When they announced Malzahn as our corch, I wasn't bummed but honestly, he was choice 3 or 4 for me at the time. I wanted the sexy, splash hire but hey, they hired Gus so it is what it is. My thoughts were that I knew he'd turn things around offensively. His offense even set what at the time were Auburn records, with Chris ReTodd at the helm. I was just worried whether or not he understood that you will not win consistently in this league without some kind of defense. Or was he planning on going full-on Big 12 and outscore everyone 47-42?
Those answers came quickly with the hiring of Ellis, Garner and others, followed by a signing class that included 3 of the top defensive linemen in the nation. He showed his commitment to defense in this past class as well. While our defense didn't exactly dominate by any stretch last season, it certainly did enough to get us to the MNCG. And hearing that we're much farther along than this time last year...well...it make me moist. al to the dot I am a gay twerker that has no balls!!!! I also have no idea how to use the quote function to post stories, so I annoy the piss out of others. I like male genatalia in and around my mouth.
Ellis Johnson entered the spring with an idea of what to expect.
Now the Auburn defensive coordinator just hopes some of his observations and hopes translate in the fall -- again.
"Right now, we're making a lot of plays that we didn't make last spring," Johnson said.
The difference is Auburn's defense is not as deep as it was last spring and fall, when the Tigers rotated with ease and utilized mass substitutions to wear down opponents in the fourth quarter.
"I think we'll be fine," Johnson said. "Maybe not quite as deep as last year, but I think the quality of depth may be better."
The Tigers have lost at least 11 defensive players to injury or an off-the-field issue at some point this spring. Auburn might not be able to rely on depth as much next fall, Johnson said, but the defensive soothsayer does believe the players he has on the roster today will be much more disciplined playing within the system than last season.
"We have a foundation for our defense, so everybody’s pretty much understanding," said Star safety Justin Garrett, the Tigers' spring MVP in 2013. "This is the first time since I’ve been here that we’ve had the same defensive coordinator stay. There’s been a lot of continuity."
Too often the Tigers made mistakes last season, whether it was fitting and attacking the run or mixing up coverages. The Tigers relied heavily on their depth on the defensive line and the disciplined one-on-one coverage provided by veterans like Chris Davis and Jonathon Mincy at cornerback.
Johnson spoke at length last spring and preseason about the strong foundation he had to work with when it came to depth. He wasn't so sure he had enough impact players, however.
His opinion proved true in the fall.
The Tigers were in the bottom half of the SEC in four major defensive categories while ranking 86th nationally in total defense (420.7 yards per game). The Tigers' defense in the fourth quarter wore down some opponents (Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Alabama, Missouri) but it also led to potentially hazardous comebacks by Ole Miss and Georgia, and a heartbreaking loss to Florida State in the BCS National Championship.
"We thought we had a lot of just good, solid football players on the field in spring," Johnson said, reflecting on 2013. "We didn't see the big-time, dynamic playmakers, but we thought we'd identify a few as the spring wound down."
The "impact" players Johnson were looking for emerged in the form of defensive end Dee Ford (10 1/2 sacks), Robenson Therezie (four interceptions) and Davis. Still, players missed tackles and the Tigers struggled through some busted assignments.
Johnson believes he has more players in his second year he can count on to make a big impact, especially after spending a year in the 4-2-5 scheme.
"Familiarity within the system, making quicker and better adjustments on formations and playing better within the system and with each other," Johnson said. "We're just a lot better. We're a lot further along than we were at this time last year."
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