[Tuck4Bama]

TUSCALOOSA - Perhaps University of Alabama coach Nick Saban has faced the question before.

Or, maybe he prepared for it after seeing the critical comments made by some of his former Miami Dolphins players.

Either way, Saban was ready when asked: Is your 3-4 defense too complicated?

He shot down the theory fairly conclusively.

"Well, last year we had the fourth-best defense in the NFL," responded Saban. "So, I don't think it's too complicated."

Saban's version of the 3-4 defense will debut Saturday against Western Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A program that has built much of its tradition on sound, hard-hitting defensive units will debut its latest incarnation.

So what is it like?

"In football, you can get complicated. This is not complicated," defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said recently. "Complex is not to be confused with complicated."

That mean lots of options. A 3-4 scheme means more linebackers, more blitzes, more stunts, more disguises, and more havoc. Steele compared it to having several volumes of a book in a library.

Saban says Tide's 3-4 defense isn't complicated- al.com

[Stoney]

When executed properly it is the most versitile defense it stes up so many different types of blitzes that it is hard to defend against.