🏈 Day 2 of spring camp, '15: Five questions.

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Brush up on the news as the Crimson Tide returns from spring break for Practice 2 of 15.

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[Max]

Before Spring Break is over, though, here are five questions surrounding the Crimson Tide’s second spring practice:

1. Will the first-team offensive line be the same?

In last Friday’s first practice, we, the media, saw what appeared to be the first installment of Alabama’s first-team offensive line. It consisted of Cameron Robinson at left tackle, Alphonse Taylor at left guard, Ryan Kelly at center,Bradley Bozeman at right guard and Dominick Jackson at right tackle.

But will that be the first group we see tomorrow? We know Robinson and Kelly will be there, as both players are returning starters. That’s not up for debate. But will there be any new faces beside them during the media viewing portions of Monday’s practice?

It could be that we see redshirt freshman Ross Pierschbacher at right tackle and Jackson, who is known as a mauler in the run game, at one of the guard spots. Pierschbacher was behind Jackson at right tackle on Friday and could possibly get a look with the first-team unit.

2. Who will be the Mike linebacker beside Ragland?

When the media walked into the indoor facility last week, it was sophomore Shaun Hamilton that was going through individual drills alongside returning starter Reggie Ragland at the Mike linebacker position. But could this change?

Ragland spoke to reporters following Alabama’s first practice and said Hamilton, Reuben Foster and Dillon Lee had all worked beside him that day in shells. Foster and Lee are obviously more experienced players, having been in the program longer and seen the field more, but Ragland and others have praised the younger Hamilton for his wits and ability to digest the playbook.

The Mike spot on the field is one of the most important to fill for Alabama this offseason, so it will be interesting to see if there’s movement there when the team hits the field again on Monday.

3. What about the two first-team safeties?

The Crimson Tide is tasked with replacing two starting safeties this spring and offseason, and that’s not even mentioning the Star and Money roles. At last Friday’s practice, sophomore Laurence Jones appeared to be working at strong safety, with a couple of guys shuffling in beside him in the defensive backfield.

The first, and the player with more experience, was Geno Smith, and that’s not surprising, considering he was a major contributor in the secondary last season. But early enrollee Ronnie Harrison also appeared to be mixing in at the free safety position in his first college practice.

The order of the safeties is sometimes difficult to decipher inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility, as they’re farther away from reporters, so hopefully Monday will welcome clearer weather for an outside practice. Still, the two safety spots, like the three O-line vacancies, will be position battles to keep an eye on this spring.

4. Who will begin to emerge as No. 3 RB?

Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake are Alabama’s top-two running backs. That’s a fact. But with Tyren Jones serving an indefinite suspension and a stable of younger, inexperienced tailbacks behind him, the question of who will emerge as the No. 3 back arises.

Early enrollee Bo Scarbrough is a name most want to hear project from the speakers inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, but like it was already mentioned, he’s an early enrollee with only a few practices under his belt.

Other guys, like another early enrollee Desherrius Flowers and former defensive back Ronnie Clark are also vying for playing time and could make a surprise jump up the running back pecking order this spring.

5. Will we see Hill on Monday?

Another player we could see get into the position battle mix along the offensive line is Grant Hill, who missed the first practice because of sickness. There is no new information on Hill’s situation, but 10 days off might be enough time to see the big fella return to the practice field.

Hill returning would add intrigue to the O-line battles, as he was considered the sixth-best lineman on the team by Nick Saban not too long ago. I’ll be looking for No. 64 as soon as the media is allowed onto the practice field Monday.

 

[TerryP]

Another player we could see get into the position battle mix along the offensive line is Grant Hill, who missed the first practice because of sickness.

On medical leave vs sickness. One from Saban, the later a reporters wording.

 

[planomateo]

On medical leave vs sickness. One from Saban, the later a reporters wording.

Charlie Potter with Bama Online?

 

[TerryP]

Charlie Potter with Bama Online?

Si.

Casagrande: "Saban said he was on "medical leave" without giving any specifics."

 

[BamaFan334]

Yeah, he made it seem as if Hill may never return or something.