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

[TerryP]

Damn shame if Leatherwood doesn't start at LT this year. Damn shame.

I'm kind of hoping our best tackle (whoever it may be) plays right tackle.

Why? Is it a safe assumption you're thinking about the proverbial "blind side?"

I realize I'm beating this horse past the point of glue ... but with the current offensive scheme--especially out of shotgun and pistol--it's really not a big part of the game any longer. We talk about things that migrate up to the league like some of the RPO schemes. The same is equally true with things that have filtered down in the opposite direction. You'll find a lot of LDE's who are making their "bones" in the league with pass rushing coming from the opposite side (as in not blind side of the quarterback.)

There we go, Terry... That's the reporting I'm looking for! Thinking Shy Carter has some type of "it" factor that goes beyond knowing assignments. Seems to have caught Saban's eye since getting on campus.

I'm guessing here on the number...but I want to say Saban has mentioned five DB's in pressers this spring; maybe six. It's coming together enough to where I'm looking forward to seeing what they do against Petrino's passing attacks.

Saban said Joseph Bulovas was 4 of 5 on field goals and "they weren't chip shots"

More than one have said one of the kicks was inside the 20. How is that not a chip shot? (Unless he was factoring in conditions like angle and wind velocity at the time of the kick?) Here's a quote from Rodney's report over on TI.

• Freshman placekicker Joseph Bulovas was singled out by Saban. Bulovas was four of five on his field goal attempts. Most of the kicks were between 35 and 45 yards. Only one was inside 20 yards. Bulovas managed windy conditions on field goals really well. Saban encouraged with Bulovas.

 

[Che Boludo]

Damn shame if Leatherwood doesn't start at LT this year. Damn shame.

I'm kind of hoping our best tackle (whoever it may be) plays right tackle.

Why? Is it a safe assumption you're thinking about the proverbial "blind side?"

I realize I'm beating this horse past the point of glue ... but with the current offensive scheme--especially out of shotgun and pistol--it's really not a big part of the game any longer. We talk about things that migrate up to the league like some of the RPO schemes. The same is equally true with things that have filtered down in the opposite direction. You'll find a lot of LDE's who are making their "bones" in the league with pass rushing coming from the opposite side (as in not blind side of the quarterback.)

I see where you're coming from and partially agree. But, Saban is a traditionalist and will place his best tackle on his starting QBs blindside.

I think Tua's arm and ability to move INSIDE the pocket to create space and allow plays to develop will drift the nature of the offense back to a more prostlye set.

Also, I miss the pistol.

 

[TerryP]

. But, Saban is a traditionalist and will place his best tackle on his starting QBs blindside.

On that note, if he continues with what he's done in the past we're looking at Womack being back in the starting five this fall. He is the prototypical Saban lineman.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

. But, Saban is a traditionalist and will place his best tackle on his starting QBs blindside.

On that note, if he continues with what he's done in the past we're looking at Womack being back in the starting five this fall. He is the prototypical Saban lineman.

Nick Saban is one loyal coach to those players that do it the right way......sometime even when a better/talented player is behind them.

 

[TerryP]

. But, Saban is a traditionalist and will place his best tackle on his starting QBs blindside.

On that note, if he continues with what he's done in the past we're looking at Womack being back in the starting five this fall. He is the prototypical Saban lineman.

Nick Saban is one loyal coach to those players that do it the right way......sometime even when a better/talented player is behind them.

A key word missing here is potential. As in, the potential of having a player that's better or more talented and that's especially true with this position grouping on the offensive line.

With Womack we're talking about a guy who didn't allow a sack or commit a penalty versus Georgia in the NC game. That's no different than his performance against Auburn. The staff graded him out in the 90's against Clemson.

Since the subject of that right side is being discussed in relation to sacks and pressures from the proverbial, but outdated, blind side...he didn't against...

Georgia,
Auburn,
Mississippi State,
Tennessee,
Arkansas,
Ole Miss, and a few others.

There's no doubt what he's like when it comes to a run blocker.

Proven, consistent, and doing things the right way. Yet, unseated in a starting role due to guys behind him that lack at least the first two of the three mentioned?

 

[TerryP]

There we go, Terry... That's the reporting I'm looking for! Thinking Shy Carter has some type of "it" factor that goes beyond knowing assignments. Seems to have caught Saban's eye since getting on campus.

