I have heard and read a number of explanations regarding our difficulty stopping the run off of the edge, particularly when the QB can run (Auburn, Missouri, GT, Bama). I understand the inexperience at issue and the difficulty of making the right read when placed in conflict. But to my eye, it looks like we are having alignment issues as well. In the past Nolan Smith or Robert Beal or someone else pressed upfield on the outside edge of the tackle forcing the QB or the RB to choose between cutting inside or dropping deeper into the backfield to get wide. Once that commitment was made we had LB's and DB's firing to the ball. But this year it seems our ends are aligned on the inside shoulder of the tackle and getting pushed inside so folks are getting wide on us very quickly and efficiently. RB's are picking up 5 or 6 before they even encounter a possible tackler. I am not a DL coach but that's part of what I think is going on. For those that know better, is that correct? If so, why aren't we shifting alignment?
