Excuse me....but did our defense just help win that game?

gmoney

1st Team
Apr 12, 2009
488
0
0
decatur,al
I think the D changed when, NS and KS decided to start blitzing and stop playing safe with the zones. Blown assignments and soft play in the first half was not pretty to watch but was very happy with the 2nd half. I think NS had been playing somewhat conservatily on D because of the lack of expirence and decided at the half if we are going to get lit up playing safe and trying to cover up lack of experince then lets ust start blitzing and let the db's either sink or swim. They answered that call and started playing smarter, and with a little more confidence. I for 1 hope that we keep applying pressure and showing confidence in the db's, rather get burned trying to force the issue than setting back and getting picked apart.
 

markenk

1st Team
Aug 3, 2003
903
0
0
England
We are missing Rolo's exp, but this secondary is young and learning on the job and starting to find it's feet a little I think and ****I'd like to point out one of my biggest observations thus far....have you noticed that no one wants to throw to Milliner's side, our TRUE BLUE FRESHMAN CB**** IMHO, I think by the end of this season and next and next will be some the best secondary units ever fielded. They still are making mistakes but it's coming together quickly and hard won lessons learned in battles like today mean more than words can describe. ROLL TIDE!!!
I can't be 100% sure on this, but I believe Milliner is the one who blew his assignment for Arky's 1st TD. Everyone played zone except Milliner which resulted in Wingo Jr. wide open from the backfield for a TD pass.
 

TupeloTideFan

Scout Team
Aug 6, 2010
108
0
0
D is growning up before our very eyes. Next year, D will keep Tide in games while the O grows up!:) The process continues! RTR!
 

JPT4Bama

Hall of Fame
Aug 21, 2006
5,793
0
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Hoover, AL
Seems like most people were predicting the Hogs to score around 20 points. They did. Defense did their job.

The offense on the other hand . . . whew, what an ugly first half! To me that was the difference in this game. Our ineffectiveness on offense (in playcalling and execution, combined with some 'spotty' officiating) in the first half made this game MUCH, MUCH closer than it should have been.

I'm already ready to put this one behind us and get on to Florida!
I was one of those, in fact my score in the prediction thread was...24-20. :BigA:

I average one correct prediction every 5-6 seasons. Yeah I could do more but that would be showing off. :biggrin2:
 

Drewy26

1st Team
Aug 16, 2008
834
13
42
Montgomery, AL
In the 4th quarter, our D had to beat both Arkansas and the referees.

That was possibly the most ridiculous PI call I have ever witnessed. Win or lose, that one needs to be sent to the SEC office.
 

crimsonaudio

Administrator
Staff member
Sep 9, 2002
68,899
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I've said it on several occasions, and it will be rough for a while, but by the end of the season, this defense will likely be as good as last year's, if not better.

They're young, but have sick - SICK - talent...
 

CrimsonEyeshade

Hall of Fame
Nov 6, 2007
5,508
1,704
187
What a game.

As to the titile of the thread . . . the defense certainly had a hand in the comeback.

But I think we're overstating how well the kids played. No offense to any of them but those interceptions were astoundingly bad throws at the worst possible times. Just for the sake of comparison: Do we think Greg's interceptions were great plays by the Arkansas defense or bad plays by Greg?

There were positives: Our players looked like they knew their assignments a little better. We cut down on missed tackles. While we still didn't hit Mallett enough, we hit him, and that changed the game.

Best news: This should be a excellent teaching moment -- the right combination of good and bad plays for CNS to teach and his players to learn.

Bring on Florida.
 
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bigmammal

1st Team
Jan 22, 2009
409
0
0
I think the D changed when, NS and KS decided to start blitzing and stop playing safe with the zones. Blown assignments and soft play in the first half was not pretty to watch but was very happy with the 2nd half. I think NS had been playing somewhat conservatily on D because of the lack of expirence and decided at the half if we are going to get lit up playing safe and trying to cover up lack of experince then lets ust start blitzing and let the db's either sink or swim. They answered that call and started playing smarter, and with a little more confidence. I for 1 hope that we keep applying pressure and showing confidence in the db's, rather get burned trying to force the issue than setting back and getting picked apart.
I believe you have hit about 20 nails right on the head.

I must admit I predicted it might take 40-50 points to beat Arkansas. I spent the first half in agony at the prospect that I might be right. Praise be I wasn't for, I believe, exactly the scenario you laid out.
 

bamacpa70

1st Team
Nov 17, 2003
559
3
142
54
Roanoke, VA
What a game.

