re: Saban's comments on the defense post-South Carolina

quote:

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I hear you and agree that you want your D-Front playing fast (read & react) instead of having to think about what's my job on this defensive play call. But they can't just be told to play see QB get QB defense. You can get burned by misdirection, rpos, screens, etc. You can also get torched even on well-disguised blitzes.

For example, the QB can fake a hand off to a RB, who then sets up to pass protect and watch the LB(s) on that side. If one comes on a blitz the RB can realease catch a quick pass and have 20+ yards of wide open green grass before he gets to where the DBs are covering receivers on deeper routes. And those receivers are then trying to block the DBs so the RB can take it to the house.

Designing situational defensive looks and plays, gameplanning and playcalling are actually a pretty complex game of chess that has to be called and executed rapid fire against HUNH offenses.

Teams also add new wrinkles, variances from tendencies, etc. that you haven't seen on their film and prepared for -- e.g., pulling guards on pass plays so LBs read run instead of pass. That's a trick Mullen used effectively in his last game at MSU vs Bama.

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I know I just wrote about this before I read your reply but that too was the genius of Pruitt. It's not just about rushing the QB. It's about simplifying concepts to play faster even if you're not blitzing. So that it is more read and react and being less bogged down with complicated football speak and disguises.

Listen to some of this stuff:


It was after another outstanding defensive performance in Alabama's Iron Bowl victory last Saturday that outside linebacker Ryan Anderson made an unsolicited observation.

"Coach Pruitt has simplified a lot of stuff and it allows you to go play fast," the senior said. "You don't have to think so much."


And while it's true that Alabama does look quicker, the increased velocity of its play may have as much to do with the defenders reading and reacting at an accelerated rate because they don't have to process as much information. Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban corroborated what Anderson said on Sunday, explaining that the coaching staff has streamlined the scheme.

"Well, I think that we're playing the same system," Saban said. "I think the one thing that we've done is we've repped the things that we're going to play in the games, sort of pared it down a little bit. I think our players are a little bit more confident in what they're supposed to do, the adjustments they need to make. I think they've played well because of that. It's interesting to hear that the players think that, as well. It's good to know."

"Coach Pruitt, he does a great job at simplifying things for us to make sure that when we go out there on Saturday there's not much confusion on the field and making sure everybody's on the same page," linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton said. "So I just applaud him for being a good defensive coordinator and helping us out."

Pruitt's impact -- making more out of less -- is one of the many reasons why he's still being considered for an award that goes to the nation's best assistant coach.

LINK


Plenty going on to help a team play faster, besides blitzing.