DBs not playing the ball

[Tideflyer]

I can`t be the only one who cringes whenever the other team throws long. It may not be so in reality, but it seemed like 70-80% of the time the throw results in 1) A long completion or 2.) A PI call. I know they`re taught to keep looking at the receiver until " in phase " ( whatever the hell that is ). If that`s the case, our DBs seem to be either 1.) Seldom " in phase" or 2.) Don`t recognize when they are, because I swear I can count on one hand the number of times an Alabama DB actually looked back for the ball while running with a receiver. It must be a stunningly difficult position to play, although apparently Cicinnati figured it out.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

I can`t be the only one who cringes whenever the other team throws long. It may not be so in reality, but it seemed like 70-80% of the time the throw results in 1) A long completion or 2.) A PI call. I know they`re taught to keep looking at the receiver until " in phase " ( whatever the hell that is ). If that`s the case, our DBs seem to be either 1.) Seldom " in phase" or 2.) Don`t recognize when they are, because I swear I can count on one hand the number of times an Alabama DB actually looked back for the ball while running with a receiver. It must be a stunningly difficult position to play, although apparently Cicinnati figured it out.

Well, to be fair if you are looking for the ball, then you aren't looking at the WR. Remember, the WR KNOWS where he is going while the DB DOESN'T. There are various moves that the WR can make that if you are looking for the ball, he is going in an entirely different direction and burns you really bad on the play.

 

[Tideflyer]

Well, to be fair if you are looking for the ball, then you aren't looking at the WR. Remember, the WR KNOWS where he is going while the DB DOESN'T. There are various moves that the WR can make that if you are looking for the ball, he is going in an entirely different direction and burns you really bad on the play.

Well, then, I guess it`s boom or bust

 

[AlexanderFan]

Well, then, I guess it`s boom or bust

Throwing mechanics and teaching have improved at a pace far greater than that of defensive coverage. A lot of the throws we see are almost perfect.

A lot of the pass interference that’s called shouldn’t be called because the ball is underthrown (I don’t care if the db isn’t looking). It’s just too easy for receivers to get open, now the full arm shove off isn’t called and the uncatchable ball is no longer called apparently. All this makes this issue much worse.

 

[Tubafore]

Partial Football Position Questionnaire:

1. Do you want to go out for a pass virtually every play? Y/N

If 'No', try being a lineman.

If 'Yes':

2. Do you want to know what route you'll be running ahead of time?

If 'Yes', try receiver

If 'No', try DB

 

[Bama Lee]

Saban did a tidbit with Finebaum several years ago about how he teaches the DB's to play the position. Initially talks about different schemes and then about responsiblities in those schemes. Then talks about staying in phase and reading the DB's eyes. Their eyes usually give away when the ball is coming. That is when they are supposed to turn around and find the ball.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

NFL practice the same method...

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

Saban did a tidbit with Finebaum several years ago about how he teaches the DB's to play the position. Initially talks about different schemes and then about responsiblities in those schemes. Then talks about staying in phase and reading the WR's eyes. Their eyes usually give away when the ball is coming. That is when they are supposed to turn around and find the ball.

FIFY

 

[bamadwain]

Saban did a tidbit with Finebaum several years ago about how he teaches the DB's to play the position. Initially talks about different schemes and then about responsiblities in those schemes. Then talks about staying in phase and reading the DB's eyes. Their eyes usually give away when the ball is coming. That is when they are supposed to turn around and find the ball.

Every wr must be blind cause we never turn around

 

[Tideflyer]

Every wr must be blind cause we never turn around

Beat me to it.

 

[Tideflyer]

that`s a better title for this thread. Thanks mods.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

This topic comes up once a year.

so here's a good film to watch:

Nick Saban/Miami Dolphins Install: Playing the Ball In & Out of Phase - YouTube

Defensive Schemes - Nick Saban - Defending Passing Teams - YouTube

Reading materials:
Cripes! Get back to fundamentals...: Nick Saban: Middle of the Field Safety Coverage Principles (part I) (brophyfootball.blogspot.com)

 

[crimsonaudio]

This topic comes up once a year.

so here's a good film to watch:

Nick Saban/Miami Dolphins Install: Playing the Ball In & Out of Phase - YouTube

Defensive Schemes - Nick Saban - Defending Passing Teams - YouTube

Reading materials:
Cripes! Get back to fundamentals...: Nick Saban: Middle of the Field Safety Coverage Principles (part I) (brophyfootball.blogspot.com)

You know, I've been reading these things and defending Saban's teaching for years - the man has forgotten more about playing DB than I'll ever know - yet the difference between Bama's DBs generally 'running with the receiver and watching them attempt to catch the ball then tackling them' and some other teams DBs 'jumping in front of, raising arms, or even going after the ball' is hard to explain.