As to the titile of the thread . . . the defense certainly had a hand in the comeback.

But I think we're overstating how well the kids played. No offense to any of them but those interceptions were astoundingly bad throws at the worst possible times. Just for the sake of comparison: Do we think Greg's interceptions were great plays by the Arkansas defense or bad plays by Greg?

There were positives: Our players looked like they knew their assignments a little better. We cut down on missed tackles. While we still didn't hit Mallett enough, we hit him, and that changed the game.

Best news: This should be a excellent teaching moment -- the right combination of good and bad plays for CNS to teach and his players to learn.

Bring on Florida.
Gonna have to agree with this. The D was far better in the second half than the first, but if the Arkansas receivers had not dropped a couple of very catchable balls in the 4th qtr, when they were WIDE open and had space to run, we may all be singing a different tune this morning. Hopefully, many lessons were learned today.
 

TIDE-HSV

Senior Administrator
Staff member
Oct 13, 1999
86,537
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I can't be 100% sure on this, but I believe Milliner is the one who blew his assignment for Arky's 1st TD. Everyone played zone except Milliner which resulted in Wingo Jr. wide open from the backfield for a TD pass.
That's correct, and then the safety missed the tackle. Except for Barron, and, maybe, Menzie, I'm very concerned about the tackling in the secondary. I'm looking forward to seeing the replay...
 

kayakerjess

All-American
Sep 9, 2005
2,013
4
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Colorado
Well, the D played well when it counted, that's for sure. Like I was telling my wife, it only matters that we are ahead when the clock hits 0:00, and we had the players to pull that off.

My guess is that Coach pulled another 3-4 stomach muscles screaming during halftime. :D
 

kayakerjess

All-American
Sep 9, 2005
2,013
4
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Colorado
That's correct, and then the safety missed the tackle. Except for Barron, and, maybe, Menzie, I'm very concerned about the tackling in the secondary. I'm looking forward to seeing the replay...
To me, the occasional missed assignment like on that first drive is understandable, especially by a freshman. I'm not nearly as concerned about one blown play as I am about how wide open some of those ARK wideouts were getting. I know those Arkansas receivers are good players, but many of them had 5 yard cushions on those routes.

And I agree about the tackling...maybe we need some time during practice to work on tackling to the ground rather than the "thud" technique, just to get better at finishing the tackle. I think with our experienced and mature back 4 from the last couple of years, the coaching staff may be underestimating how much we need to practice "live" tackling.
 

2003TIDE

Hall of Fame
Jul 10, 2007
8,867
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ATL
That's correct, and then the safety missed the tackle. Except for Barron, and, maybe, Menzie, I'm very concerned about the tackling in the secondary. I'm looking forward to seeing the replay...
Lester is an INT machine, but he can't tackle worth a darn right now. I think almost everyone in the secondary had a blown assignment which concerns me as much as the tackling. I know Milliner had the one for the TD, and I've got to go back and watch but i think Barron had one on a big gainer in the first half. I can't remember the exact time, but Ark pulled a WR across the middle about 5 yds from the LOS. Barron chipped him and let him go. I think that was about a 30 yd gainer.
 

Tidetwin

All-American
May 15, 2006
2,040
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Northeast Georgia
I thought we were scarily disorganized in the first half which made me wonder how effective we are getting into the correct defensive sets before the play.

Did anyone else notice the several times CKS changed the defense from the sidelines? I don't recall seeing that at all last year and wondered if this reflected an inability of the players to make the right call on the field.
Thoughts?
 

Glenn_B

1st Team
May 31, 2010
487
0
0
Lost in Tennessee
I think (hope) this game got their attention and the attention to detail will soon follow. This is, for most of the D, their first SEC start and for some the first meaningful play they’ve had in an SEC game.
Trust Saban. Trust the process.
 

bamanut_aj

Hall of Fame
Jul 31, 2000
20,058
83
167
52
Spring Hill, TN
one thing I've loved about CNS coaching our guys. When something needs to change, he usuallly makes his point at half-time and the corrections are made. Everytime.
 

hartleyb

Scout Team
Jan 9, 2009
119
0
0
Dre still needs to get a little tougher on run defense...to me, it appears that he shy away from contact much like another #21 (Sanders).
 

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