🏈 Karl Dunbar

[rammerjammer]

I know that @TerryP has made a few mentions, however it has been very quiet about how well Coach Dunbar has done since arriving back in the spring.

Granted the amount of talent and depth he had to work with, I could have probably coached up these guys this year, but we experienced no real fall off this year from the amount of pressure our front 4 has been able to generate this year. I don't think we had as many sacks, but as CNS always says, it is not necessarily about sacks, it is about affecting the QB as much as anything.

Lastly, he was the primary recruiter on Isaiah Buggs. That speaks volumes. Having spent the last 10 years in the NFL, he obviously remembered what it takes to get kids to come to your program. Kudos to CNS and CKD.

 

[Bamabww]

@rammerjammer I tried to get some thoughts about him in November but not much was said. The question I had was he as good at recruiting as he appeared to be at coaching. As you noted, looks like he going to do that job just as well as he coaches.

Football - Coach Dunbar

 

[EasyTider]

Buggs was a great get and it sounds as if Dunbar was a big part of swaying him to Bama, but we still need a few more DL commits for this class IMO. Davis was a obviously a great coach and recruiter but he obviously f'd up and left CNS no choice but to let him go. However, did we really doubt whether Saban would bring in someone who wasn't the full package (coaching/recruiting).

 

[JoshB]

Im going to withhold judgment on how well hes done until we see a line thats he coached that doesnt have Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson, Tim Williams, Dalvin Tomlinson and Daron Payne all on it at the same time.

 

[JoshB]

Buggs was a great get and it sounds as if Dunbar was a big part of swaying him to Bama, but we still need a few more DL commits for this class IMO. Davis was a obviously a great coach and recruiter but he obviously f'd up and left CNS no choice but to let him go. However, did we really doubt whether Saban would bring in someone who wasn't the full package (coaching/recruiting).

lol how many do you need? Already a four star and a five star (and probably at least one more on signing day), we signed SIX last year! Da'Shawn Hand, Josh Frazier, and Raekwon Davis have barely seen the field as it is (Hand a lot more than the other two) and then there's like 8 or 9 freshmen and sophomores that have yet to see the field yet. Looks like Saban is concentrating more on other positions this year after signing a shit load last year.

 

[bradenob]

lol how many do you need? Already a four star and a five star (and probably at least one more on signing day), we signed SIX last year! Da'Shawn Hand, Josh Frazier, and Raekwon Davis have barely seen the field as it is (Hand a lot more than the other two) and then there's like 8 or 9 freshmen and sophomores that have yet to see the field yet. Looks like Saban is concentrating more on other positions this year after signing a **** load last year.

LOL Bird sometimes you tend to exaggerate. 8 or 9 that haven't seen the field, underclassmen? SIX last year??? I don't think so. I mean we are talking DL signees - I don't think ET is counting Jack/DEs.

2015 - We signed Daron Payne (DEFINITELY seeing the field), Jonathan Taylor (kicked off), Christian Bell as a DE (left), Anfernee Jennings (playing as a Jack LB/WDE - and HAS seen the field), Mehki Brown (also playing as a weak DE).

2016 - We signed Kendall 'Hulk' Jones (did not qualify), Jamar King from JUCO (I haven't see him on the field), Quinnen Williams (redshirting), Raekwon Davis (getting mop up time), Terrell Hall (the next Ryan Anderson, or with bulk, the next Jonathan Allen, playing a fair amount). There's not six even signed, and Hall sure doesn't count as a DL right now- I count 3. Just saying.

2017 - We signed Buggs, who WILL be a DT, and have a commit from Akial Byers.

So I count THREE who 'haven't seen the field yet' - King, M Brown, and Q Williams - only Q Williams seems to be promising, but we'll see.

We DEFINITELY need more DTs - gotta replace the Allens and the Tomlinsons, and Frazier is not such a great back-up for Payne IMO. Aubrey Solomon would be a huge get, and we hope to get LaBryan Ray, who can be a J Allen type, even though listed as a DE. Kaindoh is less likely, but Kinlaw would fit the bill. It sounds like we'd take Phildarian Mathis over Elijah Conliffe, but hard to pull Mathis from louisiana. We would apparently take Conliffe for the depth if we missed on Solomon, Kinlaw, AND Mathis.

