The Very Basics of Alabama's New 4-2-5 Defense

[@jsonb417]

I’m a big fan of the 4-2-5. It’s all I run on NCAA 14.

[@Dr_Dan7982]

I’ve done a lot of Saban scheme studies and I can tell you it majority a 2-4-5 defense with a. 4-2-5 look , he used outside Edge rushers as lineman because of how fast college football is now and more Dual threat QB’s are in the game , sometimes he’ll show a 3-3-5 look but not a traditional 3-3-5 where everyone sitting back .

[@gregcrowder7809]

Great job guys sorry I wasn't around for the live show enjoyed watching

[@MikeMulligan-d4v]

Great content guys very simplified ..

[@same3210]

Great content again!

[@louieo.blevinsmusic2011]

I dig the 4-2-5. Rlly helps that no one even comes close to recruiting/developing the caliber of Edge/OLB we have. It also kills the inside running game and with the type of athleticism we have on D, as we’ll usually have few kids meet ‘em on the outside. The kid we just landed the day before yesterday (D.Smith) is a perfect fit for the R/S role.Justin Jefferson would’ve been ideal had he been moved position. Can play WR, DB and had 11 sacks at edge his jr year. So M.Moore and Sabb, the two most experienced and have NC rings. (Could’ve sworn Wommack’s havoc rate was low at 12%?)

[@byrondcarroll]

I need more volume.

[@teaguestake]

We’ve gotten a few comments like this. On my recording station and when playing back on my phone, I haven’t run into this issue. Can you tell me what kind of device you are using? I’m trying to figure out what the issue could be.

[@teaguestake]

better question, is it JT, George, or the show overall?

[@carlosphillips3]

I can hear... loud and clearly

[@bigtsshackfestival9563]

Me too. Just an I phone is all I use

[@Rageousss]

Against Michigan Caleb Downs allowed their 1st TD and the late 4th&2 Conversion on the Michigan 33 Yard Line late in the 4th that if stopped might have sent Alabama to the Natty, but the conversion ended up leading to TD in which was also Downs Fault for being Misaligned on not covering his Man. The 1st TD and 4th Down Conversion was by the RB running out of the Backfield and not picked up by Downs…. The other TD was just not knowing what to do

[@louieo.blevinsmusic2011]

He was mediocre in coverage. Sabb is an upgrade IMO

[@Rageousss]

@@louieo.blevinsmusic2011 Early in the Year he had some bust in coverage with Texas being the only game he truly struggled till Michigan. His overall Coverage Grade was a 91/100 and a 97/100 if you takeaway the Texas and Michigan Game. The average Coverage Rating among all CFB SS/FS was 83/100. Downs is Generational Talent and a huge loss. The fact that he was able to start in Nick Saban’s Defense as a Freshman which is something only a few players have done because of how complicated Saban’s Scheme is due to the responsibilities like: Checks, Adjustments, Alignments, Identifying who you will pick up if the WR Route brings them your way, and ETC. Eddie Jackson, Arnold, Avery, and ETC all had some struggles in Coverage at first and look what they became. The last thing I’ll say regarding what makes him a Generational Talent is it’s rare to come across a Player, especially a SS/FS who can: - Run Stop and Open Field Tackle like a SS. - Play Zone, Roam the Field, and bait QB’s like a FS. - Play Man to Man like a Corner. Only Bama SS/FS that did that at an elite level was: Jackson, Harrison, Minkah, Cliton-Dix, Collins, Thompson. Downs played near perfect with the exception of 2 Games and easily could have wound up being one of the best Defensive Players to come through Alabama as he did lead the team in tackles breaking a School Record

[@craigwooden7649]

Bama has not been a true 3-4 defense in years due to the RPO type offenses.

