JessN: Auburn wrap-up: A loss of systemic proportions

[Tides_of_Change]

Before getting to the nuts and bolts of the defense, most fans won't get beyond the officiating and "non-affected by Auburn" picks. Without the gift wrap either from the refs or our own offense, this is a 17-20 point win regardless of anything that happened on defense, and is the clearest reason we lost. That doesn't negate all of the great plays on offense, and we can't jump on our own defense without first acknowledging that our O racked up 515 yards (not counting more than 150 yards in returns) on their "anything but great defense" that apparently isn't past its prime. That's not something you get over; it's just something you live with.

However, looking into the defense, we pushed Auburn to third down too many times to count. The top never came off the defense in the form of big plays. The points are deceptive, and the fact is Auburn was lucky to get to 350 yards on their field, similar numbers to their Georgia game. The top of the middle has and will always be the Achilles of this defense, but it can't be known if experienced players in the middle would've helped or to what extent. I'm more worried about the absolute inability to seal the edge on defense against the run, and I believe that's a personnel/size issue right now rather than an attitude issue.

I believe the team takes on the personality of its leader and especially during the game, that leader is Golding. I have yet to see him show any real emotion on the sideline; he's usually isolated to himself with his face stuck in his playsheet. See how this defense will respond with a Muschamp, etc a la Kirby or Pruitt in their face challenging their manhood next year... If we're seeing a repeat of this next year, we'll know if this is the beginning of the end or just a wasted year.



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[rtr90]

More accurately, will pride/stubbornness stand in the way of change/success?

cns is quite stubborn .. he will retire before he allows changes in defens philosophy

 

[Tides_of_Change]

I’m not an Xs and Os guy, I don’t understand all the technical details of football. So, if a 3-4, over/under scheme is no longer adequate for defending modern offenses, what scheme is and why? If we are doomed to look like the Big12 then maybe I’m not a football fan anymore because I hate that style of football.

As much as I hate Auburn, Kevin Steele looks like one of the best DC in the country right now. Is something like his scheme a possible answer?

Do you mean the Kevin Steele who gave up 515 yards to us today and never truly stopped our offense?

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[Saban4Ever]

I am still at a loss for words. I had to stop reading my Facebook due to all the making fun of Bama/Bama hate.

Your write ups were spot on, Jess. I don't know a lot of the details/x's and o's, but something needs to change. I think this hurts our recruiting too. We really need to recruit some top notch defensive guys who are smart and can contribute quickly.

Next year's schedule is not easy.. it won't get any easier. Yes, our offense with Mac scored a lot on their vaunted defense, but it was still embarrassing to have so many penalties all year and this time it cost the game.

 

[BamaMoon]

Here's my worst fear: CNS doubles down on his defensive philosophy and believes a "game manager" is the answer on the offensive side to "compliment" it.

FWIW, I don't think that is the "change" we need - to revert back to a ball-control type team on offense.

 

[Tides_of_Change]

Just confirmed Georgia, the best defense in the league and maybe the nation, allowed 8 less yards than us two weeks ago, for what that's worth.



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[B1GTide]

I have to say that I expected this post from Jess. He does this every time Saban loses to Auburn. The game has passed him by. He just can't win these games anymore. Then Saban wins another championship or two. Then it happens again and the same response.

You want to run Saban off? Every other team in America would applaud you for your stupidity.

The notion that this game was not lost because of the two pick sixes is absurd. That represents a 21 point swing in a 3 point game. They clearly decided the game. It is possible that Alabama could have overcome them, but that didn't happen, so they cost you the game.

Is the undisciplined play something that needs to be urgently addressed? Absolutely. Personally I think that the nicer Saban is part of the problem there. The meaner Saban would never have allowed those players to do those things and keep their job. But Saban is adapting to the times and becoming more of a player's coach.

Does the defense need help? Absolutely. But just 2 years ago, with Pruitt at DC, the defense worked beautifully, even with massive injuries to overcome. So the defense is not the problem. It is the players and coaches trying to implement it.

