Brandon Deaderick: Rush 'til you drop

TUSCALOOSA | Even though University of Alabama defensive end Brandon Deaderick became a starter last season when teammate Bobby Greenwood went down with an ankle injury, he wanted more.

The seven starts, two sacks and 22 tackles were a nice and important step, but he didn't quite make the impact he coveted or desired. So this past summer Deaderick did something about it and enlisted the help of former All-Pro Chuck Smith, who had 58½ sacks during his illustrious NFL career.

'He has a lot of talent. He can get after it,' Smith said. 'He's pushing himself. While a lot of guys were celebrating and having fun over the summer, he was training, doing two-a-days. He worked his tail off.'

Along with a number of other collegiate standouts, Deaderick participated in a camp geared for defensive linemen at Wellness Performance Sports & Fitness Institute in Suwanee, Ga. Defensive Line Inc. also has pre-combine and draft development programs, and Smith's list of NFL clients includes Osi Umenyiora, Albert Haynesworth and Patrick Kerney.

Deaderick first met Smith, who has the same agent as coach Nick Saban, during one of his motivational speaking engagements at the Capstone, and joined players like Quinton Groves and Pat Sims of Auburn, and Ohio State's Cameron Heyward, in wanting to do a little more to try and find an edge.

'I felt like I was a pretty good rusher in high school, but it just really wasn't quite coming together for me,' Deaderick said. 'I remember he said, ‘If you work for me you work with some of the best defensive linemen in the league.'

'If something's not working for you, you need to take the next step.'

Not only did the program cover the intricacies of pass rushing, but also everything from conditioning to aspects of the zone blitz, when many pass-rushing opportunities for linemen vanish because they drop back into coverage.

'He's doing a good job,' Saban said. 'He's played well all year, he's played hard, really plays technique well, relative to not just sacks but pushing the pocket, doing the right things in pass rushing, he's been pretty consistent.

'Quickness is important up front.'

Individually, Deaderick's statistics are nine tackles, one sack and two quarterback hurries, but it's clear that he's had more of a presence as the season has progressed. For example, last week against Kentucky, which was a special game for him because Deaderick hails from the Bluegrass State, he had two tackles and a hurry, but generally made the most of his opportunities.

Overall, No. 2 Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC) is second in the nation against the run (50.8 yards per game), and because of the defensive line's strong collective play the Tide has hardly had to blitz. While junior Terrence Cody has been an obvious huge addition at nose guard, he's almost never on the field during obvious passing situations.

Alabama has also rotated more linemen this season with no noticeable drop-off, at least not to the casual observer. Even junior linebacker Eryk Anders has been in the mix as an occasional speed-rusher.

'As long as we're physical up front, (Cody will) force a play to me, I'll force a play to him, Bobby will make a great play, Luther (Davis) and (Josh) Chapman, whomever else,' Deaderick said.  'We have a lot of good guys who can come in and contribute right now. I feel really good as long as we keep focused and keep working every day.'

However, despite Alabama's defensive success, the Tide only has 10 sacks so far, one more than the opposition.

Yet, it's tough to get a sack on a screen pass, which Alabama has seen extensively.

'Sacks will come. Sacks will come in bunches,' Deaderick said. 'You have to have a motor about you, always affect the quarterback. Get your hands in his face, try to bat down balls, hit him. Make him feel the rush, get him out of his comfort zone. I think we've been doing that.

'You have to keep pushing. It makes you stronger. You appreciate it more. Sacks do come your way when you have to struggle like that.'

If some of that sounds familiar, it should. End Wallace Gilberry, who was also a pupil of Smith's, frequently said something similar last season, even after five games when he had no sacks and 4½ tackles for a loss. He finished with 10 and 27.

'I feel like I got better from it,' Deaderick said about Smith's guidance. 'The best thing he taught me was to be a smart rusher, and especially passion, tenacity, fury every time.

'Rush to you drop.'

Tide-bits

Junior running back Glen Coffee and Cody have been added to the 2008 Maxwell Football Club awards watch lists for top offensive player and the Chuck Bednarik award for best defensive player, respectively.

Junior left tackle Andre Smith (elbow) did not practice Tuesday. 'Andre was sick today and was excused,' Saban said in a release. 'He should okay for tomorrow.' Junior right tackle Drew Davis slid over to get a little work at left tackle, with true freshman John Michael Boswell stepping in at right tackle.

Junior wide receiver Mike McCoy was back at practice after missing Saturday's game with a hamstring injury. However, sophomore Earl Alexander was in black, signaling no contact, and riding an exercise bike during the brief time period reporters were allowed to watch practice. 

The team will practice today and Thursday before taking the weekend off.

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0196.