, Kentucky, MSU, Auburn, Mizzou, and Tennessee to 4 scores or less, UGA too at 24 points with this staff and personnel, bit most of those teams had abysmal offenses. Anything that had a QB and receivers with a pulse gave bama a crap ton of fits.

If you are to expect to beat Florida, Clemson, Ole Miss, Ohio state on any given year, you must have a competent defense, as the offense may not always be there to put 49 or 60 points on the board to bail you out. Gotta recruit some linebackers who can actually pressure the qb, and some corners who can actually cover these receivers downfield if your linemen and linebackers cant get to the quarterback.

Every time bama has gotten beat under Saban from 2008 onward, it's been because of these Trask like quarterbacks and athletic receivers. If they cant recruit personnel to hang with them, itll be tough sledding.

And defensive playcalling and scheming needs improvement too. I dont understand why they havent brought pressure very much and why they keep playing soft zone coverage. That's getting guys out of position, especially the younger guys, and that's gotten them beat. Better coaching and playcalling on D would help a lot.

 

[Tidestalker]

I've seen a ton of improvement in the D this year. I think it directly relates to the DL play and pass rush.. As no DB can cover talented guys for very long with rules strongly in the offenses' favor.

Last night would have looked a lot better had the 5 Alabama players closest to the fumble been able to recover it. Ironically, it was a great play by Moses who then turned around and got picked on the next 2 plays. The defense COULD have been off the field for those. Same with the Jobe lining up offsides play... If he's lined up a foot or so back, things look a lot different. The ability to turn teams over is a big improvement in itself... I can see the fellas actively pursuing it, and the coaches deserve credit for that.

At the same point, there has to be some questions about why the DB's are allowing receivers to consistently get behind them when they're up multiple scores in the 2nd half. Whether that's the players not executing or the coaches not actually coaching a different approach in different situations I have no idea... But it is not good. Sometimes there is just a general lack of awareness and game management that stands out... (TO use, clock usage/awareness, time & score IQ, etc.) that can objectively be questioned. I think last night exposed a few of those issues, which can be used to improve and get corrected just in time to win another Natty.

 

[BamaFan334]

I've seen a ton of improvement in the D this year. I think it directly relates to the DL play and pass rush.. As no DB can cover talented guys for very long with rules strongly in the offenses' favor.

Last night would have looked a lot better had the 5 Alabama players closest to the fumble been able to recover it. Ironically, it was a great play by Moses who then turned around and got picked on the next 2 plays. The defense COULD have been off the field for those. Same with the Jobe lining up offsides play... If he's lined up a foot or so back, things look a lot different. The ability to turn teams over is a big improvement in itself... I can see the fellas actively pursuing it, and the coaches deserve credit for that.

At the same point, there has to be some questions about why the DB's are allowing receivers to consistently get behind them when they're up multiple scores in the 2nd half. Whether that's the players not executing or the coaches not actually coaching a different approach in different situations I have no idea... But it is not good. Sometimes there is just a general lack of awareness and game management that stands out... (TO use, clock usage/awareness, time & score IQ, etc.) that can objectively be questioned. I think last night exposed a few of those issues, which can be used to improve and get corrected just in time to win another Natty.

I can't understand the lack of pressure we are willing to put on a quarterback. I personally feel the defensive calls are allowing our secondary to get eaten up. Like you said, they can only cover a quality receiver for so long, so why don't we pressure a good quarterback anymore? Lawrence will destroy us if we give him time, but he has proven to be erratic if pressured. I have a bad feeling about Clemson no matter what anyone wants to say about their defense. Etienne, Rodgers, Lawrence, and the other receivers they have bother me as far as us winning it all.

 

[tide92]

I can't understand the lack of pressure we are willing to put on a quarterback. I personally feel the defensive calls are allowing our secondary to get eaten up. Like you said, they can only cover a quality receiver for so long, so why don't we pressure a good quarterback anymore? Lawrence will destroy us if we give him time, but he has proven to be erratic if pressured. I have a bad feeling about Clemson no matter what anyone wants to say about their defense. Etienne, Rodgers, Lawrence, and the other receivers they have bother me as far as us winning it all.

