🏈 2015 Secondary?

[It Takes Eleven]

Bama loses both safeties (Collins and Perry) and retain both starting corners. We have two highly regarded recruits at corner (one sophomore, one RS freshman) waiting in the wings, and another in this recruiting class.

Any predictions on the starting four base DBs, and the first two off the bench? Is the non-scholarship safety (big guy who played baseball, I think from Selma) still on the team and developing as a safety?

RTR,

Tim

 

[UAgrad93]

Jai Miller was the baseball guy. I think he hung up his cleats after last season. We have 2 CBs and 2 Safeties in the incoming class. Maurice and Geno Smith will get a shot at the safety spots but look for Hootie Jones to get a good strong look!

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Jai Miller was the baseball guy. I think he hung up his cleats after last season. We have 2 CBs and 2 Safeties in the incoming class. Maurice and Geno Smith will get a shot at the safety spots but look for Hootie Jones to get a good strong look!

Thanks. Although I think Cyrus Jones is one of our most improved players, he catches flak from casual observers given his size and giving up some big plays. Do you see him holding on to the starting job for his senior year, or will he be pushed out by the youngsters?

This phenomena of seniors holding down starting spots over much more heralded underclassmen seems to get under some fan's skin. If a player stays for his senior year, he's usually not a consensus superstar (there are huge exceptions to this, I know, CJ being the most recent), but if he's playing over a younger "can't miss" prospect the coaches have a reason.

RTR,

Tim

 

[DustyG]

I believe Cyrus Jones will be an All-SEC corner next year. He, like many of our past corners, has made tremendous strides in the latter part of their career. I think Hootie will push for playing time. I expect Brown and Humphrey to compete for the other corner, but to contribute mostly in nickle and dime situations.

 

[UAgrad93]

Tim, Cyrus could hold down that spot but IF Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey make huge gains this spring, it will be hard to keep them off of the field. If those guys develop, Cyrus could move into that Star or Money position.

 

[TerryP]

Tim, Cyrus could hold down that spot but IF Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey make huge gains this spring, it will be hard to keep them off of the field. If those guys develop, Cyrus could move into that Star or Money position.

I agree with him sliding into the STAR or MONEY when we go to nickel and dime. I don't see him losing his spot in our base.

I also believe people are deceiving themselves to think Jackson is just going to fade away. His kind of injury requires a year to return to full form/speed. Sure, those with that type of surgery can return to playing more quickly. Returning too full speed? A different scenario; completely different.

 

[UAgrad93]

I agree about Eddie @TerryP. It probably has more to do with the mental aspect of the game. He will have the spring to gain more strength and confidence and be back to his freshman form. Cyrus could continue to hold onto his normal spot and force Tony or Marlon to slide into those Star and or Money positions.

 

[BamaFan334]

I think Cyrus Jones and Tony Brown lock down the two corner positions. Humphrey and Eddie Jackson will fill in a good bit in order to keep things fresh and everyone on their toes.

At safety we have Jones, Thompson, and Sheffield ready to take command, along with Geno Smith.

Personally we can't get any worse with our coverage after what we did last year it seemed, so I'm encouraged to see some new faces and a few more of those five stars to get a chance to prove their billing.

 

[UAgrad93]

Sheffield is a corner with long arms and fluid hips. He has some serious wheels too. Ronnie Harrison is a safety that enrolled early with Thompson. If Fitzpatrick stays on board, we have some serious depth at CB.

 

[psychojoe]

All the players returning with safety experience are more cornerback size than our traditional safety size, such as Mark Barron and Robert Lester. I can see Geno Smith keeping one of the safety spots in the base defense, but I think that Hootie Jones has an outstanding chance for the other safety. We should be really stacked at the corners, and I think that Cyrus and Eddie keep the starting slots.

 

[JoshB]

Cyrus and Eddie will be the corners though I think Marlon is gonna give Eddie a run for his money. Marlon could end up being the star tho will while Hootie and Geno are the safeties.

 

[riz]

My money is on Tony Brown's afro.

 

[TerryP]

@uagrad93 The thing that hits me about Cyrus—and this strikes me more as a gut feeling—is he seems to be growing into a role much like Javy did in his senior year.

We've seen him a little with special teams. Where I keep coming back to is the question of him handling the middle in one of those Dime/Nickel roles. That question revolves around size, but he's not any smaller than Javy.

 

[UAgrad93]

Great observation @TerryP! Cyrus looks like a Javy clone. I think he will be that versatile DB that can drop down to the Star or Money like Javy did and we won't miss a beat!

 

[TerryP]

Great observation @TerryP! Cyrus looks like a Javy clone. I think he will be that versatile DB that can drop down to the Star or Money like Javy did and we won't miss a beat!

Tony slides on on nickel, play or dime with Humph with three DB

 

[UAgrad93]

I like the idea of Eddie, Cyrus, Tony, and Hump all in the secondary at one time. Give me Hootie over the top and one of the Smith boys! We can bring along Thompson and Harrison along as well. Secondary may be a strength VERY SOON!!

 

[TerryP]

I like the idea of Eddie, Cyrus, Tony, and Hump all in the secondary at one time. Give me Hootie over the top and one of the Smith boys! We can bring along Thompson and Harrison along as well. Secondary may be a strength VERY SOON!!

Id really like to see a 50 front

 

[UAgrad93]

With those monsters on the Dline, place Allen and Hand at ends with A'Shawn and Reed at 3 techniques with Taylor over the nose!! CHIT!!!! @TerryP

 

[JoshB]

@TerryP Jonathan Allen and DJ Pettway on the ends, Tomlinson (or maybe Taylor) and Reed on the inside, with A'Shawn right in the middle? Yikes. If you really trust your secondary let Ragland blitz right up the gut and Rashaan come off an edge :o

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I want enough linebackers to run a 4-4...