Alabama loses 2 defensive backs in 2 days with Michigan looming in opener
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson has touted his gains in the passing game all offseason, yet is tasked with facing the country's reigning No. 1 defense in the opener.
That task has become slightly more manageable -- slightly -- after Alabama lost two defensive backs in the past two days.
The Crimson Tide announced Friday that cornerback Travell Dixon left the team for "personal reasons," then revealed Saturday that safety Jarrick Williams tore an ACL during Friday's practice and is lost for the season.
University of Alabama junior defensive back Travell Dixon, pictured with coach Nick Saban, has left the Crimson Tide for personal reasons.
Photo courtesy of The Birmingham News
Williams recorded five tackles in seven games last year as a freshman. He was fighting to back up Vinnie Sunseri at strong safety.
Alabama also is replacing in its secondary two first-round NFL draft picks, Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick, as well as key contributors DeQuan Menzie and Phelon Jones.
"We are going to have some young guys in the secondary who are going to have to be back-up players," Saban told reporters, according to al.com. "And they're probably going to have to have some roles."
How will Alabama compensate for the losses? A couple snippets from Andrew Gribble of al.com:
The young player with the newest role is freshman Eddie Williams, a five-star prospect from Panama City, Fla., who switched from wide receiver to safety Friday. At 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, Williams, who played safety in high school, is "big and very physical," Saban said, but remains an absolute novice with the mental aspects of the position.Two more highly touted freshmen -- safety Landon Collins and cornerback Geno Smith -- are probably going to have a role, Saban said. Collins, one of the highest-rated recruits in the country, appears physically ready for the SEC while Smith has been receiving looks at the Crimson Tide's "money" position in the secondary.
Alabama, with its frequent use of nickel and dime packages, needs more than just four reliable starters to fill its secondary.
Alabama finished first in the country in pass defense last year, allowing opponents to gain just 111.5 yards per game through the air. The next closest team was South Carolina at 131.7 yards per game.
It also was first against the run, first in scoring defense and -- unsurprisingly -- first in overall defense.
Michigan averaged 182.8 yards passing per game last year, 93rd in the country, but is expected to be better with Robinson in his third year as a starter, and second in coordinator Al Borges' spread-West Coast scheme.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
TheWay
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 5:36 a.m.
Anyone who watched Denard in 2008 saw him make a monumental leap forward in his passing in 2009. It would be fair to infer his heightened familiarity with the offense he was running had much to do with his greatly improved numbers. This season, he'll be in that same position: a year in the offense under his belt. Maybe we won't see as much improvement as we did from 08 to 09... but maybe we will. And I, for one, believe in him.
Tom
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 1:59 a.m.
Expected to be better? According to who? 93rd in the nation...and rising! :-) Where's the threat?
Wally the Wolverine
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 1:16 a.m.
They lost a couple of backups - big deal.
Bly615
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 12:56 a.m.
I think some of you are missing the point of the article. Depth as we all know here at Michigan is very important. One starter goes down and you must re-align everything. Yea its easy to say just plug in a guy here and there but how effective is that guy going to be. How often have you seen a guy go down in the secondary and the replacement player gets picked on the very next play. Now I am not saying its necissarily an advantage to Michigan but its something to look at.
Hailmary
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 8:54 p.m.
Blu n Tpa, I like that, "fools gold". I'm going to watch this game and enjoy with barbecue and a friend or 2. I think this game opens some doors for Mich. If Mich. is going to tangle with the big boys around the country I think it will help in recruiting. Win or lose this is a showcase game and the country and possible recruits will be tuned in. I hope Mich. makes a game of it.
happyguy1
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
Honestly, I don't see any comments from Michigan fans gloating about Alabama's misfortune. It does seem however, that there are several comments admonishing Michigan fans for doing so. I would advise the haters to ease up just a bit. At least wait until you have a reason to criticise before warming up your keyboard. Jeesh!
Chad Williams
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.
Very irrelevant story. It is a shame that you are this desperate to find a way to makes us believe this is an advantage for Michigan. Do you really have any confidence in Michigan? There is a reason why Hoke is going nuts in his recruiting because of stuff like this happens. Players leave programs everywhere all the time. It just so happens Michigan never had the back up the few years to not sweat the losses. Alabama has had a top 5 class the last five years. They can deal with graduated players and early entries just fine. One five star leaves another waits that's hungrier than ever to showcase his talent.
