šŸˆ šŸˆ Alabama's Fall Camp~2021

  • Saban saw a significant amount of improvement from the previous week’s scrimmage.
  • Kendall Randolph, DeMarcco Hellams and a few others were held out of the scrimmage due to injuries.
  • Saban mentioned one of the biggest issues with the younger players is dealing with anxiety. The coaching staff tries to convince them to play their game instead of worrying about the outside noise.
  • On the quarterbacks, Saban said all three guys (Young, Tyson and Milroe) took reps in the scrimmage to continue their development. Saban mentioned the offense has been pretty balanced throughout fall camp.
  • Coach Saban continues to give high praise to Ohio State wide receiver transfer Jameson Williams.
  • Regarding the offensive line, Saban said, ā€œwe’ve got work to do.ā€ He also noted there is competition at right tackle and at center.
  • Of Will Anderson, Saban said, ā€œWill is probably the guy that creates the most havoc for our defense in terms of his ability to pass rush.ā€
  • When asked about Jahleel Billingsley’s status on the depth chart, Saban said that was really up to Jahleel. Saban said: ā€œThis is not a democracy; everybody doesn’t get to do what they want to doā€. Billingsley’s status will be something to watch over the next couple of weeks.
  • Coach Saban spoke highly of Jordan Battle’s leadership on the back end of the defense.
 
The Will Anderson thing is gonna get real.

The progression I saw last year from basically "doing his job", to then pressuring, to then sacking & creating havoc, all in 1 season... Man, if he continues to progress at this level there's almost no way he's not wrecking games for the next 2 seasons. He will continue to get bigger/stronger/faster and smarter, but has that fundamental mentality of being able to do his job before he takes unnecessary risks.

I'm trying to think of comparisons in the Saban era at UA, but nothing is coming to mind. He's way ahead of Tim Williams as a youngster and is way more well rounded. Upshaw was a game wrecker, but Anderson's frame is longer & more ideal. Sam with Ryan Anderson. Adrian Hubbard had some moments for sure, but WA's ceiling is so much higher. Rashaan Evans had the speed edge but isn't near as big/strong/dominant as Will is going to be.

And all of this is great news for Chris Allen, who's no slouch either. The 2 of them should be able to draw enough attention to hopefully free the other up to produce all season. I don't remember coming into a season with 2 legitimately proven pass rush / TFL guys healthy and ready to roll. And the depth behind them should be great too, but it's hard to imagine these 2 not taking most of the snaps!

I've echoed these sentiments as well. Since 2017, I believe it was, we haven't had a "killer/attack" overall mentality on defense, and even with that unit I felt we were lacking in the defensive backfield. I'm thinking more like the 2009 defense since this type of look. This unit, has it everywhere! Experience, talent, size, speed, and elite athleticism. I'll say it again, but I feel we go against Coach Saban's comments about defenses owning offenses. I think these guys will turn the clock back for us and we're gonna see some butt whoopings. Then next year the offense will catch up and we'll be hell on wheels again.
 
This is odd.
I think you read that wrong.

TE: And I’ve mentioned this elsewhere, but if Coach Saban’s problem with Billingsley has anything to do with his vaccination status, he surely disguised that fact well in his comments after the scrimmage.

If it had something to do with one thing you never would have known it. Doesn't seem to odd to me. Nothing Saban said about JBill indicated a thing about the vaccine.
 
I do find the comment/observation odd, but don't want to blow it out of proportion either. Not my job to sensor or fix the internet, that's for sure.
To me it looks like you got a little 'hung up' on a turn of phrase. I read it that way but I also knew exactly what Saban said and what he was referencing.
 
If things go according to the timeline they normall do the "two deep" will be released next week. Two roles we can pretty much settle as "done" on the defense: the two "set/play callers."

On the front seven To'o To'o. Saban made this comment concerning the back-end in his pressor.

