Alabama DC tells why Tide defense continues to struggle against shovel pass

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Vanderbilt brought out the shovel pass twice against Alabama last Saturday, and the Crimson Tide defense did not have an answer for it.

On Monday, Kane Wommack explains why defending the shovel pass is more complex than it may seem, especially on later downs.

“It’s a really challenging concept,” Wommack said. “We got hit on it last year against Vanderbilt. It showed up in a couple of different games last year as well. Florida State tried it against us, and we were able to knock it out in that situation. Some of it is there are certain calls that are better against the shovel and some that aren’t. And it’s a challenge because when you get teams that run shovel plays on third down, you almost have a decision to make with your defensive ends. Are you just gonna play on the line of scrimmage and not try to affect the quarterback, or are you gonna do certain things to try to create some overlap? I think one of the plays we had a chance to defend it better than what we did. One of the other plays I thought I made a really tough call for our guys in that situation.”

Wommack said he believes Alabama’s defense prepped for the shovel pass a lot and was disappointed that they didn’t stop it, but he explained why it is not as big of a deal when they give up a shovel pass in the bigger picture.

“Whatever you put on tape, you’re going to have to answer for,” Wommack said. “That’s a play we’re going to have to continue to answer for. We work it, probably more than we should, so it’s disappointing that we gave two of them up, but at the same time, you kind of have to ask what are you willing to live with a little bit? And I’m not saying we’re going to give up shovels for the rest of the season. I’m okay with that alright? I don’t want our fans hearing that, but what I do want our people to understand is you have to affect the quarterback, and our ability to affect Diego Pavia is what won us the football game. So, sometimes you’re gonna have those situations where their counter punch to that was a shovel play every now and then. We certainly have to do a better job defending it, but certainly there’s gonna be times where you got to keep the main thing the main thing which is affecting the quarterback in the passing game.”

The play that Vanderbilt incorporates the shovel element in is one that is often not seen. Pavia faked a handoff to the running back, then the back put his foot in the ground and changed directions. Pavia flipped it to him immediately after the change of direction, and it even led to a touchdown on the second try.

Like Wommack said, Alabama made see that kind of play this year if teams believe they can run a shovel play, but the Crimson Tide will continue to practice against it as it is totally possible that the Tide could see Vanderbilt again in the SEC Championship if the situation arises.