I'm definitely hitting d and df by rolling the stick to get the forward A, I just messed around in training mode to double check, but I was pretty sure that was the problem. That's all good advice about blocking, though, thanks. I just need to wrap my head around not holding down back constantly while I'm getting attacked.
As an interesting aside, I've been working on this set-up with Claw Iori that people might like:
(Jump-in) Cl.C xx df+C [HD] Cl.C xx df+C xx dp+A [DC] qcb+B [DC] dp+C, qcb+D [DC] dp+C, (qcb+B [DC] dp+C)X3, qcb+B, qcb+A, Cl.C (reset) -> whiffed st.B, hcf+P, qcb+D, qcf,hcb+P does enough to kill if close enough to the corner and you jump in with C or D. Not too bad for 1 bar and HD, you just have to delay the command grab after the reset ever so slightly.
If you start the HD any other practical way, doing dp+C, EX DM after the command grab is enough to kill for 2 bars, even if starting from cr.B, s.A, f+A, A [HD], which does exactly 1000 damage.
I'm not entirely sure that whiffing a standing B is the best option after the reset, but it seems to time it almost perfectly. I'll keep fiddling and see if I can find something better.
Edit: a very very slightly delayed cr.B is probably a better option, as it looks like you're going to go low after the command grab and times the grab really well.