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Posted on 9/7/16 at 6:29 pm to Rizzy
Do y'all think he'll get some reps to spell Payne? It'd be nice if we could add him to the core 4 that we're already rotating in on the DL.
Posted on 9/7/16 at 6:34 pm to RammerJammer91
Davis being cleared will cause a mini melt on the rant 
Posted on 9/7/16 at 6:36 pm to Cobrasize
I just lit the fuse.
Posted on 9/7/16 at 7:58 pm to CrimsonBoz
I don't think Davis plays much outside of mop-up until at lest mid-season as he is still very raw. Tons of talent though, glad he's cleared because we will need him down the stretch. Hope King gets going too, we need a couple more guys playing at a high level on the DL.
Posted on 9/8/16 at 8:28 am to tider04
quote:
Alabama got some good news Wednesday when the NCAA cleared Raekwon Davis to compete during the 2016 season. Watch as the true freshman and the rest of the Crimson Tide defensive line goes through drills during today's practice.
LINK with Video
Posted on 9/8/16 at 8:38 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama made a statement last weekend with a 52-6 rout of USC at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and the Crimson Tide will be back in Tuscaloosa to take on Western Kentucky in Week 2.
In anticipation of Saturday's home opener, the Crimson Tide released a short hype video for the game on Wednesday via Twitter, which can be seen below.
LINK with Video
Posted on 9/8/16 at 11:04 am to TideSaint
This is from Huskypup on BOL:
quote:
I think this is pretty well how it played out, only that the staff let Hurts stay in since he scored on his second full drive. I say this to note that my analysis below isn't my advocacy of one candidate over the other. Rather, I successfully predicted how the coaches viewed/treated the quarterbacks going into week 1, and this is a continued analysis regarding how I believe the coaching staff will view the performance of the respective quarterbacks going into week 2.
Bamagrad made a good point in another thread about how the drives ended up shaking out. let's look at the drives when he was in:
Fumble - 3 yard drive
Punt - 1 yard drive
Punt - 28 yard drive
1st TD - First pass completed from the USC 36
1st FG - First pass completed from the USC 16 (46 yard Harris run)
2nd TD - INT TD immediately after ensuing kickoff
3rd TD - First pass completed from the ALA 29 (busted coverage to Stewart)
4th TD - No passes attempted (following fumbled punt on USC 13)
INT
5th TD - No passes attempted (Harris 73 yard run)
Of the 38 points when Hurts was in:
21 points came without Hurts ever attempting a pass.
10 points came from drives started within the USC 36 yard line.
7 points came on a busted coverage.
Now, I don't -blame- Hurts for his good luck outlined above, but his first three drives averaged 8 yards versus Barnett's averaging 7. The truth is that once the offensive line gelled we were completely unstoppable and didn't need to punt until the last drive of the game. Further, 8 of our 18 passes came in those first 5 non-scoring drives (ending early in the second quarter)... after that we ended up getting ahead so fast that we really didn't need to throw the ball anymore and only threw 10 passes in about 3 quarters of play.
The trick, as redriptide alluded to with the following analogy earlier this week, is that it's like you flip a coin and look for heads. You flip it twice and it doesn't happen. So you say "this must be a bad coin!", switch coins, flip twice, it still doesn't happen. Except this time you don't give up on the second coin and start getting good results. Is the second coin (quarterback) better? We really can't say. The truth is that Barnett stalled on his first two drives, and Hurts on his first three (with a turnover).
That neither quarterback was overly effective their first few drives (2 for BB, 3 for JH), was seemingly mostly due to the offensive line. In the run of 8 possessions where we scored all our points, we threw 9 passes between both quarterbacks, half of which were 40+ yards (two from each QB). That simply isn't a large enough sample size to make any sort of sound judgment on who is better at this point.
In summary, I don't see how anyone can definitively state which quarterback is the better candidate at this point. One thing I'll emphasize: as Saban said yesterday, Hurts only runs a very limited package. It worked pretty well in the opener, but the opponent had no idea what that package will be. Ole Miss will be able to game plan heavily for that package, so Hurts will have to expand the playbook to be effective. Further, I think it has to be pointed out that Hurts had two turnovers to Barnett's zero. I think Hurts is absolutely the future, but there are still signs that he hasn't had enough time to fully grasp the playbook (that's not a knock, most freshman QBs are completely lost and it's truly exceptional for Hurts to understand a full package at this point), and it may still take some time to get him ready. Unlike 2014 when Sims was battling Coker (and both had serious limitations), these are two very gifted quarterbacks both with some special skills (Hurts athleticism and Barnett's arm velocity), so the winner of the QB battle will likely be the guy who does the most little things well (rather than the guy who does the fewest things poorly, as has been the case in the past).
