🏈 Spring Camp Notebook: The depth at Running Back a strong point for the Tide.

[Rainer Sabin |]

Depth at RB shows during Alabama's first scrimmage

Alabama has an embarrassment of riches at running back. That became apparent Saturday during the team's first scrimmage of the spring.

One former five-star recruit didn't participate. Another didn't make it through unscathed. And two other talented ball carriers remained rooted to the sideline with injuries.

Cause for concern? Not really. Najee Harris and Brian Robinson were available. The two early enrollees were heavily involved in the souped-up practice, according to head coach Nick Saban.

"Najee played a lot," Saban said. "Brian Robinson played a lot, which is good for them."
...
Scarbrough, Jacobs and Emmons were held out Saturday. Scarbrough (leg) and Emmons (foot) continue to recover from injuries suffered last season while Jacobs was sidelined with a thigh bruise. The elder Harris, who led Alabama in rushing with 1,037 yards last season, aggravated a foot sprain he suffered March 25.

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[By Alex Byington Sports]

TUSCALOOSA — With injuries limiting much of Alabama’s backfield this spring, the Crimson Tide’s ground game focused on a couple of fresh faces in Saturday’s first scrimmage.

Returning junior starter Damien Harris was once again hobbled by a sprained foot that has hampered him recently, while fellow junior Bo Scarbrough (leg) and sophomore B.J. Emmons (foot) were held out.

Also missing Saturday was sophomore tailback Josh Jacobs, who was held out with a “little thigh bruise,” even though head coach Nick Saban said he “probably could have scrimmaged today.”

That left early enrollees Najee Harris and Brian Robinson as the primary tailbacks, with both showing flashes of potential as well as areas in need of improvement.

“Najee played a lot, Brian Robinson played a lot, which is good for them,” Saban said. “We're trying Chadarius Townsend at receiver, … (but) all those guys are guys that can make a contribution to our team and we're looking for ways that we can use them."

Townsend, an option quarterback last season at Tanner, has been working with slot receivers despite being listed as a running back on the roster.

No statistics were provided, it was clear there were several deficiencies in the running game as the Tide took to the air throughout much of the glorified practice.

"I think that's something we definitely need to continue to work on,” Saban said of the ground game Saturday. “I don't think we got enough movement up front. … I think we have to do a better job up front of getting movement on people, finishing plays and finishing runs."


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[TerryP]

I'm bringing these two article over for a little reference. Most of you guys know exactly where the Tide offense is with the running back corps.

I've read Matt Hinton for a bit now ... some of you guys will recognize the name. He poses a question here I'll throw up here. Should this be the attitude of the Tide going into the fall?

 

[Bamabww]

I hope it is. With this group in front why not?

Is it me or does the Offensive Line look more like an NFL sized NFL Offensive Line?

Alabama Projected Starters
LT - Jonah Williams - 6-foot-5, 301
LG - Ross Pierschbacher - 6-foot-4, 304
C - Bradley Bozeman - 6-foot-5, 314
RG - Lester Cotton - 6-foot-4, 324
RT - Matt Womack - 6-foot-7, 326

Dallas Cowboys Projected Starters
LT - Tyron Smith - 6-foot-5, 320
LG - La’el Collins - 6-foot-4, 312
C - Travis Frederick - 6-foot-4, 318
RG - Zack Martin - 6-foot-4, 310
RT - Chaz Green - 6-foot-5, 300

That right side of the Alabama Offensive Line is incredibly large, any of the Crimson Tide’s running backs are going to excel running behind, let’s call it the mountain. It all starts up front, we know that, and even at Alabama, there is no different. A young Sophomore in Jalen Hurts continues to develop at quarterback and according to even Nick Saban, he looked good, impressed on Saturday. Saban does not give out compliments easy or often. The receivers led by Calvin Ridley seem capable of being some of the best in the Country, it was surprising to hear how well T.J. Simmons fared on Saturday, which will add even more depth to the position. The Tight End position seems to be emerging as a unit of strength and depth. From Hale Hentges to Irv Smith to Miller Forristall, to even Ronnie Clark, there seems to be a player from that unit that can do everything Alabama needs.