While there may be an embarrassment of riches elsewhere on the roster, NOT on the 3 spots of the DL - that's where the battles are won, and we need all we can get!

Roll Tide!

 

[JoshB]

LOL Bird sometimes you tend to exaggerate. 8 or 9 that haven't seen the field, underclassmen? SIX last year??? I don't think so. I mean we are talking DL signees - I don't think ET is counting Jack/DEs.

2015 - We signed Daron Payne (DEFINITELY seeing the field), Jonathan Taylor (kicked off), Christian Bell as a DE (left), Anfernee Jennings (playing as a Jack LB/WDE - and HAS seen the field), Mehki Brown (also playing as a weak DE).

2016 - We signed Kendall 'Hulk' Jones (did not qualify), Jamar King from JUCO (I haven't see him on the field), Quinnen Williams (redshirting), Raekwon Davis (getting mop up time), Terrell Hall (the next Ryan Anderson, or with bulk, the next Jonathan Allen, playing a fair amount). There's not six even signed, and Hall sure doesn't count as a DL right now- I count 3. Just saying.

2017 - We signed Buggs, who WILL be a DT, and have a commit from Akial Byers.

So I count THREE who 'haven't seen the field yet' - King, M Brown, and Q Williams - only Q Williams seems to be promising, but we'll see.

We DEFINITELY need more DTs - gotta replace the Allens and the Tomlinsons, and Frazier is not such a great back-up for Payne IMO. Aubrey Solomon would be a huge get, and we hope to get LaBryan Ray, who can be a J Allen type, even though listed as a DE. Kaindoh is less likely, but Kinlaw would fit the bill. It sounds like we'd take Phildarian Mathis over Elijah Conliffe, but hard to pull Mathis from louisiana. We would apparently take Conliffe for the depth if we missed on Solomon, Kinlaw, AND Mathis.

While there may be an embarrassment of riches elsewhere on the roster, NOT on the 3 spots of the DL - that's where the battles are won, and we need all we can get!

Roll Tide!

How the hell do you not count a defensive end as a defensive lineman? Thats just stupid and I didnt count jack backers in the ones I counted. Oh im sorry it was "only" five last year... Terrell Hall (DE), Jamar King (DE), Raekwon Davis (DT), Quinnen Williams (DT), Kendell Jones (DT)...

And of those Hall and Davis are the only ones to see the field and that is barely...

And why in the world do you go back to '15 and stop? OJ Smith, Josh Frazier and Johnny Dwight have barely seen the field.

 

[bradenob]

How the hell do you not count a defensive end as a defensive lineman? Thats just stupid and I didnt count jack backers in the ones I counted. Oh im sorry it was "only" five last year... Terrell Hall (DE), Jamar King (DE), Raekwon Davis (DT), Quinnen Williams (DT), Kendell Jones (DT)...

And of those Hall and Davis are the only ones to see the field and that is barely...

And why in the world do you go back to '15 and stop? OJ Smith, Josh Frazier and Johnny Dwight have barely seen the field.

Hey man why do you always get so excited - chill. And read YOUR post and MINE carefully.

It was only FOUR last year if you realize that the whole conversation is about the depth, and Jones didn't make it (who cares who we SIGNED if they aren't on the team?) - so if we're getting technical your off by 1/3. And my post DID count true DEs.

I only went back to 15 because you said there were 8 or 9 freshmen and sophomores that hand't seen the field yet. Sigh - again, not true. Mehki Brown (soph) hasn't seen the field, and Q Williams (freshman) hasn't seen the field. So that's only TWO guys, not 8 or 9.

As far as not counting DEs, of course they are part of the DL. But weak DEs/Jack LBs aren't. I don't think ET meant it that way, and it's just MY guess that he's talking about the big uglies - true DEs and DTs, NOT weak DEs/Jack LBs - there is a difference between Tim Williams and Jonathan Allen.

I DO hope guys like OJ Smith, J Dwight AND Jamar King will add depth - it can happen, but from this year, the signs aren't great, just like J Frazier's play hasn't been great.

