Saban's Defensive Philosophy

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I've been impressed with most of what I've seen from the Dolphins defense under Saban, especially in run support. But there are a few questions I'd like to address. First it seems like the corners give up a lot more cushion than in previous years. This has essentially taken away from what Sam Madison does best and makes him just another player IMO. I understand that the press coverage requires excellent corners and Miami doesn't have that luxury anymore, but do you think we'll see more press coverage when Saban upgrades the secondary talent? I hate to see teams consistently hit those 5-8 yards patterns that seem to be a "give me" in our defense. Secondly, I heard Phil Simms talking about how the Dolphins were giving away their blitz before the snap enabling the opponent to adjust. Admittedly, I've been somewhat disappointed in the blitz packages and wondered what the thought among other Dolphin fans is?

 

[The Boxer]

I've been impressed with most of what I've seen from the Dolphins defense under Saban, especially in run support. But there are a few questions I'd like to address. First it seems like the corners give up a lot more cushion than in previous years. This has essentially taken away from what Sam Madison does best and makes him just another player IMO. I understand that the press coverage requires excellent corners and Miami doesn't have that luxury anymore, but do you think we'll see more press coverage when Saban upgrades the secondary talent? I hate to see teams consistently hit those 5-8 yards patterns that seem to be a "give me" in our defense. Secondly, I heard Phil Simms talking about how the Dolphins were giving away their blitz before the snap enabling the opponent to adjust. Admittedly, I've been somewhat disappointed in the blitz packages and wondered what the thought among other Dolphin fans is?

I have to agree with ya....it seems like we are giving way to much cushion. I would rather play press and take a chance on getting beat then have a team drive down the field with those 5-8 yrd outs.
Are blitz's seem like the timming is off. Either too soon or too late. I thought by this point in the season we would be playing better D

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I have to agree with ya....it seems like we are giving way to much cushion. I would rather play press and take a chance on getting beat then have a team drive down the field with those 5-8 yrd outs.
Are blitz's seem like the timming is off. Either too soon or too late. I thought by this point in the season we would be playing better D

I just wonder if Saban used the same defense at LSU as far as the corner play goes. I also prefer the aggressive play of the corners, mixed in with zone. I know it opens up the potential for more big plays, but also gives the defense a chance for more big plays and more three and outs. It seems like our corners this year are always a step late and playing it safe.

 

[RoninFin4]

IMO it seems like we always blitz 1 or 2 guys on 3rd down, when it's a passing situation for the oppenent, and we get burned. I think the 3rd down passing D has been a problem for years, especially in big games. I feel that Saban will fix this problem as he gets his type of DB's on the team.

 

[CVass]

The reason for the cushion is that Saban plays alot of Cover 3 and Cover 1. The nature of the alignment of the corners in 3 is to take the third deep zone which is why the corners play off. In Cover 1, the corners can't have a big cushion because if they both get beat deep, there is only one safety.

As far the defensive blitzing, timing is harder to teach than alignment. It is why most rookie West Coast QBs have trouble because knowing where a guy is going to be is one thing, but the internal timing and feel of when they're going to be there is different. Give it some time and you'll see a difference!

 

[17-0]

I've been impressed with most of what I've seen from the Dolphins defense under Saban, especially in run support. But there are a few questions I'd like to address. First it seems like the corners give up a lot more cushion than in previous years. This has essentially taken away from what Sam Madison does best and makes him just another player IMO. I understand that the press coverage requires excellent corners and Miami doesn't have that luxury anymore, but do you think we'll see more press coverage when Saban upgrades the secondary talent? I hate to see teams consistently hit those 5-8 yards patterns that seem to be a "give me" in our defense. Secondly, I heard Phil Simms talking about how the Dolphins were giving away their blitz before the snap enabling the opponent to adjust. Admittedly, I've been somewhat disappointed in the blitz packages and wondered what the thought among other Dolphin fans is?

In their prime Madison and Surtain could cover their receivers without assistance from the safeties. This would allow the safeties to spend more time blitzing. With the departure of Surtain and the aging of Madison more help is needed in coverage. I think the receivers are getting more of a cushion because Madison has lost some speed and Daniels is adjusting to NFL speed.