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
Hmm, so Alabama had the best defense in the country - last year. It would be interesting to see: how many teams with No. 1 ranking in defense had the No. 1 ranking in defense - the following year. (In other words: what are the chances that 'Bama will repeat their performance this year?) Pumping up enthusiasm for the Michigan vs Alabama game seems a bit of over-kill, at least to me. I don't think Michigan or Alabama fans need much more pumping. ;-) It's still pre-season, "early camp" time - so no one knows where their favorite team actually stands. It's all conjecture at this point. We'll know a lot more in 3 weeks!! Go Blue!
Tom
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 2:09 a.m.
2008 - #3 in the nation 2009 - #2 in the nation 2010 - #5 in the nation 2011 - #1 in the nation Wondering if you see a trend here, Michigan Man? Michigan has no physicality on either side of the ball. Bama just kicks a$$. This will be an epic mismatch! 170 yards of total offense vs. Virgina Tech? This is BAMA!
BamaJoe
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 1:10 a.m.
Ha...is this your first year watching football. Bama had a top defense in 2009 and won the BCS championship. We've always operated under the assumption that Defense wins championships. I follow Alabama closely and had not really heard of Williams or Dixon. I see that Hoke is practicing his suspended players now...is that desperation setting in...or realization ????
Chad Williams
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.
Its very likely because of the system. If thats the case then expect Michigan not to be as good on defense. They lost huge pieces and have no experience returning in those spots. They may be not #1 but if been watching college football the last four years Alabama defense has always been its strength.
Blu n Tpa
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 12:31 p.m.
This is really just "fools gold". These two players didn't represent much playing time for this year's defense at Alabama and underscores the advantage of overstocking players as is done in the SEC. I'm sure the "personal reasons" might turn out that he was told he wasn't going to play and no longer had a "paid" position on the team. As I read the story 'Bama had over 10 players, including 5 freshmen, trying to get on the field as DBs. It must be nice having that kind of depth. Just a word about having some class. I don't see any reason to gloat over any player getting injured. These are all young men, and for most of them, this is their only chance to get an education so let's be better than other fans. TiM Go Blue!
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:20 a.m.
Huh? They are still loaded in the secondary. The four expected starters and expected primary nickel are just fine. Dixon has some promise, but he was still just a JC transfer and they couldn't have been counting on him for much. Williams was behind several better players. They lost a lot from last year, but Saban is known for his work with defensive backs. I bet if you managed to get a quote from Hoke for this story (and I wouldn't have dared if it were me), he would say something along the lines of, "absolutely, it hurts as a coach to lose depth at a critical position, but throwing against Alabama still represents a significant challenge."
Scott
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 6:17 a.m.
I0f Denard has improved his passing- in only the second year with this system- all the losses to graduation and a couple losses to backups should help. Go Blue. Roll over the Tide.
Soft Paw
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 3:52 a.m.
The way Denard reads defenses it hardly matters anyway.
ted
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 3:22 a.m.
I wouldn't count on any of this to benefit Michigan. One of them just transfered there and most likely would not have even seen any playing time. The other is not even mentioned on the depth This article only provides false hope. Best to ignore meaningless stories and except the fact that Alabama is going to be at 100 percent on Sept. 1st
heartbreakM
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
The best way for Michigan to win this game is for them to take care of the things they can control--no turnovers, smart decisions, tackle soundly, block well, have a creative gameplan with misdirection. Sort of unlike that Sugar Bowl gameplan. I think Hoke knows that he can't control Bama, and he will do his best to be successful at things he CAN control
TommyJ
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 2:59 a.m.
Michigan is going to kill Alabammy.
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 7:24 a.m.
If we do, the kids deserve all the attention they'll get from that day forward. Some significant #1 talk. But this is a terrible matchup. It will be played in the South. Alabama will be able to control the clock with its offensive line and this is, still, the best secondary they'll face this season (maybe Ohio State is in the same league).
michboy40
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.
These guys were fighting for back up rolls? I don't see that being a big deal. They will still have their starters in there.
JustfortheRecord
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.
It is not good to have too much happiness in the misfortune of others...that being said... it seems like the majority of college football fans have a hard time imagining teams that RECENTLY won NOT winning the next year. Florida under Urban Meyer between two national championship seasons was very beatable. Alabama is beatable. Brady Hoke brought Ball State to UM in 2006 and scared all of us with a team that wanted to WIN... if he can do that with them, imagine what he can do with MICHIGAN! go blue.
jeff blue
Sun, Aug 12, 2012 : 12:06 a.m.
Hi All, Michigan obviously has a chance to win this game. A couple of big plays by Denard and a few turnovers by the Tide. That is why they play the games. GO BLUE!