Question: Does Saban prefer Size over Speed?

[GrandBayTider]

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The SEC has always been known for it's blinding speed especially on the defensive side of the ball. I have seen several comments on other sites about Coach Saban seeming to take a more Big 11 approach to team building going with bigger players at each position possibly sacrificing some speed in the process. Looking over recruits from the last two years it seems like you don't see slow players but none with 4.4 or even sub 4.4 speed, but the size are bigger than normal for the position. Two recruits who follow this approach is Rolondo McLain an Donte Hightower. Exceptional players with great size but as highlighted in the two losses last year thier speed is a handicap in pass coverage where they struggled with crossing patterns. I know everyone would love the 250 lb LB who runs a 4.2 forty and benches 500 pounds but there aren't that many of them, so the question is do you 'cut back' in one area to get another? At Alabama we have seen the speed kill approach work well, I'm wondering are we trying a different approach now?

[Bamafan78]

That's a very good question. It seems to me that Saban does prefer beef over speed. Alabama's defense was great against traditional offenses, but seemed to struggle against good spread teams. Just my opinion.

[BEATtutorsee]

To answer the question simply.......no. I don't believe CNS prefers size over speed, I believe he prefers size with speed.

In all honesty I believe you may be underestimating our team's level of speed. As far as 250 lb LBs who run a 4.2, they simply don't exist. I can't help but be struck with the level of athleticism along with the size of the athletes he's currently stockpiling at Bama, and I in no way believe we're sacrificing anything in the process. If anything, we're only getting bigger and faster. JOMO.

[M2J]

I think Saban love players with size AND speed (Aka the best physical specimen), but in a lot of situations like on the DL ofcourse and LB and S I think he values size and good speed over blazing speed numbers and little guys.

But looking at guys like Fluker (who has great speed for his amazingly big size), Nico, Tana, Dre, Kendall, Bowman from last year's class shows that he values both size and speed and is a good enough recruiter to get both. However, he still goes after the guys like Woodson who isn't exactly huge and pretty good speed at the safety position that can be very physical, or burners like Kenny Bell or from this upcoming class Malone. And went hard after guys like Greg Reid and Branden Smith at the corner position. Though I think physicality is a key when he goes after smaller guys.

[Bamafan78]

Hopefully we will have more speed on the field this fall, because it did seem like to me that we could have used a little more against Florida, and Utah. I thought overall that we did a pretty good job to adjusting to Utah after the 1st quarter.

[gamersfuel]

thats not the case IMO. Most of the players we've signed with Saban are physically light years ahead of most high school football players. thats what i think he prefers over anything. if ur fast thats icing on the cake but u have to be phsyical. and the utah florida games had nothing to do with speed. we lost those games because we couldnt cover their 3rd and 4th WR's. and sometimes 1st and 2nd. but dre kirkpatrick said those days are over so all is well on that front.

[CapstoneGrad06]

I believe he loves size for his team, as Alabama is quite larger than most teams we play. However, I think that with that he wants speed as well.

[NATidefan]

As far as the size vs. speed ratio of our defense, I think we have made an upgrade in size and stayed about the same in speed. Don't confuse our losses to Florida and Utah as being results of weakness in speed or size. We lost those games(mainly utah, florida we did ok with until the end) on the defensive side of the ball due to execution. It wasn't that we didn't have the speed or physical talent to win, it's that they beat us cause they came out and executed better than we did. The no huddle killed us cause we couldn't get personal in and out, got confused as to what were doing, who was covering who, etc. That's not because of physical ability or speed, that's not haveing mental intensity, not being prepared, just straight up not executing. And that can be attributed to the players and coaches.

That along with our offense not executing either and being able to give the defense a break to refocus.

[nivekstan]

I don't think he prefers one over the other. Fortunately in today's game, you can have both. I think you could add a third category, athleticism. Some guys look good in the weight room and have low 40 times, but when they have to change direction and move laterally they just can't do it.

[dWarriors88]

	Quote:	GrandBayTider
	...Looking over recruits from the last two years it seems like you don't see slow players but none with 4.4 or even sub 4.4 speed...

This always seems to be one of my pet peeves, there are NOT that many 4.4 runners in college football. Isn't it amazing how EVERY football recruit runs a 4.4, but when they hit the NFL, it seems as if the average is 4.5 and 4.6

[russtang]

I think it depends on what position you're talking about. He may prefer speed over size for one and vice-versa for another.

I think "athleticism" may be more important at some positions, as stated above.

Something else to think about is "situational" or role-players, if you will.

I think that is becoming more common in college football.

I believe one thing coach Saban likes in ALL his players is power between the ears.

[GreatDanish]

I do not think that is the question he asks. He took commitments from Kenny Bell, Robby Green, and Marquis Maze, none of whom are blessed with great size. But, they fulfill a role on the team.
While it may be obvious, I think it comes down to "Can I use them?"
But, I do think Saban places a high value on toughness, both physical and mental. That often correlates with size, but not always. Rashad Johnson was a tough dude whose size was less than optimal. We've had a few big guys who were jelly beans over the years.

[kausman]

I think he just wants all round great athletes. Guys that he can pluck and place in different positions on the field, depending on what is needed.