Climer Actually Positive

[sjt18]

I'm hoping that will be the big difference this year. I was talking with a friend today, and I really feel like our losses to UF and Bama were as much the fault of the offense not staying on the field as it was the defense giving up TDs.

Agreed. Especially concerning the Bama game.

 

[kptvol]

OTOH, UT has never had a D allow more than 300 pts. Last year, UT as a team gave up 382 pts.

A few points:

The offense not being able to pick up a first down sure didn't help that.

Playing 14 games affects total yards and points.

Being better than Randy Sanders doesn't make you an offensive genius.

The offense, no matter what stats you want to bring up, completely disappeared at times. Florida's defense was the worst it may ever be during the Meyer era. Still, we barely put a dent in them. Saban's defenses will only improve while he's there.

 

[sjt18]

A few points:

The offense not being able to pick up a first down sure didn't help that.

Agreed... Defenses being unable to get off the field doesn't help the O either.

Playing 14 games affects total yards and points.

True. But 07's 32.5 per game is comparable to the mid 90's and championship year.

Being better than Randy Sanders doesn't make you an offensive genius.

:lolabove: Ain't that the truth.

The offense, no matter what stats you want to bring up, completely disappeared at times.

That's also unfortunately true.

Saban's defenses will only improve while he's there.

Hopefully with or without Cut, UT's O was set for improvement as well after bringing back 9 starters.

 

[sjt18]

Oh. Some of the off the field problems and thin depth chart at LB could hurt Saban's D for this year and probably next year as well.

 

[kptvol]

Oh. Some of the off the field problems and thin depth chart at LB could hurt Saban's D for this year and probably next year as well.

Agreed. Which is exactly why we need to kick him while he's down. I'm still supremely disappointed we blew our best shot at Urban back in 2005.

 

[kptvol]

Agreed... Defenses being unable to get off the field doesn't help the O either.

It's really impossible to figure out how much blame to assign to the O and D. I feel like the D probably bears the brunt of it for 2007, and that's not really undeserved. However, had the O been more explosive, it could have made the opposing offense more one-dimensional (much more passing to catch up). That's sort of how the Colts used to help out their ailing defense. I suppose our quick strike ability was limited somewhat by new WRs, Ainge's injuries, and possibly Cut's playcalling. Hopefully next season we'll see Clawson have his offense turn up the heat when the defense struggles.

And yes, I realize the defense for the Colts was a completely different animal and that forcing teams to pass really helped them because of the monster DEs they've had. Sooooo, it's not the exact same situation, but still.

 

[sjt18]

Agreed. Which is exactly why we need to kick him while he's down. I'm still supremely disappointed we blew our best shot at Urban back in 2005.

Maybe the best two shots- 05 and 06.

 

[kptvol]

Maybe the best two shots- 05 and 06.

Nah, I'd say our best shot was '05, we just played like absolute crap. Seriously, I've been on flag football teams with better execution. '06 was a longshot, but we played very well.