🏈 Spring camp 2015: Tide through second of three scrimmages

How about a potential front seven consisting of linebackers Reuben Foster, Rashaan Evans, Ryan Andersonand Tim Williams working in support of defensive ends Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson or Da'Shawn Hand and nose tackle Daron Payne?

Between those eight players, the Crimson Tide welcomes back 38 sacks and 58 tackles for loss from the 2015 season.


Rest of the SEC be like:

are_you_kidding_me_rage_face_meme_postcard-r3094a757f1ea416f843c6e327aee3fcb_vgbaq_8byvr_324.jpg
 
How about a potential front seven consisting of linebackers Reuben Foster, Rashaan Evans, Ryan Andersonand Tim Williams working in support of defensive ends Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson or Da'Shawn Hand and nose tackle Daron Payne?

Between those eight players, the Crimson Tide welcomes back 38 sacks and 58 tackles for loss from the 2015 season.


Rest of the SEC be like:

are_you_kidding_me_rage_face_meme_postcard-r3094a757f1ea416f843c6e327aee3fcb_vgbaq_8byvr_324.jpg
I'm like ... "Are you kidding me?!?!"

Consider adding Humph, Brown, Sheff, Fitz, Jackson, and say Harrison to that group. What are we looking at ... if we use their rankings coming out of high school we're looking at a defensive rotation featuring six (?) five star guys at the minimum? Shuffle here and there and you're looking at eight or nine of 11 ...

Huge potential.
 
I'm like ... "Are you kidding me?!?!"

Consider adding Humph, Brown, Sheff, Fitz, Jackson, and say Harrison to that group. What are we looking at ... if we use their rankings coming out of high school we're looking at a defensive rotation featuring six (?) five star guys at the minimum? Shuffle here and there and you're looking at eight or nine of 11 ...

Huge potential.
I count 9, 5-star guys. Hump, Brown, Fitz, Foster, Allen, Evans, Payne, Hand, Sheff
 
A pic from camp ... a position I'm hoping develops well.

160325-ro-DalvinTomlinson-DaRonPayne.jpg



BTW, Payne there ... carrying what, 320-325 lbs on a fairly short frame compared to offensive linemen, right? We've talked about pad level...which leads me to this pic. I can see a center/guard combination being tied up with that kind of build ... here, with Hand.

160325-ro-DaRonPayne-DaShawnHand.jpg
 
Free BOL content from Friday practice:

- The experimentation of Ross Pierschbacher at center continued Friday, making it the fourth day last year's starting left guard took reps in the middle of the O-line. He worked to the right of Bradley Bozeman and Jonah Williams.

- Rashaan Evans was also practicing with the inside linebackers, behind experienced players like Reuben Foster, Shaun Hamilton and Keith Holcombe. Outside 'backer Joshua McMillon saw reps with the ILBs

- Cornerback Tony Brown was just that Friday, as he practiced under Nick Saban's watchful eye with the corners. Maurice Smith worked with the safeties once again for a third consecutive practice. Smith took reps there last year.

- Former Crimson Tide assistant coach Sal Sunseri and former UA safety Vinnie Sunseri were also on the sideline.

Practice report: Alabama's fourth spring practice
 
- The experimentation of Ross Pierschbacher at center continued Friday, making it the fourth day last year's starting left guard took reps in the middle of the O-line.
This drew my attention this morning, "the experimentation of Ross..."

In the QB thread it's cautioned to look at what's happened in the past with Saban. With that in mind, looks like we can drop the "experimentation" word on the center position. Four practices in a row is a hint, Ross talking to the media the other day—including questions on the center position—is a tell.
 
This drew my attention this morning, "the experimentation of Ross..."

In the QB thread it's cautioned to look at what's happened in the past with Saban. With that in mind, looks like we can drop the "experimentation" word on the center position. Four practices in a row is a hint, Ross talking to the media the other day—including questions on the center position—is a tell.

Agreed. I like the idea of him playing there. He's by far our most versatile line man, kind of like Barrett Jones was.

