🏈 Spring Practice, 2018: Looking to A-day... (Update: Tua with 2nd surgery on hand.)

[JoshB]

He has been. That term is most often used for a third down linebacker, not a three downs linebacker. We've had conversations about a few guys over the years and wondered if they'd be able to get run/pass downs proportionally, ya know?

Consider...Lewis is big enough for gap control if needed on the line, has a step that gets him around the ends. This we know. Is he athletic enough to be able to "flip is hips/direction" and fall into coverage? I think so.

Miller on the other hand...seen him fall into coverage. He can only get better. He know how he is on pass rush. I'm also seeing a guy that has the frame to stop bigger backs in open field tackles.

{If you can't tell, I really like the linebackers when the defense is in regular. That's just a ... geez, what a group.}

I think Lewis will be an every down backer this year. Very versatile and I think Saban will want to have him on the field as much as possible, especially if he can not be a liability in pass coverage.

 

[EasyTider]

Just a sprain. Looks like @EasyTider was WRONG!

Apology accepted :moon::moon:

 

[OldPlayer]

Apology accepted :moon::moon:

I'm sorry you got the finger wrong.

Tua out for spring with apparent broken thumb (throwing hand). That f’ng injury bug still lingers in Tuscaloosa.

.

 

[planomateo]

Both TenBears and I have Lewis is the Next Big Thing on the Bama defense for 2018.............

I'll bite, who is TenBears?

 

[EasyTider]

I'm sorry you got the finger wrong.

 

[TerryP]

I'll bite, who is TenBears?

 

[TerryP]

I think Lewis will be an every down backer this year. Very versatile and I think Saban will want to have him on the field as much as possible, especially if he can not be a liability in pass coverage.

Over the past few years we've seen Bama play in regular for two games in the regular season; LSU and Arkansas. With Morris at Fayetteville we'll have to subtract that one but with Pruitt at UT do we add another in its place? My gut says yes with the possibility we face a third in UGA in ATL.

Personally...can't help but think about what this might look like if Bama plays something like a 30 stack. That'll come down to linebacker reads and in my eyes that's fitting right into the defenses' wheelhouse with Mack and Moses.

The possibilities...oh, the possibilities! Can you imagine something like a Fire Zone blitz with Buggs, Davis, Moses, and Thompson crashing?

 

[RTB X Bot]

 

[planomateo]

I'll bite, who is TenBears?

Apparently, I need to watch this Eastwood movie.

 

[planomateo]

Ha! Polishing helmets...

 

[Max]

Whether it was glue, tape or papier-mache, Alabama did whatever it could to keep its pass rush together last season. Now UA will have to rearrange again.

Nine different linebackers missed games last season due to injuries, and seven of those players were making significant contributions to the team prior to going down.

Two of the most notable losses from that group were Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller, who served as some of Alabama’s more experienced players on the second level of defense. Both made triumphant returns to provide needed linebacker depth before the College Football Playoff.

With Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans moving on to the NFL, the Crimson Tide’s rescuers on defense will have to mold into the top unit without much in-game action last season.

“We’re physical enough, we’re an athletic group, we’re a long group, so we have a lot of stuff,” Lewis said of the current linebackers. “We just have to get that experience on the field, that gameplay. I feel like a lot of us didn’t get enough time to get a feel for the game. I know me and Christian, we sat out a lot, but we saw it from the outside view looking in and we know what we can improve on.”


Miller, a redshirt senior, missed 10 games last season with a biceps injury. Lewis, now a junior, missed the same amount of games with an elbow injury. Both players are expected to become vocal leaders on defense this season, especially with former linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi’s promotion to defensive coordinator this offseason.

“I really want to step up and lead on and off the field,” Miller said. “I want to embrace this last year and do everything I can to make my presence known with the guys, with the coaches, with the (program).”

Lewis and Miller combined for 14 total tackles across Alabama’s final three games last season. Before their injuries they totaled eight tackles, including two for loss in the Crimson Tide’s opener against Florida State.

