📡 Just A Minute: With So Many Freshmen, Alabama's Defense Pretty Impressive Under the Circumstances- SI

[Bama News]

With So Many Freshmen, Alabama's Defense Pretty Impressive Under the Circumstances

It may not be a typical Alabama defense, but there's no way it could have been due to so many injuries

www.si.com

Those who have been critical of the Alabama defense this season need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

Yes, the tackling could have been better against LSU. No the play-calling has not been perfect. But give some credit to the opposition, as well.

Alabama plays in the SEC, which is the toughest conference in college football. These are the best of the best, and the coaches spend months preparing to face each other.

Sometimes you get the feeling that an opponent spent just about all of the offseason getting ready to face Alabama. LSU was one of those games, and, quite frankly, it comes with the territory.

Alabama ranks 27 in the nation in total defense, and just like last year is 12 in scoring defense.

Most Crimson Tide fans would have taken that the moment linebacker Dylan Moses was lost for the season.

But he hasn’t been the only injury, and now Alabama is starting five-plus freshmen on the defensive side.

That’s half the defense.

That there hasn’t been a bigger drop-off has been remarkable.

Just about every single athlete who has played for Nick Saban at Alabama will tell you it takes a minimum of a year to get everything down, regardless of position (expect for kicker and punter, of course).

Senior safety Jared Mayden said today that it took him “every bit of 2 1/2-3 years” to get the pass coverages down.

That’s just the pass coverages. Linebacker Shane Lee is trying to get the play-called down as well.

He’s getting it down, though. So is Christian Harris. So is DJ Dale. So is Byron Young. So is Jordan Battle. So are all the reserves.

Nowadays, offenses are going to get some points and yards even against the most veteran and talented defenses.

If anything, Alabama’s defense has been better than most realize, and a lot better than most are giving credit.

DEFENSIVE YEAR-by-YEAR CHART

Alabama defense national rankings

Year Total (yards), Scoring (points), Rushing (yards), Pass Eff. (rating)

2007 31 (345.5); 27 (22.0); 28 (124.2); 38 (117.21)

2008 3 (263.8); 7 (14.3); 2 (74.14); 14 (106.68)

2009 4 (256.6); 2 (11.7); 2 (78.14); 2 (87.67)

2010 5 (298.0); T-3 (13.5); 10 (110.15); 6 (103.54)

2011 1 (177.6); 1 (8.2); 1 (72.15); 1 (83.69)

2012 1 (252.9); 1 (10.9); 1 (76.36); 6 (103.72)

2013 5 (295.8); 4 (13.9); 7 (106.2); 26 (116.84)

2014 13 (337.0); 6 (18.4); 4 (102.4); 30 (116.53)

2015 1 (266.2); 3 (15.1); 1 (75.7); 8 (105.22)

2016 2 (261.8) 1 (13.0) 1 (63.9) 9 (106.47)

2017 1 (260.4); 1 (11.9); 1 (94.7); 2 (96.78)

2018 16 (319.5); 12 (18.1); 19 (121.3); 23 (115.79)

2019 27 (328.9); 12 (17.5); 40 (137.3); 18 (114.50)

 

[JoshB]

We have different definitions of the word "impressive" obviously.

 

[TerryP]

We have different definitions of the word "impressive" obviously.

Here's the thing that really gets me.

For years we all sat here and discussed how the fast paced, air it out offenses had an impact on the other side of the ball. We didn't see defenses associated with high scoring offenses and it was used as a point of reference when discussing opponents and other games.

Now that Bama features one of those offenses we see a lot of criticism about the defense when it should have been well known that the other side of the ball was going to feel the brunt of the change.

Impressive, with so many young guys, when compared to other defenses in 2019.
It's not impressive when it's compared to defenses Bama fielded a few years ago.

At this point in collegiate football I don't see teams having it both ways.

