Who was our last real "Enforcer" DB?

[blackumbrella]

Young people, defensive backs didn't used to make many tackles at Alabama.

It simply wasn't their responsibility. Even in today's game if your safety is making a lot of tackles something is wrong with your defense.

I can tell you that Bobby Johns didn't make a great number of tackles.

If the "safety is making tackles something bad already happened on that play.

The idea that a safety needs to be a "head-hunter" is fundamentally flawed. If he is that good at it, he probably is playing out of position.

i agree that numbers, esp tackles are an indication that the D is giving up too many big runs and hitting too many mid to deep passes, but the headhunting aspect is huge for a safety. i remember a couple of years ago teh redskins played the eagles late in the season, both needing the game for a wildcard berth, and the eagles receiver alligator armed the throw when he felt sean taylor bearing down on him. if you want to cheat your lbs up against the run, it's very important your tes and slot wrs be scared to run routes behind the middle lb. sean taylor, steve atwater, ronnie lott: the names of these guys alone made guys drop passes over the middle.

 

[ELTider]

Wayne Bacon always seemed to all over the place. He could bring the heat.

 

[TexasTideFan]

How I long for the days of having a team with some swagger and attitude, but still showing their class!!

I think the Defense kind of evolves itself around the swagger and attitude of the DC. The last few years we have had a pretty decent D, especially in '05 when we had studs like Ryans, Anderson, and Harper, and I think alot of their success is due to the influence of Joe Kines. We all know that he has plenty of attitude and swagger. Before that, I look at the '02 Defense under Torbush, who definately fit the bill of a coach with an attitude. Heck, he looked like he was about ready to blow a gasket at any moment and it rubbed off on players such Johnston, King, Moorehead, and Rasheed. We now have maybe the best Defensive mastermind in College Football in T-Town and he is our Head Coach. He also is known to have a little bit of an attitude.