🏈 It seems our DLine is GETTING IN THE BACKFIELD!!

[riz]

That is all.

 

[jdpas29]

this was my suspicion for this year. The D-line and linebackers could save this team.

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Linebacker Reggie Ragland sat inside the media room at Alabama's football team headquarters last week, two days after a scrimmage seemingly dominated by the Tide's defense.

Each play, Ragland said, Alabama's defensive line was defeating blocks, working into the backfield and making tackles.

The result was similar during the Tide's second scrimmage Saturday, another indicator of the disruptive potential of a defensive line that consists of standouts A'Shawn Robinson,Jonathan Allen and Jarran Reed as well as others such as D.J. Pettway, Dalvin Tomlinson and Da'Shawn Hand who have either been key rotational players at Alabama or, in Hand's case, is a young player whom Rivals rated as the top prospect in last year's recruiting class.

"That defensive line is a beast," running back Derrick Henry said Tuesday. "You've got four or five big guys that dominate every play and give it their all every play, and that's all you can ask from the defensive line. They do a great job each and every day. They've been improving. Like I said, we're not where we will be at [offensively], but we're trying to make progress every day. But the defensive line is doing a great job."

Robinson is widely considered one of the top defensive linemen in the country, a potential early first round pick next year whom former Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage has referred to as a "man-child."

Allen and Reed have both flashed the ability to potentially be early round picks in next year's NFL draft as well, Savage said.

Pettway had 23 tackles and two sacks last season. Tomlinson posted 22 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss and two sacks.

Hand's totals included seven tackles and two sacks.

While Alabama has not released quarterback statistics following either of its two scrimmages, coach Nick Saban indicated after Saturday's scrimmage that the defense create multiple turnovers.

The defense -- spearheaded by the defensive line -- also limited Henry to 24 yards on six carries and redshirt freshman Ronnie Clark -- the current No. 3 running back during portions of practice open to the media -- to 29 yards on 17 carries.

That was done even without Robinson, who did not participate in the scrimmage due to a sprained ankle and sprained knee he suffered last Monday.

Reed posted five tackles, including two for a loss, a sack and a pass deflection.

Tomlinson recorded five tackles after tallying four tackles, one stop for a loss and a pass deflection during Alabama's first scrimmage.

Robinson's numbers from the first scrimmage consisted of three tackles, a tackle for a loss and an interception he returned for a touchdown.

The defensive line's potential is "endless," Allen said in late March. "We're really not trying to think about down the road. We're just trying to focus on getting better day in and day out. The success will come with the work ethic, so that's what we're focusing on right now."

Continue reading...

 

[riz]

this was my suspicion for this year. The D-line and linebackers could save this team.

We've been missing it. and it's been killing us, imo.