alpha dog. Noun. (plural alpha dogs) A dominant dog; a dog that is an alpha male or alpha female. Often used figuratively.

From a football perspective, exactly what is it that Alabama head coach Nick Saban is talking about when he speaks to the need for "alpha dog(s)" -- and are they limited just to the defensive side of the ball?

A few weeks into his team's latest run through spring drills, Saban provided a definitive outline of qualifiers for the role, while also answering the latter part of the question.

"We’re kind of looking for the people on this team that have got the conviction and commitment to sort of the principles and values that we’ve established around here in terms of the toughness that we want to play to, the effort that we want to give, the discipline to execute that we need to have," Saban said on April 3. "I think we’ve got a little more knowledge and experience and leadership on offense. I think we’re making progress defensively. We’re looking for players who can play to this standard. And we’re talking about intangibles here now, we’re not talking about ability. We’re talking about guys that will give effort, play with toughness, finish plays. Mental and physical toughness when things get difficult. And have the discipline to go out there and execute and do their job and be responsible enough to know what they’re supposed to do, how they’re supposed to do it and why it’s important to do it that way. And if they don’t know, come and see the coach so we’ve got a chance to teach them."

In other words, while production is certainly important, alpha dog status isn't about flash and/or exhibiting a great deal of emotion on a play-by-play basis. Instead, it's that aura of invincibility that is a byproduct of having enough people who are supremely committed and confident in not only what they are supposed to do, but doing it in a manner that allows everyone around them to perform at a championship level. And, as it turns out, Saban is on the lookout for dogs on both sides of the ball, with some carry over even into special teams, too.

While we often equate Saban era alphas to defense -- beginning with Rolando McClain and continuing on through the likes of CJ Mosley, Landon Collins, Reuben Foster, Jonathan Allen, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Da'Ron Payne -- the Alabama offense has had more than a few in its own right. A prime example of that came in 2016, when Outland Trophy winner Cam Robinson was bestowed AD status by his former coach.

Considering what Alabama must replace from last year's defense, Saban's leadership concerns back in the spring seemed to side with a unit that lost its top six players in the secondary; both starting inside linebackers; and an absolute war daddy up front in Payne.

Despite the fact that his defense welcomes back its leaders in interceptions -- Mack Wilson -- and sacks -- Raekwon Davis -- from a season ago, Saban wants to see guys like Wilson and Davis take the next step where ownership is concerned. He also wouldn't mind if Anfernee Jennings, Deionte Thompson, Terrell Lewis and a few others joined in as well.

Offensively, it's not all that difficult to identify the pool of potential alphas. There's a two-time, 1,000-yard back -- Damien Harris -- leading the way at the skill positions. He'll be running behind an offensive line that returns one of the nation's top overall performers in Jonah Williams and an interior stalwart in Ross Pierschbacher, who has made 42 starts in his UA career.

Eleven years into Saban's tenure at Alabama, the Crimson Tide isn't as dependent upon one individual to carry the mantle of alpha dog as it once was. One thing is for sure, though, championship teams under Saban have had at least one.

If asked to choose just one alpha dog for the upcoming season, who ya got?

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