🏈 Ragland trying to seize opportunity

[BAMANEWSBOT]

It could have been easy for linebacker Reggie Ragland to be frustrated with the situation he walked into at Alabama. A 4-star prospect, and the top inside linebacker in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, he was surely eager to see the field and make an impact early.

The only problem was that C.J. Mosley had two years of eligibility left and had already entrenched himself as a cornerstone of the Crimson Tide’s defense.

Instead, Ragland used that time to soak up knowledge from Mosley and learn the defense. Now a junior, and with Mosley likely to be a first-round pick in May’s NFL Draft, Ragland has as good a shot as he ever has at a starting role.

“At first it was hard going, trying to get a grasp of (the defense), but now it's better,” Ragland said. “I understand it more than I did the last two years.”

After Saturday’s scrimmage, Saban said that Ragland has improved his consistency, a critical trait for an inside linebacker in Alabama’s system.

“I played a little bit faster than I normally do,” Ragland said. “I'm still trying to get a nice grasp of it, but I'm getting a grasp of the defense.”

This spring, Ragland has split time at inside and outside linebacker, which only helps his chances at seeing the field. A versatile athlete, Ragland could be a viable option at either spot.

“I'm becoming more of a pass rusher in the Buck situation, stand-up, move around, also get in that three-point stance work off the edge,” he said.

“Just find a way to get on the field more.

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[TerryP]

[MENTION=12303]Birdman37[/MENTION] Notice the BUCK position mentioned?

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OK, I'm a little lost on this.

CJ is mentioned as one of the reasons Ragland has been running behind the 1's. But, to start my confusion, he's been at outside linebacker. Secondly, CJ was playing the MACK/MIKE position and Ragland is being used in the BUCK (strong side, inside linebacker if you're not familiar with the term.)

I'm being an ass, but I have to admit I'm wondering if mentioning CJ is nothing more than filler material for comments on Reggie.

 

[JoshB]

One of the first times I've seen Bama mention the BUCK, nice. I'm interested to see what type of roll Reggie can play, the guy is big as hell and I think I've heard Saban refer to him as a "thumper" before.

 

[TerryP]

Same here on the mention of BUCK, [MENTION=12303]Birdman37[/MENTION]

Interesting timing considering our conversation a few weeks ago.

If what's reported on the roster is correct he's the mirror image of Upshaw, physically.

 

[JoshB]

Could maybe just be a change in verbiage from them but yeah def. interesting after we just had this conversation.

 

[bamaraider]

Good to hear about Ragland stepping up. Him and Foster rotating in-and-out will be scary for opposing teams.

 

[TerryP]

[MENTION=17619]bamaraider[/MENTION] Based on last year and where Foster had been practicing I'd think he'd be coming in to spell DePriest.

BUT, based on word coming out of camp, I'm left waiting to see just how our LB rotation is going to end up working itself out.

If it's anything like our defensive line? We've had...

Robinson, Ivory, Reed.
Robinson, Ivory, Pettway.
Robinson, Reed, Pettway.

And then shuffle guys like Allen into that mix at times (though he's been getting snaps at LB'er if I recall correctly.)

I'll say this. I'll end up watching the first few games more than once just to see how the personnel groupings work themselves out...

 

[JoshB]

It looks like they're using Reed similar to how A'Shawn played last year and Marcell before him, all over the place. I would assume A'Shawn's not gonna just be in one spot and will move around alot again but it definitely is a plus to have another guy that can be versatile like that. Gonna be interesting to see what the groups are when we go to a four man front. Against a power team A'Shawn and Pettway on the outsides with Reed and Ivory on the inside would be damn near immovable. Faster more spread em out type of teams would be interesting to see Allen and Pettway on the outsides with A'Shawn in the middle. Ragland at the jack/buck.

 

[psychojoe]

Reggie is a tremendous athlete. Physically, he may be a bit faster than Upshaw. Whether he has the instincts of Upshaw, or whether he can hit like Upshaw did, I will have to be shown, though I would be loudly applauding if that is the case. Reggie seems like a great kid.

 

[JoshB]

Reggie is a tremendous athlete. Physically, he may be a bit faster than Upshaw. Whether he has the instincts of Upshaw, or whether he can hit like Upshaw did, I will have to be shown, though I would be loudly applauding if that is the case. Reggie seems like a great kid.

Instincts would be my worry, not hitting. If I'm not mistaken both CJ Mosley and Saban have described him as a "thumper." If he shakes out anything like Courtney he'll be another great one.