Kirby Smart Fan Day Press Conference Recap

It’s now Kirby Smart’s turn to talk to the press; today might be the only time this season we get to hear from Alabama’s Kirby Smart and Lane Kiffin.

Kirby Smart on Dillon Lee, a player that plays all over the field.

Kirby Smart says he likes Dillon Lee's versatility, but he's the starting SAM backer. Will help in nickel packages too.
— TideSports.com (@TideSports) August 9, 2015

Kirby Smart: "Dillon Lee is a man of positions, that's what we call him."
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) August 9, 2015

Kirby Smart obviously thinks Mel Tucker is going to have an impact on the Alabama DBs.

Kirby Smart on new DBs coach Mel Tucker, who spent last 10 years in NFL: "When you turn on a clip of an NFL drill, eyes pop open."
— Ben Jones (@BW_Jones) August 9, 2015

Smart on SEC offenses and how much they vary from opponent to opponent.

Kirby Smart: The diverse offenses in the SEC makes you almost prepare two different defenses. Tough on the players.
— BamaCentral (@BamaCentral) August 9, 2015

Alabama DC Kirby Smart: “From Arkansas to Texas A&M, you couldn’t find more polar opposites.”
— Alex Scarborough (@AlexS_ESPN) August 9, 2015

Smart on the rise of the run pass option play on offense.

Kirby Smart: Alabama's D faced five run-pass option play in 2011. Saw 120 last year. The game has changed.
— BamaCentral (@BamaCentral) August 9, 2015

Smart also points out that Ohio State and Auburn are not just spread teams.

Kirby Smart: "Auburn and Ohio State are NOT spread teams. They run the ball, very physical as they attack you."
— Rick Karle WVTM 13 (@RickKarle) August 9, 2015

A little coach speak never hurt anyone.

Kirby Smart: We have a really good group. A lot of positive energy out there.
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) August 9, 2015

Smart backs up what Nick Saban said about Reuben Foster.

Kirby Smart on Reuben Foster: "He's tackling better, doing a much better job." Said he also added some good weight in the offseason.
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) August 9, 2015

Smart on Shaun Dion Hamilton.

Kirby Smart says Shaun Dion Hamilton is one of smartest players he's coached. Strong praise.
— John Talty (@JTalty) August 9, 2015

…and Rashaan Evans.

Kirby Smart: LBs Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans staring to really come on strong.
— BamaCentral (@BamaCentral) August 9, 2015

More Reggie Ragland praise, this time from Kirby Smart.

"Reggie is a natural leader" ~ Kirby Smart pic.twitter.com/2siQiEq9Pd
— Ryan C. Fowler (@RyanCFowler) August 9, 2015

Smart on one of the major flaws in last year’s defense.

Kirby Smart says Alabama's defense last year was the worst "goal-wise" of the last seven years. Too many big plays, not enough turnovers.
— Ben Jones (@BW_Jones) August 9, 2015

…and one way to fix that flaw.

Kirby Smart: "We MUST create more turnovers this season."
— Rick Karle WVTM 13 (@RickKarle) August 9, 2015

Kirby Smart gave us a little more coach speak and fewer soundbites than Lane Kiffin, but that’s to be expected since Kiffin is dealing with the quarterback competition and he’s Lane Kiffin.

Smart seems to be happy with his defense, but realizes that there are some issues. To me this shows that the Alabama defense of the last two years still isn’t where Kirby Smart would like to have it. That could be comforting for some who feel like our D hasn’t been as dominate lately as it once was.

College football is certainly shifting in favor of the offense lately, some of the rule changes hamper the kind of killer choking defense that Alabama fans want. Our defense may never get to be quite as dominate as it was in 2009 again, but hopefully Kirby Smart has them headed back in that direction.

Great stuff today from both Kiffin and Smart.

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