No way we can account for a dual threat like Lawrence and cover guys too. Got to get by Notre Dame first anyway. I honestly don’t know much about them. I usually turn the channel when they are being fawned over by the ESPN.

 

[BamaFan334]

No way we can account for a dual threat like Lawrence and cover guys too. Got to get by Notre Dame first anyway. I honestly don’t know much about them. I usually turn the channel when they are being fawned over by the ESPN.

If we scheme for him his running abilities can't hurt us as much unless we just aren't making tackles.

I agree about getting by Notre Dame first. Was just using a good and big quarterback like Lawrence as a reference m.

 

[Tidestalker]

I can't understand the lack of pressure we are willing to put on a quarterback. I personally feel the defensive calls are allowing our secondary to get eaten up. Like you said, they can only cover a quality receiver for so long, so why don't we pressure a good quarterback anymore? Lawrence will destroy us if we give him time, but he has proven to be erratic if pressured. I have a bad feeling about Clemson no matter what anyone wants to say about their defense. Etienne, Rodgers, Lawrence, and the other receivers they have bother me as far as us winning it all.

Whether or not the stats prove it, I do think there has been more consistent pressure from the DL since Ole Miss. So maybe the staff feels they can get there with that front 4, which in theory could make sense.

But what DOESN'T make sense - Is that if you're not blitzing, how are you getting beat over the top?! And not just on regular plays, but with a late lead? It's concerning.

Ultimately you're right, with no pressure Lawrence is going to have a field day. He would against the best DB play... That just 2020 football. Which is why getting pressure is so dang important... And whether that's with 4, 5 6, 7 or whatever, it just has to happen!

 

[mando]

If the DL can get pressure w/o blitzing that is your best bet. It takes DL that can do that against good OL. If they cannot then you have to strategically take shots blitzing. That has its on perils against really good offenses especially if you get there late. From an execution standpoint it starts with when the blitz is called, what the offensive play call is, how well did the D disguise where the pressure is coming from which is all part of execution. Seems like a lot has to go right. Personally I do prefer an attacking D. I thought that was one of the things Pruitt did well as DC.

I do not have the technical knowledge to know but do the offenses that spread you also limit your blitz options and at least make it harder to disguise. I assume so. Coach Saban did say last night the spread teams force you to show your hand. I assumed he meant zone vs man but maybe there is more to it. I know putting people in motion is a tool OC's use to see if zone vs man.

Lastly for teams like Clemson, have a running QB puts even more pressure on the D. Only so much a D can do. Same with defending Bama, they have soooo many options you can't defend them all and people like Najee are just nightmares to defend. We will likely see how well Venables defends Bama this year. Yeah I know ND first and agree. Anyway Venables certainly did a great job the last time we played with them with Tua at QB. Of course they also had a few 1st rounders on that defense and we did not have the OL we have this year.

 

[ColAngus]

Can someone explain what happened to Surtain on the long touchdown to open the 2nd half? He was in perfect position, turned and saw the ball, but he never even made a move towards the ball. He just let it go over his head, right to the receiver who took it for a long td.

Very bizarre play, but I don’t see how that‘s coaching.

 

[Tidestalker]

Can someone explain what happened to Surtain on the long touchdown to open the 2nd half? He was in perfect position, turned and saw the ball, but he never even made a move towards the ball. He just let it go over his head, right to the receiver who took it for a long td.

Very bizarre play, but I don’t see how that‘s coaching.

Agreed. It was a great play by the Gators.

That play reminded me a lot of an Auburn TD last year in the corner of the end zone. He had good coverage there as well, and the same type of reaction/non reaction. Just kind of watched it happen.

