FanPost

Are we missing a blue collar element?

Tough loss today, guys. I just want to throw out an idea I've sort been stewing throughout this season to generate discussion. I'm not trying to call out players or insult the team.

Do any of you think we could be missing a blue collar element on our defense? We've recruited a lot of four and five star guys and I'm happy for it. Many of them are developing and will become good players. But thinking back to 2008 and 2009, we were solid defensively and it wasn't the result of having pure talent all over the field. Guys like Rashad Johnson, Marquis Johnson, Eryk Anders, Corey Reamer, Terrence Cody, Lorenzo Washington, and Javier Arenas were superstar players for us even though they were all under the radar type guys coming out of high school. Is it a coincidence that this year's defense has a lot of talent in terms of recruiting ratings, but it's failing to perform up to Coach Saban's standard?

Those aforementioned guys excelled as a result of Saban's coaching. They bought in to his philsophy and they worked their butts off. When we recruited big time prospects these players held their ground and won starting positions even though most people didn't expect it. They played each week like they had something to prove and it really helped the team.

Again, I don't want to call anyone out on the current team, but is it possible that we are really missing a few of the blue collar, chip on the shoulder guys on defense? I like four and five star recruits, but I think they mix in better with a few overachievers (as we saw in 2008 and 2009).

What do you guys think?

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