The Alabama Defense Under DeBoer / Wommack / Linguist

[gtgilbert]

My impression is Wommack doesn't run the 3-4. I realize we weren't always in it cause we were in the nickel a lot, but seems like if there was a desire to stay with that system, we wouldn't have hired someone who is known for running a 4-2-5.

Think I like the most is his system sounds like a more player-friendly/easier to pick up for the new players whether freshmen/portalies.

I'd say we ran the 3-4 less than 10 snaps the entire 2023 season. It stopped being our base defense as far back as 2010-2011.

B1G is right that Sabans base defense had morphed into a nickel. It was a flex nickel, but a vast majority of the time it operated like a 4-2.

That said, regardless of alignment, there are different philosophies that may change in how the front operates together. i.e. Saban did prefer a 2 gap style of DL play, even in nickel, where each DL had to stack, spy and shed to effectively play multiple gaps and let the LBs try to flow more to the ball. Many DCs who use a 4 man front will play more one gap. I've no idea what the new DC tends to play.

 

[BamaMoon]

I'd say we ran the 3-4 less than 10 snaps the entire 2023 season. It stopped being our base defense as far back as 2010-2011.

B1G is right that Sabans base defense had morphed into a nickel. It was a flex nickel, but a vast majority of the time it operated like a 4-2.

That said, regardless of alignment, there are different philosophies that may change in how the front operates together. i.e. Saban did prefer a 2 gap style of DL play, even in nickel, where each DL had to stack, spy and shed to effectively play multiple gaps and let the LBs try to flow more to the ball. Many DCs who use a 4 man front will play more one gap. I've no idea what the new DC tends to play.

OK for us trying to improve our understanding of defensive terms/strategy, explain the difference in 2 gap and 1 gap?

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I've heard (Warren Sapp specifically) that having DT's play two gap is hard and players who can effectively do it are just as hard to find.

 

[BamaMoon]

I've heard (Warren Sapp specifically) that having DT's play two gap is hard and players who can effectively do it are just as hard to find.

So my understanding of CNS's defense is it was very dependent on LB play as the front 3 basically tied up the OL blocking for them to make plays.

But, one of the things that seemed to happen very often is our LBs would struggle in pass coverage and at times seem lost in doing so.

I don't know if this has anything to do with the 3-4 scheme, 2 gap scheme or it's more about the complexity of the CNS's defense.

Again, just trying to understand this better.

 

[gtgilbert]

OK for us trying to improve our understanding of defensive terms/strategy, explain the difference in 2 gap and 1 gap?

Cliff note version:

2 gap means that the DL will take on the OL, strike him in the shoulders/chest and grab 2 handfuls of whatever he can and do everything possible to hold his spot, while looking over/around the OL to see where the play is flowing. Then the DL has to shed the OL (beat the block) to get into the gap where the ball is going. Essentially, the DL is covering '2 gaps', one on each side of the OL.

In a 1 gap, every player is assigned a single gap, meaning the DL will play into a gap, and also the LBs, and often the star have a single gap they are responsible for.

 

[BamaMoon]

Cliff note version:

2 gap means that the DL will take on the OL, strike him in the shoulders/chest and grab 2 handfuls of whatever he can and do everything possible to hold his spot, while looking over/around the OL to see where the play is flowing. Then the DL has to shed the OL (beat the block) to get into the gap where the ball is going. Essentially, the DL is covering '2 gaps', one on each side of the OL.

In a 1 gap, every player is assigned a single gap, meaning the DL will play into a gap, and also the LBs, and often the star have a single gap they are responsible for.

That helps a bunch! I can see why 2-gap takes special talent!

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

Cliff note version:

2 gap means that the DL will take on the OL, strike him in the shoulders/chest and grab 2 handfuls of whatever he can and do everything possible to hold his spot, while looking over/around the OL to see where the play is flowing. Then the DL has to shed the OL (beat the block) to get into the gap where the ball is going. Essentially, the DL is covering '2 gaps', one on each side of the OL.

In a 1 gap, every player is assigned a single gap, meaning the DL will play into a gap, and also the LBs, and often the star have a single gap they are responsible for.

Thanks for explaining that.

Yeah, 1-gap would make it tons easier for our guys to attack rather than react!

 

[gtgilbert]

So my understanding of CNS's defense is it was very dependent on LB play as the front 3 basically tied up the OL blocking for them to make plays.

But, one of the things that seemed to happen very often is our LBs would struggle in pass coverage and at times seem lost in doing so.

I don't know if this has anything to do with the 3-4 scheme, 2 gap scheme or it's more about the complexity of the CNS's defense.

Again, just trying to understand this better.

First point was true a long time ago, but not quite as much now.