[@dewayneholliday4278]

You can be multiple with the 4-2-5 get your outside linebackers line them up at end as the rushers due to the passing offenses in the sec you got to play a 4-2-5 but u can be multiple that’s my opinion

[@Rageousss]

I genuinely surprised Caleb Downs transferred. I understand that he came because of Saban and TROB, but the fact that Saban is still involved with the Program AND not only is he “impressed”, but also 100% Supportive of the new Defensive Scheme screams volumes! Additionally the fact that Saban isn’t “Full Blown Walking away” means he’s there for any advice, still a coach because I’m sure if Downs asked him for a Report on where he’s at that Saban would love to grade him, and the fact that Saban is still involved means he will 100% still be reliable source whenever NFL Teams are interested in Players and call him for a Report Card like they have for 17 Years. Additionally IMO TROB’s best Strength is Recruiting then DB Coach and that’s it saying he’s a bad one. A lot of Rumors have gone around since he officially entered the Portal that he didn’t want to leave and it was his Dad that made him. It’s also interesting that apparently he’s not enrolled into Classes at OSU which is odd if true.

[@louieo.blevinsmusic2011]

Same reason Dezz Ricks left. He wanted to be coached by Saban. I know there’s been a rumor about Downs that’s unfounded. But now there’s a legit rumor of another player not from OSU or Fl St. I’m thinking Dezz may come back.

[@AntwonCourington]

Dad Wommack came up with the term Husky back at Southern Miss with the Nasty Bunch defenses in the mid-late 90s. Tyrone Nix continued the trends in the early 00s at Southern Miss. I’m interested to see if they bring back the DLine movement presnap

[@themob955]

Georgia do that

[@pastorkevinsanders]

I still remember that '92 defense.

[@stanleygibson1257]

In the game vs Miami they put 11 defenders on the line and put massive pressure on the hurricanes QB

[@pastorkevinsanders]

@@stanleygibson1257 Yes--I remember that! Miami had no idea how to respond to that.

[@lolsquad5632]

Can we do this for every team in the SEC so that the focus isnt solely on Bama...i want to assure you that THEY are watching...just. saying sir..Roll Tide Roll

[@f8ta1ity54]

Buffalo is a great example of a 4-2-5 base in the NFL.

[@FlairVSSavage]

Also known as the big nickel I love this defense

[@thafunk5ive]

you put your 3tech to the strength of the back, why? what if the back was in pistol and the ball in the middle of field, where would you determine the strength in a 2x2? what determines your strength, field or pass strength? so many questions sorry …

[@teaguestake]

3Tech goes to the strength of the formation, our day 1 rules are if the formation is balanced, which we would consider 10Pers 2x2 as balanced we set the strength to the field. So the back being to that side is purely coincidental. We can change how we call the strength week to week but for simplicity it’s to the TE, to the strength of the formation, or to the field in that order.

[@ttownhondo]

Personnel wise this would be 2 DL 4 LB and 5 db in base ?

[@teaguestake]

You can have many personnel packages in this. The base would be 4 DL 2 LB 5DB. What you described is common, Jim Leonard and Dave Aranda(?) calls what you described, Peso. But schematically that would be a 2-4-5 not a 4-2-5 but numbers don’t really matter if the principles are the same.

[@ttownhondo]

@@teaguestake Thanks

[@ChrisCamp-i3q]

What was the great 92 defense George I thought it was a 4-3

[@teaguestake]

We did play a 4-3 base defense but vs teams like Miami we played a lot more nickel and dime packages because of their passing game and personnel packages.

[@joeyphillips1181]

Alabama's defense the last few years has always confused me because it seemed like an odd defense.. 4-3 & 4-2-5 has always just been simpler to me than odd defense has been..

[@robertmosher7418]

Why would the 4-2-5 be an issue vs big running backs/Oline? The Mike and Will just have to fill their gaps during run fits or the line must stunt and backers scrap to fill the bubbles. The Rover and Safety/Sam/Nickle player have to read their keys with a read step towards the LOS to ensure their force responsibility is met before moving to a hook/curl to flat responsibility when playing the Free in the post alignment to close the middle. I would have every linebacker and safety type player take that read step forward. Corners being the only exception.

[@teaguestake]

I don’t think it is, personally. I base out of it myself and play my safeties closer to the ball but scooch out. But overall seems like we would play it the same way. Now I’m basing out of Quarters rather than MOFC. So there is a little bit of a difference on how to accomplish certain things, but it’s paramount those safeties get in to help with the run.