So, go ahead, run Saban off. Maybe you'll find someone better in 30 years or so.

 

[NationalTitles18]

I have to say that I expected this post from Jess. He does this every time Saban loses to Auburn. The game has passed him by. He just can't win these games anymore. Then Saban wins another championship or two. Then it happens again and the same response.

You want to run Saban off? Every other team in America would applaud you for your stupidity.

The notion that this game was not lost because of the two pick sixes is absurd. That represents a 21 point swing in a 3 point game. They clearly decided the game. It is possible that Alabama could have overcome them, but that didn't happen, so they cost you the game.

Is the undisciplined play something that needs to be urgently addressed? Absolutely. Personally I think that the nicer Saban is part of the problem there. The meaner Saban would never have allowed those players to do those things and keep their job. But Saban is adapting to the times and becoming more of a player's coach.

Does the defense need help? Absolutely. But just 2 years ago, with Pruitt at DC, the defense worked beautifully, even with massive injuries to overcome. So the defense is not the problem. It is the players and coaches trying to implement it.

So, go ahead, run Saban off. Maybe you'll find someone better in 30 years or so.

You equate valid criticism and questions to running the coach off? Um....OK...

 

[DogPatch]

As much as I hate Auburn, Kevin Steele looks like one of the best DC in the country right now.

And we were able to put 45 points on them.

 

[B1GTide]

You equate valid criticism and questions to running the coach off? Um....OK...

You tell me where Jess' solutions are if he thinks this isn't going to change, which he clearly thinks?

He doesn't see this changing with Saban. So there is only one solution for that conclusion if you accept it, and you guys are all accepting it.

Saban is going to look for real solutions to actual play. He isn't going to try to make Alabama play harder at Auburn. Fans won't like that, but there it is. Want to fire him for it? It isn't going to change.

 

[BamaMoon]

I have to say that I expected this post from Jess. He does this every time Saban loses to Auburn. The game has passed him by. He just can't win these games anymore. Then Saban wins another championship or two. Then it happens again and the same response.

You want to run Saban off? Every other team in America would applaud you for your stupidity.

The notion that this game was not lost because of the two pick sixes is absurd. That represents a 21 point swing in a 3 point game. They clearly decided the game. It is possible that Alabama could have overcome them, but that didn't happen, so they cost you the game.

Is the undisciplined play something that needs to be urgently addressed? Absolutely. Personally I think that the nicer Saban is part of the problem there. The meaner Saban would never have allowed those players to do those things and keep their job. But Saban is adapting to the times and becoming more of a player's coach.

Does the defense need help? Absolutely. But just 2 years ago, with Pruitt at DC, the defense worked beautifully, even with massive injuries to overcome. So the defense is not the problem. It is the players and coaches trying to implement it.

So, go ahead, run Saban off. Maybe you'll find someone better in 30 years or so.

Nobody is advocating firing the modern day GOAT.

But there are some systematic issues (I think those are JessN's words) that are valid issues.

 

[BamaMoon]

You tell me where Jess' solutions are if he thinks this isn't going to change, which he clearly thinks?

He doesn't see this changing with Saban. So there is only one solution for that conclusion if you accept it, and you guys are all accepting it.

Saban is going to look for real solutions to actual play. He isn't going to try to make Alabama play harder at Auburn. Fans won't like that, but there it is. Want to fire him for it? It isn't going to change.

He changed is offensive philosophy. Now he needs some defensive ones too. That's valid.

 

[CB4]

I have to say that I expected this post from Jess. He does this every time Saban loses to Auburn. The game has passed him by. He just can't win these games anymore. Then Saban wins another championship or two. Then it happens again and the same response.

You want to run Saban off? Every other team in America would applaud you for your stupidity.

The notion that this game was not lost because of the two pick sixes is absurd. That represents a 21 point swing in a 3 point game. They clearly decided the game. It is possible that Alabama could have overcome them, but that didn't happen, so they cost you the game.