LBs getting lost in coverage was a thing for sure, but didn't have anything to do with the alignment (3-4 versus our base nickel) or gap style. The coverage call is actually separate from ALL that. A lot of coverage busts were the pattern matching concept Saban used, where if the calls are not seamless, guys get free or if player A reads one pattern, but player B reads it differently, they end up not on the same page.

 

[gtgilbert]

That helps a bunch! I can see why 2-gap takes special talent!

It's a big reason why the NFL has taken so many Bama DL. A guy who can play 2 gap, can almost always also play 1 gap, but the reverse is not true at all. We've played a bit of both over the years, but have always kinda held onto the 2gap training mentality to make sure our guys could do both.

 

[99ALUM]

First point was true a long time ago, but not quite as much now.

LBs getting lost in coverage was a thing for sure, but didn't have anything to do with the alignment (3-4 versus our base nickel) or gap style. The coverage call is actually separate from ALL that. A lot of coverage busts were the pattern matching concept Saban used, where if the calls are not seamless, guys get free or if player A reads one pattern, but player B reads it differently, they end up not on the same page.

Would this have played into the fact that in 17 years I don’t think the Bama D ever accounted for the TE?

 

[CoolBreeze]

There is a pretty good piece on the D Wommack brings to T-Town by the Athletic. You will have to create a free account to read the whole thing but it is worth it:

Breaking down Kane Wommack's system at South Alabama, fit with Alabama

The latest Alabama football film study takes a look at Wommack’s defense, including terminology, tendencies and personnel fits.

theathletic.com

What you need to know about Wommack’s system

The foundation of Wommack’s defense is the 4-2-5, differing from Saban’s 3-4 base, although that system evolved during Saban’s tenure. Common terms under Saban included Star, Sam, Jack, Mike and Money. Those terms will be replaced with Bandit, Sting, Wolf, Husky and Rover under Wommack. Here’s a description for each term:

• Bandit: Defensive end — think Justin Eboigbe. This player can stand up at the line of scrimmage and rush the passer, whether it’s the defensive end or edges such as Chris Braswell and Dallas Turner lining up on opposite sides with two down linemen in between them. (Nose tackle and defensive tackle go by the same names under Wommack.)
• Sting — The weakside linebacker, which will be Jihaad Campbell. The Mike (middle) linebacker, Deontae Lawson, has the same name under Wommack.
• Wolf — The strongside linebacker/edge defender that Alabama fans know as Sam, which was Dallas Turner’s role last season.
• Husky — The Star position, which was manned by Malachi Moore last season.
• Rover — The strong safety or Jaylen Key’s position last year. There are times when the strong or free safety is a single-high safety, but the Rover mostly plays closer to the formation and has more man coverage responsibilities.

Also of note, Wommack’s system utilizes a starting boundary cornerback and a field cornerback: The boundary corner takes the short side of the field from the hash mark to the sidelines while the field corner covers the wide side from the hash mark where the ball is spotted. This is a stark difference from Saban defenses that played the two cornerbacks exclusively on the left or right side.

 

[TXPachyderm]

Wommack said, “We always dreamed about doing it together and had no idea that this would be the opportunity, but it just feels like the stars have aligned for a number of us to go do something really special at Alabama,”

Wommack’s defenses are known for their aggressiveness. As said, the goal of the D-Line will be to create chaos and rally to the ball.

 

[CoolBreeze]

This is a pretty good piece if you want to know more about our new DC:

Why Kane Wommack is the man Tom Allen handpicked to run IU's defense

He was Tom Allen’s handpicked successor to run the defense — the man Allen now needs to rebuild that defense around a promising core of young talent.

www.indystar.com

 

[gtgilbert]

There is a pretty good piece on the D Wommack brings to T-Town by the Athletic. You will have to create a free account to read the whole thing but it is worth it:

Breaking down Kane Wommack's system at South Alabama, fit with Alabama

The latest Alabama football film study takes a look at Wommack’s defense, including terminology, tendencies and personnel fits.

theathletic.com

What you need to know about Wommack’s system

The foundation of Wommack’s defense is the 4-2-5, differing from Saban’s 3-4 base, although that system evolved during Saban’s tenure. Common terms under Saban included Star, Sam, Jack, Mike and Money. Those terms will be replaced with Bandit, Sting, Wolf, Husky and Rover under Wommack. Here’s a description for each term:

• Bandit: Defensive end — think Justin Eboigbe. This player can stand up at the line of scrimmage and rush the passer, whether it’s the defensive end or edges such as Chris Braswell and Dallas Turner lining up on opposite sides with two down linemen in between them. (Nose tackle and defensive tackle go by the same names under Wommack.)
• Sting — The weakside linebacker, which will be Jihaad Campbell. The Mike (middle) linebacker, Deontae Lawson, has the same name under Wommack.
• Wolf — The strongside linebacker/edge defender that Alabama fans know as Sam, which was Dallas Turner’s role last season.
• Husky — The Star position, which was manned by Malachi Moore last season.
• Rover — The strong safety or Jaylen Key’s position last year. There are times when the strong or free safety is a single-high safety, but the Rover mostly plays closer to the formation and has more man coverage responsibilities.

