Can the defense get better this season, or will it have to be addressed in the offseason?

[Bamabuzzard]

As I've watched three games, the defense (compared to the FSU game) has "improved". But even with their improvement, it seems we are still "soft" between the tackles against the run. I'm not sure if some of this has to do with the scheme (which I'm still not overly impressed with), personnel, or a combination of both.

I just wonder how much improvement we can realistically expect this season before we reach a point where we just say, "This is who we are this season."? Thoughts?

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

As I've watched three games, the defense (compared to the FSU game) has "improved". But even with their improvement, it seems we are still "soft" between the tackles against the run. I'm not sure if some of this has to do with the scheme (which I'm still not overly impressed with), personnel, or a combination of both.

I just wonder how much improvement we can realistically expect this season before we reach a point where we just say, "This is who we are this season."? Thoughts?

We are a bit thin on depth between the tackles, so the development of the younger ones over the course of the season will be the tale of the tape...

 

[BamaFanatJSU]

One weakness that - in my estimation - can't possibly be addressed in-season is the dearth of experienced size that we have in the middle. While the swarm concept is completely capable of working on 1st Down as well as 2nd/3rd and medium/long, at some point, you've got to have some beef that you can put up front on 2nd/3rd/4th and short. Whether it's due to injuries, recruiting, or both, we are sorely lacking that true inside presence that can stuff the run on downs when you know it's coming.

 

[Tideflyer]

As I've watched three games, the defense (compared to the FSU game) has "improved". But even with their improvement, it seems we are still "soft" between the tackles against the run. I'm not sure if some of this has to do with the scheme (which I'm still not overly impressed with), personnel, or a combination of both.

I just wonder how much improvement we can realistically expect this season before we reach a point where we just say, "This is who we are this season."? Thoughts?

Isn’t Tim Keenan expected back?

 

[ROCKEE]

The major thing I noticed the last two games is the Dline is more bullrushing than finesse. It ain’t boxing. The schemes are better. Watching from the stands, I don’t have replay, but the biggest problem on d is substituting patterns. We get caught unready for the next play. (Sometimes) That should and will continue to get better each game. I think we all want to see polished teams from day 1. Patience is a Virtue. So please be patient.
offense needs to get better across the line also. (See above)this is DeBoer’s offense and it will always be pass heavy. If we improve each week we will be fine through this season.
RTR!

 

[ROCKEE]

Isn’t Tim Keenan expected back?

That will help immensely along with Miller on offense for the Georgia game.

 

[ROCKEE]

Any news on injuries?

 

[Cruloc]

As I've watched three games, the defense (compared to the FSU game) has "improved". But even with their improvement, it seems we are still "soft" between the tackles against the run. I'm not sure if some of this has to do with the scheme (which I'm still not overly impressed with), personnel, or a combination of both.

I just wonder how much improvement we can realistically expect this season before we reach a point where we just say, "This is who we are this season."? Thoughts?

We don't have the experience or the size on the DL. Can't scheme out of that when you're playing teams that are going to mash you, run up the gut and just check your manhood.

We haven't signed enough guys up front, I'm afraid the SEC slate is going to expose that. Not really something that can be fixed during the season.

We're going to have to light up the score board, Ty is going to have to be sharp vs all these ranked SEC teams we've got. I expect Georgia to gash us up the middle repeatedly, play a little ball control....we're going to have to take advantage of our opportunities.

 

[MikeInBama]

Man the size difference on DL between us and UGA!!! They have 2 guys under 300, we only have 4 guys above 300. We average 290.3lbs, theirs is 313lbs

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Man the size difference on DL between us and UGA!!! They have 2 guys under 300, we only have 4 guys above 300. We average 290.3lbs, theirs is 313lbs

This is where we've got to get bigger. We can't average under 300 lbs across the DL and expect to compete for championships.

 

[Bama Lee]

Our softness up the middle isn’t always the DL. Many time our MLBs fill incorrect holes, take poor angles, and/or do not attack and simply allow the ball carrier to attack them. The DL is supposed to eat up blocks and allow LBs to flow to the run. This doesn’t allways happen. I have seen improvement, but we have along way to go.
recently it seems our best defense is to score so many points that our opponent gives up on the run

 

[uafan4life]

Our softness up the middle isn’t always the DL. Many time our MLBs fill incorrect holes, take poor angles, and/or do not attack and simply allow the ball carrier to attack them. The DL is supposed to eat up blocks and allow LBs to flow to the run. This doesn’t allways happen. I have seen improvement, but we have along way to go.
recently it seems our best defense is to score so many points that our opponent gives up on the run

To be fair, rules (and enforcement) have a bit to do with this shift overall.

It doesn't change the fact that we're deficient but does make this the overall norm.

Gone are the days of 10+ teams with elite defenses in a given season. These days, we'll be lucky to see more than two...

 

[denver]

UT and UGA were able to play 4 DL and still get pressure on the QB regularly..this is where we need to improve. If our front 3/4 could stop the run and push the line back it would really help. UGA just muscled UT on one drive all the way for a TD...we haven't shown any ability to stop that type of pure OL push.