The dolphins do not always blitz when they are showing blitz, and they do not always blitz the players showing that are blitzing. IMO as the defense keeps learning the Saban's scheme the execution of the defense will improve. This will help all aspects of the defense including blitzing

 

[Finland]

I've been impressed with most of what I've seen from the Dolphins defense under Saban, especially in run support. But there are a few questions I'd like to address. First it seems like the corners give up a lot more cushion than in previous years. This has essentially taken away from what Sam Madison does best and makes him just another player IMO. I understand that the press coverage requires excellent corners and Miami doesn't have that luxury anymore, but do you think we'll see more press coverage when Saban upgrades the secondary talent? I hate to see teams consistently hit those 5-8 yards patterns that seem to be a "give me" in our defense. Secondly, I heard Phil Simms talking about how the Dolphins were giving away their blitz before the snap enabling the opponent to adjust. Admittedly, I've been somewhat disappointed in the blitz packages and wondered what the thought among other Dolphin fans is?

Brady's bread and butter play is that fast slant. It didn't make me think about Defense. It made be wonder why we don't do more fast slants like that, that are very hard to defend because they are over so fast. It also made me wonder what our bread and butter plays are or are going to be. Sorry that is off topic.

 

[Finland]

Why do we have such a problem defending on the opening drive. Is it talent or strategy?

 

[17-0]

Why do we have such a problem defending on the opening drive. Is it talent or strategy?

Coaching, this is not a Saban diss, it is just a learning process for our rookie coach.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Brady's bread and butter play is that fast slant. It didn't make me think about Defense. It made be wonder why we don't do more fast slants like that, that are very hard to defend because they are over so fast. It also made me wonder what our bread and butter plays are or are going to be. Sorry that is off topic.

No, actually that makes a lot of sense. I guess we just don't have the qb or the consistent receivers to make a living with that play.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

In their prime Madison and Surtain could cover their receivers without assistance from the safeties. This would allow the safeties to spend more time blitzing. With the departure of Surtain and the aging of Madison more help is needed in coverage. I think the receivers are getting more of a cushion because Madison has lost some speed and Daniels is adjusting to NFL speed.

The dolphins do not always blitz when they are showing blitz, and they do not always blitz the players showing that are blitzing. IMO as the defense keeps learning the Saban's scheme the execution of the defense will improve. This will help all aspects of the defense including blitzing

True. I guess I'm just wondering how Saban played his corners at LSU. I understand playing it safe with limited talent, but what happens when the secondary is upgraded. Will we see a more physical presence at the line of scrimmage, or will the front seven have to wreak havoc in order for Miami to stop the pass?

 

[zodiak]

I dont wanna be a voice of negativity, however I dont see the mastermind that everyone spoke of in terms of defense.

That being said I am very happy with Coach Saban---- I just dont see this wonderful defense that we had heard so much about.

 

[Shouright]

I think the blitz is apparent a lot of times, but then again Bell's INT against the Pats was because we showed a blitz look, the TE was the hot read, and Bell backed off into coverage and picked the ball off.

 

[17-0]

True. I guess I'm just wondering how Saban played his corners at LSU. I understand playing it safe with limited talent, but what happens when the secondary is upgraded. Will we see a more physical presence at the line of scrimmage, or will the front seven have to wreak havoc in order for Miami to stop the pass?

Exactly, It's like a permanent prevent defense. Right now our secondary has suffered to many injuries (Poole, Mitchelle, Jones), and has players not pulling their own weight (Howard), on top of loosing Surtain. That is to many players to loose on any unit of the team, and still expect that unit to perform at the same level. Saban likes a big D line. Kieth Tralor is the only guy that currently fits that mold, he's good but getting old. I'm guessing we will see a bigger, younger front 7 worked into the defense over the next couple years. The front 7 and the secondary will make each other better as they each improve on their own. Right now the secondary should be buying the front 7 dinner after every game.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I dont wanna be a voice of negativity, however I dont see the mastermind that everyone spoke of in terms of defense.

That being said I am very happy with Coach Saban---- I just dont see this wonderful defense that we had heard so much about.

I also expected more, maybe too much really. Obviously, Saban doesn't have enough of his players yet on defense so I guess both sides of the ball are really a work in progress.