It's funny seeing "look at UGA and AU" when the subject of defense comes up with no regard to the offense being ran at both programs. UGA is a perfect example of this with their scheme mirroring what we saw in 2012 (as one example.)

As I continue to see this a lot of context and perspective is still lacking in these conversations.

 

[JoshB]

Here's the thing that really gets me.

For years we all sat here and discussed how the fast paced, air it out offenses had an impact on the other side of the ball. We didn't see defenses associated with high scoring offenses and it was used as a point of reference when discussing opponents and other games.

Now that Bama features one of those offenses we see a lot of criticism about the defense when it should have been well known that the other side of the ball was going to feel the brunt of the change.

Impressive, with so many young guys, when compared to other defenses in 2019.
It's not impressive when it's compared to defenses Bama fielded a few years ago.

At this point in collegiate football I don't see teams having it both ways.

It's funny seeing "look at UGA and AU" when the subject of defense comes up with no regard to the offense being ran at both programs. UGA is a perfect example of this with their scheme mirroring what we saw in 2012 (as one example.)

As I continue to see this a lot of context and perspective is still lacking in these conversations.

Sorry man, that's just an excuse. Alabama and Auburn are almost identical in time of possession yet Auburn has one of the best defenses in the country. Your argument of "scoring too quickly" or whatever holds up as a game wears on, the defense has been bad from the first snap most weeks. Bad tackling, busted coverages, missed assignments, absolutely no pass rush when Jennings and Lewis aren't on the field (and they are barely on the field). This isn't on the offense. I don't know if it's just really awful coaching (lack of development, bad game planning, bad play calling and game management, misuse of talent, etc.) or it's just the fact that these players are not very good. Some of them ARE young, yes, but that only takes you so far. It doesn't take a fifth year senior to be able to tackle.

And if the scheme is too complicated - like above is suggesting - then that is on the coaches for not simplifying it, which ironically we heard was done. So if this is the "simplified" version and they still don't get it, what does that say?

 

[mando]

Seems like it fits into one of these categories - Fundamentals, knowledge, experience, coaching, scheme, talent and depth.

Never as easy as one thing. Likely problems in all categories.

In my view we have not had a smothering D (you will not run on us) since 2016 where OC's were just trying to find a way to move the ball and even then when it came to the NC game that year they were scored on because the offense left them on the field to long.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

If any of you good folks have Bo Davis's number then give him a call and tell him to come on back...….Aight

Truth is Nick has lost some really good defensive assistant coaches these last several and the replacements (jmo) haven't been able to coach them up. Add in some recruiting misses and the early to the NFL deal and we're in kind of a tuff spot. Talented freshmen having to play and have success is going to be more important than the senior classes players going forward and the reason is the talented players leave after three years even if one of those three was a redshirt. Money talks and you can't blame them. All this is going to bring about a 9-3 year for The King every now and then.

Possible early to the NFL guys this season

offense...13,22,24,70,74,69,4,6,11
defense..32

 

[JoshB]

If any of you good folks have Bo Davis's number then give him a call and tell him to come on back...….Aight

Truth is Nick has lost some really good defensive assistant coaches these last several and the replacements (jmo) haven't been able to coach them up. Add in some recruiting misses and the early to the NFL deal and we're in kind of a tuff spot. Talented freshmen having to play and have success is going to be more important than the senior classes players going forward and the reason is the talented players leave after three years even if one of those three was a redshirt. Money talks and you can't blame them. All this is going to bring about a 9-3 year for The King every now and then.

Possible early to the NFL guys this season

offense...13,22,24,70,74,69,4,6,11
defense..32

McKinney could very well leave, too.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Ya'll notice the years we had the #1 Defenses, what the result was? With the exception of '08 that went undefeated.

The issues we are seeing on our Defense is the result of inexperience AND inconsistent coach staff for the last 3 seasons. To be #27 isn't bad but it is NOT the 'Alabama Factor' as Coach phrases it. Hopefully our staff will stay on to 2020 & we can have continuity into the season without these dreaded injuries.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

McKinney could very well leave, too.

