Um, who in this thread claims they know more about coaching than the staff? The OP asked a good question and it deserves a reasonable answer in light of the recent dropoff in performance. If you think DL play isn't a concern and wasn't a big part of the D's issues against Bama, then you're as delusional as the people you're complaining about. The posters in this thread have been very respectful, so I don't know what your problem is.
I played D line in high school, so I'll offer a little techinique that i know. There are a good bit of pass rush moves. The bull rush: Using strength to "bull through" the opposing linemen by using power and being quick to push the o linemen back. Spin move: Dwight Freeney is the most effective in this. Gotta be quick though because good o linemen can defend it Swim move: taking your hand thats not on the ground, placing it on the o linemen's shoulder, then ripping through. The Rip or Club: Breaking the Linemen's hands off of you, then either bull rush spin or swim through him. these are the moves that i was taught. Here's my breakdown of our D line Allem: Speed rusher, takes wide angles and weakness is agaisnt the run Woods: Big body, Little production. Alexander: Effective when on his game Pep: Haven't heard much about him I feel like our talent level isn't on par as it has been over the years. We have produced excellent linemen like Dorsey jackson lavalias Spears etc. but this year we aren't getting the same production. Whether it be talent or coaching or maybe both is beyond me, but it better improve by next year if we want to be taken seriously
I agree with what's been said. No all-american at DT and no big DE's. I remember in 2003 we had 6'4", 296 lb Marcus Spears on one end and 6'7" Marquise Hill on the other end PLUS all-american Lavalais in the middle. No wonder our D was so good that year; we got so much pressure on the QB with that line and could stop the run. Seems like this year it's been an either/or type of deal. We can stop the run but our pass rush diminishes or we can get pressure but they start to run on us. It's really astonishing to see how much we have dropped off. I guess we've been spoiled with the all-american defensive linemen...
One thought to throw out there as a question: I remember during the Saban years that the team were also learning Karate. Was that for conditioning and agility, or was that helpful with trench work? I can see Judo as a way of neutralizing the opponents' powerful engagements.
What exactly is the problem with the lack of pressure? Not being able to beat the guy in front of you.
So what do you guys think our DL will look like next year? We have three seniors there now,Alem,Alexander,Woods. Who you like: Juniors Levingston DE Hicks DL Nevis DT Sophmores Daily DL Johnson DL Freshman Logan DE Brockers DE Edwards DT Clement DE Aghayee DE Davis DL Montgomery DE
i agree that our D line isn't what it used to be, sorry charlie. and there's much merit in whoever stated about the DE's being small. guys like nevis are a beast but he's drawing doubles and it's limiting him. alem has been figured out, he's a pure speed rusher that apparently has no moves. i watched him like 20 times rush straight outside the tackle with no moves back towards the pocket. the tackle just keeps pushing him outside and he's taken out of the play completely. you'd think he'd be small and quick enough to spin back towards the qb. also that kills us on runs. the left side is just asking to be tested. i think the future is bright on the DL but think LSU right now has too much of a mix of ineffective upperclassmen and inexperienced promising youngsters. but i really do think the D line will improve in the coming years. now i need someone to convince me that the O line will get better in coming years and i'll be just fine.
