🏈 A-Day In Review.

[RTB X Bot]

Florida State beat writer

 

[TerryP]

-DL - No one really stood out which was surprising. I wasn't exactly focusing on them though, so maybe underselling a few guys. I expected hand and Buggs to stand out but never noticed them.

According to the stat sheet released by UA there were a dozen sacks on the day. I believe Saban said eight, maybe? I know it's under a different set of rules being A-day but they're getting into the backfield.

Hand didn't play. IF you'd have noticed him I'd be a bit worried. Buggs was in on a few tackles (assists.) I don't believe he had any solo tackles.

On that note, I noticed quite a few solo tackles from both defenses. Again, by the stat sheet, there were 104 tackles with 66 of them being solo. On a few occasions I saw some bad fundamentals when it came to tackling yesterday. Seeing Shyheim getting dragged down the field by Harris was nice to see from an offensive point of view. Seeing him being dragged while trying to strip the ball? I'm guessing Harris carried him seven or eight yards after original contact.

 

[TerryP]

(I realize I keep quoting you here, Stalker. It's out of convenience and keeping with a little "order" in the thread.

-WR's are no longer a concern. The questions past Ridley have been answered for me. Foster looks like a big time #2 and Jeudy will be on his heals. Sims has always been a competent option and Simmons has gotten bigger/faster/stronger. Although his drops were an issue. The top 4 is really all that matters and I see no issues with that group.

To me, WR is still something to keep an eye out on. I'm still wondering who is going to fit that blocking role that they had from Stewart last year. It's never been a concern on receptions with me it's about that block springing the guys when they get to the second level of the defense.

I paid attention to it a little yesterday. I'll watch this one again if for no other reason than it was one of the most entertaining spring games I've seen in a long time with the exception of '12.

I disagree with the notion "the top 4 is really all that matters." Six, and the very minimum, need to be ready to go.

** On a side note and this should leave you shaking your head a bit. Ruggs isn't on campus yet. While he wasn't as highly ranked by the recruiting services as Jeudy my impression is he offers the same type of threat. And, just to put that in a little perspective, we're not even talking about Devonta Smith here.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Diggs makes me wonder how he is getting all the first-team reps. If all else fails I can see Wallace being a steadier influence if things break down quickly. McDonald likes to compete too.

 

[Tidestalker]

Really? Cause the way some on here were talking he was the starter from the day he stepped foot on campus... :eyeroll:

I was really impressed today with a lot of things which I very rarely end up being in a spring game (which might be a bad omen or something lol). Tua looked incredible... against the 2's... when he moved to the crimson team I think he was brought way back down to earth a bit... the difference in speed must have been frustrating for him. Still so much potential there.

Jalen still has work but the improvement is already there and it only been three months since the end of the season. Najee and Jeudy are absolutely beastly, and the thought of Ridley, Foster and Jeudy together as speed demons has got to be a terrifying thought for defensive coordinators. Miller looked like he may slide into that Tim Williams role quite nicely.

The DBs struggled mightily, McDonald and Fitzpatrick played really well, and Robinson got better as the game wore on, but boy Diggs has a waaaaaays to go. I feel like they threw him into the fire with the 1's to see where he's at and to see how he would handle it. Kind of reminds me of how Cyrus Jones played early on when he moved to corner, if he turns out like that he'll be a good one.

When Jalen plays poorly, it's because the defense is blitzing him and he's not allowed to escape. When Tua struggles, it's because the game is too fast.

You're right... Tua was playing against he 2's. But he was also playing WITH the 2's. He made that team look really, really good.

I've been on the Jalen bandwagon as long as anyone. But of the 2 things he needs to improve on, there's still 1 standing. Deep balls were awesome and clearly he's working on it. But in the first half, it looked like a replay of last year with the slow start, inability to convert on 3rd downs, and scrambling to his right (every time) when his first option isn't open. His pocket presence will need to improve vastly, because that's where good defenses will make him play.

 

[Tidestalker]

(I realize I keep quoting you here, Stalker. It's out of convenience and keeping with a little "order" in the thread.



To me, WR is still something to keep an eye out on. I'm still wondering who is going to fit that blocking role that they had from Stewart last year. It's never been a concern on receptions with me it's about that block springing the guys when they get to the second level of the defense.

I paid attention to it a little yesterday. I'll watch this one again if for no other reason than it was one of the most entertaining spring games I've seen in a long time with the exception of '12.

I disagree with the notion "the top 4 is really all that matters." Six, and the very minimum, need to be ready to go.

