🏈 Thoughts on the scrimmage from yesterday...

[TerryP]

It is time for me to admit that I've been wrong about Cody. I now think, like Terry has said, he will be playing more than just situational downs. I didn't think he could do it at that weight, but he is obviously an exception to the rule.

I hope Drew Davis also proves me wrong. So far, he has. The good news is, it is early and he still has time to improve before the whistles start blowing.

Apparently, Chris Jackson is quietly having a great camp, and if the season started today would be in the mix to start. Our WR corps are just plain sick.

Speaking of sick, the DL has gone from a worry a year ago to a major strength of this defense. We have some good position battles going all along the line, and the 3 deep is going to be stout. They are going to be a tough bunch to run against with certain groupings. The depth there also give Saban more flexibility than he's had in the past with alignments and such.

Gawd, saying 3-deep on the defensive line is something I could repeat a dozen times and still smile. Here's the thing B.

At NT, (not going to use the term depth chart here) we have Washington, Chapman (I put him first because of experience in the system) and then Cody. BUT, what a lot fail to realize is we've also slid Marcel and Alfred inside as well.

We have been dealing with true ends forced inside due to depth. Now, with no depth issues, we have ends we can slide inside because they have the talent and strength to handle the position.

We talked a back 2-3 months ago about depth in terms of LB's and said if we get good results out of our DL and DB's we'll be fine. Now, I have a hard time thinking about which group is the best, the DL or the DB's. You KNOW Saban is excited about our DB's because anyone that questions Javy or Jackson hears it immediately. Of course, you don't have anyone questioning Rashad's ability.

I'm still cautiously optimistic with Drew. But, confidence is growing. We'll get the answer to that question in 20 days.

 

[imported_Porter]

Cody is just that big and that strong.

Correct. None of them are able to block Cody 1-on-1 in anything even remotely resembling a consistent basis.

 

[NTT]

So if marcel and Alfred are being moved to the inside. Who is playing the DE? Billingsly, Harbin, Greenwood, and Deadrick?

 

[TerryP]

So if marcel and Alfred are being moved to the inside. Who is playing the DE? Billingsly, Harbin, Greenwood, and Deadrick?

Not being moved, but sliding inside...not a move as in position wise to the inside. (don't get that wrong...I would faith in a 3-4 line with Greenwood, Marcel and Washington.) As example, say we have Greenwood, Cody and Marcel on the field. We slide the Jack up to the 7 or 9 gap, put Cody and Marcel handling the 2 and 3 gaps, and put Greenwood taking either the 4 or 6 gap.

One thing to think of as well is if our NT is taking the 0 or 1 gap, one of our ends will have the 2 or 3 gap. That's playing "inside" even though they are technically a end.

 

[TerryP]

Oh, as to who plays end in those situations? Take your pick.

Davis
Deadrick
Talbert
Gentry
Greenwood
McCullough

Undra and Harbin...I'm of the opinion that Harbin likely 'shirts and Undra sees limited back-up action.