To expound on this a little more ...

While acknowledging we're all looking forward to guys like Smith, Jobe, Armour-Davis, and Surtain to arrive in May to contribuite to this "rebuild," we're really beginning to see the core group(s) coming out of spring. If there was a game tomorrow, it's my thought we'd see this lineup:

At the two Corners: Diggs and S. Smith.
Safeties: Thompson and McKinney.
STAR: Aforementioned Shy Carter and Mayden have been proving their potential.
MONEY: McDonald.

 

[Tidestalker]

. But, Saban is a traditionalist and will place his best tackle on his starting QBs blindside.

On that note, if he continues with what he's done in the past we're looking at Womack being back in the starting five this fall. He is the prototypical Saban lineman.

Nick Saban is one loyal coach to those players that do it the right way......sometime even when a better/talented player is behind them.

A key word missing here is potential. As in, the potential of having a player that's better or more talented and that's especially true with this position grouping on the offensive line.

With Womack we're talking about a guy who didn't allow a sack or commit a penalty versus Georgia in the NC game. That's no different than his performance against Auburn. The staff graded him out in the 90's against Clemson.

Since the subject of that right side is being discussed in relation to sacks and pressures from the proverbial, but outdated, blind side...he didn't against...

Georgia,
Auburn,
Mississippi State,
Tennessee,
Arkansas,
Ole Miss, and a few others.

There's no doubt what he's like when it comes to a run blocker.

Proven, consistent, and doing things the right way. Yet, unseated in a starting role due to guys behind him that lack at least the first two of the three mentioned?

The Womack thing is in my eyes is very simple.... If he wasn't so damn white the "potential" argument wouldn't be an issue. But he doesn't look the part of the big time OT's that have come out of the SEC highly drafted. And no I'm not screaming reverse racism, none of that shit... but the reality is that many see the other dudes as having more "potential" but when it comes to size and athleticism, he's in rare air.

Womack - 6'7 324 lbs
Leatherwood - 6'6 314 lbs
Wills - 6'5 312 lbs

 

[TerryP]

The Womack thing is in my eyes is very simple.... If he wasn't so damn white the "potential" argument wouldn't be an issue

I don't think that's the case with a lot of people--but you could be right. Dunno. He does carry that "good ol' country boy" look about him, no doubt, but I've got a different view.

Womack - 6'7 324 lbs
Leatherwood - 6'6 314 lbs
Wills - 6'5 312 lbs

Womack- 3 star from Mississippi, 69th ranked OT in his class.
Leatherwood- 5 star from Florida, 1st ranked OT in his class.
Wills- 4 star from Kentucky, 7th ranked OT in his class.

 

[Tidestalker]

The Womack thing is in my eyes is very simple.... If he wasn't so damn white the "potential" argument wouldn't be an issue

Quote
I don't think that's the case with a lot of people--but you could be right. Dunno. He does carry that "good ol' country boy" look about him, no doubt, but I've got a different view.

Womack - 6'7 324 lbs
Leatherwood - 6'6 314 lbs
Wills - 6'5 312 lbs

Womack- 3 star from Mississippi, 69th ranked OT in his class.
Leatherwood- 5 star from Florida, 1st ranked OT in his class.
Wills- 4 star from Kentucky, 7th ranked OT in his class.

My point is - If Womack was black - He wouldn't have been the 69th ranked OT either. Not with those measurables... No chance.

 

[RTB X Bot]

 

[TerryP]

The Womack thing is in my eyes is very simple.... If he wasn't so damn white the "potential" argument wouldn't be an issue

Quote
I don't think that's the case with a lot of people--but you could be right. Dunno. He does carry that "good ol' country boy" look about him, no doubt, but I've got a different view.

Womack - 6'7 324 lbs
Leatherwood - 6'6 314 lbs
Wills - 6'5 312 lbs

Womack- 3 star from Mississippi, 69th ranked OT in his class.
Leatherwood- 5 star from Florida, 1st ranked OT in his class.
Wills- 4 star from Kentucky, 7th ranked OT in his class.

My point is - If Womack was black - He wouldn't have been the 69th ranked OT either. Not with those measurables... No chance.

I don't know if I agree with that. Possible, certainly. It doesn't help the situation when he's coming from a AAAA school which also happens to be private, Christian, and independent of the other MS schools.

