🏈 Spring camp 2015: Tide through second of three scrimmages

[PurlJam]

Gotta be a walk-on, right?

Looks like it. Out of the early enrollees only S. Jennings would possibly be with the LBs.

 

[JoshB]

'Freak' NT makes snapping difficult for Tide center

Pierschbacher has practiced at center in all nine of Alabama’s spring practices and seems to have found a new home in the middle of the offensive line. But the 6-foot-2, 319-pound defensive tackle Daron Payne has not made the move easy.

Payne, who will find himself in the starting lineup once again in 2016, received high praise from the Tide’s center.

“He’s a freak,” Pierschbacher said. “I think he ran like a 4.97 (40-yard dash), weighs more than me and he’s a stud in the weight room. So he makes me better, and I try to make him better, too. But it’s a challenge every play.

“We’ve seen guys like that go through. A'Shawn (Robinson), I went up against him every play last year, so I haven’t had it very easy the last couple of years, but it makes me better.”

Pierschbacher admitted learning to perfect the shotgun snap has been frustrating, but he won’t let it affect his play.

“You try not to think about it as much because that’s when you really mess up is when you think about it a lot,” Pierschbacher said. “Just focus on your job and work out there and try to command everyone else, too.”

Daron Payne is going to be a beast this year.

 

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[Tidestalker]

Al.com practice report:

-- Dalvin Tomlinson was back on the field after missing Wednesday's practice with an illness.

-- Da'Shawn Hand was riding the exercise bike after leaving the Wednesday practice with back spasms.

-- We got a look at the "ball out" drill when defensive linemen double-teamed a ball carrier stripping for fumbles. The main takeaway: Da'Ron Payne is the most efficient forcing turnovers.

-- The clinic brought high school coaches from states around the south. There were also a few big name speakers including Tony Dungy, Steve Spurrier, Frank Beamer. Former Colts GM Bill Polian was on the practice field watching the action with former Alabama offensive line coach Joe Pendry. Athletics director Bill Battle stopped by to chat with Polian for a few minutes during the practice.

-- It was a gusty afternoon out there, but Cooper Bateman and Blake Barnett accounted for the wind when lofting deep balls to unguarded receivers. (To be fair, those were the only two I had a clear view of with so many coaches lining the fields)

-- To answer a frequently asked question, the quarterback wearing No. 19 is Seth Franks, a walk-on from Tuscaloosa.

More here:
Alabama practice report: Big-name coaches in town, D-lineman returns to field

 

[Tidestalker]

Cotton and Jonah Williams are making a great impression at camp. This article goes into detail about it... But long story short, they're both physical freaks. Especially Cotton. Check it out:

A true freshman, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Williams ran the fastest 40-yard dash time among Tide offensive linemen during Alabama's spring testing, a 5.10.

At 6-4, 319, Cotton was second with a 5.12.

To put that into perspective, the fastest time run by an offensive lineman weighing 319 pounds or more at this year's NFL scouting combine was a 5.20.

In addition, Cotton and Williams were both tied for second among Tide offensive linemen in two strength-testing exercises.

Both bench-pressed 455 pounds and power-cleaned 315 pounds.

Link:
Two young Alabama O-linemen consistently receiving praise, pushing for starting jobs

So Cotton out ran every big boy lineman in the NFL draft... And he's like 19.

I wasn't sure he would win a spot this year, but it may be impossible to keep him off the field. I think he would be a perfect Guard, but with that athleticism they may put him at RT. Unless of course Jonah mans that spot... Which appears to be a real possibility.

Really like how this OL is shaping up. Lots of options and some physically dominant athletes. Could be one of those bruising years if Bo stays healthy... RTR!

 

[TerryP]

Cotton and Jonah Williams are making a great impression at camp. This article goes into detail about it... But long story short, they're both physical freaks. Especially Cotton.

I was jumping up and down, yelling, and pointing to Cotton a year ago. (It's spring, time for a little hyperbole.) No. Seriously. I don't get why LC has been missed. I'm guessing it's due to him completing assignments when he's been seen and due to that gone unnoticed? He can play all five positions on the line.

Jonah's impressed, yes. His lateral quickness and reports about how developed that part of his game is right now? Caught my attention!

