DBs run back ability after INTs...

[TIDE-HSV]

I thought this deserved its own thread. I've seen hundreds of pick-6s over my years of watching football. Something like 95% share the same scenario. The QB throws late/short into the flat, the DB sees it coming and jumps the route, with nothing between him and the EZ. Easy points. The returns tonight shared none of those characteristics. One was, IIRC, 93 yds. That's impressive. They ran carefully, setting up their blocks and putting on the burst when it was needed. The Aggie boards are ignoring these factors, plus the youth of two of the DBs. They put it all on their QB. Yes, the QB was responsible for the original pick (well, two of them - not when the receiver reversed field on him after release). However, the offense needed coaching on becoming the quick-change defense. They looked totally inept. Or maybe our guys are really just that good. If they are, then they became a fearsome weapon, going forward...

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Afterthought - how long before the pundits start to write about our "feared" secondary, instead of referring to them as "weak," "suspect," "inexperienced," etc? I don't think TAMU enjoyed going up against them...

 

[MemphisBamaDude]

EJ has been very impressive with his INT run back abilities this year. He has a good eye for seams, to the point that I do wonder why we haven't tried him as a returner

 

[skrayper77]

Afterthought - how long before the pundits start to write about our "feared" secondary, instead of referring to them as "weak," "suspect," "inexperienced," etc? I don't think TAMU enjoyed going up against them...

No idea.

I'm also wondering if our DL's ability to knock down passes isn't also causing a huge impact. QBs no longer can just assume they'll get those underneath passes easily, so now they have to go up on their passes.

 

[KrAzY3]

The moral of the story is that if you try to throw into the teeth of the secondary, you might draw back a stump. Yes, if you keep throwing you'll get some yards, but unless you're having a career day in terms of accuracy you might very well regret it.

The returns... well Alabama's defensive backs looked like skill players on offense once they got the ball. They did do an amazing job.

 

[rolltideface]

I totally agree. Ball-hawking is one thing, their ability to find the endzone is another. Jackson's 90 plus yard return was remarkable. Slowing down to set up the blocks, moving inside and out to make guys miss- impressive.

 

[Alabama22]

I just hope the DB play we had today continues. I haven't seen this sort of DB play since 2011. If we can avoid dumb turnovers the remainder of the season, our defense is good enough to keep us in any game.

 

[BamaGunner]

Wasn't Eddie Jackson originally recruited as a wide receiver ? I think he was. If not , he sure runs like one!

 

[OreBama]

Wasn't Eddie Jackson originally recruited as a wide receiver ? I think he was. If not , he sure runs like one!

I'm pretty sure he was a CB.

To address the topic of the thread, our guys must have been coached on setting up returns on INTs. Plus, having amazing talent in the open field is always helpful. There is a lot to be said about God-given talent and instincts.

 

[bamablood6]

I'm pretty sure he was a CB.

To address the topic of the thread, our guys must have been coached on setting up returns on INTs. Plus, having amazing talent in the open field is always helpful. There is a lot to be said about God-given talent and instincts.

He was recruited as an athlete...some schools wanted him as a WR, but Bama wanted him as a CB early on. but he did play well as a WR in HS....

More athletic DBs in the backfield this year has helped with INTs and the returns...

Geno Ex CB that was rated high in HS 4*
EJ..WR skills WR/CB in HS 4*
Hump..Track guy too 5*
Cyrus...HS WR/CB/Returner...5*
Harrison.. I think HS QB... 4*
Fitz....Athlete 5*

Being pushed by:
Sylve....HS WR/CB/track guy 4*
Brown...Track guy 5* Special Teams beast
Averett...track/athlete 4*
Burgess-Becker...QB/WR/S in HS 4*
Mo Smith....HS athlete that was highly rated CB in HS 4*

Depth:
Washington..athletic but has been injured/ was a CB/WR 4*
Jones.....Big Safety 5* by some services
Shef....Probably Rs 5*

Coaching:
Mel Tucker ........ has a lot of knowledge in coaching DBs and Defense

 

[Bama Reb]

He was recruited as an athlete...some schools wanted him as a WR, but Bama wanted him as a CB early on. but he did play well as a WR in HS....

More athletic DBs in the backfield this year has helped with INTs and the returns...

Geno Ex CB that was rated high in HS 4*
EJ..WR skills WR/CB in HS 4*
Hump..Track guy too 5*
Cyrus...HS WR/CB/Returner...5*
Harrison.. I think HS QB... 4*
Fitz....Athlete 5*

Being pushed by:
Sylve....HS WR/CB/track guy 4*
Brown...Track guy 5* Special Teams beast
Averett...track/athlete 4*
Burgess-Becker...QB/WR/S in HS 4*
Mo Smith....HS athlete that was highly rated CB in HS 4*

Depth:
Washington..athletic but has been injured/ was a CB/WR 4*
Jones.....Big Safety 5* by some services
Shef....Probably Rs 5*

Coaching:
Mel Tucker ........ has a lot of knowledge in coaching DBs and Defense

Guess all those #1 Recruiting classes have really paid off. :biga:

 

[Relayer]

These DBs are athletes who can run and know how to do it. They are also getting some good blocking on those returns.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

These DBs are athletes who can run and know how to do it. They are also getting some good blocking on those returns.

One other possible factor: Most DBs become DBs because they have manos de piedra. To intercept the ball you have to catch it first. Given the chance, our guys aren't dropping them -- particularly Minkah and EJ.

 

[chris]

Spot on! RTR!!!

 

[rgw]

The improved interceptions and returns are both coached for...talent is helping the magnitude but the execution when our defenders switch from INT to return is fabulous.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

One other possible factor: Most DBs become DBs because they have manos de piedra. To intercept the ball you have to catch it first. Given the chance, our guys aren't dropping them -- particularly Minkah and EJ.

We had several opportunities to grab the ball yesterday. First play, the ball was almost intercepted. There was some plays where ballshouldve been intercepted and all. That's how good our Defense is. We're getting hands on the ball on almost all plays. We have more interceptions this year than we did last year and we're halfway through season.

 

[Rush]

Great thread...

And gotta love moving Eddie Jackson from CB to S...

I figure that was CNS...

 

[ALA2262]

I don't believe any more opponents are going to come into the game thinking they can throw the ball all over the field anywhere they wish. As did aTm.

 

[TideEngineer08]

It's such a welcome development. I can't remember Alabama having this kind of scoring ability on defense since that 1992 unit with Langham and Teague.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Wasn't Eddie Jackson originally recruited as a wide receiver ? I think he was. If not , he sure runs like one!

I believe that's correct. In fact, I think he spent one whole year as a receiver...