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Making an "impact" on defense


StatTiger

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During a previous interview, Coach Ellis Johnson commented on Auburn's inability to generate "impact" plays on defense consistently the past couple of years. He defined "impact" plays as forced-turnovers and tackles for loss. This is an aspect Johnson emphasized during spring practice. During the 2012 season, the Auburn defense finished No. 12 in the SEC in impact ratio. Had Texas A&M and Missouri been in the conference the previous 3 seasons, Auburn would have been No. 13 during 2011, No. 9 during 2010 and No. 12 during 2009. Clearly this is an area on defense Auburn has struggled and must improve on to move forward.

The play...

A-DayWhiteheadTFL_zpse8383f64.jpg

On this play the offense intends to run the speed-sweep with Ricardo Louis but Jermaine Whitehead foils the plan. Just before the snap, Whitehead can be seen pointing towards Louis, communicating with his fellow defenders, possibly tipping off the play. Sammie Coates is responsible for blocking the safety on the perimeter. At the snap, which is high, Whitehead beats Coates inside and is able to target Louis attempting to run the sweep play.

Whitehead is unable to initially bring down the big 217-pounder but Jonathan Mincy arrives on the scene to finish off the play for a loss. Auburn does return 5 of their top-7 leaders in tackles for loss, including Jermaine Whitehead. The junior safety to be has 24 career games under his belt along with 117 career tackles. Of his 117 tackles, 86 came during the 2012 season, when he was involved in 6 tackles for loss plays.

Coach Johnson is counting on his safeties to heavily be involved in run support this coming season.

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"Coach Johnson is counting on his safeties to heavily be involved in run support this coming season."

so is this guy... good read, Stat.

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I'm looking forward to the days where our LB's and DT's are among the leaders on the team in tackles. Having our safeties and corners leading the way is getting really old!!

Go get 'em, Coach Johnson, Coach Garner, and Coach Smith!!! Teach the way, and let's bring back the fire to Auburn's defense!!

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I am more concerned with our defense next season than the offense.

After last season the only thing I am not concerned about maybe special teams. I am excited but I got bit by that last year, 2003, 2005 and a handfull of other seasons. I'll just wait and see.

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I'm looking forward to the days where our LB's and DT's are among the leaders on the team in tackles. Having our safeties and corners leading the way is getting really old!!

Go get 'em, Coach Johnson, Coach Garner, and Coach Smith!!! Teach the way, and let's bring back the fire to Auburn's defense!!

In this defense, get used to seeing safeties making the plays. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

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I am more concerned with our defense next season than the offense.

We will be much better on defense this season mainly because chizik and that tampa 2 defense are finally gone! And no, i'm not a chizik hater, I just didnt like his coaching and his defenses!!
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I have a hard time giving stock to returning stat leaders in this case. Sure, our corners and safeties are stat leaders on paper, but by default. Leading the team in tackles as a d-back is a bad thing. It doesn't make them an immennt breakout star in the making.

The stat that matters is the one we all know. 1 pick all year. I do think we will see drastic improvement by a large factor, but even 5x better, which I expect, is 5 picks. And that won't turn the tide.

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The Lindy's sports 2013 southeastern preview magazine has picked us to finish

13 in the conference . Seems a little silly , even for them .

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The Lindy's sports 2013 southeastern preview magazine has picked us to finish

13 in the conference . Seems a little silly , even for them .

3-9

0-8 SEC

I'm not surprised at all.

I hope we prove a lot of people wrong this year!

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I am more concerned with our defense next season than the offense.

We will be much better on defense this season mainly because chizik and that tampa 2 defense are finally gone! And no, i'm not a chizik hater, I just didnt like his coaching and his defenses!!

Exactly. The Tampa 2 just isn't effective in today's college game.

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