🏈 Pre-game thread & Practice Reports: Texas A&M

[Alabama17Tide]

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama participated in its first practice in preparation for Saturday’s game at Texas A&M. Players were dressed in shorts and shells under cloudy, 77-degree weather for the workout.

Here are some notes from the media viewing period:

— Injured defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (knee) and defensive back Trevon Diggs (foot) were both absent during practice. Alabama head coach Nick Saban said Hand suffered an MCL injury and is doubtful for this week’s game and possibly future games as well. Diggs was listed as day-to-day but will also most likely sit out against Texas A&M.

— Starting center Bradley Bozeman was limited during practice. He was dressed out in a white jersey and full pads and was wearing a helmet for the viewing period. However, he did not participate in any of the drills with the rest of the offensive line. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Kennedy started in his place at center with the first-team offensive line.

— Jamey Mosley was back at practice with the outside linebackers. Mosley missed most of Alabama’s practices last week due to an illness and did not play in Saturday’s game against Ole Miss. Anfernee Jennings led the unit followed by Mosley, Christopher Allen, Mekhi Brown, Joshua McMillon and VanDarius Cowan.

— With Hand absent from the defensive lineman, Da’ron Payne led the unit and was followed by Joshua Frazier, Raekwon Davis, Isaiah Buggs, Quinnen Williams, Johnny Dwight, Jamar King and LaBryan Ray.

— Rashaan Evans led the inside linebackers and was followed by Shaun Dion Hamilton, Keith Holcombe, Dylan Moses Markail Benton with Mack Wilson bringing up the rear as normal.

Monday practice Texas A&M game week | BamaInsider.com

 

[Tidestalker]

Pumped to see Q Williams get a big opportunity. Hopefully he makes some plays.

Tough year for Diggs. All indication that he would have a huge role this season but Levi snatched that spot, and wouldn't be surprised to see Ruggs take the KR/PR role next.

But with Wallace and AA leaving next year he should be primed and ready to step in. Shoot, 1 solid year for AA and he came in as a potential first rounder. Could see Diggs doing the same

 

[BamaFan334]

Pumped to see Q Williams get a big opportunity. Hopefully he makes some plays.

Tough year for Diggs. All indication that he would have a huge role this season but Levi snatched that spot, and wouldn't be surprised to see Ruggs take the KR/PR role next.

But with Wallace and AA leaving next year he should be primed and ready to step in. Shoot, 1 solid year for AA and he came in as a potential first rounder. Could see Diggs doing the same

I agree about Diggs. Thrust into the fire and struggled a hair, but it's all a learning experience for him. If he'll use that experience and listen to the coaches he will come in next year, fill a big void in the secondary and could skyrocket up some draft boards. The talent is there and he's not a bad corner at all.

 

[Alabama17Tide]

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama players worked outside Tuesday in their second practice in preparation for Saturday’s game at Texas A&M. Players were dressed in full pads under sunny, 83-degree weather for the workout.

Here are some notes from the media viewing period:

— Bradley Bozeman was limited for a second straight day during the viewing session. He was suited up in a white jersey but stood behind the rest of the offensive linemen as they went through drills. At this time there is no news on whether or not he is injured or not. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Kennedy was working in Bozeman’s place at center with the first-team offensive line.

— A couple of notes on injured players: Da’Shawn Hand (knee) was seen walking with a heavy limp and a brace on his left leg inside the weight room before practice. Saban said Hand is doubtful for this week and possibly a few weeks following. Trevon Diggs (foot) was riding a medical scooter in the weight room. He had a boot on his right foot. Saban said the sophomore cornerback is day-to-day, although at this point it looks probable that he will miss Saturday’s game. Miller Forristall, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury against Colorado State, was seen on crutches before practice. He looked to be in good spirits.

— Alabama’s offensive line was working out of different jumbo packages during practice. One of the ones I noticed was Jonah Williams switching over to the right side to the right of Matt Womack at tackle. Jedrick Wills took Williams’ spot at left tackle, while Ross Pierschbacher played left guard, Kennedy played center and Lester Cotton played right guard. Wills also got reps at right tackle with the first-team offense. He started there last week against Ole Miss.

— With Hand absent, Alabama’s first-team defensive line consisted of Raekwon Davis, Da’Ron Payne and Isaiah Buggs. Jamar King, Joshua Frazier and Johnny Dwight made up the second group.

— Outside linebackers were working with tackling dummies at the beginning of practice. During the drill, outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi stopped a walk-on, telling him “Don’t strike in the groin, that’s gross.”

— Some scout-team numbers to report: Linebacker Ben Davis was wearing the No. 25 representing Texas A&M’s Tyrel Dodson (6-2, 242 pounds). Freshman receiver Tyrell Shavers was wearing No. 2 representing Aggies freshman Jhamon Ausbon (6-2, 220 pounds). Freshman safety Daniel Wright was wearing No. 11 representing Texas A&M’s Larry Pryor (6-foot, 205 pounds).

Tuesday practice report (Texas A&M game week) | BamaInsider.com

 

[Tidestalker]

Quinnen Williams not in the 2 deep yesterday?! Hope that's a typo...