The best example I can give of why Hurts still hasn't locked down the job is this clip:
LINK
This is a flood left and he rolls right. The play call was obvious in the game, but the best way to see it in the broadcast is that there isn't a single receiver on the near half of the field when Hurts throws it away. The announcers missed it, but this set up the incomplete pass to Dieter and the last punt before our scoring run. This was just a mental error that came from not fully understanding the play-call.
Posted on 9/8/16 at 11:04 am to TideSaint
Cont'd:
quote:
On aggressive defenses:
Something I have seen is a lot of people talking about how the USC game was a "fluke" and there were no "consistent drives." However, you have to understand that the offensive production was a result of the defensive style USC took in that game. Clancy Pendergast is a very aggressive defensive coordinator, and with new quarterbacks on the field he chose to play tight man-press coverage, go with a single-high safety, and blitz often. That makes it very difficult to routinely gain good yardage, because you are frequently running into a blitz and there is minimal separation in the short passing game.
The problem with that style of defense is that it gives an almost extreme vulnerability to the big play. Since you are in a single-high safety look, the safety's job becomes preventing the deep post (which is uncoverable one-on-one with no safety), and he tends to shift to the doubled side of the formation in three wide sets. In the USC game, the safety would pretty much always cheat toward Ridley, and would leave Stewart on an absolute island with Iman Marshall. What this means is that any go or fade route is an instant touchdown if the corner makes any mistake. This is why the game had such sudden chunk yardage; Marshall is playing press-man to take away the easy throws underneath. However, with no help over the top, it left him extremely vulnerable to the deep pass. Essentially, USC was preventing any offensive rhythm in the short passing game at the expense of instant-touchdowns if we executed in the deep passing game. This was available almost the whole night, and one of the few exceptions is when USC rolled a safety over Stewart, and Hurts threw an INT when he suddenly had to fit the ball into actual coverage rather than just throwing it over the top.
The success on the deep pass ended up freeing up the run, as well. In a single-high safety look, the safety is frequently not in position to make the tackle in the event that the running back breaks free (he's either way too deep or out of position to cover the pass). That is what allowed Harris to repeatedly break free for long yardage. With an extra safety in the box, USC had an easier time crowding the LOS, which made it especially hard for a bigger back like Bo. However, it also meant that there was really no-one behind the second level, so if a shiftier back like Harris could bounce to daylight he's just gone.
Everyone loves aggressive defenses, and gets mad when their offensive coordinator gives cushions and doesn't get after the QB (see Ole Miss fans against FSU). What they too often don't understand is that an aggressive style of defense may be suffocating if you have superior talent and/or are facing an offense without big-play potential, but it is also capable of getting you quickly and decisively blown out if you face a powerful offense. Two really good examples off the top of my head are the Mississippi State game last year, where MSU stifled Alabama most of the night but lost badly off a few big plays, and Wisconsin-Ohio State in the 2014 B1G championship, where Ohio State used Cardale Jones's big arm to absolutely torch Wisconsin's secondary. Aranda, much like Michigan State, is particularly vulnerable in this fashion because his method of attacking the LOS often leaves true safeties in isolation coverage with receivers (with no safety helping over the top).
For the past several years, aggressive defenses have often been able to stifle the Alabama offense because Alabama lacked the passing game needed to exploit it. From 2008-2014, Alabama really only had receiver that was a threat in the deep-passing game (Julio and Cooper). Teams could roll the safety to help with that one player and leave the other corners on an island. This was made worse by GMac having a weak arm, McCarron frequently struggling with the deep ball, and Sims lacking velocity and accuracy in the passing game (though Sims's did have a solid deep ball that would sometimes come up big). In 2015, Coker simply took too long to release and had a number of games where he simply couldn't connect even when he had time.
Whether it be Barnett or Hurts, the Alabama offense finally has the quarterback (and the receivers) to make teams pay dearly for single-high looks and the secondary attacking the LOS at the snap. This will force teams to keep players back in coverage, which should equate to an offense that is far better at moving the sticks than anything we've seen in recent years. Because, if teams like Ole Miss play downhill like they have in years past, any failure to hit home with the pass rush is likely to surrender a lot of points very, very quickly.
On everything else:
Regarding discussions of last week's SEC games (including a further breakdown of Bama-USC), check out the showpage at this link. Note that we have been approved by Apple for iTunes podcasts (an iTunes link is on the page) if videos aren't your thing.