** On a side note and this should leave you shaking your head a bit. Ruggs isn't on campus yet. While he wasn't as highly ranked by the recruiting services as Jeudy my impression is he offers the same type of threat. And, just to put that in a little perspective, we're not even talking about Devonta Smith here.

No worries at all on the quote, I enjoy you taking the time to check it.

As far as 6 WR's... C'mon man. It's never gets that far. Even the 4th WR is a non factor in Saban ball.

If we are comparing to last years O, when WR's weren't a concern, this group looks just fine. As much as you may not want to admit it, our #3 last year was a giant liability in passing a blocking. It literally cannot get any worse than Deiter with this group. As far as #4/#5/#6, you or anyone on this foum cannot name a game where that was a factor. Whether it was Sims or Keif, they never had to make plays.

Whether it be Jeudy or Rob Foster, our #3 is a huge upgrade. #4 Sims is the same as last year. I don't see any reason to be concerned, especially with Ruggs coming in this fall, as you mentioned.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

When Jalen plays poorly, it's because the defense is blitzing him and he's not allowed to escape. When Tua struggles, it's because the game is too fast.

You're right... Tua was playing against he 2's. But he was also playing WITH the 2's. He made that team look really, really good.

I've been on the Jalen bandwagon as long as anyone. But of the 2 things he needs to improve on, there's still 1 standing. Deep balls were awesome and clearly he's working on it. But in the first half, it looked like a replay of last year with the slow start, inability to convert on 3rd downs, and scrambling to his right (every time) when his first option isn't open. His pocket presence will need to improve vastly, because that's where good defenses will make him play.

Part of Saban's whole-part-whole philosophy is identifying what needs to be worked on, and developing and teaching toward that overall development, see what sticks, then focus on the other areas of development.

We've seen as fans what Jalen needs to improve. It goes without saying Saban and Daboll sees those same things. His 2 biggest areas in need of improvement were:

1) downfield passing, and
B) pocket presence.

And in 3 short months throughout the spring, one of those 2 has exponentially improved, as seen yesterday.

Excellent progress. No sense in wringing hands until after the 1st three games in the fall. We've still got another 3 months of summer off-season for Jalen to improve pocket presence.

As much as he improved this spring in the first area, I have no doubt we'll see the same level of improvement in the second area when toe meets leather against FreeShoesU.

And to think, he was voted SEC OPOY by coaches AND media while struggling with downfield passing and pocket presence late in the season.

But he just has that moxie, that winNing instinct, that ability to overcome adversity and lead. He scored the would-be championship winning TD in the waning minutes against Clempsum. The D just couldn't hold that lead.

How much better is he going to be THIS year? Ridley is saying it's a "night and day" difference already.

 

[Tidestalker]

Part of Saban's whole-part-whole philosophy is identifying what needs to be worked on, and developing and teaching toward that overall development, see what sticks, then focus on the other areas of development.

We've seen as fans what Jalen needs to improve. It goes without saying Saban and Daboll sees those same things. His 2 biggest areas of improvement were:

1) downfield passing, and
B) pocket presence.

And in 3 short months throughout the spring, one of those 2 has exponentially improved, as seen yesterday.

Excellent progress. No sense in wringing hands until after the 1st three games in the fall. We've still got another 3 months of summer off-season for Jalen to improve pocket presence.

As much as he improved this spring in the first area, I have no doubt we'll see the same level of improvement in the second area when toe meets leather against FreeShoesU.

Well said.

 

[TUSKtimes]

When Jalen plays poorly, it's because the defense is blitzing him and he's not allowed to escape. When Tua struggles, it's because the game is too fast.

You're right... Tua was playing against he 2's. But he was also playing WITH the 2's. He made that team look really, really good.

I've been on the Jalen bandwagon as long as anyone. But of the 2 things he needs to improve on, there's still 1 standing. Deep balls were awesome and clearly he's working on it. But in the first half, it looked like a replay of last year with the slow start, inability to convert on 3rd downs, and scrambling to his right (every time) when his first option isn't open. His pocket presence will need to improve vastly, because that's where good defenses will make him play.

We didn't see the RPO and that is a staple of Jalen's strength. Herbie spoke of Jalen quickly throwing his eyes down and taking off, I'm sure he's hearing that too in practice. But it seems it would be very unrealistic to expect him to be as patient and instinctive as Tua in the pocket. Some of his best instinctive runs, when they mattered most, were when he hit the hole at just the split second he did. Just because you want to stop a great runner, doesn't mean you can. Jalen beat LSU with his feet. And Clemson couldn't keep him out of the end zone when it mattered most. Jalen's deep ball is already better, we are going to give Jalen a better check down system with backs and TEs and his experience will help him see the field better.

