🏈 Shane Lee

[Crtuneman]

I just wanted to get your thoughts on Lee. I haven't really heard any news or updates on him, but I find his story fascinating. He was named the starter in 2019. Regardless of the reason, he still was named the starter, and he played in every game in 2019. He led all SEC freshmen with 86 tackles. He had 4.5 sacks, and he was named to the freshman ALL American team and the freshman All SEC team. In 2020 he barely plays, and now that Dylan Moses is leaving his name is not even mentioned as a possible starter. How does a guy go from freshman All American to not even playing? Is there any chance that he could earn the starting nod again? I know they're counting on that Tennessee transfer, but if that doesn't happen is Lee the heir apparent to Moses? Will he move to another position? I don't know if I have seen anything like this except in cases of troublemaking or law breaking. But as far as I know Lee has been clean and upstanding. Weird.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

He did start in '19, but you have to take into account that he got thrown in there because of injuries and depth issues. Heading into the spring and next season, he will absolutely be in the mix, and I'd be surprised if he's not the starter (again). His understanding of the defense and experience in calling it on the field is a huge plus for him.

 

[OldPlayer]

He did start in '19, but you have to take into account that he got thrown in there because of injuries and depth issues. Heading into the spring and next season, he will absolutely be in the mix, and I'd be surprised if he's not the starter (again). His understanding of the defense and experience in calling it on the field is a huge plus for him.

Also the possibility he plays multiple roles, but may not start at any.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Perhaps at the end of this spring drills we will have a much better understanding of the ILB play. The fact that he had to be the starter in 2019 was more about necessity than his actual talent tells a story about those ILB's behind him. Nick and Bama missed after Pruitt (during as well) went to UT. Pete got a lot of criticism his way for ILB play but perhaps that was miss directed just a little. This deal with Henry from UT to Bama might be a good thing. If that happens then hopefully those behind him (if he actually were to take a starting spot) will have a good attitude. Best players start.

 

[Destiny's Child]

tough kid and has good straight line speed for a big guy. He didn't move laterally or change direction well enough as a freshman but he was really thrown into a tough position and he fought his ass off. I truly believe anyone can win the starting job based on their work ethic, understanding of the defense and making the right decision. I could see him getting some time when we move into a 4-3 defense and in special teams. When we are running a 3 man front teams trying to run a lot of wheel routs and tight end drags which isn't his strength.

That being said he could have spent the last year and a half working on his speed and flexibilty, be the alpha dog and the thumper we all love at line backer. I would be thrilled if he did!

 

[64Tide]

He appears not be as physically gifted as what we have come to expect from the ILBs of the Saban era. To me, looks like he has short arms. Tough kid though.

 

[BamaFan334]

Love Shane Lee. Came in and performed admirably during a tough season. Strong strong kid. He's gonna compete and be in there. Love having him on this team.

 

[Crtuneman]

I like him too. He's big and strong and has no fear. He loves to hit. I kinda thought he might get moved to jack, but then Anderson and Allen took over and that was out. IMO he's not quite fast enough for ILB.

 

[footballer]

I like Lee, he stepped up when we really needed him to play early. I may be wrong on this but this is my opinion. From my eyes, Lee looks like he could stand to lose 10 maybe 15 pounds which could improve his quickness and he may gain a half to a full step in speed. Of course, this being his third year, he should be a little quicker mentally to diagnose plays and to fill the correct holes. A lot of film study could really help him.

 

[mando]

I like Lee, he stepped up when we really needed him to play early. I may be wrong on this but this is my opinion. From my eyes, Lee looks like he could stand to lose 10 maybe 15 pounds which could improve his quickness and he may gain a half to a full step in speed. Of course, this being his third year, he should be a little quicker mentally to diagnose plays and to fill the correct holes. A lot of film study could really help him.

No telling how much this kid improved last year from simply practicing and weight room. Keep in mind he has been working under the new S&C guys so they have likely improved his quickness and speed. I think he will do well this coming year honestly.

 

[alabama mike]

May have to play another position before its all said and done IMO.

 

[OldPlayer]

I didn’t realize he was hurt (according to CNS in his presser on 3/19). Was trying to come back from a sports hernia and struggled with it all year. Says he’s good to go for the Spring.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

I didn’t realize he was hurt (according to CNS in his presser on 3/19). Was trying to come back from a sports hernia and struggled with it all year. Says he’s good to go for the Spring.

ON IF CHRISTIAN HARRIS WILL MOVE TO MIKE LINEBACKER...
"We’ll do both. He’ll play some Mike and some Will. He’s played some Mike and some Money in nickel. Moody can play both. Shane Lee played a whole year here of Mike. He’s healthy now and was not healthy last year coming off that sports hernia thing. He struggled all year long. So he’s done a lot better. So we’re going to go through the whole spring — I mean we do things differently in the spring. I know you guys want answers to all the questions. We play right and left safety. We play right and left outside backer. We play right and left inside backer, so they have to be Mike and they have to be Will. I mean, so we’re trying to create diversity in players, not trying to give you an answer so you can write about who the starter is everywhere. And then we’ll figure out at the end of spring and the fall camp, OK this is the best way for us to play.

Everything Nick Saban said after Alabama's first spring practice (247sports.com)


ON BILL O'BRIEN, WHAT HE'S LEARNED FROM HIM...
"I think Bill’s a really, really good coach. He’s coached with some really good coaches. He’s had some really good success at what he’s accomplished and what he’s done. I think it’s really difficult when you have somebody come in and try to learn our system, which he has done a really good job of, to try to implement that system and tweak it to where we can fix it and make it better based on the quality control that we did last year. But the big thing I’ve tried to emphasize with the new coaches is that it’s kind of human nature to want to try to come in and make an impact and do something that’s great. We just need you to do a good job of coaching our players and getting them to play the best that they can play. Getting the players to understand our system and what we do in a really positive way. There’s no expectations. We shouldn’t be making comparisons to what we did last year on offense and how we are going to be next year on offense. I think the focus needs to be on how do we get the players that we have to be the best offensive team that we can be, and we’ll all work together to try to do that. And so far that’s worked out really well."

 

[Crtuneman]

That makes sense. With Moses healthy and Lee injured, I get why he barely played.