Since today marks the last time the team will practice before heading home for the Christmas break I thought I'd put a few things out there that have happened over the last several days with the team.
It's certainly not "everything," but just what comes to mind as I quickly run through a few things...
If anything else comes to mind I'll get back to this thread...happy holidays folks!
It's certainly not "everything," but just what comes to mind as I quickly run through a few things...
- As mentioned here on a few occasions, the first three days the team was back together in the Thomas-Drew practice fields the drills were much like what the team goes through at the beginning of fall camp.
Strictly fundamental work, drills with different units to get the team back in "football playing mindsets."
- A few of the changes in personnel that were expected have been implemented. In "Saban terminology," these are still in the "experimental stage," but there is sufficient reason to think one is permanent with the possibility of the second one being as well.
After working out this season with the receiving corps, Chris Jackson continues to work with the defensive backfield. He's been working with the safeties this past week.
Another move, speculated about since he arrived on campus, had Michael Williams working with the TE's. He's been on the defensive side of the ball all season.
B.J. Scott is still working with the Wide Receivers and will be in that rotation for the Sugar Bowl. However, it is still my belief that we'll see him move to the secondary in spring camp.
- The injury report, not those a little dinged up but those who have remained in no-contact (black) jerseys, has just one we've seen most of the season. Tyler Love is still being held out of contact due to his foot problem.
- Barrett Jones hasn't been working out with the team the last few days after the procedure on his shoulder. He's expected back for the spring camp.
- Justin Woodall still has his hand bandaged up (finger) but it hasn't been a serious enough injury to keep him out of all the drills.
- The latest guy out, temporarily, is Nikita Stover and
he'll be back in the playing rotation by the time we hit the "Big Easy," if not today. He "tweaked" his hamstring in practice this week.
- Marquis Maze was in black as well this past week due to a minor injury. He, along with Stover, are day to day situations.
- As you probably know, Upchurch will not play in the Sugar Bowl after the procedure on his neck. Hopes are to have him back in time for spring camp. Also, as already mentioned as well, Oakley (collar bone) won't play in New Orleans as well.
- The rotation, based on drill work, for the RB's looks to be Coffee, Ingram with Griffin taking Upchurch's spot.
- If there is one constant with the practices this week is the fact they are very physical. Busted hands, busted noses, the scrapes, bumps and bruises continue with the having some very intense workouts.
- It's been a busy week along the sidelines as well. As noted and discussed on the recruiting forum here we've had a number of guys already committed and a few that are high on our recruiting board at practices this week. Quite a few high school coaches around the South east have made their way to Tuscaloosa to watch the practice routines as well.
- Recent signee, OL James Carpenter, is on campus and at practices but not participating. He'll begin full work with the team after the bowl game when the 4th quarter program kicks off in January.
- Ivan Matchett is probably the guy I'd say has been the most impressive on the Scout team this season. But, that said, there are a handful of others that have stuck out as well. I mention Matchett because he's been playing the role of the Utah running back we'll face in the Sugar Bowl, Matt Asiata.
- Earlier I mentioned Williams working with the tight ends, he's also adopted the role on the Scout team of Chris Joppru for Utah.
- Yesterday's practice was in the Hank Crisp facility. The team has practiced indoors and outdoors the past week.
- Also already mentioned here on a few occasions Colin Peek figures to be in the TE rotation for the Sugar Bowl. It'll be interesting to see how much action he sees on Jan. 2nd.
- The team will resume practices on the 27th in New Orleans. Their first workout, said to be a light one, will be the beginning of our normal game week schedule.
- After spending the first four practices on fundamentals, the team started working on aspects of the Utah game two practices ago. Defensively, there is little this team hasn't seen and already prepared for this season. Their preparation will be more of a review of defending this scheme. The offensive game plan won't have a lot of changes in it as well.
- As noted, there are no players academically ineligible for the Sugar Bowl. On a related note, the Tide finished 15th in the Academic Bowl Challenge. Here's an interesting read for you on the Tide and academics
- In closing, under the category of "things you should already know and if you don't crawl out from under that rock..."
The game is at 8:00 EST, January 2nd. It'll be broadcast by FOX.
If anything else comes to mind I'll get back to this thread...happy holidays folks!
