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2018 vs 2017 Back 7 : Experience
Posted on 7/19/19 at 3:15 pm
Posted on 7/19/19 at 3:15 pm
While the front 4 matters (a lot), I think most folks would agree that, especially in our complex system, the areas of the defense where experience matters the most (by far) is in the back 7. The front 4 needs guys who can create the wall and rush the passer, and while some of those things certainly comes with experience and development, the ability to play fast and comfortably in the back end almost always lines up with experience (with the exception of the Minkah's of the world).
In that light, let's compare what we have returning in the Back 7 in 2019 vs 2018. I'm going to basically use the back end (CB, FS, SS, Star) and the ILB, as they are the ones who generally are making calls, switching off on pattern read, etc. While the OLB have responsibilities, they cross over a lot more with the Front guys than the Back guys.
2019
Cornerback/STAR
> Patrick Surtain (SO) - 15 games played, 1 year in the system
> Trevon Diggs (SR) - 19 games played (on defense), 2 years in the system (on defense)
> Shy Carter (SR) - 37 games played, 3 years in the system
Safety
> Jared Mayden (SR) - 22 games played, 3 years in the system
> Xavier McKinney (JR) - 28 games played, 3 years in the system
Inside Linebacker
> Dylan Moses (JR) - 26 games played, 2 years in the system
> Joshua McMillion (JR) - 18 games played, 2 years in the system
For those 7 positions : 165 games played, 16 years in the system
2018
Cornerback/STAR
> Patrick Surtain (FR) - 0 games played, 0 years in the system
> Savion Smith (JR) - 0 games played, 0 years in the system (once he replaced Diggs early)
> Shy Carter (JR) - 23 games played, 2 years in the system
Safety
> Deionte Thompson (JR) - 28 games played, 2 years in the system
> Xavier McKinney (SO) - 13 games played, 1 year in the system
Inside Linebacker
> Dylan Moses (SO) - 11 games played, 1 year in the system
> Mack Wilson (JR) - 27 games played, 2 years in the system
For those 7 positions : 102 games played, 8 years in the system
2019
23.5 average games played per player
2.3 average years in the system
2018
14.6 average games played per player
1.1 average years in the system
This years back 7 basically averages a full extra year of experience under their belt. For a program where generally, at best, your guys have 2 full years of experience in their last season on campus that is a pretty gigantic difference.
In that light, let's compare what we have returning in the Back 7 in 2019 vs 2018. I'm going to basically use the back end (CB, FS, SS, Star) and the ILB, as they are the ones who generally are making calls, switching off on pattern read, etc. While the OLB have responsibilities, they cross over a lot more with the Front guys than the Back guys.
2019
Cornerback/STAR
> Patrick Surtain (SO) - 15 games played, 1 year in the system
> Trevon Diggs (SR) - 19 games played (on defense), 2 years in the system (on defense)
> Shy Carter (SR) - 37 games played, 3 years in the system
Safety
> Jared Mayden (SR) - 22 games played, 3 years in the system
> Xavier McKinney (JR) - 28 games played, 3 years in the system
Inside Linebacker
> Dylan Moses (JR) - 26 games played, 2 years in the system
> Joshua McMillion (JR) - 18 games played, 2 years in the system
For those 7 positions : 165 games played, 16 years in the system
2018
Cornerback/STAR
> Patrick Surtain (FR) - 0 games played, 0 years in the system
> Savion Smith (JR) - 0 games played, 0 years in the system (once he replaced Diggs early)
> Shy Carter (JR) - 23 games played, 2 years in the system
Safety
> Deionte Thompson (JR) - 28 games played, 2 years in the system
> Xavier McKinney (SO) - 13 games played, 1 year in the system
Inside Linebacker
> Dylan Moses (SO) - 11 games played, 1 year in the system
> Mack Wilson (JR) - 27 games played, 2 years in the system
For those 7 positions : 102 games played, 8 years in the system
2019
23.5 average games played per player
2.3 average years in the system
2018
14.6 average games played per player
1.1 average years in the system
This years back 7 basically averages a full extra year of experience under their belt. For a program where generally, at best, your guys have 2 full years of experience in their last season on campus that is a pretty gigantic difference.