Maybe fact checking irritates you, but those are the FACTS - you just tend to exaggerate sometimes - it's all good, but I think that the facts show that ET and I are a lot more concerned than you about the DL for a reason. That's all.

 

[Tidestalker]

Ultimately our OLB's (Jack/Sam) are defensive ends... But our true DL's are much more involved in the run defense while those OLB's play on all passing downs.

As far as 3-4 DL's, Hand, Payne, Frazier only guys that got a lot of snaps this year. King/Williams/Smith/Dwight were watching.

Hall could potentially grow into that DE position but he worked with the OLB's this year. Same with Brown. Might be helpful for both to put on weight and move inside though.

Ultimately the domination of the 3-4 D Lineman has taken the D to the next level. (Reed/Robinson/Allen/Tomlinson/Payne) Without a couple of dominant big boys, everyone elses job is tougher. Judging by the small rotation it looks like the staff isn't as confident in the backups right now... So A few big time signings would go a long way. Buggs is beast, could be in the Jon Allen mold. Keep em' coming

 

[JoshB]

Hey man why do you always get so excited - chill. And read YOUR post and MINE carefully.

It was only FOUR last year if you realize that the whole conversation is about the depth, and Jones didn't make it (who cares who we SIGNED if they aren't on the team?) - so if we're getting technical your off by 1/3. And my post DID count true DEs.

I only went back to 15 because you said there were 8 or 9 freshmen and sophomores that hand't seen the field yet. Sigh - again, not true. Mehki Brown (soph) hasn't seen the field, and Q Williams (freshman) hasn't seen the field. So that's only TWO guys, not 8 or 9.

As far as not counting DEs, of course they are part of the DL. But weak DEs/Jack LBs aren't. I don't think ET meant it that way, and it's just MY guess that he's talking about the big uglies - true DEs and DTs, NOT weak DEs/Jack LBs - there is a difference between Tim Williams and Jonathan Allen.

I DO hope guys like OJ Smith, J Dwight AND Jamar King will add depth - it can happen, but from this year, the signs aren't great, just like J Frazier's play hasn't been great.

Maybe fact checking irritates you, but those are the FACTS - you just tend to exaggerate sometimes - it's all good, but I think that the facts show that ET and I are a lot more concerned than you about the DL for a reason. That's all.

How am I excited? Stop it...

Jones didnt make it but I was under the impression when his grades are back he will be coming, that's why I included him...

Redshirt Sophomores still count... so *sigh* you still have no idea what you are talking about...

Signs from this year? What signs? That they aren't able to get on the field because there are about 4 All Americans in front of them? And how has Josh Frazier's "play not be great?" He's probably had 30 snaps all year, if that. And Someone might want to explain to you what a fact is, your opinion is not a fact...

My entire point was Saban has been loading up on Defensive Linemen for years and is looking to other positions this year, I think I'll trust his judgment on recruiting over bradenob's expert opinion...

 

[rammerjammer]

Jones didnt make it but I was under the impression when his grades are back he will be coming, that's why I included him...

Good Lord I hope so. Hulk is a great nick name for that kid.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Groundhog Day.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Im going to withhold judgment on how well hes done until we see a line thats he coached that doesnt have Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson, Tim Williams, Dalvin Tomlinson and Daron Payne all on it at the same time.

While it's true that great talent heLPS make great coaches, coaches that suck can actually cause their talent to regress with shifty coaching.

Case in point: we had a TON of 4-5* talent at OLB when Lance Thompson was here, yet they never quite seemed to live up to their hype once they got here.

Yet, we saw a dramatic improvement when Lupoi took over.

Also true with the switch from Chris Rumph back to Bo Davis. DL production jumped after Davis took back over.

I'd say Dunbar has improved upon a solid foundation that Bo left.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Good Lord I hope so. Hulk is a great nick name for that kid.

As of now, Hulk ain’t coming to Bama. As for Dunbar, he’s been awesome... those were some tough shoes to fill and a tough time to do it, but he came in like a boss. We also don’t have to worry about him getting us in hot water with the NCAA, which is nice (looking at you, Bo).

 

[rolltide66]

Good Lord I hope so. Hulk is a great nick name for that kid.

