🏈 DL Depth

[musso]

Couldn't have said it better myself, 16Champs. With more time on my hands, I would have penned a virtual identical article. :agree:

 

[TerryP]

But do you really think Tomlinson is going to play over Hand in passing downs? I think Hand will be almost impossible to take off the field, just like Allen has become.

It's going to be Allen, Hand, Williams, and Anderson when they want a pass rush. Payne is athletic enough to rush the passer as well, but is Tomlinson going to be asked to do that? I could see him getting a few snaps but realistically he's best fitted as a 3-4 DE run stopper.

I think we'll see a good bit of both on the field this year. Who ends up with the most snaps at the end of the season (or starts) is anyone's guess.

I don't get why you're thinking he's best suited as a 3-4 DE run stopper and subsequently won't be used much on passing downs when he saw significant playing time last year in the three man front in passing downs (both in nickel, dime, and with the 'rabbit' package.)

One thing I believe is being overlooked between the two is Tomlinson is in his fifth year within the program, Hand in his third. If we consider the resonsibilities a guy like DT will have in the interior of the line—gap responsibility being first and foremost—I can easily see the staff leaning on seniority for stability.

 

[TerryP]

It seems odd that under Saban we are entering a season with such a questionable depth at RB and DL

As I'm reading this, you're lumping two position groups under one supposition. Now, I agree with the question marks on the quality depth on defense. A portion of that lack of depth is found with a few of the defensive lineman the staff missed on in recruiting classes. Not only are they dealing with a dearth of prospects at that position but you'll find a few of the "recruiting surprises" have come into play as well.

Anyone who points to game time experience with the running backs has a point. Questionable depth? 2004 and the injuries makes any and all want as much depth as possible. But, history tells me when the offense has two backs as highly regarded as both Bo and Damien were coming out of high school they'll be just fine. Emmons is coming along well. And that's not even bring a guy like Jacobs into the picture.

The only area I have any real concern with is how well a guy like Emmons has progressed in pass pro. As an example, up until recently anytime a defense saw OJ on the field they knew he wasn't in a blocking role. Are we going to see defenses anticipate a running play when Emmons is in simply due to his lack of experience in blocking? Again, history would say yes.

 

[musso]

The only area I have any real concern with is how well a guy like Emmons has progressed in pass pro. As an example, up until recently anytime a defense saw OJ on the field they knew he wasn't in a blocking role. Are we going to see defenses anticipate a running play when Emmons is in simply due to his lack of experience in blocking? Again, history would say yes.

Hard to argue with 4 national championships in the last 7 seasons ... but if you were to critique something offensively, have you ever wondered why we haven't play-action passed more often with RBs who lack pass protection? My impression, like you, is that we have been a bit predictable with poor pass blockers in at TE and RB. Would it not make sense then to at least try compensating for weak pass protection, and hence predictable running tendencies, by faking to those RBs?

 

[TerryP]

have you ever wondered why we haven't play-action passed more often with RBs who lack pass protection?

Sack. Pressured QB throwing an errant pass leading to an interception or an incompletion. To me, it's playing the odds or conservatively if you will. If you think about it, it's Saban's MO.

is that we have been a bit predictable with poor pass blockers in at TE and RB.

I've been specific with that critique. At TE, with Howard. At RB, with the frosh, third string guys.

It's been an interesting progression to watch. Go back to say 2010 and look at the TE production. Take note of the RB production in the passing game as well.
If you fast forward to today where's the RB production in receiving?

If the H-back position is having a good year like Howard did this year, we don't see a lot of receptions out of the backfield. There's your blocking.

It's been fun for me to watch. Those same three positions and the kids who've been playing along with how Saban has shifted responsibilities throughout the groups; with three different offensive coordinators.

 

[musso]

Sack. Pressured QB throwing an errant pass leading to an interception or an incompletion. To me, it's playing the odds or conservatively if you will. If you think about it, it's Saban's MO.

Well, I just envision faking the hand off, as the defense expects it, and then quickly dumping it off to a TE or someone coming across. If you can't rely on pass pro from a RB, and the defense knows it, then this just seemed like a logical choice instead of handing it off and watching the RB get swarmed.

 

[TerryP]

Well, I just envision faking the hand off, as the defense expects it, and then quickly dumping it off to a TE or someone coming across. If you can't rely on pass pro from a RB, and the defense knows it, then this just seemed like a logical choice instead of handing it off and watching the RB get swarmed.

Think about when this comes into play, musso. We see that third string back when? In an OOC game that's not USC in Dallas, probably in the third quarter. In SEC games it's when we're sitting on a comfortable lead.

We do see the running back get swarmed and we know why. All a team wants at that point is what? Let the clock run. The opposing defense knows what's coming, right?

Think back about when we've talked about third string running backs. It's nothing more than one of those sets of skills we look at for frosh. In a sense it's like seeing TJ averaging 10 yards a catch as a frosh and seeing that continue throughout his career. Here it's seeing a third stringer that needs to learn how to block while thinking about him being in a back up role as a sophomore. That's been a pretty significant part of the offense for a long time now.

 

[bama alum]

More depth. Davis has qualified! (so say the people at tidesports.com) BOOM!

Report: Two Alabama signees eligible for fall practice

Alabama signees Raekwon Davis and Jamar King will be eligible for fall practice, according to TideSports.com.

Both Davis and King had questions about their academic standing and whether or not they would be eligible this fall, but the site reported that both had met the NCAA’s requirements. Davis and King play defensive line.

Davis is the higher ranked of the two, as he finished as the country’s No. 11 overall defensive tackle. King finished rated a three-star prospect and the country’s No. 4 JUCO defensive end.

Davis also signed a Letter of Intent Jones Community College.

 

[UAgrad93]

@musso, @TerryP, all we have to do is go back to '13 when Henry was a freshman in the opener. He whiffed on a few pass pro assignments and got his ass reamed by AJ. Emmons and Jacobs are both in that position. They know what to do when the Rock is in their hands but may struggle to consistently perform well in pass pro. Mark Ingram was good at it, as was TJ, others struggle.

As far as Tomlinson goes, he will continue to be used on all packages IMHO. I say that because of his quick first step and his ability to throw off an Olineman. I think he is better due to his HS wrestling background. It takes some real "quicks" and serious strength.

 

[TerryP]

As far as Tomlinson goes, he will continue to be used on all packages IMHO.

It's my opinion as well and I'm tempted to use the phrase, "it's a given."

It just passes the logic test. If Dalvin was being used, consistently, in the nickel and dime packages last season why should we expect his role to change considering how well he did last season?

I'm anxious to hear how Frazier looks Thursday. I've had more than a few mention he's shedded some of that extra weight that was holding him back this spring. Oh, you can add Jamar King to that as well. I'm curious what kind of shape he's in when he reports this week.