🏈 Spring Camp Preview: Part 1

[CRIMSONTUSKS.COM BLOG]

Spring Camp Preview: Part 1
March 5, 2009
By Terry Pellman


With spring camp starting in just over a week (spring schedule) there are a multitude of questions on the minds of Alabama fans.

Some of these questions have been answered, although not permanently, and others are still left to be answered when the Tide enters summer and fall camp five months from now.

Over the next few days we take a more in-depth look into the offense and the defense in terms of who is returning and who needs to “make that next step” in terms of play and leadership.

Read more here...

 

[bama4life]

Nice read, thanks.

 

[HIGHTIDES]

I've always had a few question regarding your depth chart, but one I'm really wondering... has Eryk Anders ever played at WILL? I only remember him playing at JACK, but you have him behind Hightower. Did I miss something?

I'm excited about Harris being moved to the inside. My hope is that he'll respond the same way Ray Lewis did while at Miami. All the reports were that he absolutely sucked his freshman year. He was moved from outside to inside linebacker and the difference was night and day. It was like he became a dominating LB over night.

 

[TerryP]

If you have had questions, why haven't you asked them?

As to Anders, I can't speak for Argo or Porter but I can say why I thought that way.

I've seen him play the other outside position when Fanney was on the field. Specifically, when Fanney was lined up on the LOS.

Now, this may be a case of semantics but when I see our defense in our dime package, the position he's lining up at could be called a dime back, or an outside linebacker. That's only a small reason I thought he'd end up at the WILL position this spring.

Third, and this may be most important, is I think the staff is going to want to get Upshaw on the field as much as they can. That left me with the question of what to do with Eryk.

Now, all of that combined with word I've got about one of our inside backers moving out of that rotation. Personally, my first thought was Reamer playing more inside. Then I considered maybe we'd see Nico or someone...now, the question has been answered with Jerrell getting a look inside.

Heck, it was projected...based on my theories, but by ALL means I wanted to have discussions about it...

 

[rolltyroll]

Thanks Terry. Can't wait for footballs to break Tuscaloosa air again...

 

[HIGHTIDES]

Mostly I just forgot to ask. That in no way implies I think any of it was wrong. I can't really remember the other questions I was going to ask except about Jones at center. I thought that was interesting. That's one of those positions I'm really going to have my eye on. I kind of assumed it would be Vlachos but I think Cardwell could do a decent job if they moved him back. To be honest, I don't really know what to think about center. I'd be excited to see Jones make a splash there. Really the whole offensive line is tough predict. It's enough to make my head pop. I'm still interested to see where McCullough lands.

I assumed Jordan would be next in line behind Hightower, but I like the idea of Anders being in the mix. If I remember correctly, he spent Spring at the strongside with Williams and Harris. Then he ended up playing a good bit at jack. He seems like a guy that can kinda do it all and always seems to be in the mix when he's on the field. Once Nico and Tana get to campus, things are really going to get confusing. I'm hoping Chris Jordan can make a name for himself. Dude is one of the most physically intimidating players we have... and he's got speed.

Good lord I love our linebackers!

 

[TerryP]

I mentioned on of the main reasons I put Vlachos there - what his father has been saying. Fact is, the same thing is part of the reasons I think Jones will end up at center - what his father and brother have been saying.

I was hesitant to put Cardwell in the mix at center based on two things. One, being beaten out for the back up role but more specifically why he was beaten for that role.

You probably know he's been dealing with back issues. I haven't heard how he's been doing with those since before the bowl practices start, so I don't know his status today. Due to his back he's one on my "watch list" as well when it comes to next year and attrition. He's close to graduation, and if he isn't looking like he'll be able to significantly contribute this fall I've wondered if we'll see him take the "medical hardship" route with his last few classes remaining. I think it's safe to say playing on Sunday's isn't in his future.

You think guessing on how our linebackers are a tough gig now?

It's safe to say Rolo tests the waters for the NFL next season. My gut says if he has the same results on the field this year as last, he's gone. In all seriousness, at this stage of the game, the only linebacker we can say will being in the starting rotation in '10 is going to be Don'ta.

(the linebacker depth chart was used a little against us on the recruiting trail this season. I wonder how often it's being pulled right now on the recruiting trail considering we are realistically losing 3 of our 4 projected starters)