This post was edited on 7/19/19 at 3:19 pm
1
Posted on 7/19/19 at 3:27 pm to SummerOfGeorge
In addition to that, our front 7 guys have also played a whole lot of football
OLB - Anfernee Jennings (SR) (35 games played, 3 years in system)
DE - Raekwon Davis (SR) (31 games played, 3 years in system)
DT - DJ Dale (FR) (0 games played, 0 games in system)
DT - Phidarian Mathis (SO) (11 games played, 1 year in system)
DE - LaBryan Ray (JR) (17 games played, 2 years in system)
OLB - Terrell Lewis (SR) (9 games played, 3 years in system)
Bottom line - the mix of talent and experience with this group (not to mention super talented young depth at all 3 levels) give me hope that this defense should be really, really, really frickin good.
OLB - Anfernee Jennings (SR) (35 games played, 3 years in system)
DE - Raekwon Davis (SR) (31 games played, 3 years in system)
DT - DJ Dale (FR) (0 games played, 0 games in system)
DT - Phidarian Mathis (SO) (11 games played, 1 year in system)
DE - LaBryan Ray (JR) (17 games played, 2 years in system)
OLB - Terrell Lewis (SR) (9 games played, 3 years in system)
Bottom line - the mix of talent and experience with this group (not to mention super talented young depth at all 3 levels) give me hope that this defense should be really, really, really frickin good.
This post was edited on 7/19/19 at 3:28 pm
Posted on 7/19/19 at 3:48 pm to SummerOfGeorge
Man I feel bad for Terrell Lewis. He legit might be the most talented/physically impressive guy on the team and has only played 9 games in 3 years. This guy really can't catch a break. I sincerely hope he shines and has a huge season this year, and becomes a high draft pick - not only for the benefit of the team, but for himself.
As for the secondary: That experience will play a huge role and I expect them to be a solid to great group. Surtain will shine this year and will probably be our best player in the back, followed by Mckinney. I think Trevon will be solid, but honestly haven't seen him enough in live action due to injuries. Shy Carter is very underrated by those outside of the Bama fanbase.
Not really sure about Mayden, I recall him playing pretty well last year when he got in, but he to me he just doesn't seem elite like some of the safeties we have had in the past. He's got experience though so I feel pretty comfortable with him holding down the back end.
One thing I have noticed over the years, Saban seems to value the Safety position above all others. And what I mean by that is: the safety is the last line of defense in a typically very conservative defense. Keep everyone in front of you, and no one can beat you over the top by any means. No matter how talented the player, Saban seems to value experience over talent at that position more so than other positions. Have we ever had a true freshman safety under Saban?
ETA
I wouldn't be surprised if our CB/Star lineup is Surtain, Jobe, and Carter; with the safeties being Diggs and McKinney
As for the secondary: That experience will play a huge role and I expect them to be a solid to great group. Surtain will shine this year and will probably be our best player in the back, followed by Mckinney. I think Trevon will be solid, but honestly haven't seen him enough in live action due to injuries. Shy Carter is very underrated by those outside of the Bama fanbase.
Not really sure about Mayden, I recall him playing pretty well last year when he got in, but he to me he just doesn't seem elite like some of the safeties we have had in the past. He's got experience though so I feel pretty comfortable with him holding down the back end.
One thing I have noticed over the years, Saban seems to value the Safety position above all others. And what I mean by that is: the safety is the last line of defense in a typically very conservative defense. Keep everyone in front of you, and no one can beat you over the top by any means. No matter how talented the player, Saban seems to value experience over talent at that position more so than other positions. Have we ever had a true freshman safety under Saban?
ETA
I wouldn't be surprised if our CB/Star lineup is Surtain, Jobe, and Carter; with the safeties being Diggs and McKinney
This post was edited on 7/19/19 at 3:55 pm
Posted on 7/19/19 at 4:21 pm to Hawaiian Punch
quote:
I wouldn't be surprised if our CB/Star lineup is Surtain, Jobe, and Carter; with the safeties being Diggs and McKinney
Agree with that and all you said above, especially regarding Mayden. Mayden seems like the safe next guy up in the usual Saban rotation due to his experience, but I wouldn't be surprised if they felt comfortable enough with Jobe to move Diggs to safety. Could be an absolutely lethal unit back there.
Posted on 7/19/19 at 10:13 pm to SummerOfGeorge
Is Lewis a SR or a redshirt JR? Did he get a redshirt for any of the time he missed?
Posted on 7/20/19 at 4:48 pm to Hawaiian Punch
quote:
Have we ever had a true freshman safety under Saban
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Posted on 7/20/19 at 10:47 pm to Commander Data
quote:
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
His freshman season was in 2011 and he wasn't a starter.
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