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A few defensive stats to explain why we don't often have a 10+ sack guy
Posted on 8/5/13 at 10:42 am
Posted on 8/5/13 at 10:42 am
I saw a bit of a defensive discussion in the recruiting thread. There is a bit of a misconception about our pass rush in my opinion. Part of the reason we don't get a huge amount of sacks is simply philosophy. We are more of a cover team than a blitz team (sorry no stats to back that up). We also force less plays per game because we get off the field. So our sack numbers take a huge hit. We also substitute more than most teams. Finally, we rack up a bunch of blowouts which further limits opportunities for our sack guys.
Yr. plays/gm (rk) Sack %(rk)
08. 63.0(8) 4.89(70)
09. 63.3(7) 6.44(45)
10. 64.7(11) 6.67(39)
11. 59.4(1) 6.91(27)
12. 63.8(3) 8.58(9)
The pass rush is improving. However, we struggled with the rush against our tougher opponents last year. We had to blitz more (again no blitz stats) which contributed to the spike in sack production. The 2011 defense is the gold standard for modern day defenses. We didn't blitz much because our secondary was so good (and our run d set up a great many third and longs).
I can't wait to see this years defense. I believe we won't have to blitz as much to get pressure and our experienced back 7 will be good to go (most passing downs we rush 4 hence the back 7). I expect our sack % to sneak near the top 5 in the NCAA.
Note: I didn't include 2008 stats because who wants to look up numbers from a 7-6 team.
Yr. plays/gm (rk) Sack %(rk)
08. 63.0(8) 4.89(70)
09. 63.3(7) 6.44(45)
10. 64.7(11) 6.67(39)
11. 59.4(1) 6.91(27)
12. 63.8(3) 8.58(9)
The pass rush is improving. However, we struggled with the rush against our tougher opponents last year. We had to blitz more (again no blitz stats) which contributed to the spike in sack production. The 2011 defense is the gold standard for modern day defenses. We didn't blitz much because our secondary was so good (and our run d set up a great many third and longs).
I can't wait to see this years defense. I believe we won't have to blitz as much to get pressure and our experienced back 7 will be good to go (most passing downs we rush 4 hence the back 7). I expect our sack % to sneak near the top 5 in the NCAA.
Note: I didn't include 2008 stats because who wants to look up numbers from a 7-6 team.
2
Posted on 8/5/13 at 10:48 am to Ol'DirtyCam
I would rather lead the country in three-and-outs as well as yardage allowed, than have 50 or more sacks.
Posted on 8/5/13 at 10:57 am to CapstoneGrad06
No doubt. Saban likes the phrase "affecting the QB." I believe he would rather cover than blitz. A guess on his philosophy.
Posted on 8/5/13 at 10:58 am to Ol'DirtyCam
We've had one guy record 10 or more sacks. That was Wallace Gilberry in 2007. That was by far the worst of the defenses we've fielded under Saban.
Posted on 8/5/13 at 1:08 pm to Ol'DirtyCam
I agree with everything in the OP but I do find our recruitment and development of pass rush specialists interesting:
2009: Stinson - grew into DE
2010: Alfy Hill - screwed by NCAA
2011: Clowney - we came in 2nd
Pettway - booted
2012: Jordan Jenkins - came in 2nd or 3rd
Ryan Anderson - appears to be sticking at ILB
2013: Nkemdiche -
DeMarcus Walker - poached by Pruitt
Jon Allen - working at DE
2014: Zo Carter - not trending up with him
Upshaw was great, Hubbard has been good, Dickson, Devall, & Tim Williams are still unproven. Mehki Brown in '15 looks very promising.
But considering the success of the pass-rushing OLB in the NFL, it just hasn't quite fallen into place for us. Part of that might be our philosophy, part of it might be rivals using that philosophy against us in recruiting, and part of it has been bad luck.
2009: Stinson - grew into DE
2010: Alfy Hill - screwed by NCAA
2011: Clowney - we came in 2nd
Pettway - booted
2012: Jordan Jenkins - came in 2nd or 3rd
Ryan Anderson - appears to be sticking at ILB
2013: Nkemdiche -
DeMarcus Walker - poached by Pruitt
Jon Allen - working at DE
2014: Zo Carter - not trending up with him
Upshaw was great, Hubbard has been good, Dickson, Devall, & Tim Williams are still unproven. Mehki Brown in '15 looks very promising.
But considering the success of the pass-rushing OLB in the NFL, it just hasn't quite fallen into place for us. Part of that might be our philosophy, part of it might be rivals using that philosophy against us in recruiting, and part of it has been bad luck.
Posted on 8/5/13 at 2:45 pm to sarc
I agree Sarc, I wasn't downing Saban or our philosophy at all in the recruiting thread more of the idiots themselves. If Clowney, Quinn, Nkemdiche, etc can be convinced that "at Alabama they will make you learn to cover while all we will do is make you bull rush" that is there fault. , It just kills me to see 3-4 "Jacks" tearing it up in the NFL and even Muschamp at UF having a more dominant guy come forward. And while we are dominating college football these elite DE's ie future elite OLBs if they play for us don't want to jump on board. WTF is going on?