Also of note, Wommack’s system utilizes a starting boundary cornerback and a field cornerback: The boundary corner takes the short side of the field from the hash mark to the sidelines while the field corner covers the wide side from the hash mark where the ball is spotted. This is a stark difference from Saban defenses that played the two cornerbacks exclusively on the left or right side.

These terms shake out some memories. When at Alabama, Bill Curry used Bandit and Rover as position names also. There was also a 'Strike'. Bandit and Strike were kinda OLB roles, while Rover was the SS. Ran a bear front most of the time. Something old and something new I guess.

 

[mlh]

Wommack said, “We always dreamed about doing it together and had no idea that this would be the opportunity, but it just feels like the stars have aligned for a number of us to go do something really special at Alabama,”

Wommack’s defenses are known for their aggressiveness. As said, the goal of the D-Line will be to create chaos and rally to the ball.

I like that concept.

 

[TXPachyderm]

For Rivals members, but displays a lot.

Getting To Know Mo Linguist, Part 1: What Makes Him An Ace Recruiter?

We spoke to 6 people close to Mo Linguist who explain why the new U-M co-DC is one of the best recruiters in the game.

michigan.rivals.com

Wow, Meatchick’n’s loopers & yoopers were absolutely in love with Linguist when he was in Ann Arbor.

(co-DC / CBs) Linguist born in Dallas, played at Baylor, and brings significant recruiting in-roads to Texas with stops in VA, GA & MS.

(DC) Wommack born in Missouri, played at Arkansas / S. Miss. and brings great recruiting in-roads to Alabama via Jax St., UofSA, with stops in TN & MS.

UA sells itself with all that’s in place! Also, BAMA with Wommack & Linguist, plus DeBoer’s potent offense, should keep UA effectively recruiting defense in the South and continuing the previous tradition of attracting select TX blue-chippers, giving Sark even more competition.

 

[gtgilbert]

So this thread and the possible depth chart thread got me thinking. There are some guys on the roster who this shift likely benefits, and some roles that are going to get compressed - i.e. does not benefit them.

Here's how I see it:

What we had as two separate roles, Jack and Sam OLBs, seems to be consolidated down into a single role, the Wolf (I really hope that name changes). That would seem to mean we'll have a logjam of dudes in this spot. Koht, Robinson, Keeley, Pierre, Russaw and Alexander were all kinda in these spots, but if it's really the 'light' edge, it's probably Keeley and then a fight for #2. Koht, Robinson and Pierre need weight to play more like smaller DEs. Alexander might be moving inside anyway, and it wouldn't shock me if that was also Russaws future role given the scheme change. I feel for Robinson, who fought back from a major injury in HS to be able to contribute the last couple of years, but in this scheme he's likely a situational pass rusher, unless he also slides to ILB, which he did play some, but then he's competing against two returning starters.

Where we had 3 "big" roles for DL, there are now only two. One of our 'bigs', was kinda a not as big of a big though. The DTs and NTs stay that way, and some of the bigger 'DL' guys we have now will shift inside.

Where it get interesting is the 'bandit' role. That seems to be more of a pure DE, so not really an OLB, but also not a 290-310 pound guy. That opens opportunity for some of our guys who were kinda tweaners for Saban to have a defined role. I'm thinking Perry, Renaud, Latham, Hill, and Osborne all seem to fit here, likely better than they had fits in the old scheme. The transfer, Overton, seems like the perfect fit here.

So here's a totally wild guess as to how it plays out - positional changes noted in RED


"Wolf" (hopefully we stick with 'Jack', or maybe use 'Buck' like a lot of teams)
31-Keon Keeley, RFr.
90-Jordan Renaud, RFr.
42-Yhonzae Pierre, RFr.

situational only pass rush
19-Keanu Koht, Jr.
34-Quandarrius Robinson, Sr.

LDT
93-Jah-Marien Latham, Sr. (more inside role versus the Eboigbe type role he was slated for, but could also be the #1 Bandit)
96-Tim Keenan, Jr.
91-Jaheim Oatis, Jr.
44-Damon Payne Jr., Jr.

RDT
50-Tim Smith, Sr.
47-James Smith, So.
94-Edric Hill, RFr. (like latham, shift to pure inside role)

"Bandit"
##-L.T. Overton, Jr.
97-Khurtiss Perry, So
33-Hunter Osborne RFr

WLB
30-Jihaad Campbell, So.
28-Jordan Jefferson, Sr.
##-Cayden Jones, Fr.

