I hope so, but until our defense looks good in a game, I'm going to assume all "improvements" on the defensive side of the ball are attributed to the shitty offense they scrimmage against.
My take on the defensive improvement prediction. And BTW, amazing that we've won one MNC and played for another with our D pretty much being one large suck since CTT left.
First off, everything I've read concerning the coaching change is that things have been simplified under Steele and the atmosphere is 100% better with guys actually having fun. I totally get that it was a Spring game, but in this last game, it seemed the defense was really flying to the ball and acting all nasty once they got there. Maybe that's just my perception, but it looked that way to me.
Heights and weights. I've made no secret of the fact that our S & C program concerns me. They've been open from the start about having the same philosophy in the weight room as they do on the field. Fast, fast, fast.... Crossfit (bro) and Plyometrics will get you in great shape for the 4th quarter. Also gets you blown up at the LOS by San Jose State. I haven't read that they've changed anything; however, numerous players, especially across the front 7 have made significant weight gains. And the promotional video they have out for off season workouts features way more of the basic strength moves...bench press, squats, dead lifts etc.
Mower Starz. I can't recall a time when the defensive side of the ball has had this much star power. If Deshaun Davis gets the nod at LB, he'll most likely be the only player on that unit that 247 didn't rate as a 4* or 5*. I know, I know...the starz don't automatically translate to success on the field for an individual, but I'm a firm believer that there's skrength in numbers. And check this out. If they rotate in the right guys, we could have this group of 5*s playing at one time. Montravelosity Adams, Carl Lawson, Derrick Brown, Byron Cowart and Tray Williams.
The best analogy I can think of with this defense is what we've said about Bruce Pearl. If he can't win at Auburn, it just can't be done. If we can't be a hell of a lot better with this group on defense, we need to quit trying.
Oh, and I imagine this was posted earlier somewhere else, but it's worth taking another look. Especially the last half
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