Posted on 9/8/16 at 11:17 am to TideSaint
quote:
TUSCALOOSA -- Everyone wants to know who Alabama will start at quarterback in the team’s home opener against Western Kentucky on Saturday. It has been the most-discussed topic for the Crimson Tide this week, but head coach Nick Saban is still not budging to name either Blake Barnett or Jalen Hurts the starter for Game 2 of the young, 2016-17 season.
Since his postgame press conference at AT&T Stadium, Saban has said he will make a decision “for now,” and Alabama’s opponent this week gave up 85 yards and a touchdown on the ground to Rice quarterback Tyler Stehling in Week 1. That, however, according to Saban, will not affect his choice this week as the Tide and Hilltoppers square off inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
“I’m going to start who’s best for our team, who can do the best job for our team, who did the best job in practice this week,” Saban said Wednesday after practice. “We’re pleased with the way both guys are progressing and what they’ve done this week. We’ve got a plan that is maybe a little bit more tailored to the two guys that played last week.”
Saban may not name a starter but playing both freshmen quarterbacks Saturday is looking more like a certainty.
Hurts and Barnett both played well after their nerves settled in Arlington, Texas, less than a week ago, as they led the team to a 52-6 win over USC. Hurts registered four total touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) as the primary quarterback against the Trojans, while Barnett started the first two series and closed the game out with a 45-yard touchdown pass.
Now this week, the offense will broaden for the two, young quarterbacks as they both look to lock down the starting job while also progressing as leaders on the field, on the sideline, in the huddle and everywhere else.
“I think the team has responded well to both guys,” Saban said. “We’re excited about trying to develop a productive offensive team based on the skill set of the players that we have, which I think Lane (Kiffin) has done a really good job of in the past, because we’ve had really different quarterbacks now two, three years in a row with very little experience.
“We’re just going to keep on keeping on and it’ll be interesting to see how these guys continue to respond and play in the game.”
More of the NCAA’s clearing of Davis
On Wednesday evening, Saban announced Tide freshman defensive tackle Raekwon Davis will not receive an academic redshirt and will be able to suit up for Alabama in the team’s remaining 11 games of the 2016 season.
But what has Davis been able to to do at practice and what kind of reps has he seen with his previously uncertain status?
“He’s been able to practice the whole time,” Saban said. “We got him a lot of reps in fall camp. Last week when we started game prep, we did not prep him with the defense. He played on scout team. This week he got some reps. (Wednesday) was the first day that we knew he would be eligible. He did rep some with the defense, but he was also on the scout team.
“We’re doing everything we can to get him ready to play. I don’t know if we can get him ready to play for this game, but certainly it’ll be a work in progress for us to try and get him ready to be able to play down the road and offer some depth.”
A former four-star prospect, Davis was the No. 5 player in the state of Mississippi, the No. 11 defensive tackle and No. 84 overall player in the 2016 recruiting cycle, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite rankings.
Davis has practiced at all positions along the defensive line this fall, despite his 6-foot-7, 315-pound frame.
“He’s working a lot on the outside and as well on the inside, too,” senior Dalvin Tomlinson said. “We’ve been training him because on our defense, you never know where you are going to line up if we are going against a fastball team. So we pretty much teach the guys to learn the outside as well as the inside just in case you have to play one of the positions.”
Injury, suspension updates
Outside of Davis, Saban also provided a few updates regarding injuries and suspensions. The Crimson Tide head coach said there were no new injuries to report, which is good news only a few days ahead of Week 2’s kickoff.
Wide receiver Cam Sims (shoulder) returned to the practice field Wednesday, although he did not appear to do much of anything during the media viewing period. His status remains in the air for the Western Kentucky game. As for offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor, he will be able to see the field after having to sit out of last week’s season-opening contest against USC.
“Cam did do a few things in practice but is still questionable for the game,” Saban said. “Shank’s one-game suspension is up and he’ll be ready to play in this game, as well.”
LINK
Posted on 9/8/16 at 11:34 am to TideSaint
quote:
Cornerback Anthony Averett made the first start of his career Saturday versus USC, and he was tested early.
The redshirt freshman started opposite Marlon Humphrey in the Crimson Tide’s nickel defense, with Minkah Fitzpatrick at Star, and was immediately targeted by Trojan quarterback Max Browne. USC picked up 36 yards by picking on Averett, and that big gain led to a 47-yard field goal that gave the Trojans their only lead in the game on its first possession of the night.
