Ben Jones
TideSports.com Staff Writer
Reggie Ragland showed in one year what he can do at inside linebacker. He's not moving on from the position now, but he is moving around.
Ragland has been working through some pass rush drills in the early part of fall camp. The All-SEC pick isn't likely to leave his position in his senior year, but he is working on improving other parts of his game.
Linebacker Reggie Ragland has been working with the outside linebackers to improve his pass rush skills this fall.
"Coach and them already knew I could pass rush a little bit," he said. "They just wanted me to show I can do more."
That's not unusual for linebackers, Alabama coach Nick Saban said. Dont'a Hightower moved around and learned different positions through his career and was used as a rusher in certain spots. Most of the Crimson Tide's inside linebackers eventually learn to play in multiple positions within the defense, though some of those positions can be related.
"Most of our guys can play either place, Mike and Will," Saban said. "In our 3-4, the two positions are not that dramatically different. Then we play a Mack and a Money in a Nickel, which we play a lot more than we play regular in this day and age of football. Most of those guys can play both of those positions."
In a Dime package, the Money position is a defensive back, leaving the Mack as the only linebacker, Saban said.
Ragland isn't the only player with that kind of ability either, though he has the most experience at the position. UA's other linebackers have been able to expand their roles from one spot to another so they can stay on the field in more situations.
"It depends on a player's ability to adapt, learning all those different things so they don't get confused in terms of the assignments they have," Saban said. "In regular defense, the three guys that we primarily rotate, Reuben (Foster), Shaun Dion (Hamilton) and Reggie, they can play either place pretty easily. It's a little harder in nickel because you get caught in some different kind of matchups, but they're all capable and understand how to do it."
Stewart stands out
There are still questions about how to replace all of the production lost with the departure of wide receiver Amari Cooper, but the offense may be close to finding one of the answers. Sophomore wide receiver ArDarius Stewart has received praise throughout camp. Saban said he has been the most consistent receiver so far in camp.
"I think he's the next guy that we need to sort of be the man when it comes to playing receiver and playing with consistency," Saban said. "Quarterbacks can develop confidence in some guys that they can go to, and he's certainly done a good job of that so far."
Stewart had 12 catches for 149 yards last year, but was on his way to a bigger role in the offense before suffering a stretched knee ligament against Mississippi State. He went into that game as the Crimson Tide's third wide receiver, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said.
He's been "making plays every day" in fall camp, Saban said. That's the kind of consistency the offense will look for in the season.
"ArDarius is probably the most talented guy that we have, and has made some significant plays, even in games or in the spring, made some plays in some scrimmages," Kiffin said. "We just have to get him to take it to the next level where he can be an every-down player."
Freshman out indefinitely
Freshman outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings is out indefinitely after failing a physical. Saban said on Wednesday he has a slipped disc in his back and will not be able to participate in practice, though he'll remain with the team.
"He'll be awhile before he's cleared to go," he said. "He's cleared for rehab purposes but not really here to participate in camp."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1791910#sthash.Sn8xK1ED.dpuf
TideSports.com Staff Writer
Reggie Ragland showed in one year what he can do at inside linebacker. He's not moving on from the position now, but he is moving around.
Ragland has been working through some pass rush drills in the early part of fall camp. The All-SEC pick isn't likely to leave his position in his senior year, but he is working on improving other parts of his game.
Linebacker Reggie Ragland has been working with the outside linebackers to improve his pass rush skills this fall.
"Coach and them already knew I could pass rush a little bit," he said. "They just wanted me to show I can do more."
That's not unusual for linebackers, Alabama coach Nick Saban said. Dont'a Hightower moved around and learned different positions through his career and was used as a rusher in certain spots. Most of the Crimson Tide's inside linebackers eventually learn to play in multiple positions within the defense, though some of those positions can be related.
"Most of our guys can play either place, Mike and Will," Saban said. "In our 3-4, the two positions are not that dramatically different. Then we play a Mack and a Money in a Nickel, which we play a lot more than we play regular in this day and age of football. Most of those guys can play both of those positions."
In a Dime package, the Money position is a defensive back, leaving the Mack as the only linebacker, Saban said.
Ragland isn't the only player with that kind of ability either, though he has the most experience at the position. UA's other linebackers have been able to expand their roles from one spot to another so they can stay on the field in more situations.
"It depends on a player's ability to adapt, learning all those different things so they don't get confused in terms of the assignments they have," Saban said. "In regular defense, the three guys that we primarily rotate, Reuben (Foster), Shaun Dion (Hamilton) and Reggie, they can play either place pretty easily. It's a little harder in nickel because you get caught in some different kind of matchups, but they're all capable and understand how to do it."
Stewart stands out
There are still questions about how to replace all of the production lost with the departure of wide receiver Amari Cooper, but the offense may be close to finding one of the answers. Sophomore wide receiver ArDarius Stewart has received praise throughout camp. Saban said he has been the most consistent receiver so far in camp.
"I think he's the next guy that we need to sort of be the man when it comes to playing receiver and playing with consistency," Saban said. "Quarterbacks can develop confidence in some guys that they can go to, and he's certainly done a good job of that so far."
Stewart had 12 catches for 149 yards last year, but was on his way to a bigger role in the offense before suffering a stretched knee ligament against Mississippi State. He went into that game as the Crimson Tide's third wide receiver, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said.
He's been "making plays every day" in fall camp, Saban said. That's the kind of consistency the offense will look for in the season.
"ArDarius is probably the most talented guy that we have, and has made some significant plays, even in games or in the spring, made some plays in some scrimmages," Kiffin said. "We just have to get him to take it to the next level where he can be an every-down player."
Freshman out indefinitely
Freshman outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings is out indefinitely after failing a physical. Saban said on Wednesday he has a slipped disc in his back and will not be able to participate in practice, though he'll remain with the team.
"He'll be awhile before he's cleared to go," he said. "He's cleared for rehab purposes but not really here to participate in camp."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1791910#sthash.Sn8xK1ED.dpuf