Scrimmages will be a good opportunity for that group to get back into the flow of a game, and the speedy pass rushers are hoping their returns will result in more production from the Alabama pass rush this season.

“I think we can do a better job on third down,” Miller said. “I know in one of our meetings we talked about our third down percentages and I think that’s one thing that would help. Increased pass rush on third down and get off the field.”

Anfernee Jennings, another key piece of the Alabama pass rush, is already missing time this spring while he recovers from the knee injury he suffered in the semifinal game against Clemson. Jennings closed the season on a tear for Crimson Tide, recording 11 tackles and five-and-a-half tackles for loss in his last two games. The redshirt junior is expected to return sometime this spring.

“Anfernee, he was a guy that kept me uplifted throughout the whole injury process,” Lewis said. “He kept me uplifted. So, to see him step up while I was hurt, and then he gets hurt, and I have to step up for him. I just took it personal kind of, like it’s my turn to step up for me. And I told him before the (national championship), ‘I got you bro, I promise we won’t lose this game.’”

https://www.tidesports.com/alabama-pass-rush-adjusting-after-limited-in-game-action/

 

[TerryP]

I wouldn't want to be the one, or group, he's referring to here...

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Since Nick has move two offensive players to DB this spring due to lack of numbers it would appear Diggs will stick to defense as well this Spring.

 

[TerryP]

 

[TerryP]

Isaiah D. Buggs (@BigPooh_91) | Twitter

 

[Tidestalker]

Thank goodness Buggs came back! He, Williams, Davis will have to go beast mode this year

 

[Rainer Sabin | rsabin@al.com]

Alabama held its third practice of the spring Saturday.

On a breezy afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Alabama held its third practice of the spring Saturday. Alabama was in shells and shorts.

Here are some observations gleaned during the limited access period provided to the media:
-- Tua Tagovailoa was back out at practice. The quarterback fractured the index finger on his throwing hand earlier this week.
-- Christian Miller led the outside linebacker group. He was followed by Jamey Mosley, Terrell Lewis, Chris Allen and Jarez Parks.
-- The first-team offensive line remained the same. Jedrick Wills was at right tackle, Lester Cotton at right guard, Ross Pierschbacher at center, Josh Casher at left guard and Jonah Williams at left tackle. The second-team unit went as follows: Scott Lashley at right tackle, Richie Petitbon at right guard, Brandon Kennedy at center, Dallas Warmack at left guard and Alex Leatherwood at left tackle.
-- Ben Davis was in the third group of inside linebackers. Mack Wilson, Dylan Moses, Josh McMillon and Markail Benton were ahead of him.
-- It appeared receiver Chadarius Townsend was working with the defensive backs. So too was early enrollee Slade Bolden, who was expected to play on offense. Townsend has practiced with the defense before.
-- The first line of cornerbacks featured Trevon Diggs, Saivion Smith and Shyheim Carter.

Rainer Sabin | rsabin@al.com
Alabama practice report: Notes on o-line, DBs, more

 

[Google Inc.]

SECcountry.com​

Alabama football: What we learned from Week 1 of spring practice
SECcountry.com

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — We’re now three practices into spring drills for Alabama football, and there have been a lot of key takeaways to note.
The Crimson Tide are set to practice 12 more times before concluding spring with their A-Day spring game on April 21.

Here’s a look at what we learned from Week 1.

Tua Tagovailoa’s hand has been biggest story

It’s been an interesting spring on the injury front already for Alabama football. The biggest injury came on Day 1 when Alabama coach Nick Saban announced that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa injured his left hand on Tuesday.

Tagovailoa returned to the field on Thursday in a limited capacity. He did a similar amount of work on Saturday during the media viewing period.

Tagovailoa is sporting a wrap and a glove to protect his left hand. The fact that he’s on the field at all is a positive sign. After practice on Saturday, Alabama doesn’t return to the field until Tuesday. That gives Tagovailoa two days to rest, and see how his hand responds to the work he’s doing.