 

[Max]

Alabama practiced Monday afternoon, working outside on a beautiful 70-degree day in Tuscaloosa.

Here are some notes from the media viewing period:

-- Cornerback Trevon Diggs, who didn't practice last week due to an ankle injury, was back practicing.

-- Wide receiver Tyrell Shavers wasn't practicing. With Shavers and Jerry Jeudy both out, the wide receiver line during drills consisted of Henry Ruggs first and then DeVonta Smith, Xavian Marks, Derek Kief and Chadarius Townsend.

-- Outside linebacker Christian Miller, who got nicked up during Alabama's practice on Saturday, was practicing.

-- The order during defensive line drills remains the same. The first three in line were Isaiah Buggs, Raekwon Davis and Quinnen Williams followed by Johnny Dwight, Phidarian Mathis and LaBryan Ray.

 

[UA Press Release]

The Crimson Tide holds first of three practices this week on Monday

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama football team wrapped up day nine of spring practice on Monday afternoon with a two-hour session in full pads on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.

Monday's practice was the ninth of 15 spring practice sessions that will include two closed scrimmages and the annual Golden Flake A-Day Game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on April 21 at 1 p.m. CT. The game will air live on ESPN with Adnan Virk, Joey Galloway, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe on the call.

Following practice on Monday, the Alabama players, coaches and staff wished a happy birthday to long-time practice official Eddie Conyers. Conyers, who turned 90 on Monday, has served as an official the Crimson Tide practices since the early 1960s.

The Tide returns a total of 10 starters, including seven on offense and three on defense. The UA offense welcomes back junior quarterback Jalen Hurts, senior running back Damien Harris, four offensive linemen, including Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher, Lester Cotton Sr. and Matt Womack along with junior tight end Hale Hentges. Senior Isaiah Buggs and junior Raekwon Davis return to anchor the defensive line, while redshirt junior Anfernee Jennings will lead the linebackers.

Alabama will travel to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to be recognized at the White House for its College Football Playoff National Championship Game victory earlier this year.

The team will return to the practice field this week on Wednesday, April 11 and Friday, April 13. The Tide will hold its second scrimmage of spring on Saturday, April 14 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaFTBL on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaFBL on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.

Alabama Football Gets Back to Work Following First Scrimmage - Alabama Athletics

 

[Rainer Sabin | rsabin@al.com]

New-look Alabama O-Line even surprises the Tide's 'D'

Alabama is experimenting with its offensive line combinations, creating some surprise among the Crimson Tide's defensive players.

At one point during Alabama's first scrimmage of the year Saturday, Terrell Lewis did a double take.

Across from him at right guard was Jedrick Wills -- the rising sophomore who played predominantly at tackle as a freshman.

"I'm looking at it like, 'Whoa!'" said the outside linebacker. "It's just different."

Indeed it is. Wills was manning a new spot within in an offensive line that is in the throes of an experimental phase. The Tide is currently mixing and matching players to find the most ideal lineup.

On Saturday, Wills was sandwiched between right tackle Alex Leatherwood and Ross Pierschbacher at center. Meanwhile, Lester Cotton was at left guard -- on the opposite side of where he played last season.

"We have to find out where the best combinations are, and if we lose players, who gives us the best option to get the best players on the field next year," Alabama coach Nick Saban said.

To that end, the Tide is tinkering. It's a process that could take some time, but Alabama is in no rush. Its deadline for finding the perfect arrangement is roughly five months away, when the Tide plays its season opener against Louisville on the first day of September. At this point, the 2018 offensive line is in the nascent stages of development. It looked shaky during the scrimmage, showing vulnerabilities in pass protection and struggling in third-down situations, when Alabama's defense typically sends extra rushers.

"I think there was a little too much pressure on the quarterback, but that stems from a lot of different things" Pierschbacher said. "It's not just one guy getting beat. It's either protections or calls or a difficult blitz, stuff like that, and cohesiveness just with having different guys play different spots, trying to build cohesiveness and play next to each other. I think it was a good step on Saturday, but we'll learn from the mistakes this week, get better, and try to have a better second scrimmage on Saturday."

For now, though, Lewis is content to exploit a blocking front that is susceptible during this period of transition.

"I've got to take advantage of it," he said. "Get production points."

After all, he is aware they may not come as easily later this year.

"I know they are going to get better at it and grow from it," he said of the offensive line.