 

[17BAMA]

— Bradley Bozeman was limited for a second straight day during the viewing session. He was suited up in a white jersey but stood behind the rest of the offensive linemen as they went through drills. At this time there is no news on whether or not he is injured or not. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Kennedy was working in Bozeman’s place at center with the first-team offensive line.

Y'all remember when BB was beaten up and down the field a couple of years ago when he was put into the rotation too early? He has developed, hasn't he?

 

[TerryP]

Y'all remember when BB was beaten up and down the field a couple of years ago when he was put into the rotation too early? He has developed, hasn't he?

Wrong guy. You're thinking about Hass.

FWIW, A&M honoring Stallings and the '67 Aggie team this Saturday.

 

[Alabama17Tide]

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama worked outside Wednesday for its third practice in preparation for Saturday’s game against Texas A&M. Players were dressed in full pads in sunny, 82-degree weather for the workout.

— Starting center Bradley Bozeman was back in action Wednesday after being limited the first two days of practice this week. The senior showed no signs of limitation and was working with the first-team offensive line during team drills. Brandon Kennedy, who had been working at first-team center in Bozeman’s absence, was back with the second unit Wednesday.

— Alabama worked out of a 12 personnel at times with tight ends Hale Hentges and Irv Smith lined up to the right of right tackle Matt Womack. Smith was also used as an H-back in some packages.

— Alabama’s outside linebackers worked with tackling dummies during individual drills. The drill was set up a little too close to the cement, and several players took a spill as they lost their footing on the pavement.

— Before the drill, outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi told the linebackers, “it's on cadence this week, that means 75 hard counts.”

— Alabama’s first-team defensive line consisted of Quinnen Williams, Da’Ron Payne and Raekwon Davis when the team moved to team drills. Isaiah Buggs and Jamar Smith were working to the side along with freshman La’Bryan Ray.

— With Trevon Diggs (foot) not at practice, Nigel Knott has stepped into his place as the backup at left cornerback.

Wednesday practice report (Texas A&M week) | BamaInsider.com

 

[Alabama17Tide]

With Bozeman back, Alabama's OL gears up for 'challenge' against Texas A&M
Tony Tsoukalas | Alabama team writer

Alabama center Bradley Bozeman was limited the past two days during practice. Photo | Getty Images


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After a mild scare, Alabama’s offensive line appears to be at full strength heading into this week’s game against Texas A&M.

Starting center Bradley Bozeman was a full participant at practice Wednesday after being limited on Monday and Tuesday. The redshirt senior was dressed out for all three practices but was not seen going through drills during the media viewing period until Wednesday. He showed no limitations while working with the first-team unit and was not named in the injury report provided by head coach Nick Saban during his news conference later in the day.

Bozeman started all 15 games for Alabama last year as well as the Tide’s first five games this season. He was a member of the preseason Outland Trophy and Remington Trophy watch lists. This season, he has helped the Tide rush for 300 yards or more three times.

With Bozeman anchoring the offensive line, Alabama’s offense leads the SEC in total offense (508.6 yards per game), rushing (315.6 ypg) and scoring 46.2 points per game. Alabama (5-0, 2-0 in the SEC) has outscored opponents 125-3 in conference play. The Tide’s 59-0 over Vanderbilt followed by its 66-3 victory over Ole Miss marks the first time since 1991 that Alabama has scored 50 or more points in consecutive games.

“I think our offensive line has progressed very nicely throughout the season,” Saban said during the SEC Coaches Teleconference earlier Wednesday. “We’ve improved, I think, each and every week, and hopefully we’ll continue to do that."

The Tide will travel to Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0) on Saturday at 6:15 CT. The Aggies lead the SEC with 20 sacks and are led by junior defensive lineman Landis Durham who is tied for No. 4 in the nation with 5.5 sacks this season.

“I think the challenge that they’ll face this week is probably the biggest they’ve had since the first game of the season against Florida State’s front,” Saban said. “A&M’s got some talented guys up front. They do a lot of things scheme-wise, in terms of stemming and moving, a lot of blitzes, a lot of things to prepare for.”

The Aggies tallied a season-high seven sacks in last week’s 24-17 win over South Carolina. They tallied six the week before in a 50-43 victory over Arkansas.

“They pressure a lot. In other words, they are going to rush five and six guys a lot,” Saban said. “So they make some of those athletic guys, they put them in a position where you have to single block those guys and you can't help much on them. I think it's a combination of they have a really good scheme and they have really good players who can pass rush and finish on the quarterback.

“They also create a lot of negative plays where they create a down and distance where it's in their favor to do that on third down. This is a challenge to be able to block their pressures. I think if we're going to make any plays down the field and be a good third down team, it'll start with that."

Alabama’s offensive line is tied for No. 10 nationally allowing just four sacks this season. The Tide has given up just one sack over its past three games. The offense has thrived with under that protection, producing back-to-back 600-yard games against Vanderbilt and Ole Miss.

Replicating that success this week might be more of a challenge.

“They’ll need all the knowledge and experience and physical play that they can muster to have success against this bunch,” Saban said. “I think this will be a really good test for them.”

BamaInsider.com - With Bozeman back, Alabama's OL gears up for 'challenge' against Texas A&M