Alabama All Day: Defensive Notes

by Peter Bean on Dec 23, 2009 12:48 PM CST in Texas Longhorns Football

A few observations watching a quarter and a half of the Crimson Tide defense:

Ever wonder what Sergio Kindle would look like as a player if he were still primarily playing linebacker? Watch Rolando McClain, who possesses a similar blend of unfair speed for such a big body (6-4, 255). Saban asks McClain to do a little bit of everything, and he's clearly the key to the entire unit. Scary to think about this group with Dont'a Hightower, who was lost early in the year to injury. McClain is that one guy Alabama simply cannot afford to lose during the national title game. (Who would that be for Texas? My vote would be for DT Lamarr Houston.)
Alabama's corners are as technically sound as any I've seen this year. Kareem Jackson turns his hips to run so smoothly, allowing him to play press coverage without conceding separation to a receiver on a go downfield. Marquis Johnson might as well be his twin.
Nickelback Javier Arenas is a special athlete, but you can see how eager he is to make big plays. It can be used against him.
Alabama fans have to like what they've got in sophomore DE Marcell Dareus, a bull of an end who reminds me a bit of Eddie Jones.
Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart's style is not what I'd call aggressive; he's giving Nick Saban precisely what Nick Saban wants: a physical, assignment-driven unit that makes the offense execute to move the chains.

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Good stuff PB

Keep it comin.

by HornFan55 on Dec 23, 2009 12:55 PM CST reply actions

You

are one of the first opposing fans I have seen mention Dareus when talking about our defense. I think Dareus is very underrated. He is our best pass rusher and has a great motor.

This upcoming season I'm gonna refer to Julio Jones as "The Magic Man" and Trent Richardson as "El Diablo"

by AlabamaTitans2009 on Dec 23, 2009 12:55 PM CST reply actions

I remember Mack saying something during his Monday news conference

about not showing the players everything at the same time. I can see why.

GD better have an OU-’08 type game plan up his sleeve. Thanks, PB. Depressing in its way, but thanks.

by edsp on Dec 23, 2009 1:06 PM CST reply actions

marquis is the feel-good story of the defense this year

he became an object of fan derision when he was torched against florida state in 2007. he was part of the whole textbook mess and then a horrible performance in last year’s sec championship game had a lot of folks down on him again.

but instead of caving in, he really stepped up. he has been a force for the defense all year and he’s met the pressure opposing coaches have tried to bring on him after identifying him as the “weak spot” in alabama’s secondary. spurrier to this to absurd lengths calling fade after fade after fade on him and giving the world that tortured grimace of anguish as marquis knocked every one of them down.

his performance in the seccg is less a dramatic change of fortune but the obvious end of a long road back to redemption.

Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.

by kleph on Dec 23, 2009 1:08 PM CST reply actions

also, arenas has improved a great deal this year...

but it is much more noticable on his kick returns. it used to be he would always try to turn nothing into something – and he sometimes did. but other times…

it’s clear the coaches have worked with him over the off season. he has made smarter decisions and, more importantly, fewer bad ones. his stats and highlight reels haven’t been as flashy but coach saban’s blood pressure has probably been lowered significantly as well.

Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.

by kleph on Dec 23, 2009 1:12 PM CST up reply actions

Good call on Arenas

He does try to hard sometimes…almost to a fault.

Auburn fans are like slinkys... not really good for anything but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

by IHC800 on Dec 23, 2009 1:26 PM CST up reply actions

This is a great feature.

I tend bar in Tuscaloosa on the strip and love to talk to opposing fans but having you break down what you see as an outsider gives me an insight that some times I miss from being to close to Bama. I look forward to what I’m sure will be a great game and place very little stock in the Neb. game because you don’t have to look very far back to our Aub. game to see how a rival team can get pumped up and keep you on the ropes. I could not be happier playing Texas, two great traditional powers clashing for all the marbles.

by chinesedentist on Dec 23, 2009 1:19 PM CST reply actions