Is the undisciplined play something that needs to be urgently addressed? Absolutely. Personally I think that the nicer Saban is part of the problem there. The meaner Saban would never have allowed those players to do those things and keep their job. But Saban is adapting to the times and becoming more of a player's coach.

Does the defense need help? Absolutely. But just 2 years ago, with Pruitt at DC, the defense worked beautifully, even with massive injuries to overcome. So the defense is not the problem. It is the players and coaches trying to implement it.

So, go ahead, run Saban off. Maybe you'll find someone better in 30 years or so.

No one suggests “running Saban off”. That’s absurd. But I am old enough to remember the 1970 season and the crossroads that Bryant came to. He decided not only did the offense need to change, so did he.

It is time to ask, when the same things continue to happen, is the head guy willing to ask himself to do the same thing he asks each player within “the process” to do; ask yourself are you doing everything possible to get better everyday.

After the performance of this defense this year, it is a fair question to ask.

 

[NationalTitles18]

You tell me where Jess' solutions are if he thinks this isn't going to change, which he clearly thinks?

He doesn't see this changing with Saban. So there is only one solution for that conclusion if you accept it, and you guys are all accepting it.

Saban is going to look for real solutions to actual play. He isn't going to try to make Alabama play harder at Auburn. Fans won't like that, but there it is. Want to fire him for it? It isn't going to change.

No one wants to fire CNS except the straw man you've created.

 

[AlexanderFan]

You equate valid criticism and questions to running the coach off? Um....OK...

Jess did mention the game has passed him, and the key element is what he is willing to do to get back even. If he’s not willing to change, what do you do?

The misses on linebacker hurt us tonight. We are still crashing toward the line when backs stay in, and they burn us. Whitlow burned us on several routes and made several big catches, including the infamous field goal catch. We need immediate help in the linebacker area, or......

We need better coaches. These guys aren’t getting better. I can understand guys not switching on rubs and not following through zones in the first couple games, but this has haunted us all year.


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[JessN]

I have to say that I expected this post from Jess. He does this every time Saban loses to Auburn. The game has passed him by. He just can't win these games anymore. Then Saban wins another championship or two. Then it happens again and the same response.

You want to run Saban off? Every other team in America would applaud you for your stupidity.

The notion that this game was not lost because of the two pick sixes is absurd. That represents a 21 point swing in a 3 point game. They clearly decided the game. It is possible that Alabama could have overcome them, but that didn't happen, so they cost you the game.

Is the undisciplined play something that needs to be urgently addressed? Absolutely. Personally I think that the nicer Saban is part of the problem there. The meaner Saban would never have allowed those players to do those things and keep their job. But Saban is adapting to the times and becoming more of a player's coach.

Does the defense need help? Absolutely. But just 2 years ago, with Pruitt at DC, the defense worked beautifully, even with massive injuries to overcome. So the defense is not the problem. It is the players and coaches trying to implement it.

So, go ahead, run Saban off. Maybe you'll find someone better in 30 years or so.

And your hyperbole every time you want to disagree is sawing through the last nerve I have left on the subject.

Nowhere in that post did I write that I wanted to "run Saban off." I ought to give you an ultimatum to find one or face a suspension but instead I'm just going to tell you that you're full of it on that subject and move on.

Alabama's inability to get personnel on or off the field, avoid committing penalties in crucial situations or develop a defensive scheme needed to stop what has become a very pedestrian Auburn offense had just as much to do with the outcome as Jones' passes, if not more. Because the first two items, the ones related to discipline, also affect how you mentally come back from getting kicked in the teeth (or losing players to injury).

It's also worth noting that if you believe the entirety of the defensive struggles are due to Pruitt or Smart leaving, then that effectively says Pruitt and Smart are better coaches at Saban's own scheme than Saban is, because he is actively coaching the defense on the sidelines of games and can take over as much or as little of it as he likes, at any time (which he has done in the past, with/from Smart).

