Sunday Reads on Alabama

By: Joe Lanza

PUBLISHER

on August 18, 2013, 12:14 PM | 2 comments

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2012/08/alabama_defense_101_... [Alabama defense 101: nickel = Star, dime = Money, DBs = LBs]

That's an article from last year, but it does a very good job of explaining how Alabama substitutes in its defensive backs for linebackers, and how interchangeable their "Star" position is. I found this to be interesting too, "Nick Saban estimated that the Tide was in the 3-4 base only 20 percent of the time last season." Logan Thomas will probably end up seeing a variety of fronts and personnel packages on 8/31.

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2013/08/live_reports_nick_sa... [Quick hits: Nick Saban's press conference after Alabama's second scrimmage] and http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2013/08/alabama_2nd_scrimmag... [Nick Saban provides mixed review of Alabama's scrimmage as Tide enters 2-day break]

Rebuilding an offensive line is tough, for any team.

"Too many times we had a soft pocket, we got pressure in the pocket, made some mental errors up front, had a couple false starts – things that our offensive line typically has not done," Saban said. "So hopefully this will be something they can learn from and improve on and we'll get better and continue to progress."

Two of Alabama's nose guards are dealing with injuries up: Brandon Ivory (projected starter) and Wilson Love.

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Comments

InEnemyTerritory

PIE!



| 12 years 10 months #

I'll add an interesting tidbit from Ivan Maisel on his 3 pt stance blurbs...

Alabama missed being a unanimous No. 1 in the initial AP poll by two votes. While Im sure Crimson Tide fans are proud -- and probably arrogant -- it pays to beware group think (see USC, circa 2012). The biggest issue Alabama has is the loss of leadership on the offensive line. Barrett Jones, D.J. Fluker and Chance Warmack had experience in big games, and had played enough ball to make adjustments on the fly. Given the slim margin of the Tides victories over LSU and Georgia, that asset will be missed.

My first reaction was "probably arrogant"???..and as we know, OL play is critical to your offense moving the ball.

PMS208 | 12 years 10 months # ^

OL play is also critical to keeping your QB off his duff and not throwing picks.