🏈 A-Day In Review.

[Che Boludo]

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.

I agree.

Though they didnt bounce around between positions, Milliner and Humphrey were both great CBs that had some growing pains. As was Jackson in the secondary until he found a home at safety.

Just takes time and game speed reps. CNS runs an NFL defense and a lot of pressure is put on the guys in the secondary to perform ... to say the least.

Taking away the scheme and pass rush in a scrimmage against that level of WR is certainly a disadvantage for a guy trying learn yet another position . I think he'll do well though. Seems a pure athlete like his brother. Just needs the experience.

 

[TerryP]

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.

What the hell?

 

[JoshB]

What the hell?

What what the hell?

 

[TerryP]

What what the hell?

You think Carter is going to start over Averett?

 

[Tidestalker]

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.

With the media hype... It seems nearly impossible this day in age for Tua to "wait his turn". If there's any kid that seems high character enough to grind it out, it would be him... But just seems like 2-3 years would be an eternity for this generation of QB.

A 2 QB system is intriguing to me. Highly doubt it happens, but Saban has been willing to step out on a ledge before.

 

[JoshB]

You think Carter is going to start over Averett?

Opposite Averett.

 

[bradenob]

Opposite Averett.

And just when I start to agree with you...... sigh.....

 

[bradenob]

I agree.

Though they didnt bounce around between positions, Milliner and Humphrey were both great CBs that had some growing pains. As was Jackson in the secondary until he found a home at safety.

Just takes time and game speed reps. CNS runs an NFL defense and a lot of pressure is put on the guys in the secondary to perform ... to say the least.

Taking away the scheme and pass rush in a scrimmage against that level of WR is certainly a disadvantage for a guy trying learn yet another position . I think he'll do well though. Seems a pure athlete like his brother. Just needs the experience.

I saw the posts dogging Diggs, then I watched the game, tonite, studying him as much as I could. He got beat by RIDLEY - like that's shocking. And on Jalen's PERFECT throw to Ridley on the last TD, as well as the one to Foster, he was right there.

He's long, athletic, and instinctive. I am not saying Birdman's ridiculous to pick Carter, but I think Diggs will only get better and will be the starter next year. They will coach him up and his potential is better than Eddie Jackson's. Look how he turned out.

 

[TerryP]

Opposite Averett.

Didn't read that way to me and I'm not reading the corners like you are either. I can see Shy getting some starts next year when they open in Dime.

It's sorta funny we're tossing this around and I can picture Levi, sitting a few yards away, shrugging.

 

[TUSKtimes]

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.

So I was wondering why the accelerated pace with Diggs? On the road to Humphrey's corner position, they have Diggs obviously taking reps in the passing lane. Cyrus Jones is referenced here quite a lot on this discussion and I'm not a proponent of taking our lumps as we watch Trevon Diggs grow into his role. I am all for a steady player like Levi Wallace taking the job he handled last season and let's see if Diggs or Robinson or Carter can come get it. He's getting reps like he's the one who backed up #26 last season.

 

[TerryP]

So I was wondering why the accelerated pace with Diggs?

Some of it is related to Sheffield. Where would Burgess-Becker be right now, safety? If so, that puts Minkah back at corner. If Charlot doesn't transfer, there's a good chance Diggs doesn't get reps at wide receiver last season.

A lot of moving parts here.

 

[JoshB]

Didn't read that way to me and I'm not reading the corners like you are either. I can see Shy getting some starts next year when they open in Dime.

It's sorta funny we're tossing this around and I can picture Levi, sitting a few yards away, shrugging.

He's just looked really solid to me. Looked solid when he played last year, looked solid Saturday and all the reports I've seen said he's been looking solid in practices. The way it shakes out, IMO, is Averett and Carter at the corners with Harrison/Hootie and Minkah at safety and Brown at star.

I do think Levi will get plenty of playing time, maybe even coming in when they switch to dime with Carter moving to dime? I think Hootie will get play in dime too.

 

[Tidestalker]

Didn't read that way to me and I'm not reading the corners like you are either. I can see Shy getting some starts next year when they open in Dime.

It's sorta funny we're tossing this around and I can picture Levi, sitting a few yards away, shrugging.

Wallace is just a lot longer than Shy Carter & McDonald. Always seems like such an advantage when the ball is in the air

 

[TerryP]

He's just looked really solid to me. Looked solid when he played last year, looked solid Saturday and all the reports I've seen said he's been looking solid in practices.

Okay. That's stepping out on a limb as little as he's been seen. It was appearance snaps last season; Dallas against USC, and UF in ATL. He and Levi saw some against Kent State and the like. Other than that we're talking special teams.

 

[UAgrad93]

Overall, I found A Day to be entertaining. I especially liked when Saban changed up the rules in the 4th and put the pressure on the offenses to go for it on 4th and long. Flipside was when the offense failed, the pressure was then on the defense to get the stop. It put both units in a do or die, make or break situation, much like the final 2 minutes of the game. I liked the downfield passing attack that we showed. No bubble screens or jet sweep pop passes was a nice change of pace too. Throwing the downfield ball and having success with it is really going to cause opposing defenses problems. The improvement there will only help our run game. We have 3 guys on campus right now that can blow the top off of the defense. Add Ruggs and D. Smith in the fall and WOW!!
12- 1 hand tag sacks seems like a concern but I see Jalen and or Tua escaping them. The likely number for both sides total was probably around 6, where the defense just engulfed them.
Jalen is the #1 and Tua is a distant 2nd. While Tua made some really good throws, he did struggle when going against the #1 defense. I would think though that if needed, Saban would have Daboll get Tua ready and call a game more to his strengths.