I thought the staff like liked Hassenhauer... However, it seems like he just isn't big enough to dominate. There are very few undersized guys on either line in the SEC anymore... They keep getting bigger and bigger. Likely going to be the same issue for Casher as well.

Maybe this is the year Bradley Bozeman breaks through? He's a big dude and has some experience. Probably him and Taylor at OG, right?

Big battle shaping up at Right Tackle. I thought for sure it would be Piersbacher. Hopefully the JUCO kid is impressing, but if not Jonah Williams enrolling early could be huge.
 
I am no guru by any means. But my thoughts on trying Pierschbacher at center, to me could pan out. I don't know his height or weight or if how large he is should matter that much. I believe the center should have the best football intelligence of all the linemen so that he can read what the defense is doing and can call blocking assignments for the rest of the line. The center ,in my view, should have the quickest hands and feet to carry out his blocking assignments after the all important snap. If the center is a little shorter, it should help him to stay below the pad level of the defender he is assigned to block and that should give him more leverage. Also if he is a little lighter, that will help him to be quicker of hand and foot. The center should also have great strength but probably more important is to learn and use proper technique, that's where good coaching comes in.
 
Practice report: Alabama's fifth spring practice

Free BOL article:

- Left guard Ross Pierschbacher continues to take -- what appear to be first-team -- reps at the center position.

- The offensive tackles and tight ends worked on blocking under the direction of Mario Cristobal. The two groups up first were Hale Hentges and Lester Cotton on the left end and Korren Kirven and O.J. Howard on the right end.

- Inside linebackers Rashaan Evans and Joshua McMillon once again practiced with the inside linebackers.


- Dakota Ball (foot) was off the stationary bike and participating in defensive line drills Monday. He wore a black, no-contact jersey but did not appear to be limited during the media viewing periods. He practiced at tight end last year.

- Safety Eddie Jackson (leg) was back on a stationary bike after missing Friday's practice -- at least the viewing portion.

- Jackson was joined by Raheem Falkins (leg) and Shawn Jennings (knee) on the sideline in black, no-contact jerseys.
 
Not sure if this was posted, but it's the D Lineman from last monday.


If Josh Frazier learns his role, he seems like a shoe in to play this year. He is ridiculously athletic for his size, and so is Payne. They really stand out as big dudes who can move.

Looks like Dwight is back to DL full time. Not sure he will ever have a legit role, but good to know there's a big experienced guy taking reps if necessary.

No question that a freshman or two will be called on this year. Too bad none of them enrolled early. Probably need a DE to eat up snaps more than a DT.
so either Terrell Hall or Quinnen Williams could be the guy. JUCO kid Jamark King was a very important pick up, as he would be one of those tweeners that could play both and will fit in right away (6'5 285lb). Big boy Kendall Jones will be physically ready but his motor is a wildcard, and who knows with Raekwon Davis?

Hoping we re stock the DL next class. Both Alabama and Denver Broncos proved how important dominant DL's are. I hope there isn't a big fall off this year!
 
Not sure if this was posted, but it's the D Lineman from last monday.


If Josh Frazier learns his role, he seems like a shoe in to play this year. He is ridiculously athletic for his size, and so is Payne. They really stand out as big dudes who can move.

Looks like Dwight is back to DL full time. Not sure he will ever have a legit role, but good to know there's a big experienced guy taking reps if necessary.

No question that a freshman or two will be called on this year. Too bad none of them enrolled early. Probably need a DE to eat up snaps more than a DT.
so either Terrell Hall or Quinnen Williams could be the guy. JUCO kid Jamark King was a very important pick up, as he would be one of those tweeners that could play both and will fit in right away (6'5 285lb). Big boy Kendall Jones will be physically ready but his motor is a wildcard, and who knows with Raekwon Davis?

Hoping we re stock the DL next class. Both Alabama and Denver Broncos proved how important dominant DL's are. I hope there isn't a big fall off this year!

I think we will be fine with the first team unit...we just may not have quite the depth we had last year...which could catch up to us by the end of the season if the newbies don't catch up by then.
 
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