This article is from BamaHammer. Gives an excellent breakdown on what cost us in the last few games.
https://bamahammer.com/2019/07/07/alabama-football-defense-needs-improve/
It's true that scoring so fast did some damage to the D by putting it on the field longer. But there was also, by Nick Saban standards, some under-performance on the D.
Most particularly, passing efficiency, 3rd and 4th down efficiency (all absolutely blown up by Oklahoma and Clemson), and sacks / tackles for loss. The latter of which speak to the lack of play-making production by DL and LBs not named Quinnen Williams. Against lesser competition, the lack of playmaking from the other 6 of the front 7 didn't matter all that much. Against the teams that matter, in the games that matter, it told an entirely different story.
There are two aspects to this. The obvious is the need for an improved combination of DB play and pass rush. Hard to dis-entangle the two, as they are highly interrelated. But ball control / time of possession / keeping the opponent's O on the bench, is important, too.
I'm not advocating a return to a Stallings-era offense. I'm advocating checkdowns and being happy with a 6-yard release to Najee on 3rd and 4, and an OL that can open a crease against a top-flight defense on 3rd or 4th and short, in crunch time when the opponent's DL is primed. Convert the first down, fight on for at least three more downs, all the while denying an explosive offense (and all of them in the playoffs are explosive) the chance to explode.
Admittedly, it's a balancing act. And don't think we did a good job executing that in the last third of last year. Take advantage of the generational talent we have at WR, combined with a QB who throws the best deep ball I've ever seen...which we did. Just don't make yourself a one-trick pony...which we also did. It doesn't take an elite defense; one that's just good will make you pay every time.
Really and truly, it caught up with us against UGA. We were bailed out by a monumental coaching blunder on the late fake punt (run the fake when we're lined up, not only in punt safe, but in our regular defense? Really? I can forgive the players...but no coach thought to call time out? Kirby deserved what happened.). It almost caught up with us against Oklahoma, and the wheels finally came off in Santa Clara.
https://bamahammer.com/2019/07/07/alabama-football-defense-needs-improve/
It's true that scoring so fast did some damage to the D by putting it on the field longer. But there was also, by Nick Saban standards, some under-performance on the D.
Most particularly, passing efficiency, 3rd and 4th down efficiency (all absolutely blown up by Oklahoma and Clemson), and sacks / tackles for loss. The latter of which speak to the lack of play-making production by DL and LBs not named Quinnen Williams. Against lesser competition, the lack of playmaking from the other 6 of the front 7 didn't matter all that much. Against the teams that matter, in the games that matter, it told an entirely different story.
There are two aspects to this. The obvious is the need for an improved combination of DB play and pass rush. Hard to dis-entangle the two, as they are highly interrelated. But ball control / time of possession / keeping the opponent's O on the bench, is important, too.
I'm not advocating a return to a Stallings-era offense. I'm advocating checkdowns and being happy with a 6-yard release to Najee on 3rd and 4, and an OL that can open a crease against a top-flight defense on 3rd or 4th and short, in crunch time when the opponent's DL is primed. Convert the first down, fight on for at least three more downs, all the while denying an explosive offense (and all of them in the playoffs are explosive) the chance to explode.
Admittedly, it's a balancing act. And don't think we did a good job executing that in the last third of last year. Take advantage of the generational talent we have at WR, combined with a QB who throws the best deep ball I've ever seen...which we did. Just don't make yourself a one-trick pony...which we also did. It doesn't take an elite defense; one that's just good will make you pay every time.
Really and truly, it caught up with us against UGA. We were bailed out by a monumental coaching blunder on the late fake punt (run the fake when we're lined up, not only in punt safe, but in our regular defense? Really? I can forgive the players...but no coach thought to call time out? Kirby deserved what happened.). It almost caught up with us against Oklahoma, and the wheels finally came off in Santa Clara.
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