Jordan Battle is another player Saban has called out this offseason. During the spring, the head coach brought up the junior’s veteran role on the team, stating that ā€œit's kind of up to him as to how he wants to accept the role of leadership.ā€ Unlike Billingsley, Battle appears to have risen up to the challenge, taking on a more assertive role on defense this fall.
"He's doing really well,ā€ Saban said Saturday. ā€œHe's been the leader back there. He makes all the calls. He's very smart. Him and DeMarco [Hellams] both were playing really, really well. ... They're both smart. They both know the system. They don't make very many mistakes and Jordan Battle has been a real leader, you know, in the backend. So he's done everything that we've asked and he does it in the way that we like for him to do it, and I'm very pleased with the progress that he's made."
Battle started 12 of Alabama’s 13 games last season, finishing third on the team with 66 tackles while registering three stops for a loss and returning an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound safety finished fourth on the team with a 81.5 mark from Pro Football Focus while tallying four pass deflections. Battle has been working with the first-team unit at safety this fall and appears poised to retain his starting role this season.
 
If things go according to the timeline they normall do the "two deep" will be released next week. Two roles we can pretty much settle as "done" on the defense: the two "set/play callers."

On the front seven To'o To'o. Saban made this comment concerning the back-end in his pressor.

Jordan Battle is another player Saban has called out this offseason. During the spring, the head coach brought up the junior’s veteran role on the team, stating that ā€œit's kind of up to him as to how he wants to accept the role of leadership.ā€ Unlike Billingsley, Battle appears to have risen up to the challenge, taking on a more assertive role on defense this fall.
"He's doing really well,ā€ Saban said Saturday. ā€œHe's been the leader back there. He makes all the calls. He's very smart. Him and DeMarco [Hellams] both were playing really, really well. ... They're both smart. They both know the system. They don't make very many mistakes and Jordan Battle has been a real leader, you know, in the backend. So he's done everything that we've asked and he does it in the way that we like for him to do it, and I'm very pleased with the progress that he's made."
Battle started 12 of Alabama’s 13 games last season, finishing third on the team with 66 tackles while registering three stops for a loss and returning an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound safety finished fourth on the team with a 81.5 mark from Pro Football Focus while tallying four pass deflections. Battle has been working with the first-team unit at safety this fall and appears poised to retain his starting role this season.
Great to hear about his progress.... The question for me, in regards to draft status, will come down to speed. He's physical and has instincts, just not sure where he stacks up speed wise vs today's NFL safeties.
 
Great to hear about his progress.... The question for me, in regards to draft status, will come down to speed. He's physical and has instincts, just not sure where he stacks up speed wise vs today's NFL safeties.

Right away, Battle passes the eye test. While some safeties linger under 200 pounds, Battle is comfortably over that mark. He stands around 6’1″, 210 pounds. This size makes him a looming coverage threat and a fairly stout box defender.

Additionally, Battle has the athletic skill set to supplement his size. He’s an explosive player who has terrific burst, both coming downfield and out of hip transitions. He moves with undeniable twitch and energy, and he also has the lateral athleticism to sneak through congestion and navigate to the ball.

Beyond his short-area explosiveness, Battle flips his hips with ease. He’s an exceptionally fluid mover for his size, and his nimble footwork helps with this. He possesses the long speed necessary to close gaps and carry receivers downfield, and he also has excellent pursuit quickness. Battle doesn’t always reach his top speed, but he plays at a torrid pace when he’s confident in what he sees.

The thing if he goes NFL next year.. He'll be top 3 Safety.... if he does well.
 

Right away, Battle passes the eye test. While some safeties linger under 200 pounds, Battle is comfortably over that mark. He stands around 6’1″, 210 pounds. This size makes him a looming coverage threat and a fairly stout box defender.

Additionally, Battle has the athletic skill set to supplement his size. He’s an explosive player who has terrific burst, both coming downfield and out of hip transitions. He moves with undeniable twitch and energy, and he also has the lateral athleticism to sneak through congestion and navigate to the ball.

Beyond his short-area explosiveness, Battle flips his hips with ease. He’s an exceptionally fluid mover for his size, and his nimble footwork helps with this. He possesses the long speed necessary to close gaps and carry receivers downfield, and he also has excellent pursuit quickness. Battle doesn’t always reach his top speed, but he plays at a torrid pace when he’s confident in what he sees.

The thing if he goes NFL next year.. He'll be top 3 Safety.... if he does well.

Still don't think his hit on the Ohio State tight end was illegal. He'll lay a pop on you.
 
"...a variety of ways he can punt the ball." Traditional and rugby style in the last scrimmage (did shank one but did well on the other four or five.)

 
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