Every year for several now there has been post after post of our poor pass rush or lack of sacks, etc. Here is my .02 cents worth on the topic and since I have played, coached and watched the game of football for 30+ years I feel like i have a pretty decent technical, practical and creative knowledge of all aspects of the game. Since Saban has arrived we have not had what most would call a dominant pass rusher from a statistical glance. Think about this for a minute. Do you really think Saban does not know how to identify talented pass rushers? Of course not! He is one of the best talent evaluators to ever coach in college. So there has to be other reasons.
First, we can argue all day long whether sacks or QB pressure is more important. They both can be very effective and productive for a defense. It starts out with the fact we run a 3-4 defense so our ends tend to be larger than most teams ends who run a 4-3. Sure we use a Jack/LB hybrid as well. But you have to remember even this type player is not a pure pass rusher in most cases. They are usually smaller, faster and more talented players that can rush,run stop and cover WR's. So they are not lining up on the line everyday working on their pass rushing skills 100%.
Second, why dont we seem to get the top pass rush recruits year in and year out. Once again this is mostly because of Saban's defensive philosophy and scheme. He wants players to play gap control and assignment responsible football. Not pin their ears back every play to sack the QB. Most top pass rush recruits have a "me first attitude". They want the big sack numbers and dont care about the 90% of the time when they run themselves out of the play because they are only focussed on the QB. Therefore, those type players look for a 4-3 team with less handcuffs on their position responsibilities.
Third, you may think this one is not important but its huge for a Saban defensive player. Saban wants talented and skilled players of course but he wants "team players" and "intelligent" players on the defensive side of the ball. This also limits some talented recruits and is the reason we see so many talented recruits on the defensive side of the ball never make the field or contribute. You have to have both talent and smarts to play defense for Saban.
IMO we will never have a pass rusher at Bama under Saban who averages 12-15+ sacks a year. Its just not how he wants to play the game. And his way has been as successful as anyones!
First, we can argue all day long whether sacks or QB pressure is more important. They both can be very effective and productive for a defense. It starts out with the fact we run a 3-4 defense so our ends tend to be larger than most teams ends who run a 4-3. Sure we use a Jack/LB hybrid as well. But you have to remember even this type player is not a pure pass rusher in most cases. They are usually smaller, faster and more talented players that can rush,run stop and cover WR's. So they are not lining up on the line everyday working on their pass rushing skills 100%.
Second, why dont we seem to get the top pass rush recruits year in and year out. Once again this is mostly because of Saban's defensive philosophy and scheme. He wants players to play gap control and assignment responsible football. Not pin their ears back every play to sack the QB. Most top pass rush recruits have a "me first attitude". They want the big sack numbers and dont care about the 90% of the time when they run themselves out of the play because they are only focussed on the QB. Therefore, those type players look for a 4-3 team with less handcuffs on their position responsibilities.
Third, you may think this one is not important but its huge for a Saban defensive player. Saban wants talented and skilled players of course but he wants "team players" and "intelligent" players on the defensive side of the ball. This also limits some talented recruits and is the reason we see so many talented recruits on the defensive side of the ball never make the field or contribute. You have to have both talent and smarts to play defense for Saban.
IMO we will never have a pass rusher at Bama under Saban who averages 12-15+ sacks a year. Its just not how he wants to play the game. And his way has been as successful as anyones!
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