The phrase “Constructed by Bama” is greater than only a mantra that followers throw out on social media. It’s a mindset, a code that each participant former Alabama head coach Nick Saban has despatched to the NFL lives by. It’s what newly minted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Yr Will Anderson Jr. tries to stay by week in and week out within the NFL.
Whereas at Radio Row for Tremendous Bowl LVIII, Anderson Jr. spoke with SB Nation’s JP Acosta about classes realized from Nick Saban, the schematic variations in how he performed at Alabama vs how he performs in Houston, and competitors between he and Texans’ QB CJ Stroud. All of it dropped at you by Jif, who’s collaborating with Bounty to assist save the celery that will get left behind the rooster wings.
When Anderson Jr. was at Alabama, he was usually on the within shoulder of the sort out, in a 4i approach. primarily taking part in the run on the way in which to the go. Nevertheless, in Houston, he kicked to the skin shoulder of the sort out in additional of a Huge 9 alignment.
Anderson Jr. mentioned the leveraging and hand placement is far completely different from how he performed at Alabama, however his progress over the season is a shining instance of the expansion the Texans’ protection went via over the course of the season. Houston completed fifteenth within the NFL in Defensive EPA per play, however after the midpoint of the NFL season the Texans have been one of many quickest, most aggressive defenses within the league, and Anderson Jr. was the lynchpin. His bullrush stymied opposing tackles all season, and Anderson mentioned that he labored on setting it up throughout completely different angles and in opposition to completely different passing units.
Anderson Jr. mentioned he works on utilizing stutter steps and utilizing his velocity to arrange the ability, a devastating combo for any go rusher to have of their arsenal. Anderson Jr. completed the season with seven sacks, however his excessive degree of play turned the Texans’ protection right into a fearsome younger unit.