#15 is a playa for sure. Hope he returns for one more shot at the title

 

[UAgrad93]

Unfair to make comparisons when we, the fans, will always compare our defenses to those of previous years in OUR program. We compare these guys to perhaps 1or 2 of the greatest defenses of all time in the ‘11 and ‘15 units. Tons of experience within those groups and this bunch has HALF of the starters as true freshmen. Combine that with NFL departures, mix up of staff, misses in recruiting, then we are pretty damn lucky to be performing at the level they are. Unrealistic expectations!!!

 

[mando]

Unrealistic expectations!!!

Probably true but w/o the level of play we are used to you get the results we are seeing. It requires an offense to be elite to compensate for the subpar defense. I guess it balances either way.

 

[Tidestalker]

TBH it's not the freshman who've under performed... It's the lack of play making from the returning "studs" that has been the disappointment.

Outside of McKinney and maybe Jennings, no returner has been in that special mold or taken that next big step that we'd hoped.

-Diggs was playing great... Until LSU.

-Lewis has been good... Not great.

-R. Davis hasn't flashed, at all. Not sure we've seen a guy dominate early in his career and never do it again.

-Mayden & Carter are/were the targets in the secondary

-Chris Allen has barely played

-Surtain has been solid... Not special.

All Returners... Who took the next step? You can go down the list.. And I'm not saying those returners are bad players, but when you're playing for a championship, dudes need to FLASH. Be GREAT. Look at the special defenses we've had over the years and you'll name a lot of experienced players that made special plays. So it's not about the freshman... It's about the returners.

On the positive side, I think Barrimore is an absolute star in the making. Our 2 ILB's both have a chance to be play makers, especially C. Harris with his physical tools. Jordan Battle beating out some other guys as a frosh is probably a great sign. We just need a handful of guys to be more than role players... The studs win championships.

 

[TerryP]

9

Sorry man, that's just an excuse. Alabama and Auburn are almost identical in time of possession yet Auburn has one of the best defenses in the country. Your argument of "scoring too quickly" or whatever holds up as a game wears on, the defense has been bad from the first snap most weeks. Bad tackling, busted coverages, missed assignments, absolutely no pass rush when Jennings and Lewis aren't on the field (and they are barely on the field). This isn't on the offense. I don't know if it's just really awful coaching (lack of development, bad game planning, bad play calling and game management, misuse of talent, etc.) or it's just the fact that these players are not very good. Some of them ARE young, yes, but that only takes you so far. It doesn't take a fifth year senior to be able to tackle.

And if the scheme is too complicated - like above is suggesting - then that is on the coaches for not simplifying it, which ironically we heard was done. So if this is the "simplified" version and they still don't get it, what does that say?

An excuse? No. What we're discussing here has been pointed out for years specifically and originally with the changes we saw in the Big 12.

I don't see where citing time of possession comes into play when we're talking about what the defense is dealing with. While it's true the two are similar it's also true that the Bama defense has seen over 20 more offensive series than the Auburn defense. It's the inevitable result of scoring 24 more touchdowns than the Tigers have this season.

It's strange to me seeing LSU's transformation this season on offense and at the same time seeing their defense fall below the standards we're used to seeing from their program. Is that also an excuse? Has Aranda become lesser of a coach this season than last? Is the talent level there somehow less than it was a year ago, two years ago, or more?

Cause and effect with scoring offenses is a part of the Bama defensive issue list this season as well as youth, injuries, and a few other aspects here and there. It's certainly no help that we look at the positions most critical to Bama's defense—the guys up the middle in the front seven—and see so much youth and inexperience there.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

#58 is a piece of work for sure. He can beat his team or theirs or he is just as likely to get sack, make a tackle, jump offside, get ejected for targeting the QB, or knock over your coke in the stands on any play.

He needs to get his mind right for 2020.

Captain...........'cause you gonna get your mind