[@jamesoliver6625]

Just go watch what the Big 12 has had to adopt over the last 8 to 10 years to combat the spread and superspread offenses and has initiated the positionless defensive backfield (including LBs) trend. Interior DL asked to control two gaps.

[@teaguestake]

You don’t 2-gap with even spacing, typically

[@carlosphillips3]

​@@teaguestake🎯

[@BaNgInHeAdS]

@@teaguestake The 3 tech and the 5 that is on the side of the Nose are typically 2 gap defenders in this defense. That is how they can stop the run while leaving DBs out of the box to defend the pass.

[@TheOG_42]

Big nickel(4-2) Bama ran 90% of the time the last 4 years.

[@Myway215]

Also, you guys that are concerned about the down block on the DT.....why not just slant the whole D Line?

[@teaguestake]

Slanting doesn’t always solve the issue. You can be slanting in the direction away from the down block which just helps the offense because you are going where they want you to. Or you slant into a down block only for a 1 Tech to get beat by a trap play. With anything you have to choose your spots, there is no magic bullet.

[@Myway215]

@teaguestake Thanks for responding, that makes alot of since but I was proposing slant in the opposite direction of the down block. Say if the tackle blocking down and the DT first step is flat opposite of the direction of the tackle is stepping down too then that's a easy win for the DT. He gets pentration and the Olineman and not only that he just used the tackle to clog up there own hole

[@Myway215]

Good convo.....turned it off once the one guy said as a d coordinator he doesn't like to blitz 😅

[@teaguestake]

Blitzing leaves holes behind the blitz and a lot of defensive coordinators blitz just for the sake of blitzing. Bringing players into the wrong area and actually blitzing them out of the play. I actually prefer to change the picture post snap and not guess when blitzing. That’s why we blitz the formation (BTF). But we are not going to bring pressure anywhere near 50% of the time. I prefer to let my players make plays.

[@Myway215]

@teaguestake blitzing can indeed leave holes but you sacrifice that for penetration into the back field. Blitzing has to be methodical though meaning show it sometimes and don't blitz, don't show it sometimes and still blitz, stunting d lineman, and etc. I just believe in confusing the heck out of the offensive line. I also believe the best pass defense is the pass rush.

[@BrutusJrThe3rd]

@@Myway215 I agree. Gotta speed up the clock & attack protections every now and then.

[@TPMAKHOME]

Will the new D coordinator have the D line 2 gap?

[@teaguestake]

No, a 4-2-5 is an even front, which means even spacing. By definition, each D Linemen is in a single gap. 2 gapping happens more commonly in Odd fronts (30 fronts).

[@bobmarstonmusic1944]

Bro said two 5s a 3 and a 1 = even front. Just X’s and O’s🎯

[@jeffreygallahar4650]

Hard to hear you guys without Bluetooth. Roll tide

[@teaguestake]

When watching it back on my phone the volume seems fine for me. Can you tell me the device you are using?

[@teaguestake]

better question, is it JT, George, or the show overall?

[@enicogordon]

It's really setup the same as the 3-5

[@teaguestake]

Not really, that’s an odd front, the spacing is fundamentally different

[@enicogordon]

4-3 ur just make the middle lb a hybrid safety

[@kingdavid4064]

It's the same thing 3-4 & 4-2

[@teaguestake]

No it’s not, one’s an odd front the other is an even front, how you fit the run varies differently and how offenses block the front varies.

[@jirkapaidar3516]

😁 Promo>SM

[@pc3244]

it can't be a 4-3-5 that's 12 players, are you guys kidding me!

[@teaguestake]

I encourage you to read the thumbnail or title again.

[@pc3244]

@@teaguestake i re-watched both of you say 4-3-5 defense to make sure what i was hearing. i suggest you both either say what you mean or have better quality control.

[@AntCastillo]

@@pc3244they said that base even defensive structures are viewed as a 4-2-5 or 4-3 depending on personnel. 4-3 implies there are 4 defensive backs so it would be a 4-3-4

[@pc3244]

@@AntCastilloi heard them both say 4-3-5, i immediately logged off because that is impossible. nice try though gopher. report back you tried but failed.

[@jacksonprinter5792]

petty