🏈 The "chart" has been released.

[TerryP]

-Is Randolph the actual starter at LG or is Cohen banged up? I'd be happy for Randolph if this is the case

The left guard position is like the Branch/Moore story with an addendum.

Remember, back in the summer Cohen was dealing with "mental health" issues and took a step back away, from everything, for a little while. Randolph took the reps this fall because Javon wasn't back in "football shape," so to speak.

(The addendum: He's a sixth year guy. You know how much Saban values seniority.)

There's a few positions where people are pointing to the back-up and saying there will be a change before the season ends. One of those is with Moody at ILB. I have my doubts there but I do expect Cohen to actually take Randolph's spot with the 1's.

 

[TerryP]

The talent level of those 4 CBs is off the charts. Good to have depth compared to last year when 2 first year players had to play the NC game due to injury.

Two sides of a coin, right?

Yes, it's nice to have this kind of talent with the depth. On the other hand it means they haven't seen the separation they are looking for...the ability to point to two guys and say, "that's our corner's."

Hoping the development continues with the entire group...

 

[NickelDoubleDog]

"Out performing" doesn't fit. I would out perform Tiger on a golf course following his knee and back surgery while he's high on Oxy.

Malachi has had back problems for over a year now. It's football, right? An injury like his makes the path back up the depth chart difficult when the guy beside you is able to handle the reps in practice. Moore hasn't been healthy enough.

That can be true, while it's also true that Branch is a superior player.

That's no slight on Moore - he is still excellent.

Branch is just an incredible player. He's as good as anyone in the country at that position. He can cover while also being a super physical player and great tackler

 

[NickelDoubleDog]

Two sides of a coin, right?

Yes, it's nice to have this kind of talent with the depth. On the other hand it means they haven't seen the separation they are looking for...the ability to point to two guys and say, "that's our corner's."

Hoping the development continues with the entire group...

Good points. From what I have gleaned from the fall, it's a result of several things:

Terrion Arnold improving a ton and putting himself in the mix to start. I wonder if he'll end up the best CB of the bunch.

Ricks was hurt and sitting out a lot of the fall

Jackson missed some time, so did Koolaid.

More chances to separate as games start, I suppose

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Oatis is going to be a terror!

If he can play at a very high level, you would think this defense could be special. If Bama can stop the run up the middle, then we're in high cotton.

 

[PurlJam]

If he can play at a very high level, you would think this defense could be special. If Bama can stop the run up the middle, then we're in high cotton.

 

[BamaFan334]

If he can play at a very high level, you would think this defense could be special. If Bama can stop the run up the middle, then we're in high cotton.

I'm still more concerned with the pass as always. Kool-Aid has a long ways to go starting with getting his head turned around in coverage (I absolutely hate this "rule"". Not worried about Branch or Battle, but more concerned with the corners since Ricks has been injured.

 

[Elderfalsedemigod]

JMO but all things (health) being equal Branch is a better more physical tackler than Moore. But to my eye Moore is quicker and faster with a little better ball instincts. Again JMO. I want Moore healthy as well as everyone else

 

[TerryP]

I'm still more concerned with the pass as always. Kool-Aid has a long ways to go starting with getting his head turned around in coverage (I absolutely hate this "rule"". Not worried about Branch or Battle, but more concerned with the corners since Ricks has been injured.

Based on what we've seen, if Kool-Aid is turning his head he's also getting his ass chewed. He hasn't been able to get in phase a lot.

Ricks still has a learning curve to deal with; it's not all health.

 

[colbyjacks]

@TerryP If you had to grade each transfer portal addition on what we thought we were getting vs where they are today, how would that look?

 

[TerryP]

@TerryP If you had to grade each transfer portal addition on what we thought we were getting vs where they are today, how would that look?

Gibbs exceeding, Burton fulfilling expectations, Ricks and Harrell are learning, but that's been hampered by injuries. It's not fair to really judge those latter two, eh? (I think we'll see Harrell show up before Ricks but that's more position related.)

 

[Tidestalker]

The left guard position is like the Branch/Moore story with an addendum.

Remember, back in the summer Cohen was dealing with "mental health" issues and took a step back away, from everything, for a little while. Randolph took the reps this fall because Javon wasn't back in "football shape," so to speak.

(The addendum: He's a sixth year guy. You know how much Saban values seniority.)

There's a few positions where people are pointing to the back-up and saying there will be a change before the season ends. One of those is with Moody at ILB. I have my doubts there but I do expect Cohen to actually take Randolph's spot with the 1's.

Thanks for the update... Makes sense... Figured it would be something along these lines.

Regardless I feel good about Randolph being in the game. He's got real experience and plenty of offseason to prepare himself at Guard.

 

[mando]

After 6 years Randolph does not jump off the page a someone that will dominate. Good probably but not great/dominant. Maybe that will be enough. OL is still my main concern followed by the D's ability to shut down (not just slow down) the run.

 

[Tidestalker]

After 6 years Randolph does not jump off the page a someone that will dominate. Good probably but not great/dominant. Maybe that will be enough. OL is still my main concern followed by the D's ability to shut down (not just slow down) the run.

Great way of putting it. The one addendum I would add is that his role for 2-3 years was that blocking TE, and the staff likely tried to mold him into that via body type, drill work, etc.

Coming back for a 6th year he likely asked for this opportunity and trained towards being that full time OL. I'd agree with you the "upside" is more limited than the others, but there could have been some improvement with the specialization in the last year or two.

I'm assuming if/when Cohen gets right, he will be really tough to keep off the field. I look at Randolph as an ideal option to backup at least 3 other positions (not sure about LT), which as we know is usually valuable and necessary.