📡 A look at the shocking snap counts played by Alabama's best defenders vs. Clemson

[Rainer Sabin |]

Some of the Crimson Tide's best defenders were out on the field for more than 100 snaps last Monday in the loss to Clemson -- enduring by far their greatest workload in a game this season.

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[Tidestalker]

In the final game of the 2017 season, the Tide squeezed the last drop of sweat out of its defense. According to Pro Football Focus, five of its starters -- Reuben Foster, Ronnie Harrison, Anthony Averett, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey -- played between 101 and 102 snaps. Two others -- Tony Brown and Rashaan Evans -- were on the field for 99 and 98 plays, respectively.

What good is depth if you don't use it? There is room for introspection/improvement in this area.

 

[BamaMD]

Even with all that, we were two illegal pick plays and one second away from a natty.

 

[#80]

OL played like shit just a few more 3rd down conversations and we get #17.

 

[JoshB]

What good is depth if you don't use it? There is room for introspection/improvement in this area.

Who plays in place of Evans there tho? He was the one spelling SDH and Foster during the season. Same with Tony, who spells him? Shyhiem Carter? Not enough guys got game experience during the season at some spots, IDK if that was just because they werent up to snuff or just bad management there.

It sure didnt feel like Jonathan Allen was on the field for 73 snaps, that actually shocked me. Maybe his lack of an impact was just being dog tired (not just in the game but the whole season).

 

[Tidestalker]

Who plays in place of Evans there tho? He was the one spelling SDH and Foster during the season. Same with Tony, who spells him? Shyhiem Carter? Not enough guys got game experience during the season at some spots, IDK if that was just because they werent up to snuff or just bad management there.

It sure didnt feel like Jonathan Allen was on the field for 73 snaps, that actually shocked me. Maybe his lack of an impact was just being dog tired (not just in the game but the whole season).

Whoever the 2's are? Surely they were taking reps for the prior month of Bowl Practice.

I'm with you, it's not an ideal situation to have backups in. But at least a series each half should be doable. Whether you put all the 2's in at one time so that they have continuity from practice or just one at a time, it's going to be helpful. Asking starters to play 100 snaps and be able to hold up late, under pressure, is unrealistic.

We all knew coming in that MLB was a concern. But these are 4/5 star guys, they should be able to play a series of football and not look silly. (Holcombe/Shy Carter/Deionte Thompson/Mack Wilson). And you're right that there wasn't enough game experience for those cats... Especially when you're talking about almost an entire season of domination. How can we not have a backup at each position to sprinkle in a few snaps? Injuries are bound to happen... Should be taken into account all season.

Ultimately they're all going to make mistakes. The starters were awesome when fresh and beat down in the 4th. By nature the backups will likely give up more yards, plays, scoring opps, etc. But the idea is to give your studs a fair chance to finish the game. If there's any team in the country that should not have to play their studs 100 snaps its Alabama. I'm thinking the staff will take a serious look at this and adjust moving forward. All those assistants, analysists, and hours spent... This has to come up.

 

[RoeTied]

Embarrassing. The offense should be appalled and ashamed of themselves for letting this happen.

 

[JoshB]

Whoever the 2's are? Surely they were taking reps for the prior month of Bowl Practice.

I'm with you, it's not an ideal situation to have backups in. But at least a series each half should be doable. Whether you put all the 2's in at one time so that they have continuity from practice or just one at a time, it's going to be helpful. Asking starters to play 100 snaps and be able to hold up late, under pressure, is unrealistic.

We all knew coming in that MLB was a concern. But these are 4/5 star guys, they should be able to play a series of football and not look silly. (Holcombe/Shy Carter/Deionte Thompson/Mack Wilson). And you're right that there wasn't enough game experience for those cats... Especially when you're talking about almost an entire season of domination. How can we not have a backup at each position to sprinkle in a few snaps? Injuries are bound to happen... Should be taken into account all season.

Ultimately they're all going to make mistakes. The starters were awesome when fresh and beat down in the 4th. By nature the backups will likely give up more yards, plays, scoring opps, etc. But the idea is to give your studs a fair chance to finish the game. If there's any team in the country that should not have to play their studs 100 snaps its Alabama. I'm thinking the staff will take a serious look at this and adjust moving forward. All those assistants, analysists, and hours spent... This has to come up.

Well one thing I noticed was some of the guys on the line that didnt get enough time during the year (Frazier, Hand, etc.) did have a cpl series there in the second half were they played and played pretty well. Maybe it was just a situation of needing to let some guys have a chance.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

The D'backs can handle that more, the DL's a different story. I noticed too in the early 3rd quarter that the entire starting DL was off the field. Interestingly enough, Clemson went 3 & out. I honestly thought we had them at that point.

 

[Tidestalker]

The D'backs can handle that more, the DL's a different story. I noticed too in the early 3rd quarter that the entire starting DL was off the field. Interestingly enough, Clemson went 3 & out. I honestly thought we had them at that point.

Can handle it better is true, but there is certainly room for error.

Harrison and Averette (especially Averett) were prime examples.

 

[BamaFan334]

OL played like **** just a few more 3rd down conversations and we get #17.

I saw it as one third down conversion made, and we win the game. Bo stays healthy, we drill them. Leggett doesn't make his acrobatic catch, we're atleast playing in Overtime. A lot of ifs, but the one third down conversion that eats up another minute of clock and we win.