MLB
32-Deontae Lawson, Jr.
35-Jeremiah Alexander, So.
49-Qua Russaw, RFr.
##-Sterling Dixon, Fr.

FCB
##-Domani Jackson, Jr.
##-Zavier Mincey, Fr.
##-Zabien Brown, Fr.

FS
18-Brayson Hubbard, So.
##-Rydarrius Morgan, Fr.
48-Prince Butler, So.

"Husky" also hope this name changes
13-Malachi Moore, Sr.
##-Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., Fr.

SS
8-Devonta Smith, Jr.
27-Tony Mitchell, So.
##-Peyton Woodyard, Fr.

BCB
25-Jahlil Hurley, RFr.
##-Jaylen Mbakwe, Fr.
38-Alijah May, Sr.

 

[B1GTide]

So this thread and the possible depth chart thread got me thinking. There are some guys on the roster who this shift likely benefits, and some roles that are going to get compressed - i.e. does not benefit them.

Here's how I see it:

What we had as two separate roles, Jack and Sam OLBs, seems to be consolidated down into a single role, the Wolf (I really hope that name changes). That would seem to mean we'll have a logjam of dudes in this spot. Koht, Robinson, Keeley, Pierre, Russaw and Alexander were all kinda in these spots, but if it's really the 'light' edge, it's probably Keeley and then a fight for #2. Koht, Robinson and Pierre need weight to play more like smaller DEs. Alexander might be moving inside anyway, and it wouldn't shock me if that was also Russaws future role given the scheme change. I feel for Robinson, who fought back from a major injury in HS to be able to contribute the last couple of years, but in this scheme he's likely a situational pass rusher, unless he also slides to ILB, which he did play some, but then he's competing against two returning starters.

Where we had 3 "big" roles for DL, there are now only two. One of our 'bigs', was kinda a not as big of a big though. The DTs and NTs stay that way, and some of the bigger 'DL' guys we have now will shift inside.

Where it get interesting is the 'bandit' role. That seems to be more of a pure DE, so not really an OLB, but also not a 290-310 pound guy. That opens opportunity for some of our guys who were kinda tweaners for Saban to have a defined role. I'm thinking Perry, Renaud, Latham, Hill, and Osborne all seem to fit here, likely better than they had fits in the old scheme. The transfer, Overton, seems like the perfect fit here.

So here's a totally wild guess as to how it plays out - positional changes noted in RED


"Wolf" (hopefully we stick with 'Jack', or maybe use 'Buck' like a lot of teams)
31-Keon Keeley, RFr.
90-Jordan Renaud, RFr.
42-Yhonzae Pierre, RFr.

situational only pass rush
19-Keanu Koht, Jr.
34-Quandarrius Robinson, Sr.

LDT
93-Jah-Marien Latham, Sr. (more inside role versus the Eboigbe type role he was slated for, but could also be the #1 Bandit)
96-Tim Keenan, Jr.
91-Jaheim Oatis, Jr.
44-Damon Payne Jr., Jr.

RDT
50-Tim Smith, Sr.
47-James Smith, So.
94-Edric Hill, RFr. (like latham, shift to pure inside role)

"Bandit"
##-L.T. Overton, Jr.
97-Khurtiss Perry, So
33-Hunter Osborne RFr

WLB
30-Jihaad Campbell, So.
28-Jordan Jefferson, Sr.
##-Cayden Jones, Fr.

MLB
32-Deontae Lawson, Jr.
35-Jeremiah Alexander, So.
49-Qua Russaw, RFr.
##-Sterling Dixon, Fr.

FCB
##-Domani Jackson, Jr.
##-Zavier Mincey, Fr.
##-Zabien Brown, Fr.

FS
18-Brayson Hubbard, So.
##-Rydarrius Morgan, Fr.
48-Prince Butler, So.

"Husky" also hope this name changes
13-Malachi Moore, Sr.
##-Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., Fr.

SS
8-Devonta Smith, Jr.
27-Tony Mitchell, So.
##-Peyton Woodyard, Fr.

BCB
25-Jahlil Hurley, RFr.
##-Jaylen Mbakwe, Fr.
38-Alijah May, Sr.

Thanks, that helps me translate.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

5-start talent coming into the secondary

According to this article, we have four 5-stars coming into our secondary this off season.

 

[twofbyc]

5-start talent coming into the secondary

According to this article, we have four 5-stars coming into our secondary this off season.

On defense, i was most concerned about the DL, even after Amos and Downs leaving.
The guys Saban signed this year, along with the talent in house, seems to me to indicate the secondary (again) will be the strength of the defense, but if this group of linebackers gels, they won’t be far behind.