Why do we need a 1B defense?

[mic]

In the 4 SEC games we have played we have held every team under their PPG average..

[Dawgheadcheese]

I totally agree... What a change to be bitching about dumb things we do in wins instead of losses.

Are you people retarded? Do you think our coaches are going to sub defensive players against tough opponents just to say they did it? Good grief. Mullen knew on Saturday that at any time he chose, he could keep the starters in on defense and shut Kentucky down. He kept substituting because KY was not going to be able to stop our offense. It is an extremely wise strategy when the opportunity exists - and will pay off a ton in the years to come. Guys, please quit spending 90 percent of your time trying to figure out how to criticize our Number 1 team in the country. It's pathetic.

[HoopsDawg]

I went back & watched that series & we didn't substitute all 11. The front 7 was 1B but the secondary was starters. Love, Calhoun, Market, & Cox were on the field to start that drive.

We only play 4 corners. Cleveland is obviously 1B, but you are always going to have either Love, Calhoun, or Redmond on the field. Market is a 1B guy. So that's 8 of 11 1B guys.

[HoopsDawg]

I'm not a fan of it. But we haven't given up a 95 yard drive to lose a game either. The Ole Miss defense was exhausted by that point. The never sub RN. Also, against Auburn Chris Jones was in on the final drive to hit Marshall and cause the game winning pick.

We don't mass sub in the second half like we do early in games.

This is true. We change our substitution patterns in the 2nd half. If we just made a few changes, I think we would see our numbers and peformance improve pretty dramatically. For example, go to a 3 man rotation at S (Hughes, Cox, and Market); a 3 man rotation at CB (Redmond, Love, & Calhoun) And Don't mass substitue at LB. Work in Richie for a few plays, work in Jackson and Holmes for a few plays, but not all 3 together.

I'm all for the D-line rotation, you have to keep those guys fresh. I would prefer a 3 man rotation at DE with Smith, Brown and Jefferson b/c I like Adams at DT. But you have to rotate D-linemen. No issue there.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

We only play 4 corners. Cleveland is obviously 1B, but you are always going to have either Love, Calhoun, or Redmond on the field. Market is a 1B guy. So that's 8 of 11 1B guys.

I think we're just getting into semantics now. Love & Calhoun are the starters along with Cox. Market, Cox, & Hughes all rotate with the starters. Market isn't a 1B safety bc he only plays with the 1A guys. The 1B safeties are Coman & Evans. So again the front 7 were 1B guys but the secondary was 1A. Not mass 11 man substitution.

[drunkernhelldawg]

I'm not a fan of it. But we haven't given up a 95 yard drive to lose a game either. The Ole Miss defense was exhausted by that point. The never sub RN. Also, against Auburn Chris Jones was in on the final drive to hit Marshall and cause the game winning pick.

We don't mass sub in the second half like we do early in games.

I'm a huge fan of it. The 12 game season is a huge grind. Look at the OM injury report from their game 7. Our depth is the most important key factor in how we finish the season. Giving up plays is part of the game. I'm surprised that people are still complaining about it. The benefits are there for all to see.

[bluelightstar]

Unreal that we have given up 7 passing plays of 50 yards or more.

[Boomer15]

I'm a huge fan of it. The 12 game season is a huge grind. Look at the OM injury report from their game 7. Our depth is the most important key factor in how we finish the season. Giving up plays is part of the game. I'm surprised that people are still complaining about it. The benefits are there for all to see.

Yeah, I agree with you. I should be clear, I'm not a fan of the mass subs. I love how we rotate so many people to keep us fresh down the stretch of the game and the season.

[LC Dawg]

Our defense being rested is going to be huge when we have to play Oregon and FSU back to back in the playoffs.

[RAYn_Man]

While I agree our secondary is questionable, I think some of our problems are due to our style of play (which I love). Get after the quarterback and play for takeaways. I love how aggressive we play on defense and yea we get burned sometimes but so be it. We always answer.

[GreenheadDawg]

I don't mind him subbing the entire front 7 but Jesus... Cleveland, Evans, and Coman should not see the field in SEC play unless its mop up. They are clueless in coverage

[blacklistedbully]

Unreal that we have given up 16 passing plays of 50 yards or more.

Also noticed we are ranked last in every one of those categories. DB's need to do some work at practice. Coaches need to figure it out.

[Homedawg]

I don't mind him subbing the entire front 7 but Jesus... Cleveland, Evans, and Coman should not see the field in SEC play unless its mop up. They are clueless in coverage

Maybe not. But market screwed up the coverage on the td that zach Jackson got beat on.

[thf24]

I don't mind him subbing the entire front 7 but Jesus... Cleveland, Evans, and Coman should not see the field in SEC play unless its mop up. They are clueless in coverage

Cleveland is fine, he just made a lazy, unfocused play Saturday that led to the touchdown. I completely agree about Evans and Coman. They're solid against the run and will probably get better against the pass with experience, but they're a liability right now and could really get us hurt against Bama and OM.

Also, even though Jackson is Wells' backup, we need to stop treating the assignments the same when he subs in. Wells can cover WR's, Jackson can't. The touchdown he got burned on wasn't his fault; he was matched up against a WR as if it were Wells in the game, and he had no chance.

[mic]

Maybe not. But market screwed up the coverage on the td that zach Jackson got beat on.

That was a pass that is made probably 1 out of 10 times.. Perfect pass. QB just making a play.. Jackson was there just a better pass..

[Homedawg]

That was a pass that is made probably 1 out of 10 times.. Perfect pass. QB just making a play.. Jackson was there just a better pass..

I agree w that. Good coverage by Jackson. A better throw by towles. What I'm saying is, if market didn't screw up in cover 2 and junp the guy on the sideline it wouldn't have been a td! Market messed up.

[Johnson85]

Unreal that we have given up 16 passing plays of 50 yards or more.

Did you forget some sarcastericks?

[Johnson85]

That's kind of silly. Not picking on you, but I have seen numerous posts like this. Is our FG kicking working b/c we are no. 1? You have to address your weaknesses. We still have our toughest 2 games to play at UA and at OM. And hopefully a trip to Atlanta and the 4 team playoff. We need to get better on D and I think it's mainly a substition issue. We shouldn't be playing 9 DB's. And I cringe seeing Beni Brown and BMac on the sideline.

It's silly to think that being able to play 1B defense without it costing us a game is a weakness. It's Every play they play is one more play of experience they get if they end up being called on bc of injury, and one less play of wear and tear on our 1A's.

It's risky because we are letting teams hang around, but if it doesn't cost us a game, it will only help us in our more challenging games. Not to mention it will help us in future years because we'll have more experience and hopefully it will be appealing to recruits to know they will get to play even if they are behind a stud.

[MemphisDawg21]

Unreal that we have given up 16 passing plays of 50 yards or more.

Well at least we haven't given up a 90+ pass play... so that is a "silver lining"

[WPDawg]

Appears Mullen is working on us being better this year and next year and years to come by playing as many as he can. Theoretically, if you can give as many reps as possible to more people, then you are fresher in the 4th quarter and late in the season. And it does make you deeper for injuries and prepares the younger guys for years to come. Plus the more playing time for more than the top 22 makes for better camaraderie team wide which I think is a big reason we are where we are at. So what he is doing is working and is building a team that can compete year in year out.

If you are an instant gratification beatem by 4 TDs every game this year person, his plan will drive you crazy. If you can go with the flow and let his plan work out, we may be good for more than 1 "flash in the pan" year. Enjoy the ride of being considered the best team in the land.....