Hulk Jones is in JC and will have to finish 2 years. If Bama offers again, he would be in the 2018 class.

Mehki Brown has played in 3 games this year; seems he played most in the SEC CG (think about penalty plays) #48
Josh Frazier played in 12 games. Was actually in the SEC CG early in the 1st quarter. But had significant Ptime for the year.

The DL was not rotating as heavily as in the past few years, but seems the talent level may not have been as great or it's Dunbar's philosophy not to worry about tomorrow and play the talent as much as you can. (maybe a conditioning from the NFL days, fans pay to watch the stars not the backups)

 

[Tidestalker]

Hulk Jones is in JC and will have to finish 2 years. If Bama offers again, he would be in the 2018 class.

Mehki Brown has played in 3 games this year; seems he played most in the SEC CG (think about penalty plays) #48
Josh Frazier played in 12 games. Was actually in the SEC CG early in the 1st quarter. But had significant Ptime for the year.

The DL was not rotating as heavily as in the past few years, but seems the talent level may not have been as great or it's Dunbar's philosophy not to worry about tomorrow and play the talent as much as you can. (maybe a conditioning from the NFL days, fans pay to watch the stars not the backups)

I'm sure they would love to have that big rotation like the last 2 years, but depth just wasn't there. Dakota Ball/Jonny Dwight/OJ Smith not in the same ball park the former backups (Pettway, Payne, Tomlinson, etc). Love the idea of bringing in the JUCO stud Buggs and hopefully another grad transfer.

 

[TUSKtimes]

The DL was not rotating as heavily as in the past few years, but seems the talent level may not have been as great or it's Dunbar's philosophy not to worry about tomorrow and play the talent as much as you can. (maybe a conditioning from the NFL days, fans pay to watch the stars not the backups)

I agree. I've watched our d-line play many snaps and seldom have I saw hands on hips and our guys out of gas on long drives in the second half. I thought our defense was just as dangerous and effective in the 4th as the 1st. I do think that's a tribute to coach Dunbar and how he's handled the linemen. Pretty sure Dunbar's philosophy and expertise have contributed mightily to J Allen becoming the definitive defensive player of the year and most decorated D-lineman we have ever had at Bama?

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

I agree. I've watched our d-line play many snaps and seldom have I saw hands on hips and our guys out of gas on long drives in the second half. I thought our defense was just as dangerous and effective in the 4th as the 1st. I do think that's a tribute to coach Dunbar and how he's handled the linemen. Pretty sure Dunbar's philosophy and expertise have contributed mightily to J Allen becoming the definitive defensive player of the year and most decorated D-lineman we have ever had at Bama?

No question .

 

[Tidestalker]

I agree. I've watched our d-line play many snaps and seldom have I saw hands on hips and our guys out of gas on long drives in the second half. I thought our defense was just as dangerous and effective in the 4th as the 1st. I do think that's a tribute to coach Dunbar and how he's handled the linemen. Pretty sure Dunbar's philosophy and expertise have contributed mightily to J Allen becoming the definitive defensive player of the year and most decorated D-lineman we have ever had at Bama?

I think Dunbar has done a fine job. But Jon Allen was really, really good as a sophomore. Junior year played through a serious shoulder injury or he would have been a first rounder and never met Dunbar.

 

[TUSKtimes]

I think Dunbar has done a fine job. But Jon Allen was really, really good as a sophomore. Junior year played through a serious shoulder injury or he would have been a first rounder and never met Dunbar.

It's hard to know where to take your response. If you had said Dunbar is really good 'AND' Jon Allen is really good, I would say you just want to give everyone the credit they deserve. It's the 'BUT' in your comment that sounds like you're qualifying Dunbar's contributions.

You put it best, Allen was really, really good last year, but all anyone wanted to talk about is our "front 30," or "our creatures "on the d-line. As good as he was last season, this season he was 'superman.' He's had a year unlike any he's had before it at the Capstone. Staying in the game, playing as a unit, scheming opponents effectively has made Allen and his buddies different and unforgettable, even for the most loyal Bama fan.

You probably meant all that. It was just that 'BUT' that made me wonder.