🏈 Saban Pre-Vandy presser: Evans, Jennings, and Moses back at practice today

Opening comments
Overall, I'm pleased with the progress that we've made as a team through the first three games. I think that sometimes you lose sight of the fact that we're 3-0. We have improved in a lot of areas of our team and we will continue to focus on the technical aspects of what we need to do to improve in some other areas, get some mistakes and mental errors corrected, and continue to try to develop players so that they have a better opportunity of being successful in whatever we have to defend or whatever we have to attack on offense or whatever we have to play against on special teams.

We had some players that played really well in this game. Jalen (Hurts), Damien Harris, Bradley Bozeman, Bo Scarbrough on offense. Keith Holcomb, Levi Wallace, Da'Ron Payne on defense.special teams, J.K. (Scott), Mack Wilson, Andy (Pappanastos) all did a good job.

From an injury standpoint, I don't know what the status of these guys will be. We'll see how they progress throughout the week. Rashaan Evans and Anfernee Jennings and Dylan Moses all return to practice today. Miller Forristall (ACL) is out. What we thought was the case after the game is the case and he will need surgery.

We certainly look forward to the SEC. This is our opener on the road against a very good Vanderbilt team, who, as you all know, just beat (Kansas) State, who is a ranked team. They are 3-0. They have a lot of starters back, nine on offense, seven on defense. Their defense leads the nation in scoring defense. Kyle Shurmur is the leading passing efficiency quarterback in our league. They do a great job in terms of their coaching in how they attack people, how they play offense and defense. Very sound. Very well coached in all areas. Very balanced in terms of run-pass. They have three receivers that all pretty much share in how the ball and spread around. This is a very good overall team and probably a team that deserves to be in the top 25.



On Vanderbilt's DL lining up in odd fronts
I think most of the stuff they do that is exotic is on loose play downs. I think what they're trying to do is create issues in the offensive line. All offensive linemen want to know is, who are the four down and the Mike. That's who we have to block. So when they're doing these kinds of things it makes it much more difficult to ID the front and know who to block. So it's creating confusion to some degree, but also they do a good job from the schematic standpoint of being able to attack you out of those things and get pressure. They've got some really good players to do it.



On the defensive players having a "players only" meeting today
I think it's really up to the players, but I also think that every player has to look at what they have to do to try to improve and get better. I think that everybody can contribute in a more positive way by just a little bit better execution. The effort was good in the game. The toughness was good in the game. And really for three quarters of the game, we played pretty well against a pretty good offensive team. We just didn't finish the game like we needed to. I don't think anybody needs to be panicking. I think the leadership on the team is making an attempt to affect other players maybe to prepare a little bit better, eliminate some of the mental errors, play together as a unit, communicate a little better. These are all things that the coaches will certainly emphasize to the players to help them play little better. It's our responsibility to get that across. But we don't want these things to be like feel good meetings, where everybody feels good when they leave, but they were concerned when they started. It could be good or bad, depending on the way it's handled.



On third down defense
We didn't do very well on third down. We didn't get off the field on third down. We actually had three penalties that gave them first downs on third down in really critical situations in critical drives in the fourth quarter. So we need to do a better job in those areas. I think we are very capable of doing that and we will continue to work on that.



On if Vanderbilt looks like a mature team on tape
Oh yeah. No question. They do a great job of executing on both sides of the ball. And I think the results that they've put in so far this season certainly bear that out. The quarterback is a really good player. He's very efficient in what he does in their offense, run and pass. They make some explosive plays. They run the ball effectively. They're physical. Same way on defense. There's no question about the buy-in to the program and the job that he's (head coach Derek Mason) done there.



On the impact Rashaan Evans, Anfernee Jennings and Dylan Moses could have on the defense
That remains to be seen. First of all, we don't know how healthy those guys are going to be and how fast they will get up to speed. We won't know that till later in the week in terms of how we see their rehab is going. (We will) try to make a decision on how we can use them in the game and how effective they can be.