Dynasties are very hard to perpetuate. Over the years, there has been a creeping sense of entitlement among some of the guys who come through the program. Sign with Bama, get your ring. Why anyone would be surprised by that, I have no idea, because we're dealing with a bunch of teenagers who have always been the fastest, most powerful guys on their high school teams and a magnet for all the girls. Then they get to college and, oops, you gotta work for that stuff. But I have heard our coaches address that directly over various offseasons, how cutting through all the layers of contentment to get down to whatever level it takes to trigger buy-in has gotten tougher and tougher over the years. When the coaches themselves talk about discipline being a concern, I tend to believe them.

I didn't sense a lot of rallying around Jones from this team, not like I would have expected. Nothing against Jones, but just the inability to handle that much adversity at once. There's a reason Alabama spent one of its 70 jersey slots today to take Tua to Auburn, and it wasn't just a thank-you to him personally. Same deal against Clemson last year, and thank goodness halftime came when it did against LSU this year or LSU would have continued to roll downhill over Alabama unabated.

I'm not saying "run Saban off." I am saying this needs to be fixed. And it does. And if it upsets Saban to hear that from people, oh well.

 

[B1GTide]

Nobody is advocating firing the modern day GOAT.

But there are some systematic issues (I think those are JessN's words) that are valid issues.

But there are not. Tell me, if these issues are truly systemic, how did Alabama play so well in 2017? That was only 2 years ago. You had massive injury problems. You had a QB who was poorly suited for your offense. But you still played great football on both sides of the ball. Your defense was incredible. And when Saban played Tua, he showed a willingness to overcome his hardheaded loyalty to Jalen.

There is nothing wrong with Saban's system, his defense or his recruiting. If he has a problem, it is his loyalty (and his choice of Golding).

Have you had too many penalties the last few years? Absolutely. But that is pretty recent, so not "systemic". It needs to be rooted out. But first tell me where it is coming from, because I am not sure.

 

[NationalTitles18]

Jess did mention the game has passed him, and the key element is what he is willing to do to get back even. If he’s not willing to change, what do you do?

The misses on linebacker hurt us tonight. We are still crashing toward the line when backs stay in, and they burn us. Whitlow burned us on several routes and made several big catches, including the infamous field goal catch. We need immediate help in the linebacker area, or......

We need better coaches. These guys aren’t getting better. I can understand guys not switching on rubs and not following through zones in the first couple games, but this has haunted us all year.


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What do you do? Hope for better luck, better coaching, and to be wrong. Stating that Coach is at a crossroads where either the game passes him by or he once again adapts to it is not out of bounds.

This year is not the first time defenses at Alabama have been torched. Much better defenses have been torched, so it's not just injury luck or poor coaching. The scheme itself is an issue against modern offenses.

If Saban chooses to stick with his defense we will see more of these types of games. We will probably see them in any case, but adapting gives that side of the ball a better chance.

 

[B1GTide]

No one wants to fire CNS except the straw man you've created.

Oh, I agree, which is why I disagree with his entire write-up, because that is the only solution to the problem that he sees. I just see a different problem.

I am done talking about this. You guys are too upset if you think that Saban is your problem.

 

[Go Bama]

I don't think anyone is advocating cutting CNS loose. But I also don't believe he is a problem that refused to change. Clearly the defense got handcuffed before the season started. The problem I see is that the freshmen players on the field today have not improved to where they look like veterans. Lewis and Jennings both lost containment on multiple plays. That's not on the system. Every time it's a close game in Jordan Hare there are multiple procedure penalties.

Even if there were no pick 6's and the gift FG, we all knew if Bama made the playoffs the defense would finally have to step up. It hasn't performed all season. Arm tackling and people out of position is not a scheme problem, it's a coaching problem. Personally, I think the defensive coaches are not living up to their expectations and the change that needs to take place is in the staff. I'd give Golding his walking papers as soon as the bus gets back to Tuscaloosa.