I simply don't understand why Bama's DBs so rarely challenge the WR for the ball.

 

[AlexanderFan]

You know, I've been reading these things and defending Saban's teaching for years - the man has forgotten more about playing DB than I'll ever know - yet the difference between Bama's DBs generally 'running with the receiver and watching them attempt to catch the ball then tackling them' and some other teams DBs 'jumping in front of, raising arms, or even going after the ball' is hard to explain.

I simply don't understand why Bama's DBs so rarely challenge the WR for the ball.

I’m beginning to think we slightly smaller, but faster , corners. Guys who aren’t spending all their energy just to keep up with a receiver. I know tall guys are preferred, but the taller guys don’t jump after the ball like you’re saying.

 

[cbi1972]

I simply don't understand why Bama's DBs so rarely challenge the WR for the ball.

There may be something there, but we also notice and remember the times they don't more than the times they do.

 

[Con]

There may be something there, but we also notice and remember the times they don't more than the times they do.

This is what I wonder all the time. Are we just more sensitive to it because it is our team and not other teams? Do we do it right sometimes and not others because of front 7 pressure?

 

[B1GTide]

I think it is just a CB problem at Alabama, as your safeties are among the best every year.

I wonder if the problem at Alabama is the high turnover rate at CB. I mean, playing that position at a high level is one of the most difficult things asked of a player in this sport. And when a CB at Alabama gets good, they are gone. Rarely do they stay that 4th or 5th year. At other programs, CBs tend to stay longer and most won't even see their field until their junior season because it is so difficult to master.

 

[cbi1972]

I think it is just a CB problem at Alabama, as your safeties are among the best every year.

I wonder if the problem at Alabama is the high turnover rate at CB. I mean, playing that position at a high level is one of the most difficult things asked of a player in this sport. And when a CB at Alabama gets good, they are gone. Rarely do they stay that 4th or 5th year. At other programs, CBs tend to stay longer and most won't even see their field until their junior season because it is so difficult to master.

Then I think of the way Kool-Aid came off the bench and cleanly broke up Auburn's last gasp pass attempt.

 

[B1GTide]

Then I think of the way Kool-Aid came off the bench and cleanly broke up Auburn's last gasp pass attempt.

Some guys are very instinctual. Most have to learn the job. I also think that WRs who convert to the position have a slight edge as they know what a receiver will do and can anticipate better. But very few WRs want to flip over these days.

 

[gtgilbert]

I think it is just a CB problem at Alabama, as your safeties are among the best every year.

I wonder if the problem at Alabama is the high turnover rate at CB. I mean, playing that position at a high level is one of the most difficult things asked of a player in this sport. And when a CB at Alabama gets good, they are gone. Rarely do they stay that 4th or 5th year. At other programs, CBs tend to stay longer and most won't even see their field until their junior season because it is so difficult to master.

So I went back to 2009 and looked at all the CB starters we've had. This is the list:

Kareem Jackson
Javy Arenas / Marquis Johnson
Dre Kirkpatrick
Dee Milliner
Dequan Menzie
Deion Belue
John Fulton
Cyrus Jones
Bradley Slyve / Marlon Humphrey
Marlon Humphrey
Anthony Averett
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Levi Wallace
Trevon Diggs
Saivon Smith / Patrick Surtain
Patrick Surtain
Josh Jobe
Jalyn Armour-Davis

Almost all these guys went on to play multiple years in the NFL. many of them are long time starters. Our CB coaching philosophy must being doing something right to get this many guys into the league.

IMHO, this topic pops up when we have a slightly down year at CB, which this was one of those years, especially with JAD and Jobe both playing a lot of this year dinged up. Honestly they just weren't really 'in-phase' as often as guys like Diggs and Surtain were. All being taught the same techniques, but some just have a bit better ability to execute that technique.