On how effective the corner blitzes have been
We got pressure a couple of times last week. The ball came out quick on screens and so forth and we missed some tackles. So we need to clean some of those things up, but all in all we have not gotten the kind of pressure on the quarterback and affected the quarterback the way we wanted to, regardless of who is blitzing. We've seen a whole lot of screens to try to slow us down. I think we'll just have to play those plays and continue to be aggressive and try to affect the quarterback. I think that's really, really important when you play against a good passing quarterback, which is certainly going to be the case this week.



On if Saban is comfortable with the secondary or could there be some shuffling
I'm pleased with where are right now. Hootie's played really well. Ronnie (Harrison) has played well. The two corners have been ok so far. We're comfortable with (Minkah Fitzpatick) where he's played. This team (Vanderbilt) will be in a lot more regular this week. Probably about eighty percent of the time in regular downs, which we haven't played against much. So (Minkah) will be back to safety for the most part in that part of the game.



On the ball security and decision making of Jalen Hurts
He's done a good job so far. I think his production has improved in every game. His efficiency has improved every game. He would be the first to tell you that there's things he could work on, like every player on our team. We're certainly going to help him try to do that so he can continue to develop and progress and be even more efficient in what he does. We harp on ball security. The first thing we do in practice every day is ball security drills. We include him in those drills. And he has done a much better job of taking care of the football. And we have done a really good job of that on offense as a whole.



On the progress of Andy Pappanastos of field goals
I think he's done a nice job. We (J.K. Scott) missed a long one. J.K. hit it well. I was hopeful that we would get an opportunity so that J.K. would get a chance to kick. I'm pleased with it so far. He's (Pappanastos) done a good job. He's done an especially good job in the area inside the 42-yardline, 42-yard field goals, which is kind of what our expectation is for him. I think he's done a really good job so far.



On Vandy RB Ralph Webb
He's a good player. They do a good job of running the ball. They're physical on the offensive line. He's a really good downhill runner. He's physical. These guys play hard. He runs with a lot of toughness and tenacity. I think he's really good player.



On Vandy's defense
I haven't watched their defense a whole lot, just in one game. But they've done an outstanding job. To give up 95 yards a game passing is pretty good, regardless of what the competition is. They've played extremely well. They've done a good job of affecting the quarterback as well.
 
Monday practice, Vandy week

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama practice Monday for the first time in preparation for Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. Crimson Tide players were dressed in shorts and shells in humid, 90-degree weather for the workout.

Here are some notes from the media viewing period:

— Alabama linebackers Rashaan Evans (groin), Anfernee Jennings (ankle) and Dylan Moses were all back at practice as Saban said they would be earlier in the day.

— Rashaan Evans seemed to be moving well and was participating with the rest of the inside linebackers during drills. While working with the sleds, he threw the sled down so hard it almost hit one of the intern assistants.

— Moses was also moving well and followed Shaun Dion Hamilton who led the inside linebackers during individual drills. Jennings had a taped ankle but was back and participating with the outside linebackers. He looked to be moving fine as well.

— Alabama’s first-team offensive line remained the same with Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher, Bradley Bozeman, Lester Cotton and Matt Womack lining up from left to right. Scott Lashley, J.C. Hassenauer, Brandon Kennedy, Deonte Brown and Jedrick Wills made up the second unit.

— Freshman offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood was not participating with the rest of the offensive line and was standing alongside Chris Owens off to the side. Not sure what either player’s injury status is at the moment.

— Josh Jacobs was back working with the running backs and was not wearing a hamstring-support apparatus. He did not look to be limited in any way and was running hard during the workout.

— Running backs were running the gauntlet drill during practice in order to work on holding onto the ball. Alabama has yet to record a turnover this season.

Monday practice report (Vanderbilt week) | BamaInsider.com
 
Boy, that's huge and they will be needed in the coming weeks.

Far as Moses goes, I forgot to mention this. Of all the young guys, he was the one that impressed me most Saturday. On one play he was actually blocked pretty well on one play and ended up falling. The O-Linemen kept blocking him even with Moses on his knees. The corner cut off the edge of the runner and forced him back towards the middle. Moss, still on his knees, fought off the block and made a big hit. That was pretty impressive to me.
 
