🏈 Next Year's Defense:

[TerryP]

From what I heard, and ONLY what I heard, he was, and continued to be, out of shape, and unlike Byron Young, did not get into playing shape to contribute, despite being highly recruited.

When time affords ...

There is a picture of the team warming up before the bowl game where the photog is centering on Tua watching the guys stretch but there's also a clear image of Ish standing a few yards in front of Tua. You can look at that one picture, even with full pads, and compare it to what he looked like in the fall camp and see a noticeable difference in his physique. It's really noticeable in shells.

You're right about when he came in—he wasn't ready for SEC play. Friends of mine who've seen him say he looks like he's progressing as we should expect. I've read reports on practices throughout the fall that mentioned his progress. Personally, I don't have any reason to doubt all three: eye test based on pictures, friends reports, and what's been published by those on the beat.

 

[bradenob]

When time affords ...

There is a picture of the team warming up before the bowl game where the photog is centering on Tua watching the guys stretch but there's also a clear image of Ish standing a few yards in front of Tua. You can look at that one picture, even with full pads, and compare it to what he looked like in the fall camp and see a noticeable difference in his physique. It's really noticeable in shells.

You're right about when he came in—he wasn't ready for SEC play. Friends of mine who've seen him say he looks like he's progressing as we should expect. I've read reports on practices throughout the fall that mentioned his progress. Personally, I don't have any reason to doubt all three: eye test based on pictures, friends reports, and what's been published by those on the beat.

Well, then that hopefully answers that question! With Ray questionable, we need all hands on deck on the D-line. Those guys need to eat blockers so we can get some pash rush from our LBs. Hopefully w/ Young and Sopsher and Dale, as well as Mathis and Egogibe and Wynn, plus Tim Smith coming in and maybe McKinley Jackson, the LBs will be free to rabbit rush, blitz, etc so we can pressure the QB better. Barmore has been the best of those returning but we need a lot more help there. Have to be better at stopping the run up front as well.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Well, then that hopefully answers that question! With Ray questionable, we need all hands on deck on the D-line. Those guys need to eat blockers so we can get some pash rush from our LBs. Hopefully w/ Young and Sopsher and Dale, as well as Mathis and Egogibe and Wynn, plus Tim Smith coming in and maybe McKinley Jackson, the LBs will be free to rabbit rush, blitz, etc so we can pressure the QB better. Barmore has been the best of those returning but we need a lot more help there. Have to be better at stopping the run up front as well.

JMO but the poor play of the ILB actually made the DL appear worse because even if the DL did their job the ILB didn't do their jobs and make tackles because they were out of position so often. Everybody has to do their job or the crew breaks down.


Sgt Barnes........Now, I got no fight... with any man who does what he's told. But when he don't, the machine breaks down. And when the machine breaks down, we break down. And I ain't gonna allow that... in any of you.

 

[Tidestalker]

Secondary - McKinney obviously going to be tough to replace.

At the other safety and star, I feel fairly confident we can get at the very least equal and likely better play. Jobe or the JUCO kid, whoever is opposite Surtain, will probably get targeted a lot.

Battle will have to play well.

That group is a big time ? mark though - More than any other on the squad

 

[bama alum]

Battle will have to play well.

Battle improved a bit as the season moved on. More reps, more improvement. He played in the Citrus Bowl.

 

[TerryP]

Jobe or the JUCO kid, whoever is opposite Surtain, will probably get targeted a lot.

I've got a sneakin' suspicion we see Surtain at Star.

 

[Tidestalker]

I've got a sneakin' suspicion we see Surtain at Star.

Great point.... Didn't even consider that.

What are you hearing about the JUCO cat? Obviously CNS is expecting him to play or wouldn't have prioritized him....

 

[TideatMileHigh]

JMO but the poor play of the ILB actually made the DL appear worse because even if the DL did their job the ILB didn't do their jobs and make tackles because they were out of position so often. Everybody has to do their job or the crew breaks down.


Sgt Barnes........Now, I got no fight... with any man who does what he's told. But when he don't, the machine breaks down. And when the machine breaks down, we break down. And I ain't gonna allow that... in any of you.

Platoon is probably my favorite war film of all time, and that is one of my favorite movie quotes of all time.

 

[Justneedme81]

So I think only thing I'll be paying attention on Defense this spring and summer is this:


CB position: We got JUCO receiver coming in and his name is Ronald Williams. HE wasn't brought in to sit for a year.