But Averett, like a lot of his teammates, shook off the rocky start to settle down and actually lead the team in tackles with eight stops (seven of them solo). His head coach echoed that sentiment when assessing the junior’s performance.
“He did a good job,” Nick Saban said. “We worked this week on playing the ball a little bit better in the deep part of the field. He’s got really good ball skills and good ball judgment, so there’s no reason for him not to do that. I think guys get a little anxious in those situations, but then we have a couple other guys who can play the ball in the deep part of the field a little better, too.”
Browne and Sam Darnold combined for 130 passing yards and one interception as the Alabama defense and secondary kept the Trojans out of the end zone. But Averett and company will face an aerial attack from Western Kentucky, which compiled 552 passing yards and three touchdowns in its 46-14 win over Rice in college football’s opening weekend, this Saturday.
Averett remained at cornerback in the USC game late into the fourth quarter as the Tide led by 52-6, but the New Jersey native was able to gain a lot of valuable experience and relieve himself of those first-game jitters.
“When you start as a first-year corner out there, it’s definitely pretty scary,” Humphrey said earlier this week. “It’s kind of how I was last year, you play a little timid. Now that he got his feet wet, he’s going to be ready to go.”
Alabama will be tasked with corralling Hilltopper quarterback Mike White and receiver Taywan Taylor, who recorded 86 receptions, 1,467 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in 2015 and Saban referred to as being “as good as any receiver that we’ll play against this year,” when he spoke on the Southeastern Conference coaches teleconference on Wednesday.
Saturday will be another test for Averett and the secondary, but the good news for the redshirt junior is that first play and surrendering of yards is behind him. He received some advice from one of the now-veterans on defense.
“I told him you just gotta turn around,” Humphrey said. “The refs play in your favor when you turn around a lot of times. DBs usually get scared, even myself. Sometimes you just don’t want to turn around, but that’s one of the biggest keys.
“You have to turn around and whatever happens happens.”
LINK
Posted on 9/8/16 at 11:41 am to TideSaint
Ahh, so marginalize everything Hurts did will magnifying everything BB did.
Definitely no agenda there.
Practice reports are Hurts took the lionshare of the reps. Actions will always speak louder then words.
Definitely no agenda there.
Practice reports are Hurts took the lionshare of the reps. Actions will always speak louder then words.
Posted on 9/8/16 at 11:48 am to YStar
quote:
Ahh, so marginalize everything Hurts did will magnifying everything BB did.
I don't think he did that at all. What the frick are you reading?
Posted on 9/8/16 at 12:04 pm to YStar
Posted on 9/8/16 at 12:17 pm to YStar
Jesus Christ, dude. You sure do get worked up anytime something can remotely be seen as "not positive" for Hurts.
Posted on 9/8/16 at 12:26 pm to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
You sure do get worked up anytime something can remotely be seen as "not positive" for Hurts.
He did the same thing for Blake Sims back in 2014. I sense a trend here.
Posted on 9/8/16 at 12:26 pm to TideSaint
quote:
I don't think he did that at all. What the frick are you reading?
I sort of agree here and really do not see anything in favor of BB. I think it points out the reality of the stats in that game is we still do not know what Hurts is capable of. I think he is out best option and not because of that performance. Yeah he scored 4 TDs but he did not play lights out. It seems some want to anoint him as great but he made plenty of mistakes and got lucky at times.
The defense won that game for us hands down not our QB play.
Posted on 9/8/16 at 12:27 pm to YStar
quote:
Practice reports are Hurts took the lionshare of the reps. Actions will always speak louder then words.
Did we not here the same thing about Bateman all fall camp?
I do think in the end Hurts will get the action at least I hope he does.
Posted on 9/8/16 at 12:35 pm to TideWarrior
guys, all of this bickering is making me sad face. Cant we all get along and talk about something pleasing. Like Cindy Crawford, or Elle Mcpherson, or Heidi Klum. You younger buck can go find your own age appropriate super model.
Posted on 9/8/16 at 12:37 pm to mrbroker
I just don't get why some people get so hell bent on who they want to play the QB position.
For me it comes down to one question: Who gives us the best chance to win?
If it's Blake Barnett, Roll fricking Tide.
If it's Jalen Hurts, Roll fricking Tide.
If it's the waterboy, Roll fricking Tide.
For me it comes down to one question: Who gives us the best chance to win?
If it's Blake Barnett, Roll fricking Tide.
If it's Jalen Hurts, Roll fricking Tide.
If it's the waterboy, Roll fricking Tide.
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