Posted: 7:28 PM Mar 30, 2012
Reporter: Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Jesse Williams doesn't think his duties
have changed all that much in moving from defensive end to
noseguard, just "a lot more crunching" and double teams.
Alabama's heavily tattooed Aussie might wind up staying put as
Josh Chapman's successor in the middle of a three-man front or move back to the edge next season. Either way, he's more run-stopper than sackmaster.
And either way, he'll probably take it in stride.
"It's a bit more close quarters as far as people, a lot more
crunching with a lot of different people instead of just going with
the tackle or the gap," Williams said. "It's not too serious."
The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder could man the spot held by the
shorter, barrel-chested All-Southeastern Conference performer
Chapman and the more massive All-American Terrence Cody before him.
"We have two different body types," Williams said of Chapman.
"I'm just going to try to do it the best I can to fit my body. Run
around and fit blocks and do the best I can. I can't really compare
myself to Josh. We're two different kind of players."
Williams, a junior college transfer who replaced Marcell Dareus,
had 24 tackles last season, including four for a loss. He did move
inside for the Tide's four-man fronts, while linebackers Courtney
Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower racked up the majority of the sacks.
Tide coach Nick Saban said Williams has done well in the
different role, but could easily move back to his old spot.
"The only difference is the (opposing blocker) has got a ball
in his hand if you're playing nose," Saban said. "He's done a
really good job in there. I don't know which way we'll go at the
end of the spring. We feel like it's easier for us to move him back
to five-technique (end) because that's where he played all last
year. So we're going to try and continue to develop guys at the
other positions and he'll play most of the spring at nose."
Other candidates for the key role when Alabama plays in the 3-4
are youngsters like freshman Alphonse Taylor, who enrolled in
January, redshirt freshman Wilson Love and sophomore Brandon Ivory.
The 6-6 Taylor is more Cody-sized -- "ginormous," Williams
calls him -- after reporting at 360 pounds.
Behind them, the Tide is replacing star linebackers Upshaw and
Hightower and defensive backs Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron,
among others, from the nation's top defense.
"We're certainly not the same team, but we've reloaded at a lot
of positions," Williams said. "We had a lot of good quality guys
behind the guys that are leaving now. We should be good. We'll see
after a couple of scrimmages where everyone fits in and how the
defense shapes up."

WTOK Mobile Site Home

Gray Television, Inc - Copyright 2002-2012 - Powered by Gray Interactive Media

Full Site - Contact Station