If you look at the CB positions: Armour-Davis, Josh Jobe, Marcus Bank , Knotts, etc. So I think When it's all settled and done, We will see Williams and Jobe at CB and Surtain II at Star.



For FS and SS: I think Wright, Hellams, and battle will battle for it, but I think we will see one of 2020 Commit getting involved. ( Story from Lanett High School is a candidate to play FS or SS) I think We will be okay back there. We have experience in Carter, Surtain and Jobe.





Another one I'm watching closely is ILB and OLB spot. I know Moses and McMillion will be back, but I wanna see who will be backing them up. I have to think Lee may move to OLB and Harris stays where he and plays once in a while, spelling those guys.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Bama needs a Playa at OLB that is a Hoss....Allen isn't that person.

 

[BamaFan334]

Armour-Davis is the guy I think that can slide in and play. Wasn't he wowing until he tore his ACL?

 

[bradenob]

Bama needs a Playa at OLB that is a Hoss....Allen isn't that person.

Where is the stud OLB? Have we had one since Tim Williams? Ryan Anderson was a MAN when he was here.

C Allen was supposed to be. T Lewis was, when he was healthy and wanted to be. Jennings was pretty good. We need Chris Braswell and Will Anderson to help immediately. Maybe Jarez Parks can help? Maybe M. Benton can be the rabbit rusher Saban hoped for this year, next year?????

 

[Tidestalker]

Where is the stud OLB? Have we had one since Tim Williams? Ryan Anderson was a MAN when he was here.

C Allen was supposed to be. T Lewis was, when he was healthy and wanted to be. Jennings was pretty good. We need Chris Braswell and Will Anderson to help immediately. Maybe Jarez Parks can help? Maybe M. Benton can be the rabbit rusher Saban hoped for this year, next year?????

Agreed in terms of where is the IMPACT players... DIFFERENCE makers... At OLB? Jennings was pretty good... Lewis, he was alright. If we can't create more game changing plays, the secondary will continue to look behind against the good offenses.

M. Benton hasn't shown any potential to be that guy... And that's coming from a guy who was super high on him this time last year. Woops

Either we haven't had the right dudes, or the scheme doesn't make much wiggle room for play making. Maybe a combo of both. But in 2020, negative plays are the only way to get off the field on a lot of drives against upper echelon O's. JMO

 

[Vabama77]

Secondary I believe will be better and deeper...as far as safeties I wouldn't be shocked if Brian Branch joins battle back there. The kid is probably best safety prospect in country

 

[TerryP]

In this thread ...

If a player isn't performing up to a fans desires as a freshman or sophomore he isn't the guy for the position and needs to go.

Where the hell did this trend start with fans? There's a definite proclivity to judge players far, far too early and if they aren't performing like All-Americans as FR or SO "to hell with them?"

 

[TerryP]

@bradenob some of my thinking after a conversation here and there over the last two days.

Defensive line: It's my opinion you're chart is close but there's a few moves I see happening (building on the Sopsher discussion.)

DE: Byron Young, Justin Ebogibe
DE: Christian Barmore, Phidarian Mathis, Braylen Ingrahma
NG: DJ Dale, Stephon Wynn, P Mathis

•At Nose I'd put Dale and then Sopsher (down dependent.)
•I see the Mathis move to the defensive end. He carries the physique we see at nose but isn't as good as Dale (or Barmore for that matter) at fighting his way through the traffic jam in the middle.
•Barmore gets the nod opposite Mathis as the other defensive end and if we see the defense in that third and long passing down situation—where they move to a rabbit type formation—we see him move to NT.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Where is the stud OLB? Have we had one since Tim Williams? Ryan Anderson was a MAN when he was here.

C Allen was supposed to be. T Lewis was, when he was healthy and wanted to be. Jennings was pretty good. We need Chris Braswell and Will Anderson to help immediately. Maybe Jarez Parks can help? Maybe M. Benton can be the rabbit rusher Saban hoped for this year, next year?????

I sold all my stock in Parks and Benton....I will be surprised if Benton is on the roster come September. I believe Benton has the physical equipment to play but he's a little lite in the upstairs part. Same can be said for Kaho.

 

[Justneedme81]

I wouldn't count out Kaho… He needs to know his playbook.. if he can figure that out, WATCH OUT!

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

I wouldn't count out Kaho… He needs to know his playbook.. if he can figure that out, WATCH OUT!

After two full years on the job how many years do you think it might take....reminder that two freshmen were able to learn and one didn't arrive until summer of last year.

 

[BamaMD]

Clemson playing a 3-1-7 on defense. Adaptation.