I'm guessing both times he figured the play couldn't be made. Both were perfect throws and catches, so you've got to tip your cap. Just odd to see a player be in decent position and not attempt a PBU

 

[Cars2234]

Golding needs to go, dude is awful. Let him go coach a community college intramural squad

Dude, you can't convince anyone who sticks their fingers in their ears and squeezes their eyes shut this is an issue. It's like Golding is nothing to see here, let's move on... we'll magically outscore everyone. Ask people like Oklahoma how the NC road has been paved with that mindset?

 

[Cars2234]

Curious, who do you replace him with?

you know Charlie Strong is on staff right??? DUH!!!!!!

 

[TerryP]

you know Charlie Strong is on staff right??? DUH!!!!!!

May we have one example of success his defenses have had against the offenses we're seeing today? One is all I'm looking for...just one.

 

[TerryP]

Every time bama has gotten beat under Saban from 2008 onward, it's been because of these Trask like quarterbacks and athletic receivers. If they cant recruit personnel to hang with them, itll be tough sledding.

Every time any top flite team has been beaten in the last few years it's because of a dynamic quarterback and athletic receivers. Florida, Saturday, is your latest example. UGA vs Bama and Florida. The list continues.

That IS the game now.

And defensive playcalling and scheming needs improvement too. I dont understand why they havent brought pressure very much and why they keep playing soft zone coverage. That's getting guys out of position, especially the younger guys, and that's gotten them beat. Better coaching and playcalling on D would help a lot.

I can't understand the lack of pressure we are willing to put on a quarterback.

In the last three games we've seen five sacks, eight sacks, and then five against Florida. But they aren't bringing pressure?

 

[BamaFan334]

Can someone explain what happened to Surtain on the long touchdown to open the 2nd half? He was in perfect position, turned and saw the ball, but he never even made a move towards the ball. He just let it go over his head, right to the receiver who took it for a long td.

Very bizarre play, but I don’t see how that‘s coaching.

I haven't stopped thinking about that play either. It looks like he just quit playing or something. After watching slow-mo replay, I just don't think he saw the ball (although I'm curious how he missed it). I mean absolute perfect technique and position as you stated, and I think it took the play by play guys by major surprise as well.

 

[BamaFan334]

Every time any top flite team has been beaten in the last few years it's because of a dynamic quarterback and athletic receivers. Florida, Saturday, is your latest example. UGA vs Bama and Florida. The list continues.

That IS the game now.


In the last three games we've seen five sacks, eight sacks, and then five against Florida. But they aren't bringing pressure?

LSU and Arkansas aren't the pillar to build an argument for that this year as their quarterbacks have gotten beaten up all year. Two of the highest if my quick research is correct. And yes, we've been getting home more lately, but I feel it's more of at the end of the game, not as much at the beginning to set a tone. Our conditioning is most likely better, so it would make sense. Barmore and Anderson have been great. I'm speaking more of sending a Moses, Jobe, Surtain, Battle, Wright, Moore, or Branch. Quick twitch guys that can force a quick throw which means less accuracy. Just my thoughts though.

 

[PurlJam]

I don't care if the score is 101 to 100... as long as we're the 101.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Pretty sure Coach Saban commented on how the defense performed against UF. The good thing is that it gets him grumpy & salty in preparation for the next game so these guys are just going to have to get back to work at getting better for these next 10 days.

Besides, you may recall that Dan Mullen will ALWAYS attack the new guys with his best. He did it with Riley Cooper on Maurice Smith in the 2008 SEC championship & he tried to do it again at MS State on Maurice Smith the next year. The difference is that Smith had an off season & more playing time to get better. The guys that were exposed the most in this game were the true freshman. I'm just glad they had this game to keep pushing them to improve.

Side note: The 2016 Defense is arguably one of the best defenses we've ever had. It did about all it could do against Deshawn Watson but it wasn't enough. I think this is when Saban accepted the fact that nowadays a good defense cannot beat a good offense (his words not mine). AND that he needs an offense that will not go 3 & out all the time. We are seeing the fruits of his labor now with one of the most complete teams we've ever seen. Granted the defense needs to get better. And I think the proof is there that they are improving.