Boy, that's huge and they will be needed in the coming weeks.

Far as Moses goes, I forgot to mention this. Of all the young guys, he was the one that impressed me most Saturday. On one play he was actually blocked pretty well on one play and ended up falling. The O-Linemen kept blocking him even with Moses on his knees. The corner cut off the edge of the runner and forced him back towards the middle. Moss, still on his knees, fought off the block and made a big hit. That was pretty impressive to me.

Moses was out Saturday for the CSU game. I think the freshman you are thinking about was Christopher Allen. 6'5" 240 man child!!
 
Boy, that's huge and they will be needed in the coming weeks.

Far as Moses goes, I forgot to mention this. Of all the young guys, he was the one that impressed me most Saturday. On one play he was actually blocked pretty well on one play and ended up falling. The O-Linemen kept blocking him even with Moses on his knees. The corner cut off the edge of the runner and forced him back towards the middle. Moss, still on his knees, fought off the block and made a big hit. That was pretty impressive to me.

Thought I saw him on the sideline with just his jersey... No pads
 
Getting all these guys back is huge. To me, Jacobs is the most intriguing of hte 4 backs because he can beat you in all facets. Brings some quickness the other 3 big boys haven't had and still has a way of pushing the pile.

Terry may be onto something with Evans staying at ILB. Hopefully he's working at both spots. I still remember him screaming off the edge in his HS tapes... That kid is freakishly explosive
 
This game falls perfectly on the Tide's schedule if for any other reason that reps for these younger guys in the linebacking corps.

One thing I believe will be worth watching is how I see the Bama defense lining up against the 'Dores. In the past few years we've only seen them in "regular" less than 20% of the snaps of a season (normally against LSU and Arkansas.) Based on putting a few things together (with some football knowledge added in :devil: ) I think we're going to see the D in base 75% or more of this game.
 
Terry may be onto something with Evans staying at ILB. Hopefully he's working at both spots. I still remember him screaming off the edge in his HS tapes...
When I brought that up, if you recall I also said I expect him to be on the line when the team moves to Rabbits (just like they did when the injuries started to mount up against FSU.)
 
This game falls perfectly on the Tide's schedule if for any other reason that reps for these younger guys in the linebacking corps.

One thing I believe will be worth watching is how I see the Bama defense lining up against the 'Dores. In the past few years we've only seen them in "regular" less than 20% of the snaps of a season (normally against LSU and Arkansas.) Based on putting a few things together (with some football knowledge added in :devil: ) I think we're going to see the D in base 75% or more of this game.

I think it'll be even more than that. We're used to seeing spread Vanderbilt, this is old-school two tight ends, run straight at you Vanderbilt. I dont think we've seen them playing this style of football since before the Jay Cutler days. We may even see more of a big front with Frazier and Payne playing inside with Davis and Hand/Buggs outside. Vandy doesn't seem like they're interested in getting cute and their confident they can play their style on anyone.

Now, if Bama gets up several touchdowns (which I think they will) they'll have to abandon that and start chucking it around by necessity so we'll see a lot more nickel/dime.
 
Practice Report: Tuesday, Vandy week

By Tony Tsoukalas


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama practiced Tuesday in its second workout in preparation for Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. Players wore full pads in humid, 88-degree weather for the practice.

Here are a few notes from the media viewing period:

— Alabama’s three injured linebackers were all moving well during the practice. Anfernee Jennings (ankle) brought up the rear of the outside linebackers unit, while Rashaan Evans (groin) and Dylan Moses (concussion) worked with the inside linebackers. Alabama head coach Nick Saban said he would make evaluations on each of the players toward the end of the week. As of now, things look optimistic that all three will be available on Saturday.

— True freshman LaBryan Ray is back with the defensive linemen after spending time with the outside linebackers in recent weeks. That could say a lot about how Alabama views the statuses of its three injured linebackers.

— Alabama’s first two units on offensive line remained the same. Alex Leatherwood, who was not seen working with the first two units during Monday’s limited viewing period, is practicing with the scout team.

