Watching Fournette run through our defense Saturday was like watching Billy Jack defeat a room full of dudes one by one as they come at him. Flying at him and being thrown off or trucked, but never more than one at a time, and never with a fearless,confident "mama said knock you out" attempt.
But it is bigger than that. All the key indicators of hard physical defensive football are down trending. Fumbles recovered, gang tackles, sacks etc.
What is trending up is points allowed, plays allowed, plays allowed over 20 yards, blown assignments, and missed tackles. Oh, and loathing and loafing as well.
The last solid defensive game was 2014 LSU. KSU was strong as well. But since then the defense has had the worst run in the history of AU football. No one is describing AU defense like it used to be described as tough, physical, punishing, etc.
Think of the last time you saw one of our DL make a hustle playlike what was done in the 2010 Iron Bowl to turn a game around. Instead, We see guys watching and jogging once the play goes by. Or getting blown off the ball 10-15 yards like they are on roller skates.
What seems to be missing is aggressiveness and teamwork and physical toughness. The attitude that win or lose, you are gonna get hit often and by a defense that knows how.
But it is bigger than that. All the key indicators of hard physical defensive football are down trending. Fumbles recovered, gang tackles, sacks etc.
What is trending up is points allowed, plays allowed, plays allowed over 20 yards, blown assignments, and missed tackles. Oh, and loathing and loafing as well.
The last solid defensive game was 2014 LSU. KSU was strong as well. But since then the defense has had the worst run in the history of AU football. No one is describing AU defense like it used to be described as tough, physical, punishing, etc.
Think of the last time you saw one of our DL make a hustle playlike what was done in the 2010 Iron Bowl to turn a game around. Instead, We see guys watching and jogging once the play goes by. Or getting blown off the ball 10-15 yards like they are on roller skates.
What seems to be missing is aggressiveness and teamwork and physical toughness. The attitude that win or lose, you are gonna get hit often and by a defense that knows how.
