August 29, 2015
Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
There is talk that this year's defense could be one of the best in the Nick Saban era. So what is it exactly that makes everyone so sure the secondary will perform markedly better this season?
For starters, the unit, which has been prone to weakness at times during the last two seasons, has its most consistent player back in senior cornerback Cyrus Jones.
Tony Brown is among several candidates competing for a starting job at cornerback.
Jones is a leader in the back end of the defense, but he's just one half of the starting combination at corner. The other spot is still under review.
Redshirt freshman Marlon Humphrey, an Alabama legacy and five-star recruit, has made the most of his playing time at left corner. But he hasn't nailed down the position just yet.
"Marlon has played out there and done a pretty good job," Saban said. "Mo (Maurice Smith) has played and done a pretty good job. Tony Brown has played out there and done a pretty good job. (Anthony) Averett.
"So there's a lot of competition there. I really haven't decided who we'll play in the game. It's who gives up the fewest plays and who can be responsible and do their job. I think that's the most important thing when you play that position."
That there are as many options for one spot in the secondary is good news for a secondary that struggled at times last season. That depth wasn't there, especially at corner the last two seasons.
There are still some questions to be asked about safety, which lost a lot of experienced talent in Landon Collins, Jarrick Williams and Nick Perry, but the position also has a bit of depth now with Geno Smith and Eddie Jackson, the presumed starters, and true freshman Ronnie Harrison who is a key reserve.
Then there Maurice Smith, who can play at least three positions in the secondary, and another true freshman, Minkah Fitzpatrick, who can play corner, Star and Money.
It's a word that's often overlooked because it's mentioned so often, but Saban said it's the competition in the secondary that's creating the depth.
"They're all competing," Saban said. "…we alternate them all in there and the guys who play the best will be the guys that we'll make the decision about playing with. But I think it's important that those guys understand that they have to go out there and develop the trust and respect of their teammates, that they're going to be able to go out there and do their job on a consistent basis.
"I talked about attention to detail before and that's important. We gave up too many big plays so it's a point of emphasis that we play better in the secondary. So we're giving lots of people lots of opportunities in different positions."
- See more at: Defense deciding among several players at CB
Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
There is talk that this year's defense could be one of the best in the Nick Saban era. So what is it exactly that makes everyone so sure the secondary will perform markedly better this season?
For starters, the unit, which has been prone to weakness at times during the last two seasons, has its most consistent player back in senior cornerback Cyrus Jones.
Tony Brown is among several candidates competing for a starting job at cornerback.
Jones is a leader in the back end of the defense, but he's just one half of the starting combination at corner. The other spot is still under review.
Redshirt freshman Marlon Humphrey, an Alabama legacy and five-star recruit, has made the most of his playing time at left corner. But he hasn't nailed down the position just yet.
"Marlon has played out there and done a pretty good job," Saban said. "Mo (Maurice Smith) has played and done a pretty good job. Tony Brown has played out there and done a pretty good job. (Anthony) Averett.
"So there's a lot of competition there. I really haven't decided who we'll play in the game. It's who gives up the fewest plays and who can be responsible and do their job. I think that's the most important thing when you play that position."
That there are as many options for one spot in the secondary is good news for a secondary that struggled at times last season. That depth wasn't there, especially at corner the last two seasons.
There are still some questions to be asked about safety, which lost a lot of experienced talent in Landon Collins, Jarrick Williams and Nick Perry, but the position also has a bit of depth now with Geno Smith and Eddie Jackson, the presumed starters, and true freshman Ronnie Harrison who is a key reserve.
Then there Maurice Smith, who can play at least three positions in the secondary, and another true freshman, Minkah Fitzpatrick, who can play corner, Star and Money.
It's a word that's often overlooked because it's mentioned so often, but Saban said it's the competition in the secondary that's creating the depth.
"They're all competing," Saban said. "…we alternate them all in there and the guys who play the best will be the guys that we'll make the decision about playing with. But I think it's important that those guys understand that they have to go out there and develop the trust and respect of their teammates, that they're going to be able to go out there and do their job on a consistent basis.
"I talked about attention to detail before and that's important. We gave up too many big plays so it's a point of emphasis that we play better in the secondary. So we're giving lots of people lots of opportunities in different positions."
- See more at: Defense deciding among several players at CB
