Linebacker shift at Bama
- Thread starter NATidefan
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BET mentioned it earlier in the thread, I see, but, if Rolo goes to hand-down, the semi-logjam at LB starts to resolve itself...
I am sitting here reading this thread for the second time because I, like many Tide fans, am really stoked about the competition at linebacker. I want to add to the thread but every scenario has been covered. There is so much, talented, competition and so many options that it is hard to predict exactly what will happen.
I am, once again, struck by the fact that just two years ago I wouldn't have been thinking and rethinking this. The various LB positions would have been pretty much a given and I would have been hoping things would work out. As far as depth is concerned.....I would have been concerned.
Now I look at the prospective depth chart and all I can do is smile because I find myself wondering if that "third tier player" will become a starter before the first game in the fall. Or, if a freshman will (not can) come in and take the position away from an upperclassman.
It is nice to have so much to think about during the off season and to have so much fun doing it!
:BigA: RTR!
I am, once again, struck by the fact that just two years ago I wouldn't have been thinking and rethinking this. The various LB positions would have been pretty much a given and I would have been hoping things would work out. As far as depth is concerned.....I would have been concerned.
Now I look at the prospective depth chart and all I can do is smile because I find myself wondering if that "third tier player" will become a starter before the first game in the fall. Or, if a freshman will (not can) come in and take the position away from an upperclassman.
It is nice to have so much to think about during the off season and to have so much fun doing it!
:BigA: RTR!
What a wonderful opportunity for a third/fourth string running back. All you have to do is rip this bunch every day in practice and sooner or later, somebody is going to notice.
Well, figured I'd come back and take a look at this since we are nearing the end of spring practice. Cory Reamer said in an interview after yesterday's practice that the linebacker shift has pretty much settle down, but that Dont'a Hightower is still seeing a lot of time at Jack along with Will. Reamer has settle in at Sam and Jerrel Harris is gonna play money in the dime package. Apparently Jerrel just isn't quite there in his development to earn a starting position in the 3-4. Fanney has done ok since his return at Jack, but I still feel they want Dont'a there since he's still seeing reps at the positon, the only problem is that they don't have anyone better to play the Will than him. I think if Nico Johnson comes in and really does well this fall he could get the Will spot and allow Dont'a to assume the starting Jack position. JMO of course.
I think Fanney still has value for us at the Jack, but I really do not think we want him on the field in passing situations because in that role he is a liability as a pass rusher. We would prefer, I think, to have Hightower there in those situations.
On the other hand, I really do not think we want Hightower playing at Jack on running downs. In that situation, I think we'd prefer to have the bigger, more stout, Fanney at Jack. Hightower is around 245-250 pounds, and if we are in a base 3-4 with a power run expected, I think we'd prefer to keep him at Will and have Fanney at Jack.
I'm hoping we start to see a platoon at Jack. Leave Fanney in on rushing downs, and bring in Hightower and Upshaw on passing downs. Moreover, hopefully we can let McClain put his hand down on passing downs, and have a guy like Harris playing as a cover linebacker. I think that's really all that is happening with Harris playing the Money position in dime packages...
On the other hand, I really do not think we want Hightower playing at Jack on running downs. In that situation, I think we'd prefer to have the bigger, more stout, Fanney at Jack. Hightower is around 245-250 pounds, and if we are in a base 3-4 with a power run expected, I think we'd prefer to keep him at Will and have Fanney at Jack.
I'm hoping we start to see a platoon at Jack. Leave Fanney in on rushing downs, and bring in Hightower and Upshaw on passing downs. Moreover, hopefully we can let McClain put his hand down on passing downs, and have a guy like Harris playing as a cover linebacker. I think that's really all that is happening with Harris playing the Money position in dime packages...
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I applaud the depth and talent at LB that CNS has built in such a short time, I just hope the rotation of players for a specific down and distance situation doesn't turn into an Achille's heel against teams that run no huddle or hurry up offenses.
I don't think that is too big of a concern. All of the hurry-up / no huddle teams are going to be spread teams throwing it all over the place, so that will basically dictate that we go with a smaller package as the base package.
Guys like Cody, Fanney, and others will go out of the game, and we'll bring in multiple defensive backs, plus Harris. Anders would play a lot too, and you would see Hightower / Upshaw rotating at Jack, and probably also see McClain and Hightower putting their hand on the ground a bit.
If you play the percentages, more times than not you're right. Except for very obvious situations like 3rd and 10 or 3rd and inches, you play the player that over all fits best against the offense you are playing. Remember that Saban likes to attack on defense, and you don't want to tip your hand every time based soley on who is on the field. These guys have to be at least proficient against both the run and pass, but you play the the better pass defender against more pass happy teams and vice versa with run oriented teams. If we played the same defense everytime a certain personel package was on the field - the opposing OC would eat us alive.
EDIT - By reading TommyMac's comments below rgw had already pretty much said what I was thinking.
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I'm all for the different player packages and I believe CNS has been building to that since he arrived. Having the flexibility to tailor your LB packages(for the game) based on whether your facing a power run team or a spread team is a true luxury we haven't had in a long time. What I was alluding to was the actual act of having the time to get the different personnel switched in and out in between plays. That was how I interpreted BET's post that I replied to.
It's a balancing act, to be sure. High-speed offenses rely on catching you off guard or out of place, so the game-time mental pressure on the DC and HC has to rise, especially as regards player substitutions. I've never been either (HC or DC), but I would love to hear from someone who has on the subject.
I agree with you, but it's the off season so it's a good time to split hairs! And that's all I'm doing because of sure boredom waiting for football again.
With the talent we are gathering at LB, I don't think situational substitution of different LB packages will have as great of an effect as some other people do. When you are talking about wanting your 1A player on the field rather than your 1B for a certain situation - that's a good position to be in. I would be more worried about getting an extra DL or nickelback on the field when needed than I am about getting a specific DL or nickelback on the field.
Besides just the straight up increase in talent we have been blessed with, I am loving that we actually have some depth and flexibility at many positions where there is not a huge fall off once you get past the starter.