— Alabama’s secondary practiced out of the nickel with Levi Wallace and Anthony Averett as the cornerbacks, Hootie Jones and Ronnie Harrison as the safeties and Minkah Fitzpatrick as the Star. Keith Holcombe and Shaun Dion Hamilton were the two linebackers with the first-team unit.

— A couple things that stand out are that Wallace seems to have locked down the starting job at left cornerback while Jones appears to be favored over Tony Brown when the team is out of the nickel package. Coming into the season, many would have projected Fitzpatrick to play strong safety and Tony Brown to play Star when Alabama had five defensive backs on the field. However, Jones’ solid play so far has been awarded by coaches.

— The second unit consisted of Trevon Diggs and Shyheim Carter at cornerbacks, with Jared Mayden shadowing Diggs and Nigel Knott shadowing Carter. Brown served as the Star. Xavier McKinney was at strong safety, while Deionte Thompson was shadowed by Daniel Wright at free safety. Mack Wilson was at one linebacker position, while Rashaan Evans was shadowed by Dylan Moses at the other.

— During a play in team drills, walk-on receiver Jonathan Rice ran a wrong route and fell victim to Nick Saban’s wrath.

— During individual drills, the wide receivers worked on out routes as Alabama quarterbacks rolled out before hitting them on the sidelines.

— At this point, freshman Tua Tagovailoa is still a little inconsistent rolling out. During two throws he failed to deliver the ball with much power. However, on his third attempt, he delivered a dime right to his receiver. This doesn’t look like a thing to worry about, just something that should come with more time.

Tuesday practice report (Vanderbilt week) | BamaInsider.com
 
-Has Leatherwood or Ray played?? Would've been hard to see Leatherwood RS'ing coming into this year... But he appears to be on the outside looking in. Thought Ray may have a role also... Saban going with some older vets.

-Levi Wallace has become a great story. Who could've seen him starting over guys like Tony Brown and Diggs. I'm a little surprised Brown hasn't locked down the Nickle spot and not because he's great... Just haven't seen much from Hootie... But I guess he's more solid.

I'm guessing Brown and Diggs both get their chance this season... Secondary injuries have been consistent the last few years. Good depth back there
 
-Has Leatherwood or Ray played?? Would've been hard to see Leatherwood RS'ing coming into this year... But he appears to be on the outside looking in. Thought Ray may have a role also... Saban going with some older vets.

-Levi Wallace has become a great story. Who could've seen him starting over guys like Tony Brown and Diggs. I'm a little surprised Brown hasn't locked down the Nickle spot and not because he's great... Just haven't seen much from Hootie... But I guess he's more solid.

I'm guessing Brown and Diggs both get their chance this season... Secondary injuries have been consistent the last few years. Good depth back there

Leatherwood has, but I don't think Ray has seen the field. Leatherwood must be complaining about playing time or something to be in scout team after pushing for some playing time.
 
-Levi Wallace has become a great story. Who could've seen him starting over guys like Tony Brown and Diggs. I'm a little surprised Brown hasn't locked down the Nickle spot and not because he's great... Just haven't seen much from Hootie... But I guess he's more solid.

Well No. 1, Hootie doesn't play nickel/star. I think it has more to do with Saban being more comfortable with Hootie at safety and Minkah at star. But you didn't see Hootie's 60+ interception return last week? He did look bad on one tight end throw over the middle where he never bothered to look for the ball and the TE made him look silly.
 
Well No. 1, Hootie doesn't play nickel/star. I think it has more to do with Saban being more comfortable with Hootie at safety and Minkah at star. But you didn't see Hootie's 60+ interception return last week? He did look bad on one tight end throw over the middle where he never bothered to look for the ball and the TE made him look silly.

Hootie plays IN nickel... Bottom line is it comes down to if they're more comfortable with Brown and Star or Hootie at safety. It appears to be Hootie.

And believe me I've been wanting to see him play more for like 4 years lol... Guess my expectations were too high out of HS. His film blew me away
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom