🏈 What is the real deal with the passing defense?

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

By now most of you have read up on Saturday's scrimmage & you can see the gaudy numbers the offense put up, in particular the passing game.

I'd love to attribute it all to a growing Offense that is now functioning to it's potential but we know that cannot be the entire case. CNS pointed out that poor tackling, getting off the ball was symptomatic of all 11 guys, so the basics are lacking, to say the least.

Many things have happened to the defense that haven't helped its cause; suspensions, injuries, inexperience, etc. All of which are issues that CNS is fully aware & fully capable of addressing.

That said, what is your take on how the passing D is doing?

 

[BamaCore]

I think it's really far to early to tell. From what I remember from the previous two years the offense put up gaudy numbers in scrimmages then as well. I think the secondary will be fine. There will be growing pains I suspect but I don't think these stats are anything to get overly concerned about.

 

[Big_Fan]

My take is, Saban's defense blitzes from somewhere on every play, and the front gets pressure on every play.

It does not matter how good the secondary is if you don't blitz at all and the DL is told to play gap control and not rush the QB, the secondary will get torched.

The scrimmage was designed to torch the secondary. They were put in worst case scenario situations. Saban does that every year and the results are usually bad for the secondary. This year it was a little bit worse than usual because our offense is very good.

 

[UAgrad93]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Big Fan, I believe you hit the nail on the head with this one. Even when the DL do beat the OL, it is 2 hand touch and therefore not real scrimmaging. The numbers in my opinion will improve on the next scrimmage just like they have in the past. Look for some crazy sack numbers in the next 2 scrimmages because the D will be throwing every possible scenario at the OL to see how well they will handle the pressure come the fall.

 

[doemasters]

i could stand back there as well if i knew i wasn't going to get hit

 

[UAgrad93]

As a scout teamer, I never had that luxury. I was told to throw it to a specific receiver regardless of whether he was open or triple covered. I was also liek a free meal to those animals on D as well.

 

['65 Cobra]

My take is, Saban's defense blitzes from somewhere on every play, and the front gets pressure on every play.

It does not matter how good the secondary is if you don't blitz at all and the DL is told to play gap control and not rush the QB, the secondary will get torched.

The scrimmage was designed to torch the secondary. They were put in worst case scenario situations. Saban does that every year and the results are usually bad for the secondary. This year it was a little bit worse than usual because our offense is very good.

I agree with this and in addition I think there are other motives for CNS to present the info the way he did to the media. I think the seconary was put in extra-challenging situations on purpose - to really lay it to them and get those young guys motivated to go all out. Nothing humbles a big head like getting smoked a couple of times. In addition, our O is going to be among the best they see all year, so it's a real good test.

Also, I think the way CNS presents things to the media is specifically designed to tone down all this #1 ranking business and bring all the debate back down to earth with a reality check. It also has a way of deflecting what might really be going on. He has to say that there is major work to do.

I wouldn't get too worked up about it just yet. There is going to be growing pains anyway, but we have SJS and Penn State first which should be somewhat managable from the perspective of the passing game before we have to play Arkansas and Florida. The team will gel.

 

[BamaDelta]

My take is, Saban's defense blitzes from somewhere on every play, and the front gets pressure on every play.

It does not matter how good the secondary is if you don't blitz at all and the DL is told to play gap control and not rush the QB, the secondary will get torched.

The scrimmage was designed to torch the secondary. They were put in worst case scenario situations. Saban does that every year and the results are usually bad for the secondary. This year it was a little bit worse than usual because our offense is very good.

I sure hope you're right. It shouldn't surprise many of you to know I feel sick after Sat.

I have nightmares of Fayetteville.......:shock: I'm trying to remain calm though. I think I'd better watch our BCS game a few more times before the season begins. :smile:

 

[bamafan4ever]

Ahhh, the season MUST be getting close if my buddy Delta is getting nervous.

 

[doemasters]

delta never gets nervous

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Ahhh, the season MUST be getting close if my buddy Delta is getting nervous.

Tis the season...

Thanks all for the feedback! I certainly feel good w/ CNS at the wheel. The only monkey in the wrench is injuries from what I can tell. CNS has always been able to take true freshman talent & translate productivity on the field (IE Kareem Jackson), but injuries flip the whole thing up. It looks like that CNS may very well be getting as many people in w/ reps just incase we do get hit w/ the injury bug.

 

[Big_Fan]

I sure hope you're right. It shouldn't surprise many of you to know I feel sick after Sat.

I have nightmares of Fayetteville.......:shock: I'm trying to remain calm though. I think I'd better watch our BCS game a few more times before the season begins. :smile:

Come on...do you really think we could have a scrimmage and Marcel Dareus not record a stat - unless it was intentional?????

Seriously folks. Think about it.

Dareus played.

Dareus didn't record a single tackle.

For that matter I don't think a single lineman did. QB's are restricted to two hand touch and there were no sacks...ergo the DL was not allowed to rush and there were no blitzes. The QB's had as much time as they needed to find open receivers and the corners were put on an island play after play after play.

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

This was a gut check for the secondary, IMO. I have a hard time doubting that Saban will have these guys ready.

 

[BamaDelta]

This was a gut check for the secondary, IMO. I have a hard time doubting that Saban will have these guys ready.

Yeah, but he can't create bodies when they're not there. I guess we'll find out how huge it is to lose Robbie Green, Woodson and all the starters from last year.

To be honest I wouldn't be as worried if I didn't watch ESPN All Access Alabama last week. Did you guys see it? He was all on the DB's for 2 or 3 of the 5 days they were there. I mean all over their case. :shock:

 

[usn92]

Some good points by all, but Saban is not just avoiding complacency and he is disappointed with our DB's. They are not playing winning football. He is genuinely concerned about our secondary. Green's issues and Jackson leaving early were significant blows to depth and more importantly experience. Also, the players only meeting was huge because this is where we separate the men from the boys. How each player responds will determine their role, at least early on, or if they will even have a role. Our offense will have to carry us vs. Arky and FL.

 

[AFF]

Yeah, but he can't create bodies when they're not there. I guess we'll find out how huge it is to lose Robbie Green, Woodson and all the starters from last year.

To be honest I wouldn't be as worried if I didn't watch ESPN All Access Alabama last week. Did you guys see it? He was all on the DB's for 2 or 3 of the 5 days they were there. I mean all over their case. :shock:

Hopefully that means CNS is coaching up the areas that need it most - like he did last year. He has a way of making it happen. You're right when you say he can't create bodies where there are none. But, the talent is there. He may have to do some more position switching to get the talent where it needs to be. But, I've grown pretty darn confident that he will do what needs to be done. I would have been more nervous under any of the previous 4 administrations. But, with CNS...I'm not really nervous about it.

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

Yeah, but he can't create bodies when they're not there. I guess we'll find out how huge it is to lose Robbie Green, Woodson and all the starters from last year.

I agree the loss of Green is huge. Woodson, on the other hand, had apparently not been doing the right things off the field and had been slow learning on the field. While I think his added depth will be missed, I doubt he would had seen very significant playing time if he wasn't living up to Saban's standards on and off the field. Here is what we have in the seconday, correct me if I'm wrong.

CB
Dre Kirkpatrick
BJ Scott
DeQuan Menzie
Phelon Jones
DeMarcus Milliner
John Fulton

Kirkpatrick has all of the tools to be a shutdown corner. This is his second year in the defense so he should be up to speed. Scott has been in the program for three years, this is his second with the defense. He took a redshirt last year to learn the system and, like Kirkpatrick, was highly rated athlete in high school so I have no doubt that the capability is there. Menzie will contribute immediately . His hamstring didn't keep him from practicing Monday so hopefully his health will not be an issue. I suspect that Saban saw him as someone that would contribute right away, not unlike the other JUCO players that he's brought to Bama (Cody, Carpenter). Phelon Jones had last year to get caught up to speed and should provide talented depth. Milliner and Fulton both enrolled early and are skilled enough to add sufficient depth. Add Corey Grant to that list maybe.

S
Mark Barron
Robert Lester
Will Lowery
Jarrick Williams
Nick Perry
Blake Sims
Kendall Kelly

Mark Barron's play last year speaks for itself, he will improve and be an All-American. Lester and Lowery will compete for the other safety spot. Both are juniors this season and either will be capable alongside #4, I assume. After that it's up in the air. Perry and Williams lack experience but will learn on-the-go as they have no other choice. I don't know where Sims will contribute but he is a phenomenal athlete. Kelly has been at the safety position since the spring but I'm unaware on his health right now.

I have plenty of faith in the coaching staff and the talent. One key to a successful secondary is a pass rush. Our rush should be scary considering our D-line and LBer's. I think we'll be fine.

To be honest I wouldn't be as worried if I didn't watch ESPN All Access Alabama last week. Did you guys see it? He was all on the DB's for 2 or 3 of the 5 days they were there. I mean all over their case. :shock:

Saban is really hands on with the DBs. They wanted to show him getting after it, this is no suprise.:lol:

 

[TideAlum05]

Maybe GMac got better?

Are you reading other team's boards or something?

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Come on...do you really think we could have a scrimmage and Marcel Dareus not record a stat - unless it was intentional?????

Seriously folks. Think about it.

Dareus played.

Dareus didn't record a single tackle.
...

I had no idea. I never checked the individual stats. That fact alone says soooo much. CNS is putting his secondary through the ringer b/c if anybody is going to, it will be CNS & only CNS.

 

[psychojoe]

In spite of losing many starters on defense we can still put experienced players on the field at all of the front seven positionss, guys that have seen the heat of battle when it mattered.

The secondary is a different situation with Mark Barron being the only battle tested hand. The newbies have considerable ability, to be sure, but they have among them mostly special teams and mop up experience, or none at all. Last Saturday was a trial by fire especially for the newcomers, to see who responds the right way. There will be only a few times during the regular season that they will be tested the way they were Saturday.