I've read on here about Jalen, "constantly bails to his right and that defenses will counter that." I have to disagree. Jalen "bails" that way simply because that is where the majority of his 1st and 2nd reads are. It is easier for a Rt handed QB to throw to his right, rolling and throwing to his right, and running for his life and throwing to his right. It is all about getting those hips opened and shoulders turned and pointed to the target when going left. Tua made a good throw rolling to his right early in the scrimmage. He got his shoulders squared to the LOS before releasing.

We mentioned WRs and Jeudy, Ridley, Foster being the rocket men with Ruggs and Smith on the way!! We need dependability from Sims, Simmons, Shavers, Marks, etc. @TerryP said it best, we need 6+ WRs that we can switch in and out and get the needed blocking from these guys when the ball isn't in the air. Saban FACT!!! If you can't block, you aren't going to see the field very often, if at all.

 

[TerryP]

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

We mentioned WRs and Jeudy, Ridley, Foster being the rocket men with Ruggs and Smith on the way!! We need dependability from Sims, Simmons, Shavers, Marks, etc. @TerryP said it best, we need 6+ WRs that we can switch in and out and get the needed blocking from these guys when the ball isn't in the air. Saban FACT!!! If you can't block, you aren't going to see the field very often, if at all.

I had a conversation this morning I thought I'd share; found it to be good news.

One of the guys I've talked with about the defensive backs for the last few years used the term "selling routes" this morning. You know how football terminology has become, right? I had to ask him to define "selling routes" so I knew we were on the same page.

He mentioned the guys who weren't on the receiving end of the passing plays, specifically how they were still feigning cuts while the ball was in play in a different area of the field. He went on to talk about how they were doing the same in the few running plays we saw. It was his impression it was an improvement over last year—a compliment to Locksley.

 

[Tidestalker]

We mentioned WRs and Jeudy, Ridley, Foster being the rocket men with Ruggs and Smith on the way!! We need dependability from Sims, Simmons, Shavers, Marks, etc. @TerryP said it best, we need 6+ WRs that we can switch in and out and get the needed blocking from these guys when the ball isn't in the air. Saban FACT!!! If you can't block, you aren't going to see the field very often, if at all.

Deiter couldn't block or catch and he rarely came off the field... One of the weirdest things ever.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Overall, I found A Day to be entertaining. I especially liked when Saban changed up the rules in the 4th and put the pressure on the offenses to go for it on 4th and long. Flipside was when the offense failed, the pressure was then on the defense to get the stop. It put both units in a do or die, make or break situation, much like the final 2 minutes of the game. I liked the downfield passing attack that we showed. No bubble screens or jet sweep pop passes was a nice change of pace too. Throwing the downfield ball and having success with it is really going to cause opposing defenses problems. The improvement there will only help our run game. We have 3 guys on campus right now that can blow the top off of the defense. Add Ruggs and D. Smith in the fall and WOW!!
12- 1 hand tag sacks seems like a concern but I see Jalen and or Tua escaping them. The likely number for both sides total was probably around 6, where the defense just engulfed them.
Jalen is the #1 and Tua is a distant 2nd. While Tua made some really good throws, he did struggle when going against the #1 defense. I would think though that if needed, Saban would have Daboll get Tua ready and call a game more to his strengths.

I've read on here about Jalen, "constantly bails to his right and that defenses will counter that." I have to disagree. Jalen "bails" that way simply because that is where the majority of his 1st and 2nd reads are. It is easier for a Rt handed QB to throw to his right, rolling and throwing to his right, and running for his life and throwing to his right. It is all about getting those hips opened and shoulders turned and pointed to the target when going left. Tua made a good throw rolling to his right early in the scrimmage. He got his shoulders squared to the LOS before releasing.

We mentioned WRs and Jeudy, Ridley, Foster being the rocket men with Ruggs and Smith on the way!! We need dependability from Sims, Simmons, Shavers, Marks, etc. @TerryP said it best, we need 6+ WRs that we can switch in and out and get the needed blocking from these guys when the ball isn't in the air. Saban FACT!!! If you can't block, you aren't going to see the field very often, if at all.

Agreed on all points.

 

[UAgrad93]

Deiter couldn't block or catch and he rarely came off the field... One of the weirdest things ever.

Dieter might have been a bit of a liability in the passing game, even though he finished with 5-6 TD catches, but you saw him drive blocking guys into the damn fence. He did struggle at the point of attack, the bubble screens, but it was on down the field blocks that Dieter and Stewart really worked some guys over.

 

[UAgrad93]

Check out Dieter on the reverse to Ridley @Tidestalker . He had the guy on roller skates and that play took a while to develop.