Potential Position Battles for 2013

[loosecannon]

AJ, speed might not be his best asset, but dude is a flat out baller. At times he's struggled with coverage...so it seems. But nobody wants to mention how Sal's pathetic system left him on an island trying to defend a slot WR in space. That's something some people completely ignore for some reason. The fact that these guys played for the worst DC in UT history.

Though I agree with a lot of what you said, especially about sunseri being awful (I guess he forgot to look at a roster before he put in part of his schemes and that his linebackers were slow and putting them on a slot was a terrible idea) I do think that AJ struggled badly in coverage even when he should have been servicible. There were several times where you could see he was supposed to drop and he never did, let dragging wrs/te's run right past him without touching or walling them, and bit on virtually every run fake known to man. I know he is a MLB and the they are more run oriented, but a high hat by the OL is a dead giveaway for pass and he did not do a very good job at reading that either. Just my .02.

 

[Vol865]

Coleman is one who will benefit the most from new coaches. He looked lost at times last year

He did but I think he has the talent to be a really good DB

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Though I agree with a lot of what you said, especially about sunseri being awful (I guess he forgot to look at a roster before he put in part of his schemes and that his linebackers were slow and putting them on a slot was a terrible idea) I do think that AJ struggled badly in coverage even when he should have been servicible. There were several times where you could see he was supposed to drop and he never did, let dragging wrs/te's run right past him without touching or walling them, and bit on virtually every run fake known to man. I know he is a MLB and the they are more run oriented, but a high hat by the OL is a dead giveaway for pass and he did not do a very good job at reading that either. Just my .02.

Linebackers have to cover or it is hard for them to play. And AJ blew multiple coverages. Can not be missed if you watch the games. If linebackers can't cover a slot or tightend then you have to go nickel or bring down a safety (which Sal often did, to no avail). The bottom line is our defense is sparsely talented and will only thrive in a system that hides their weaknesses. Trying to run Alabama's defense with Tennessee's talent did not work.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

But the Alabama defense works quite well.

 

[DjCrenshaw]

CM did nothing last year and AJ struggled in coverage as well as took poor angles and gave up a lot of big plays

do i think both will start - yes - is either a lock - no

a lock means no chance

do i think there is a chance they couldnt start - yep - do i think there is a chance someone like crowder or bullard could pick up CBJ's offense and start over Stone - yep - in fact that almost happened last year with stone

the only 2 i think there is absolutely no chance anyone passes are Tiny and JJ - again jmo

So, don't book it?

 

[Vol865]

Linebackers have to cover or it is hard for them to play. And AJ blew multiple coverages. Can not be missed if you watch the games. If linebackers can't cover a slot or tightend then you have to go nickel or bring down a safety (which Sal often did, to no avail). The bottom line is our defense is sparsely talented and will only thrive in a system that hides their weaknesses. Trying to run Alabama's defense with Tennessee's talent did not work.

Besides the speed aspect I'm not sure if it's completely fair to judge the players on D individually because they all looked lost this year....let's see how they do going back to a scheme they know