Tide’s Dareus excited about revamped Bama defense

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama’s emphasis on rushing the passer throughout fall camp hasn’t been lost on defensive lineman Marcell Dareus.

The 6-4, 296-pound sophomore has impressed coaches and teammates with his ability to disrupt a quarterback’s rhythm.

In Alabama’s two scrimmages, the sophomore from Huffman has been credited with nine tackles and four sacks — two in each practice.

“Yeah, it was pretty fun out there,” Dareus said after the first scrimmage, a smile spreading across his face. “They used me a little more on the inside to get the quarterback out of the pocket. It was pretty fun, yeah.”

The athletic Dareus has been among the most versatile defensive linemen. Last year, he played in eight games as a true freshmen. He often replaced Terrence Cody in third-down situations.

This fall, he’s worked more at left defensive end, behind senior starter Lorenzo Washington, as coaches try to take advantage of his quickness and strength.
Dareus said he rotates in with the first team in pass rush and in two-minute situations.

Washington raves about Dareus’ potential.

“Marcell Dareus is pushing me every day,” the senior said. “Like I’ve said many times, he’s going to be the next great defensive lineman coming out of here. Marcell’s a great player.”

“Me and Lorenzo, we’re real close,” Dareus said. “He’s a real nice dude — funny, crack jokes and stuff. We work together a lot on the field. He helps me, I help him.

“In a way, I’ll say I look up to him and he knows that. I guess that’s why he talks about me so much.”

But even Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban has noticed Dareus’ development.

“He’s always been a real strong effort guy. Now he’s going to play a lot of football for us,” Saban said.

“He’s a very good player, has had a good camp, has got good initial quickness, is athletic, he runs a little better than maybe some of our other bigger guys and he can finish on the quarterback.”

Saban said Dareus played a lot — and well — for the Crimson Tide last season. But improved maturity in the past year is also evident.

“We tried to use him (more) last year, but again, with young players, they mentally have to be able to sustain their performance, not get frustrated when they don’t do the right things and also be able to execute because they feel comfortable and confident in what they’re supposed to do. And he’s made tremendous improvement in that, and I think it’s enhanced his production,” the coach said.

Dareus said he has no preference about playing inside or on the end.

“On the inside, I can get by the center pretty easily. I like playing on the inside, but outside you can do a little more — play a little looser out there,” he said. “I
love both. There’s no difference. I would prefer either one.”

Still, Alabama’s commitment to pressuring the quarterback indicates he will factor in the rotation somewhere.

“Coach (Bo) Davis wanted to change our defensive line all the way around,” Dareus said. “He really wants us to get to the quarterback this year. He has us working a lot of pass rushing moves in practice and individual drills and stuff. We’ve got to really get to the quarterback this year. He’s emphasizing that a lot.”

A little more than a week before the season opener, Dareus seems to be the exception about teammates growing weary of banging on each other.

“I really don’t know. It’s fun out there playing against your teammates ... playing around,” he said.

“It gets a little tedious, but it’s football. You’ve got to get up and you’ve got to go to work. This is what we do. It really don’t bother me at all. Get up there and practice, get your work in, get better every day.”