Under Saban, both Pruitt and Kirby demonstrated the ability to develop first - and certainly second - year players and have them contribute heavily. Instead of NIL transfers, it was necessitated by early draft entries. This translates well in the current environment. Also, I've no reason to believe Pruitt can't recognize likely plays from today's sets any better or worse than in the past. He was among the best, and was a key cog in Bama's dominant D's. Kirby blasting up and down the sideline, yelling, tells me he still has that skill.
In the end, Saban's defense worked well when we had superior personnel. The need for a cover corners, run support ball-hawking safeties, LBs who could close quickly on a QB or RB, a dominant DL - it all had to be there. When we had gaps in talent, like a few years of having LBs without elite speed (due to injuries to starters), the scheme was exposed. That's why everyone almost always says Saban's best trait was talent evaluation.
The way Kirby reacts when GA's on D reminds me of the agony any manager/leader can have when they are removed from the day-to-day technical aspects of their prior roles. When we'd have a situation arise at an individual bank, I'd have to curb to reflex to dig in, instead of making recommendations and having others carry them out. I think it's that way in many professions. It's a tough transition to move from the comfort of technical competence to the uncertainty of guiding, relying on others to carry things out.
RTR,
Tim
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