The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

This is not a secret code (lol). This is points allowed through the first nine games of these seasons:
2011- 337
2012- 324
2013- 363

Statistically, the 2012 defense finished the worst in UAB history in scoring defense, giving up 450 points, closely followed by the 441 points allowed in 2011. Unless we hold the last 3 opponents to less than 30 points a game, the 2013 defense will allow the most points ever for a UAB football squad. It's possible to keep it under 30 these last 3 games, as USM is in the mix. ECU will score a lot this weekend though.......it's going to be close. Hopefully, this terrible trend improves next year. Like many have said, even with just an average defense, we would be able to make it to a bowl game.

Defense has been consistently atrocious all these years. @Bham Blazer: Don't you feel that after all is said, done, planned, practiced and prepared, what it comes down to on defense is just a short supply of heart, desire or intestinal fortitude? Outside of a couple of standout players, is this unit overall is sorely lacking in these traits? What is keeping them from improving, from your perspective and please don't tell me you've seen some (I'll suspect you of being David Crane if you do!), perhaps you have, but, not me, man.

I thought that was Jenny's number.

(11-11-2013 11:09 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  I thought that was Jenny's number.

I thought it was Mike Jones's??

(11-11-2013 10:49 AM)Matrix Wrote:  Defense has been consistently atrocious all these years. @Bham Blazer: Don't you feel that after all is said, done, planned, practiced and prepared, what it comes down to on defense is just a short supply of heart, desire or intestinal fortitude? Outside of a couple of standout players, is this unit overall is sorely lacking in these traits? What is keeping them from improving, from your perspective and please don't tell me you've seen some (I'll suspect you of being David Crane if you do!), perhaps you have, but, not me, man.

It's hard to tell. You would think the true freshmen are playing hard, trying to earn playing time. If the players don't have heart/fortitude/desire, the coaching staff has lost the team, and the players are laying down on them.

(11-11-2013 10:49 AM)Matrix Wrote:  What it comes down to on defense is just a short supply of heart, desire or intestinal fortitude?

I think it comes down to more tangible things like lack of size, speed, strength, and overall physical ability to be competitive.

(11-11-2013 12:00 PM)BlazerGrad88 Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:49 AM)Matrix Wrote:  What it comes down to on defense is just a short supply of heart, desire or intestinal fortitude?

I think it comes down to more tangible things like lack of size, speed, strength, and overall physical ability to be competitive.

Bingo.

Our defense is missing a lot of things, but effort is not one that I've noticed, anyway.

If someone is not big, fast, strong, or experienced, that's one thing. Impugning their character is another.

Can we include TALENT for offensive & defensive play as a category that goes with "size, speed, strength and overall physical ability" as something our team lacks on BOTH sides of the game? Will that deficit continue into the next signing classes? We will see over the next two seasons.

(11-11-2013 12:00 PM)BlazerGrad88 Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:49 AM)Matrix Wrote:  What it comes down to on defense is just a short supply of heart, desire or intestinal fortitude?

I think it comes down to more tangible things like lack of size, speed, strength, and overall physical ability to be competitive.

And health. The defense has been hit hard with injuries this year.

(11-11-2013 01:08 PM)HSV_BLAZER Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 12:00 PM)BlazerGrad88 Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:49 AM)Matrix Wrote:  What it comes down to on defense is just a short supply of heart, desire or intestinal fortitude?

I think it comes down to more tangible things like lack of size, speed, strength, and overall physical ability to be competitive.

And health. The defense has been hit hard with injuries this year.

Team health can be a function of facility deficit. Generally, we only know about "health" when a player can't participate at all. What about the "walking wounded" who are able to get onto the field, but are 2 or 3 steps slower than when playing at 100% of ability? That can make the difference between a "head on" tackle and one where a player has to grab ("arm tackle") because he is a little late getting into position because he is slowed by minor injury. An RB can be a step slower hitting a crease created by blockers and thereby be held to a lesser gain. Only the coach reviewing game tape can tell when such subtle problems occur.

A better year next year would be an anomaly. It had to happen a few years in a row to be a trend.

Again, we're talking about next year before this one is over. Sad.

The next year we'll be better thing is all we got I guess.