🏈 Finding a reliable return man a top priority this spring

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Special teams are often the most overlooked positional group.

But it can often be the one thing that decides a big game.

Case in point: the 2013 Iron Bowl.

Having reliable special team players can be the difference between ending a season in disappointment or winning the SEC and coming within seconds of winning the national championship.

Which is why one of the most pressing battles for Alabama this spring will be at returner, where the Tide replaces special teams return man extraordinaire Christion Jones, who had more than 1,000 yards on 56 returns for a nearly 18 yards-per-return average.

Tide coaches will be seeking a special teams playmaker to replace Jones, a challenge with Alabama’s second-leading returner last season, senior Cyrus Jones, on the mend with a hip injury.

Special teams nevertheless remain a strength, especially with the big legs of sophomore punter JK Scott, a fan favorite after his booming 48 yard-per-punt average as a freshman, and junior kicker Adam Griffith, whose missed 57-yard field goal try at the end of regulation in that 2013 Iron Bowl resulted in the game-winning return for Auburn.

Griffith rebounded in his second season, averaging nearly 61½ yards per kickoff, but scoring only 12 field goals on 19 attempts.

Departed: Christion Jones, Sr., KR/PR.

Spring flings: JK Scott, Soph., P; Adam Griffith, Jr., K; Gunnar Raborne, So., K; Cole Mazza, Jr., LS; Cyrus Jones, Sr., KR/PR; Chris Black, Jr., KR/PR; Kenyan Drake, Sr., KR/PR; and Tyren Jones, Soph., PR.

Incoming:None

Storylines: Who replaces Christion Jones as Alabama’s special teams ace? If he’s healthy and recovered from the leg injury suffered midway through last season, senior tailback Kenyan Drake would seem like a likely candidate, especially given his reliability as a pass catcher. Junior receiver Chris Black is another option, as is sophomore ArDarius Stewart.

Outlook: While returner is the biggest question mark, it’s hardly the only one.

Alabama is in an enviable position, with two kickers in whom it has great confidence: Griffith and Scott. Both have powerful legs that can negate the special teams aces of opposing teams.

But in the likelihood they’ll need a key returner at some point next season, expect Alabama coaches to take their time determining who that guy will be, with several return men likely rotating throughout spring to discover who will be the one they can count on when it matters most.


Decatur Daily—Continue reading...

 

[TerryP]

Storylines: Who replaces Christion Jones as Alabama’s special teams ace? If he’s healthy and recovered from the leg injury suffered midway through last season, senior tailback Kenyan Drake would seem like a likely candidate, especially given his reliability as a pass catcher. Junior receiver Chris Black is another option, as is sophomore ArDarius Stewart.

I certainly don't see Drake handling kicks and Black seems just as unlikely. Considering the way ArDarius was progressing last season, I've got serious doubts he'll be the guy either.

This story from the Decatur Daily is authored by Alex Byington--beat writer covering Auburn for the Opelika paper the last two, three years. I mention that to say this: I have to wonder if Alex paid attention to any Bama games last season. The two players that filled in for Christion were the two remaining Jones's; Cyrus and Tyren.

 

[UAgrad93]

I don't see Drake, Stewart or Black returning ANY type of kick unless it is a last ditch effort to win a game a la the 99 La Tech game at Legion Field when we kept putting Shaun Alexander back deep. He wasn't too bad either. I imagine it will be Cyrus deep. Marlon was pretty special at Hoover when he got the ball in his hands. Not sure if he returned kicks but could be an option. Tony Brown could be another as well.

 

[TerryP]

I imagine it will be Cyrus deep.

I know I've said it before, but I keep getting this Javy feeling with Cyrus this fall. I've nothing to back that up other than it just makes sense.

 

[jdpas29]

If Tyren Jones has the skillset for fielding punts/kickoffs and can get out of the doghouse, he would be my choice for return man. His quickness and height are perfect.

 

[psychojoe]

With the speed and athleticism that we have among our receivers, defensive backs and running backs I am not concerned about this.