Everyone needs to chill about our D.
The secondary is young, but their biggest issue is focus. Saban keeps harping on maturity for a reason. This week our focus has been outstanding and this is a huge step for us.
The area the coaches are most disappointed with is our LB play, Saban has said as much publicly. That is why we are experimenting with JH and Nico. Our run defense is better with Nico at the Will and JH at Sam. LB play is why our run defense is not what Saban wants. As soon as someone else shows they can consistently play the Mike DH will play Jack/DE on all passing downs. This is something we will have to grow into, but our D will be improved greatly when this happens. Mental errors is why this is not currently happening with the exception of an occasional play or two.
As far as sacs go, we don't try to get them. We are trying to "affect" the QB and if a sac comes, fine. We want the QB to throw off balanced and hurried. We want TO's not sacs and TO's often requires he put it up and/or be running. TO's directly affect winning, sacs don't. What good is a ten yard sac on first down if the guy throws for 17 on the next play. However, if he throws a pic under duress then there is no next play. We want the ball in the air because the goal is to take it from them. This why Saban demands good ball skills from his DB's and why he coaches them himself.
Our D is a work in progress and they have improved each week. We have been planning for this game for two weeks.
The secondary is young, but their biggest issue is focus. Saban keeps harping on maturity for a reason. This week our focus has been outstanding and this is a huge step for us.
The area the coaches are most disappointed with is our LB play, Saban has said as much publicly. That is why we are experimenting with JH and Nico. Our run defense is better with Nico at the Will and JH at Sam. LB play is why our run defense is not what Saban wants. As soon as someone else shows they can consistently play the Mike DH will play Jack/DE on all passing downs. This is something we will have to grow into, but our D will be improved greatly when this happens. Mental errors is why this is not currently happening with the exception of an occasional play or two.
As far as sacs go, we don't try to get them. We are trying to "affect" the QB and if a sac comes, fine. We want the QB to throw off balanced and hurried. We want TO's not sacs and TO's often requires he put it up and/or be running. TO's directly affect winning, sacs don't. What good is a ten yard sac on first down if the guy throws for 17 on the next play. However, if he throws a pic under duress then there is no next play. We want the ball in the air because the goal is to take it from them. This why Saban demands good ball skills from his DB's and why he coaches them himself.
Our D is a work in progress and they have improved each week. We have been planning for this game for two weeks.
