Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1790062#sthash.mTdZBGyI.dpuf
If a defensive line is judged by how it performs against the run, and they largely are, it's tough to find a better one than the those fielded in Tuscaloosa over the last five years.
Even considering the out-of-character 280 yards allowed against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, the University of Alabama rush defense held opponents to a conference best 102.43 yards per game, 3.17 yards per carry and five rushing touchdowns allowed.
And the most exciting news for UA coaches and fans is the fact the line brings back nearly all of its talent from a year ago with the exception of nose guard Brandon Ivory and outside linebacker/defensive end Xzavier Dickson.
It all starts up front for a year-in, year-out dominating defense. It's a physically imposing group that is stocked full of athletes to keep the depth chart healthy with competition. The standards are lofty for that unit, but the desire to improve remains constant.
The Ohio State game certainly sticks in their craw, but they're looking forward, not back, with an eye also on improving the pass rush and creating more turnovers.
"Pass rushing. Just pass rushing… getting off the ball a lot faster," junior defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson said.
To accomplish that Robinson said he's down six pounds from a season ago with the goal being five pounds more to go.
The emphasis on creating more turnovers began in the spring, and the coaching staff employed a number of drills and even went as far as creating a WWE-style championship belt to motivate defenders to turn the ball over.
Another advantage the defensive line enjoys this year is different body types and varied skill sets. It's a group that goes a legitimate three-deep across the line.
"…some guys are athletic and rush, while some guys are big and physical and can play inside," UA coach Nick Saban said. "I think you need that in our league because we're going to play three or four teams that are sort of I formation, two-back run teams, which we haven't seen a lot in the last couple or years so we're going to need some big, physical guys to play against that; and they we're going to play a lot of spread teams in which we're going to need to be more athletic."
TideSports.com Senior Writer
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1790062#sthash.mTdZBGyI.dpuf
If a defensive line is judged by how it performs against the run, and they largely are, it's tough to find a better one than the those fielded in Tuscaloosa over the last five years.
Even considering the out-of-character 280 yards allowed against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, the University of Alabama rush defense held opponents to a conference best 102.43 yards per game, 3.17 yards per carry and five rushing touchdowns allowed.
And the most exciting news for UA coaches and fans is the fact the line brings back nearly all of its talent from a year ago with the exception of nose guard Brandon Ivory and outside linebacker/defensive end Xzavier Dickson.
It all starts up front for a year-in, year-out dominating defense. It's a physically imposing group that is stocked full of athletes to keep the depth chart healthy with competition. The standards are lofty for that unit, but the desire to improve remains constant.
The Ohio State game certainly sticks in their craw, but they're looking forward, not back, with an eye also on improving the pass rush and creating more turnovers.
"Pass rushing. Just pass rushing… getting off the ball a lot faster," junior defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson said.
To accomplish that Robinson said he's down six pounds from a season ago with the goal being five pounds more to go.
The emphasis on creating more turnovers began in the spring, and the coaching staff employed a number of drills and even went as far as creating a WWE-style championship belt to motivate defenders to turn the ball over.
Another advantage the defensive line enjoys this year is different body types and varied skill sets. It's a group that goes a legitimate three-deep across the line.
"…some guys are athletic and rush, while some guys are big and physical and can play inside," UA coach Nick Saban said. "I think you need that in our league because we're going to play three or four teams that are sort of I formation, two-back run teams, which we haven't seen a lot in the last couple or years so we're going to need some big, physical guys to play against that; and they we're going to play a lot of spread teams in which we're going to need to be more athletic."
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