Rainer Sabin | rsabin@al.com
New-look Alabama O-Line even surprises the Tide's 'D'

 

[ChemE]

Just passing this along.

I have a few thoughts/observations to share. I will only provide my opinion on what has already been written about or commented on so as to stay with the mantra that nothing private or secretive gets out.
There are several factors that make this both a critical and a challenging spring for the program. Obviously, there are a lot of losses to graduation and early departures. That is the norm in this program but I don't recall a year that hit our back 7 so hard. Every one is gone but for the 2 guys, Mack Wilson and Deionte Thompson, who played at the end when the starters were out. Add to that lingering injuries and a very small class of early enrollees and you have an interesting spring.
Such a challenge requires a lot of combination experiments and given all of this I was actually surprised and very pleased with the overall performance.
I was also quite pleased with the place kicking as Bulovas seems to have settled down after a disappointing redshirt year. I don't know if Coach Banks has helped him or not, but at least for one practice he really looked solid. He was very confident hitting the ball and just looked like a big time kicker. The wind was quite strong and making 3 over 40 and 4 of 5 overall was thus even more impressive. His kickoffs were inconsistent so he does need to improve that area.
J K Scott was a once in a lifetime type of punter, so anything Skyler DeLong does is going to come short, but I was not impressed. Again the wind was a factor so I am hoping that the next scrimmage will see some better numbers. He also needs to be a bit quicker getting his kick away.
Note that we are going to the system most of college football uses, with 3 up guys in front protecting the punter. We were one of the last teams to use the pro style spread punt system, and I feel certain this is another factor that Coach Banks has brought us.
Devonta Smith shocked me as to how effectively he played corner. There is no doubt in my mind that he could be a star on that side of the ball. I made it a point to watch him for the 15 or so snaps he got at corner and he looked extremely smooth and confident. This kid is just an elite and very natural athlete.
I thought Jared Mayden looked very good and they were moving him around a lot. He played safety, star and corner and seemed to be in great position. He was beaten for a TD by Chadarius Townsend on a laser throw from Mac Jones. His coverage was actually pretty good on the play but it was a nice route and a very impressive throw. Townsend appears to be very fast.
I would love to know who number 35 on defense is. He is apparently a walk on corner but he played a good bit with the 2s and I thought he looked good. The roster shows 35 as a receiver so maybe he plays both ways, or maybe the 35 on defense was simply not listed. I could not help but think this might be another Levi Wallace type.
Also, Max Hereford, a walk on receiver seemed to play a lot. I didn't notice him making a lot of plays but he was out there a good bit with the 2s.
As noted Tua threw very well in limited action. What I took from that is the finger injury is not going to be a detriment other than missing some reps.
Jalen had some nice throws and looks slimmer and quicker. He seemed faster and seemed to make more guys miss as a freshman, and he looked more in that mode on Saturday. He really made some nice runs against our D especially considering that it is essentially touch football on the QBs.
With all the offensive line tinkering it is understandable that the D had a lot of pressure on the QBs. Even with the line of left to right, J Williams, Cotton, Pierschbacher, Wills and Leatherwood, they were getting pressure, but to me that is a line with incredible potential. Wills has not played guard since he arrived so that is a change and of course Pierscbacher at center is a big change. If that group gets reps and gets comfortable with each other it could be a very devastating line.

 

[JoshB]

Just passing this along.
I would love to know who number 35 on defense is. He is apparently a walk on corner but he played a good bit with the 2s and I thought he looked good. The roster shows 35 as a receiver so maybe he plays both ways, or maybe the 35 on defense was simply not listed. I could not help but think this might be another Levi Wallace type.

35 is Rogria Lewis, according to Alabama's media guy. Redshirt senior DB from Gardendale. He wore 23 last year.

 

[Tidestalker]

Thanks ChemE. Appreciate the input!

 

[bama alum]

Thanks, ChemE! That's good news re: Mayden.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Good input
I remember the 2010 team had a lot on offense coming back an a decimated D and special teams .... hope things turn out better then that year

 

[colbyjacks]

I remember discussing Womack during the season and one thing I said was how slow he was when he was pulling. The running back was hitting the hole before Womack made it there.

I think Terry is spot on. It is the star gazing that makes the other guys seem like they are better than him or have more potential. Literally nothing to do with race in my opinion.