re: What is Aranda looming for? Zone D?

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I re-watched and counted plays because I wondered if we were really as it seemed. We were. There were only 3 blitzes in the first half, 2 with 5 men and 1 with 6. 2 of them worked great and almost resulted in picks. However, we dropped 8 more than we blitzed and that didn’t work at all. And you are correct- the entire defense was run from base sets with hardly any movement. There were two “exchanges” where we swapped a down lineman for an ILB. One of those got some pressure. But that was it. Everything else was flat base. The second half was completely different. There were stunts and several exchanges where we only rushed 4. Some of them worked well. There were a lot of 5 man rushes and at least three with 6 men. I didn’t notice watching the first time, but Aranda didn’t sit back on UFs good second half drives. He pressures them in the middle, but Mullen adjusted and got us over the middle. What’s missing? Great ILB play. Queen and Philips were flat-footed a lot and slow to read and react when they didn’t blitz. They also telegraphist when they did. There were very few times when someone showed and didn’t blitz. Also, I didn’t see a single corner blitz and only one or two safety blitz. That used to be a staple. It was a strange gameplan. I think the second half plan is a winning strategy. However, I hope we never see that first half scheme again. When you coach passive, guess what- the players respond by playing passive. I don’t have an issue with zone if they can execute it, but the conservatism and lack of creativity will open a wide door for a good OC. We saw that in the first half Saturday.

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This post is 100% correct. Everyone wondering what’s wrong with the D this is it.

Very passive game plan that is obviously calculated (for whatever the reason) and some below par linebacker play at times.

Of course we don’t have a pass rush when 3 2-gap run stuffers are rushing the passer.

What we saw 2nd half is our sweet spot.

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Bring the house from the first play and don't stop til the end.

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That only works if the qb sucks.a good QB will burn you

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What we saw 2nd half is our sweet spot.

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I like that Aranda mixed up zone and man and brought more pressure in the 2nd half. However, they were still predictable. Mullen knew we would blitz the middle (it was the only area we blitzed from all night) on 3rd downs and hit us with a screen and a slant for 3rd down conversions in the 4th quarter. Predictable is bad no matter what you are doing.

Queen and Philips are also NOT GOOD at disguising when they are or aren’t coming. A good staff and QB can read them like a book. That needs to change.

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Get to the half without dialing up pressure and the bring the pressure in the 2nd half ... this strategy doesn’t give the opposition a chance to make halftime adjustments.

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exactly. easier to make adjustments at halftime than during the game.

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My personal take is that LSU's defense is not in as much trouble as many think it is. Aranda is a great DC, and he has been one of LSU's greatest assets over the past few years. I don't think he suddenly became a bad DC over the offseason.

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The defense isn’t bad. The more reasonable among us who are criticizing it understand that. It’s just been a strange year and adjustment for Aranda, so far. I don’t think anyone can deny this defense has underperformed expectations and talent level. I know some of that is due to the new offense, but not as much as some want to believe.

I have confidence it will get better, but considering my high opinion of Aranda, I am nervous that the D still looks iffy at this point.

Bama will light up our defense unless something significant improves. Our offense is good enough to keep pace. We will get some awful calls in T town.

Bama will not be running 11 play drives. No idea. What happens.

Teams get 14 to 16 possessions per game. If both teams score on half of their possessions it will be very interesting.

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It's a little way to try to keep them as fresh as possible.

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This ^^

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They’re going to get yards. Clemson gave up 450 yards but only 16 points. That’s the blueprint.

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This makes the most sense to me, I have been wondering why the philosophy change since last year. If you can hold Bama to field goals and not TDs, with our offense, then you have a chance.

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It’s about Alabama. The deep digs and crossing routes they run can be shut down by zone——if correctly executed. Also takes away the deep balls. Clemson and Georgia both used it well to limit their offense. He wants it operational to mix in 50/50 against them. This is a guess, but you saw a decent example Saturday. Lots of zone in the first half, second half more of a mix with man being used when we brought 5-6 guys.

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I agree, Clemson played Zone over the top and manned up the 3 top WR. They got home with 4 rushers. I think LSU would like to use that defensive philosophy or be able to use it for Bama. Chaisson had his best game rushing from the edge. Brooks looks like he can rush from the edge. Thomas, #93 got some pressure from the middle. If LSU can get a good 4 man rush unit, that allows you to play different covers on back end. Need to keep developing a good 4 man rush unit over these next 2 games.

Agreed but watch out drunk, moron ,purple and gold glasses wearing idiots are going to disagree with you!
Now if we were using the zone to set up creative zone blitzes that would be great but we're not.
He doesn't allow or ask his DL to stunt/twist often and rarely blitzes.

Not saying fire him, but since the Arkansas game last season he isn't worth what we're paying him.