 

[TerryP]

As far as 6 WR's... C'mon man. It's never gets that far. Even the 4th WR is a non factor in Saban ball.

We really aren't looking for two different things here. What I envision (otherwise known as want) is having a solid two-deep rotation for all three receiving positions. I don't want a defensive back looking at a WR, who's come on the field to spell one of the starters, as a pure blocker. Or, even worse, as a guy that isn't an option for the quarterback.

Yesterday gave us one hope, in my view, that if they were to lose a guy like Foster due to injury they still have a guy who can stretch the field with his speed. We say that yesterday with Calvin. I want a slot type guy who can back up Jeudy. I'm hopeful we'll see that with Ruggs.

($1 to Queen: I want it all, I want it now.)

 

[JoshB]

** On a side note and this should leave you shaking your head a bit. Ruggs isn't on campus yet. While he wasn't as highly ranked by the recruiting services as Jeudy my impression is he offers the same type of threat. And, just to put that in a little perspective, we're not even talking about Devonta Smith here.

Ruggs will make an impact, sooner rather than later, IMO. First as a return man.

Diggs makes me wonder how he is getting all the first-team reps. If all else fails I can see Wallace being a steadier influence if things break down quickly. McDonald likes to compete too.

Saban probably feels that the only way he will get better is running with the 1s and getting those reps, and he obviously sees something there with him. Likely instinct and natural ability.

When Jalen plays poorly, it's because the defense is blitzing him and he's not allowed to escape. When Tua struggles, it's because the game is too fast.

You're right... Tua was playing against he 2's. But he was also playing WITH the 2's. He made that team look really, really good.

I've been on the Jalen bandwagon as long as anyone. But of the 2 things he needs to improve on, there's still 1 standing. Deep balls were awesome and clearly he's working on it. But in the first half, it looked like a replay of last year with the slow start, inability to convert on 3rd downs, and scrambling to his right (every time) when his first option isn't open. His pocket presence will need to improve vastly, because that's where good defenses will make him play.

Good job taking what I said extremely out of context. Jalen didn't play poorly so I never said he only played poorly because of blitzes. I said that the blitzing took part of his game away (his feet). He still threw for over 300 yards... against the 1s... Tua completed maybe two passes for what? 6 yards maybe? Against the 1s... My point was his potential is huge (which I explicitly said) but he has a long road ahead to get to where I THINK he will eventually be.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

We didn't see the RPO and that is a staple of Jalen's strength. Herbie spoke of Jalen quickly throwing his eyes down and taking off, I'm sure he's hearing that too in practice. But it seems it would be very unrealistic to expect him to be as patient and instinctive as Tua in the pocket. Some of his best instinctive runs, when they mattered most, were when he hit the hole at just the split second he did. Just because you want to stop a great runner, doesn't mean you can. Jalen beat LSU with his feet. And Clemson couldn't keep him out of the end zone when it mattered most. Jalen's deep ball is already better, we are going to give Jalen a better check down system with backs and TEs and his experience will help him see the field better.

Well spoke!

 

[Tidestalker]

Good job taking what I said extremely out of context. Jalen didn't play poorly so I never said he only played poorly because of blitzes. I said that the blitzing took part of his game away (his feet). He still threw for over 300 yards... against the 1s... Tua completed maybe two passes for what? 6 yards maybe? Against the 1s... My point was his potential is huge (which I explicitly said) but he has a long road ahead to get to where I THINK he will eventually be.

I think he got 2-3 series with the 1's... So if we are objectively using that as a comparison, let's look at Jalen in that frame. I can't say I remember how long it took Jalen to throw his first TD but I do recall a slow start.

I actually thought some of Tua's best passes were covered well... Which was most impressive to me. There was 1 play that stood out to me and it was an incomplete pass. He stood in the pocket and stepped into a deep ball as someone smacked him in the chest when he released it... Something we just don't see with Jalen.

I've said all along that Jalen's running ability overcomes his passing issues... But the Clemson game def proved that I was a little off base.

 

[JoshB]

I think he got 2-3 series with the 1's... So if we are objectively using that as a comparison, let's look at Jalen in that frame. I can't say I remember how long it took Jalen to throw his first TD but I do recall a slow start.