Low numbers, injuries lead to experiments

Because of injuries and low numbers at certain positions, Alabama is getting creative to make it through spring practice.

Alabama basically lost its entire secondary from last season, so numbers are low. The Crimson Tide signed five defensive backs in their 2018 class, but only one is on campus as a midyear enrollee — junior college transfer Saivion Smith.

With the numbers being low, Alabama is using National Championship Game hero DeVonta Smith on both sides of the ball. Smith worked with the defensive backs during the media viewing periods of practice this week.

Prior to Alabama taking the field for spring practice, right tackle Matt Womack sustained a foot injury.

Womack started in all 14 games last season. Alabama also must replace two-year starter Bradley Bozeman at center.

Ross Pierschbacher got a look at center on Tuesday. Jedrick Wills lined up at right tackle on Tuesday. Alex Leatherwood is another player to watch.
At this point, Alabama is experimenting all over the offensive line.

New coaches are fitting in nicely

It’s crazy to think that no coach from Alabama’s 2015 national championship team is in the same role now. That was only three seasons ago, and the Crimson Tide have a completely different staff.

Furthermore, offensive line coach Brent Key is the lone member of the staff filling the same role as a season ago. Tosh Lupoi and Mike Locksley are still around, but both have been bumped up to coordinator spots (Lupoi still works with outside linebackers).

Alabama has six new assistant coaches this season, one thanks to the NCAA allowing teams to have a 10th assistant coach, and all three coordinator spots are being manned by someone different from a year ago.

However, if you’re expecting a drop-off, don’t hold your breath. Nick Saban is confident in this new bunch.

“I think they’re all working hard, and they’ve got a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of new ideas,” Saban said. “I’m excited about them and I
like every one of them, and to be honest with you we’re very, very fortunate and hit a home run with the guys we were able to hire.”

Damien Harris ready to lead

Alabama fans should feel comfortable knowing the team has veteran leaders such as Damien Harris around. Harris returned to Tuscaloosa for his senior season when he could have bolted for the NFL.

He’ll be one of the featured players on offense, as well as one of the faces of the program this season.

Harris has a chance to become the first Alabama player to rush for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. He’s rushed for 2,197 yards and 14 touchdowns during his three seasons in Tuscaloosa. Harris is 1,394 yards off Derrick Henry’s career rushing record.

“One thing I need to improve on as far as being a leader for this team is how I affect other people,” Harris said. “I’ve been a lead-by-example kind of guy, not super vocal. There comes a point in time where you have to do what’s best for the team, and do what you can do to impact the guys on this team in a positive way. Whether that’s me becoming more vocal or continuing to lead by example, I’m ready to do it to enhance my leadership role on this team.”

Alabama’s players are really strong

One of the best things about Alabama strength coach Scott Cochran being on Twitter has been the random videos he posts from the weight room.

First up, we got a glimpse of Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts squatting nearly 600 pounds (looks like 585) on Thursday. That’s an impressive number for anyone, let alone a quarterback. That’s nearly three times his own weight. Hurts was a powerlifter in high school.



On Friday, Cochran dropped a short clip of Alabama safety Xavier McKinney tossing around 305 pounds as if it were nothing. McKinney is competing to be one of Alabama’s starting safeties.

Hopefully Cochran continues to release these behind the scenes nuggets throughout the year and into the season.



Google Inc.
Alabama football: What we learned from Week 1 of spring practice

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Any word on why Cowan wasn't at practice on Saturday? Anybody? Bueller?

 

[Tidestalker]

Not shocked to see Townsend at DB... Am shocked to see Bolden over there! Que the Will Lowery references... lol

I think the secret weapon at LB next year will be Benton. Wilson and Moses are big impressive athletes, but Benton may be able to cover the most ground. Think he's the new age LB everyone needs.

Thanks for the updates! RTR