*** I'd say we're settled on three positions on the line, likely four. CR, LC, RP, AT, ??
*** We can take roughly 30 players and from that group have the 1's for the season opener. If you're wanting to waste a little time, go to one of the draft projections for 2017 and look at a few positions; ILB or DE as example. You'll begin to get a picture on potential for this fall's team.

 

[Tidestalker]

I was jumping up and down, yelling, and pointing to Cotton a year ago. (It's spring, time for a little hyperbole.) No. Seriously. I don't get why LC has been missed. I'm guessing it's due to him completing assignments when he's been seen and due to that gone unnoticed? He can play all five positions on the line.

Jonah's impressed, yes. His lateral quickness and reports about how developed that part of his game is right now? Caught my attention!

*** I'd say we're settled on three positions on the line, likely four. CR, LC, RP, AT, ??
*** We can take roughly 30 players and from that group have the 1's for the season opener. If you're wanting to waste a little time, go to one of the draft projections for 2017 and look at a few positions; ILB or DE as example. You'll begin to get a picture on potential for this fall's team.

What's your take on red shirting Baldwin if Williams or someone else beats him out? I've never seen Saban RS a JUCO guy, but it would be super helpful to have an older guy who's practiced for a year at Tackle stepping in next year. Had Dom not wasted a year in mop up duty he may have finally been comfortable at RT this year... Even though he could've been an absolute killer at guard.

I'm still surprised Hassenhauer wasn't taking some reps at RT... But seems like the staff was set on suring up that center spot first and foremost. And I guess in the big picture, it's more important than RT.

It seems like Williams will be our next big time Left Tackle when Cam bolts next year. Awesome to know there's another stud youngster ready to play that spot.

With those type of numbers, if Cotton can play, I would fully expect him to be a junior year draft pick. Especially if he shows he could play OT or OG.

Looking like Bozeman will be a really good 6th man. If he was taking reps at Tackle this week which I thought I read, then he could step in at any of the 4 spots. Shoot he even played center last year, right? Really nice option if someone gets injured or plays poorly.

 

[Matt Zenitz |]

— Defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand was one of three injured players working on a stationary bike on the sideline. Fellow defensive lineman Dakota Ball and linebacker Shawn Jennings were the others. Hand left Wednesday's practice due to back spasms and was on a stationary bike during the open portion of practice Friday.

— As has been the case throughout the spring, the quarterbacks were divided into two groups. Cooper Bateman and Blake Barnett worked with one group. David Cornwell and Jalen Hurts were part of the other.

— Hurts overthrew a wide receiver screen at one point, but bounced back and was on-target on his next three throws.

— Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart were the first pair of wide receivers going through drills. Derek Kief and Cam Sims were second. Daylon Charlot and Xavian Marks were third. Robert Foster, who is still in a black non-contact jersey, and freshman T.J. Simmons were fourth.

— Running backs worked on pass blocking during one period.

— Injured left tackle Cam Robinson helped as offensive linemen went through drills.

 

[Matt Zenitz |]

Rushing

Bo Scarbrough: 12 carries, 111 yards, one touchdown

Damien Harris: eight carries, 56 yards

Ronnie Clark: seven carries, 31 yards

Receiving

Robert Foster: four catches, 106 yards, two touchdowns

Calvin Ridley: three catches, 62 yards

ArDarius Stewart: five catches, 60 yards

Cam Sims: two catches, 47 yards

Defense

Reuben Foster: nine tackles, one stop for a loss, one forced fumble

Ryan Anderson: seven tackles, two stops for a loss, one sack

Rashaan Evans: seven tackles, one sack

Christian Miller: six tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble

* Alabama didn't release any quarterback statistics

 

[T&B]

The first team defense had three touchdowns again today. lol Just give us the trophy now.

 

[T&B]

So CNS apparently said Cotton is definitely one of the 5 best OL. Cotton must be killen it.

Bo Scarbrough rushed 12 times for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Saban: Rashaan Evans is making some plays but he has some mental errors that he needs to fight through.

Saban: Calvin Ridley and Xavian Marks are the top two returners right now.

Saban: JK Scott punted well today.

Saban: The 2s don't play with a lot of discipline. That's the goal for the rest of spring, get more guys to play winning football.

Saban: Past the 1s, there's a lot of guys that need to learn how to play winning football.

Saban: Robert Foster made some big plays.

 

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[planomateo]

 

[T&B]

LMAO