I actually thought some of Tua's best passes were covered well... Which was most impressive to me. There was 1 play that stood out to me and it was an incomplete pass. He stood in the pocket and stepped into a deep ball as someone smacked him in the chest when he released it... Something we just don't see with Jalen.

I've said all along that Jalen's running ability overcomes his passing issues... But the Clemson game def proved that I was a little off base.

Jalen dropped that first beautiful 60-yard bomb to Ridley on his first pass of his second drive... yeah real slow...

Tua's best throw was the first TD pass to Simmons, IMO, perfect ball placement and anticipation. Granted Simmons made an insane catch over the defender but ball placement was terrific.

I guess we're just going to have to continue the "Jalen's passing sucks" crap until he drops 300 on FSU. Cant wait.

 

[Tidestalker]

Jalen dropped that first beautiful 60-yard bomb to Ridley on his first pass of his second drive... yeah real slow...

Tua's best throw was the first TD pass to Simmons, IMO, perfect ball placement and anticipation. Granted Simmons made an insane catch over the defender but ball placement was terrific.

I guess we're just going to have to continue the "Jalen's passing sucks" crap until he drops 300 on FSU. Cant wait.

Fair enough... That was a sweet pass.

 

[EasyTider]

This guy gets us

 

[TerryP]

I can't say I remember how long it took Jalen to throw his first TD but I do recall a slow start.

Jalen dropped that first beautiful 60-yard bomb to Ridley on his first pass of his second drive... yeah real slow...

A slow start is probably fair. He did have that long reception by Ridley followed by the INT in the end zone. To be fair to Jalen, that was as much on Forristall. He was having a hard time getting turned around with Evans on his hip.

And, if I may, let me emphasize "Evans on his hip." Rashaan had him covered like a blanket on that crossing route and that's coverage I love to see from the linebackers.

If you think about the way White came out on offense, Crimson was slow out of the gates. They were down 14-0 halfway through the first.

 

[TerryP]

A couple of other thoughts this afternoon.

As I've read the pro-Jalen vs the pro-Tua 'arguments' these last 24 hours it's hard to disagree with any of them. It's not unreasonable to suggest Tua may end up winning the starting job. It's very reasonable to have hopes Jalen may be breaking Alabama and SEC records these next two or three years. Neither side is wrong.

There is one thing I believe we can all count on as being the absolute truth. This is going to be a hell of a lot of fun to watch play out over these next few years as long as fans will let it play out.

Secondly, if you think back to last years spring games we had schools bringing in all sorts of entertainment including events like UGA bringing in Ludacris as entertainment. Last year we saw a UT spring game finishing with a final score of 120 to something with Sarge's "modified scoring system." (We saw either Gus or Chiz do that recently down on the Plains as well.) Yesterday, UT was having QB competitions throwing at different targets.

Now, Bama did have it's halftime entertainment with the dodgeball game with the alums...but that's not my point.

We actually watched a practice that was entertaining from a football perspective. A day in Tuscaloosa where all the extra things we see added at other schools...well, just not needed because we were watching competition. I consider us to be pretty damn lucky in that regard.

 

[Che Boludo]

Diggs makes me wonder how he is getting all the first-team reps.

Considering he was playing his first real reps at corner against some of the most talented WRs in the country with no design in the front 7 to really pressure the QB or scheme to confuse/challenge reads, with almost certain intent to challenge him for learning purposes, I think it could easily have been worse.

I think he'll be fine. But, yes, he does have some learning to do. Unfortunately, football players can only truly better themselves through experiential learning. So, we may see some mistakes on his side until he gets it or is replaced

But, that's likely why he was getting as much attention as he was.

 

[JoshB]

Considering he was playing his first real reps at corner against some of the most talented WRs in the country with no design in the front 7 to really pressure the QB or scheme to confuse/challenge reads, with almost certain intent to challenge him for learning purposes, I think it could easily have been worse.

I think he'll be fine. But, yes, he does have some learning to do. Unfortunately, football players can only truly better themselves through experiential learning. So, we may see some mistakes on his side until he gets it or is replaced

But, that's likely why he was getting as much attention as he was.

I think people really have to lay off of Diggs for awhile. We're talking about a guy that has been torn between receiver, safety and cornerback since he got here. I hope everyone keeps thinking about Cyrus when they look at this, he was one of those 'hybrids' that got torn between positions until settling at cornerback, and he struggled alot early. Then became an All American.

I dont expect Diggs to start, I actually think its going to be Shyheim Carter that gets the nod at the other corner spot, with Brown at star.