BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
The smoke is clearing, at least somewhat.
After losing both linebacker coaches Kevin Steele and Lance Thompson on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, Alabama got two pieces of positive news when two starters chose to return over the NFL draft. Though uncertainty surrounds what's next in terms of who'll be doing the coaching, there's a solid core returning to the Crimson Tide defense.
With middle linebacker Reggie Ragland and defensive end Jarran Reed back, Alabama's front seven got a huge boost. In all, seven of the 11 defenders who started the Sugar Bowl are expected to be back. That doesn't include linebacker Denzel Devall who started seven of the eight games he played.
This was a group that improved in a few important areas including the pass rush and stopping the run. Alabama won three titles in four years from 2009-2012, at least in part, because of its ability to control the defensive line of scrimmage with attacking linebackers behind a dominant front three. Though the speed of the game has changed, the front door to the Tide defense is in good shape.
Of the nine players listed on the depth chart for the three defensive line positions, eight are expected to be back. Only backup nose tackle Brandon Ivory graduates from a unit already considered among the deepest in years.
Reed's 55 tackles led the linemen and Ragland's 95 were second on the team. Both had monster games against LSU's ground game as Reed recorded a season-high 15 stops to Ragland's 13. The middle linebacker, mind you, was playing just days after breaking a bone in his hard at practice.
The biggest question for the front seven moving forward will be who takes over next to Ragland at the other middle linebacker spot. Trey DePriest was a big part of the defense for the previous three years, so his void will be tremendous. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart pointed to the instability the defense showed in the 2014 opener when DePreist served a one-game suspension.
Granted, that was a long time ago and Ragland was making his first career start against West Virginia. But the Tide will need a new play-caller in the middle of the defense by September. Ragland would be a good candidate for that while a few younger players compete for DePriest's spot at Mike linebacker. Hard-hitting Reuben Foster was his backup last year and rising sophomore Shaun Dion Hamilton was third string.
The other departure will be outside linebacker Xzavier Dickson. The senior became the biggest pass-rushing threat while recording a team-high nine sacks and 10 quarterback hurries. Ryan Anderson saw plenty of action and proved to be strong in passing situations with nine hurries and three sacks.
Also back are Tim Williams and Rashaan Evans who were both used when quarterback pressure was key. Dillon Lee saw time at middle and outside linebacker spots as he'll be back for his senior season.
So, with two linebacker coaches still to hire, it's not perfect for the Alabama front seven. But Thursday's return of Reed and Ragland was huge in a number of ways.
Alabama starters in Sugar Bowl
DE Jonathan Allen
NG A'Shawn Robinson
DE Jarran Reed
LB Xzavier Dickson (graduated)
LB Trey Depriest (graduated)
LB Reggie Ragland
CB Eddie Jackson
CB Cyrus Jones
SS Landon Collins (NFL draft)
FS Nick Perry (graduated)
NB Geno Smith
Continue reading...
After losing both linebacker coaches Kevin Steele and Lance Thompson on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, Alabama got two pieces of positive news when two starters chose to return over the NFL draft. Though uncertainty surrounds what's next in terms of who'll be doing the coaching, there's a solid core returning to the Crimson Tide defense.
With middle linebacker Reggie Ragland and defensive end Jarran Reed back, Alabama's front seven got a huge boost. In all, seven of the 11 defenders who started the Sugar Bowl are expected to be back. That doesn't include linebacker Denzel Devall who started seven of the eight games he played.
This was a group that improved in a few important areas including the pass rush and stopping the run. Alabama won three titles in four years from 2009-2012, at least in part, because of its ability to control the defensive line of scrimmage with attacking linebackers behind a dominant front three. Though the speed of the game has changed, the front door to the Tide defense is in good shape.
Of the nine players listed on the depth chart for the three defensive line positions, eight are expected to be back. Only backup nose tackle Brandon Ivory graduates from a unit already considered among the deepest in years.
Reed's 55 tackles led the linemen and Ragland's 95 were second on the team. Both had monster games against LSU's ground game as Reed recorded a season-high 15 stops to Ragland's 13. The middle linebacker, mind you, was playing just days after breaking a bone in his hard at practice.
The biggest question for the front seven moving forward will be who takes over next to Ragland at the other middle linebacker spot. Trey DePriest was a big part of the defense for the previous three years, so his void will be tremendous. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart pointed to the instability the defense showed in the 2014 opener when DePreist served a one-game suspension.
Granted, that was a long time ago and Ragland was making his first career start against West Virginia. But the Tide will need a new play-caller in the middle of the defense by September. Ragland would be a good candidate for that while a few younger players compete for DePriest's spot at Mike linebacker. Hard-hitting Reuben Foster was his backup last year and rising sophomore Shaun Dion Hamilton was third string.
The other departure will be outside linebacker Xzavier Dickson. The senior became the biggest pass-rushing threat while recording a team-high nine sacks and 10 quarterback hurries. Ryan Anderson saw plenty of action and proved to be strong in passing situations with nine hurries and three sacks.
Also back are Tim Williams and Rashaan Evans who were both used when quarterback pressure was key. Dillon Lee saw time at middle and outside linebacker spots as he'll be back for his senior season.
So, with two linebacker coaches still to hire, it's not perfect for the Alabama front seven. But Thursday's return of Reed and Ragland was huge in a number of ways.
Alabama starters in Sugar Bowl
DE Jonathan Allen
NG A'Shawn Robinson
DE Jarran Reed
LB Xzavier Dickson (graduated)
LB Trey Depriest (graduated)
LB Reggie Ragland
CB Eddie Jackson
CB Cyrus Jones
SS Landon Collins (NFL draft)
FS Nick Perry (graduated)
NB Geno Smith
Continue reading...
