http://alabama.scout.com/a.z?s=14&p=2&c=815890
The shocker has been the Tigers’ regression on defense – from the top defense in the SEC and the No. 3 total defense in 2007 to the 10th in the conference and 32nd nationally (and 66th in points per game).
The overly-simplistic tone echoed throughout the fan base and segments of the local media places blame at the feet of Bradley Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory – the co-defensive coordinators promoted to replace Bo Pelini last spring. This speaks to a larger cultural issue surrounding the program, but more on that later.
It has become abundantly clear that the LSU defense needs an engine overhaul. It’s easy to place this at the feet of the coaching staff, but there’s more to it than that.
There’s been a lack of focus and a lack of fire. Part of that has been due to the fact that Mallory and Peveto have run a zone-based scheme based on reacting instead of attacking, and part of that has come from a group of veteran players that, simply put, lost their edge. In 2007 seniors like Glenn Dorsey, Ali Highsmith and Craig Steltz were inspirations in both word and deed. This year, the core leaders of the defense have been quiet, lead-by-example types like Darry Beckwith, Curtis Taylor, Kirston Pittman and Tyson Jackson. Except they haven’t provided much of an example either – battling injuries and frighteningly uncharacteristic mistakes while their inexperienced teammates struggle even more (it’s worth pointing out that freshman corner Patrick Peterson and junior defensive end Rahim Alem have been bright spots).
But the most jarring part has been the lack of fire from the unit. The passive way they’ve sat back and taken 50-point lashings by Florida and Georgia. Many have pinned that on the passive defensive scheme, but that doesn’t explain last year’s hard-hitting unit, as the scheme has been unchanged. Others have suggested that neither Mallory nor Peveto have Pelini’s fiery personality – but his defense still struggled mightily against quality offenses like Kentucky, Florida and Arkansas.
The truth, as it tends to do, lies somewhere in between the coaches and the players. Peveto and Mallory quite obviously haven’t gotten the job done. Adjustments have been poor and there’s been very little carryover week-to-week when they’ve been successful. Preparation has looked non-existent at times and confusion has been a constant on the sidelines. But the players have reacted with frustration and unwillingness to focus on the things that are within their own control such as tackling and gap discipline.
And that’s where the c-word has to be tossed out there: complacency.
Scout.com
11/26/08
