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 12 months Will Anderson Jr. tries to reside 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 hen wings.
When Anderson Jr. was at Alabama, he was usually on the within shoulder of the sort out, in a 4i method. primarily enjoying the run on the way in which to the move. Nevertheless, in Houston, he kicked to the skin shoulder of the sort out in additional of a Huge 9 alignment.
Anderson Jr. stated the leveraging and hand placement is way completely different from how he performed at Alabama, however his development 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 had 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 stated that he labored on setting it up throughout completely different angles and towards completely different passing units.
Anderson Jr. stated he works on utilizing stutter steps and utilizing his velocity to arrange the facility, a devastating combo for any move rusher to have of their arsenal. Anderson Jr. completed the season with seven sacks, however his excessive stage of play turned the Texans’ protection right into a fearsome younger unit.