Tide could get even younger at linebacker, and soon

October 08, 2009

By Ken Rogers

Kentucky picked up more yards on the ground than any Alabama opponent last Saturday.

So was it the Wildcats’ offense or was it the Crimson Tide adjusting to life without Dont’a Hightower?

It may have been some of both, although the answer to that key question will take more shape Saturday at Ole Miss.

Alabama’s linebacker rotation was OK, but far from the shutdown unit it had been in the first four games.

“We did not stop the run as well as we would have liked to. We didn’t create the situations that we wanted to create,” coach Nick Saban said. “We have to get back to striking people up front and getting off blocks, playing gap-discipline and tackling people better.”

Saban said Cory Reamer, who moved from the sam linebacker spot inside to Hightower’s will position, Eryk Anders, who moved from the jack post to the sam, and Courtney Upshaw, who started for the first time at the jack, will likely be back in those roles against Ole Miss.

“I think they all did a good job in what they did. I think we need to improve in all those positions for us to continue to get better defensively,” Saban said. “I don’t think we pass rushed particularly well in this game. I think they got us off balance early in the game by running the ball on third down and I don’t think we got in the groove of things relative to pressure.”

The coach hinted he sees this alignment as a band-aid, not a cure. He stressed the need for young linebacker talent to develop.

“We need to get more players involved on defense,” Saban said. “I think we need to coach more players, we’ve got to get some young players ready to play because they may get the opportunity to play.”

Alabama could take the redshirt off Tana Patrick. Converted running back Chris Jordan has played in relief of middle linebacker Rolando McClain. Nico Johnson has worked at both inside linebacker spots.

“They’re all making progress. Tana (Patrick) is making progress; Nico
(Johnson) is making progress. We’re really working Nico at both mike and
will, so his learning curve is a little heavier than the rest of the guys.
But they are all doing fine and all are probably going to have to play at
some point.”

Suspended linebacker Jerrell Harris becomes eligible next week against South Carolina.