, It just kills me to see 3-4 "Jacks" tearing it up in the NFL and even Muschamp at UF having a more dominant guy come forward. And while we are dominating college football these elite DE's ie future elite OLBs if they play for us don't want to jump on board. WTF is going on?
Posted on 8/5/13 at 8:31 pm to Libertyabides71
Isn't this more of a byproduct of the 3-4? "the line takes up space and blockers and the linebackers make plays" thinking?
I think it's why we don't get elite D-lineman.
I miss those days--but I'll take the winning. Who am I to question.
I think it's why we don't get elite D-lineman.
I miss those days--but I'll take the winning. Who am I to question.
Posted on 8/5/13 at 9:20 pm to Grievous Angel
Does anyone know what defense high schools run mostly? I would guess 4-3 because the 3-4 might be more involved to install with high schoolers.
If that is the case, most elite pass rushers would have only played with their hand down in school. Being asked to do something that they have never done might not appeal to everyone.
If that is the case, most elite pass rushers would have only played with their hand down in school. Being asked to do something that they have never done might not appeal to everyone.
Posted on 8/5/13 at 10:34 pm to Wrenchruh
quote:
Does anyone know what defense high schools run mostly? I would guess 4-3 because the 3-4 might be more involved to install with high schoolers.
My brother is a high school coach.
He almost everyone runs a 4-3 or even an 4-4.
Says the only team he's played who showed a 3-4, was really playing a 4-3 with one of the linemen standing up.
ETA: He is north Alabama, 3A school.
This post was edited on 8/5/13 at 10:41 pm
Posted on 8/6/13 at 12:06 am to CrimsonTideMD
I know a few in 5A run 335 and 425 base.
Posted on 8/6/13 at 12:46 am to AllBamaDoesIsWin
So many high school athletes are poor man's version of Vinnie Sunseri that its hard to classify what most teams are in at the high school level.
But if you play a lot of Wing T teams (ie 1-3A ball) you see more 5-2 (we called ours when I played a 5-2 but I was a standup DE basically like what Bama calls a Jack) so it was somewhat like Saban's 3-4 (at a very basic sense)
You see more Nickel, Dime, Quarter (7 DB type bodies) or even some "Kennedy" (8 DB type bodies) when you see teams that play in leagues where the spread is prevalent.
But if you play a lot of Wing T teams (ie 1-3A ball) you see more 5-2 (we called ours when I played a 5-2 but I was a standup DE basically like what Bama calls a Jack) so it was somewhat like Saban's 3-4 (at a very basic sense)
You see more Nickel, Dime, Quarter (7 DB type bodies) or even some "Kennedy" (8 DB type bodies) when you see teams that play in leagues where the spread is prevalent.
This post was edited on 8/6/13 at 12:55 am
Posted on 8/6/13 at 9:42 pm to CapstoneGrad06
https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2013/01/nick_saban_says_hes_still_comm.html
Upvote. Let a team like South Carolina get a bunch of sacks but get burned by 2012 Tennessee and Bobby Petrino's Arkansas. LSU's 2011 defense was great, but I'm sure there are some still scratching their heads over the West Virginia game. When's the last time Alabama gave up 450+ yards in the air? 2010 LSU gave up 440 rushing yards to Auburn. When's the last time Alabama gave up nearly 450 yards rushing?
I'm glad that everyone has handled this topic rather calmly. Alabama is good at getting another team off the field early which might explain the lower amount of sacks and turnovers.
quote:
I would rather lead the country in three-and-outs as well as yardage allowed, than have 50 or more sacks.
Upvote. Let a team like South Carolina get a bunch of sacks but get burned by 2012 Tennessee and Bobby Petrino's Arkansas. LSU's 2011 defense was great, but I'm sure there are some still scratching their heads over the West Virginia game. When's the last time Alabama gave up 450+ yards in the air? 2010 LSU gave up 440 rushing yards to Auburn. When's the last time Alabama gave up nearly 450 yards rushing?
I'm glad that everyone has handled this topic rather calmly. Alabama is good at getting another team off the field early which might explain the lower amount of sacks and turnovers.
This post was edited on 8/6/13 at 9:43 pm
Posted on 8/6/13 at 10:14 pm to Gardevoir
I cannot recall who said it between Saban and Smart, but they stress the point of stopping the run more than anything on the 1st 2 downs to set them up favorably on 3rd downs. No frills, just get them to a point where you dictate what they do on 3rd downs.
And I'm watching you:
I was looking forward to using it on a Rattata though...
quote:
Gardevoir
And I'm watching you:
I was looking forward to using it on a Rattata though...
Posted on 8/6/13 at 10:21 pm to MagillaGuerilla
I learn more and more everyday.
These boards are great.
Posted on 8/6/13 at 10:37 pm to Gardevoir
It has it's moments 
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