🏈 Wednesday Practice Report:

[Bamabww]

The man of the day, Avery Johnson, spoke with the team prior to football practice. Just a couple of brief comments. He told the story about him being an unpaid consultant with the New Orleans Saints and how he talked to the Saints prior to their Super Bowl win.

One comment that stood out: "If you really want to be good - you know this, you have a hall of fame coach," Johnson said, pointing to Nick Saban. "Practice makes perfect."

Johnson had a chance to chat with Saban on the field. RB coach Burton Burns and the one and only Scott Cochran also came over to say hello. AD Bill Battle was also on the field during stretching with Avery, Saban and others.

- No sign of A'Shawn Robinson at practice today.

- Kenyan Drake running routes with the WR's today.

- Cooper Bateman still with the WR's.

-Cyrus Jones stretched out with the team but went to the bike, joining Denzell Devall, right after that.

- Starting CB's during media portion of practice, again Bradley Sylve and Tony Brown. Hootie Jones and Ronnie Harrison also saw first-team reps. Second-team CB's were Marlon Humphrey and Anthony Averett.

- Eddie Jackson was playing some safety.

- Interesting quote from Mario Cristobal to his offensive linemen: "Get used to going fast in everything you do."

- Geno Smith was participating in practice but was not taking first or second team reps at safety.

- ArDarius Stewart had an awesome one-handed catch on a bullet from Alec Morris.

https://alabama.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=427&tid=212024022&mid=212024022&sid=885&style=2

 

[jdpas29]

Beside injuries, the most disappointing information about camp so far is.... --- Cooper Bateman still with the WR's

 

[psychojoe]

Beside injuries, the most disappointing information about camp so far is.... --- Cooper Bateman still with the WR's

Spring is a time for experimenting. That he does have the hands and the athleticism to be looked at with the WR group indicates he has a considerable skill set there.

 

[TerryP]

Spring is a time for experimenting.

@jdpas29 In Tuesday's practice, Cornwall was taking snaps with the 1's. In the last scrimmage, he was with the 2's and Morris / Coker took the reps with the starters. If you happened to read, or hear, some of the scrimmage obserservations the vast majority mention Cornwall and Barnett looked better; both running against the 2's.

A lot of people mention Bateman. Why? It's my opinion it's largely based on last years A-day game. A game where he faced the 2's and 3's and a game/scrimmage where people were beginning to say, "no way the Tide wins with Sims at QB."

What gets to me is people seemingly forget, or ignore, what's been the MO of Saban since he's been coaching in Tuscaloosa. Barring some sort of injury if you are considered the starter going into the spring camp you hold that position. Things do change in the fall. A lot of people are also talking about one of those three taking the starting job. It ain't happenin' this spring. My confidence in saying that comes from seeing what happens in spring camp since 2007.

Going into the fall I expect we'll see this order: Coker, Morris, and then either Cornwall or Barnett. It's my belief Barnett doesn't see any playing time this season unless the injury bug hits.

 

[riz]

Something tells me Coker isn't going to be the answer.

 

[alabama mike]

I am more concerned about having RB depth now that we have lost a few to departure or injury.

 

[bama alum]

Going into the fall I expect we'll see this order: Coker, Morris, and then either Cornwall or Barnett. It's my belief Barnett doesn't see any playing time this season unless the injury bug hits.

I completely agree about Barnett; I also agree with @riz. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Cornwall is starting by October.

Does make you wonder though...Think about the (good) problem Urban Cryer is going to have at QB this year. I wonder how this will shape out here (with both Cornwall and Barnett) in a couple of years.

 

[rammerjammer]

I know I don't make 7 million a year to make these decisions, but in the fall if Cornwall is remotely close to Coker in competition, I hope that Cornwall gets the nod. Breaking in a new QB every year sucks. CNS always goes with the guy that gives us the best chance to win and he certainly has proved it works.