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Posted on 8/16/17 at 7:38 pm to BamaWins15
you don't win this many games with inept special teams. It represents 1/3 or so of game action.
This post was edited on 8/17/17 at 12:52 pm
Posted on 8/17/17 at 8:11 am to mrbroker
Saban was very highly complimentary of Minkah in his press conference. Talking highly of his work ethic and fitness. A reporter asked about freshman wr Devonta Smith, a sort of awkward moment followed, by an eventual praise of Smith as well.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 8:34 am to BlackPawnMartyr
quote:
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama has led the nation with 52 and 54 sacks the past two seasons.
But the three players that helped accomplish that impressive feat and led the Crimson Tide in that statistical category the last two years -- Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson -- have now played in their first NFL preseason games as rookies.
That’s a big reason why coach Nick Saban voiced some concern over his team’s current ability to affect the quarterback, after 12 preseason practices and ahead of its second scrimmage.
“It’s not where it needs to be,” Saban said following Wednesday’s practice. “Guys worry too much about getting sacks and not enough about affecting the quarterback. I’ve talked about this before, but there are about eight or nine things that affect the outcome of the game. Sacks don’t really do that. It does affect drives. But it does not affect the outcome of a game.
“I think affecting the quarterback, pushing the pocket, not letting a guy step up in the pocket to make throws down the field is really significant to playing good pass defense and being an effective pass-rush team. If you get pushed by the quarterback, you’re playing with 10. If you don’t push the pocket in the middle, the quarterback can step up and throw and see the field and do whatever he wants and attack the middle of the field.
“There are two things: the ability to rush, but also being a smart rusher, in terms of how do we affect the quarterback, which we need to improve upon.”
Ability might have been a bad word to use earlier. No one, not even Saban, is questioning the ability of Alabama’s outside linebacking corps, which is a deeper group than recent years. The defensive line is also developing solid depth during the preseason practices.
With Williams and Anderson both gone, it’s time for players like Christian Miller and Anfernee Jennings to step up in their place. Terrell Lewis will also see plenty of the field off the edge, as will Rashaan Evans, who will be moved around formations.
Then there’s defensive linemen like Da'Shawn Hand, Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs who will be filling in around Da'Ron Payne to replace Allen and the disruptive Dalvin Tomlinson, who is also now one of 53 Alabama players on active NFL rosters.
Last Saturday’s scrimmage was a step in the right direction, as the defense put together a solid performance. But Miller -- who recorded a strip sack -- and company will look to settle down when they’re pinning their ears back and racing to get to the quarterback.
The redshirt junior linebacker and the rest of the pass rushers just need to continue to progress.
“Christian Miller has done a nice job,” Saban said Wednesday. “He’s doing a good job and had a lot of production points in the scrimmage. So, we’re really happy with his progress.”
LINK
Posted on 8/17/17 at 8:35 am to TideSaint
From the same article:
With Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs both dealing with injuries Robinson may get a little playing time this season.
quote:
HERE'S TO YOU, BRIAN ROBINSON
Alabama has one of the deepest backfields in the country, even after an offseason transfer.
The Tide’s three-headed monster returned in Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs, and Saban was able to sign the nation’s No. 3 overall recruit in five-star Najee Harris.
But the fifth and often-forgotten tailback is Tuscaloosa native and freshman Brian Robinson.
The No. 8 running back and No. 6 player in the state of Alabama, per the 247Sports Composite, Robinson enrolled early in January and participated in the Tide’s 15 spring practices. As a member of the Crimson team (second-team offense), he rushed for 21 yards on seven carries and caught two passes out of the backfield for four yards in the A-Day Game.
The latter is something Saban said Robinson has improved on this offseason.
“Brian’s done a really good job,” he said. “I think being here in the spring really helped him. One of the goals we had for him over the summer was to become a better receiver. He’s definitely improved in that regard. I think he has a better understanding of the offense. He’s a big, physical guy, plays hard. Shows really good toughness, hard to tackle.
“We’re really pleased with his progress.”
The 6-foot-1, 218-pounder ran for 990 yards and 18 touchdowns on 161 attempts as a senior at Hillcrest (Ala.) High School, while adding 24 receptions for 302 yards and two touchdowns.
With Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs both dealing with injuries Robinson may get a little playing time this season.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 8:41 am to TideSaint
Would be kinda funny if Brian gets a decent chunk of PT this year considering how a lot on this board felt he didn't deserve to be in this class.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 11:32 am to BlackPawnMartyr
quote:
considering how a lot on this board felt he didn't deserve to be in this class.
I don't spend a lot of time in the recruiting thread, but why did people think that? Dude is a beast.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 11:38 am to Funky Tide 8
I think any part of any Brian Robinson hate could be more from having Scarbrough, D. Harris, Jacobs, Emmons (at the time), and N. Harris commuted already. The class was getting filled up quick and another RB wasn't really a priority. I mean, we barely fit Jarez Parks in. I don't think it was so much anything personal against Robinson, but I don't want to speak for anybody else.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 11:39 am to KingHenry2
quote:
I mean, we barely fit Jarez Parks in.
He's not in.
He has to enroll in January.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 1:54 pm to TideSaint
Just my thoughts from the scrimmage last Saturday. People are seriously underestimating this defense, I can promise you that. We have some real players the DL.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 2:13 pm to CrimsonBoz
We goin to the ship!
Posted on 8/17/17 at 3:03 pm to CrimsonBoz
It may just be me, but Saban seems - dare I say it - quite pleased with where the team is right now.
If Saban's pleased, that's really bad news for the rest of the conference.
If Saban's pleased, that's really bad news for the rest of the conference.
Posted on 8/17/17 at 4:39 pm to BlackPawnMartyr
quote:
Would be kinda funny if Brian gets a decent chunk of PT this year considering how a lot on this board felt he didn't deserve to be in this class.
I was one of those idiots
I just didn't think he had enough speed. Then he came in and ran the fastest 40 out of all the backs I happily admit to being an idiot
Posted on 8/17/17 at 6:03 pm to Cobrasize
we going to line up 5 wide and all by one will be a RB. The other RB will line up at QB
Posted on 8/17/17 at 6:49 pm to mrbroker
I'll be honest. I'm nervous. Ok, carry on.
Posted on 8/18/17 at 9:11 am to BamaWins15
This has been a pretty quiet fall camp
Posted on 8/18/17 at 9:50 am to MontyFranklyn
quote:
This has been a pretty quiet fall camp
Good.
No arrests, no injuries, no failed expectations.
I like it.
Posted on 8/18/17 at 9:59 am to alabamabuckeye
Posted on 8/18/17 at 10:10 am to TideSaint
quote:
No arrests
uh...
and in watching the video TS posted from last night, I'd say I am impressed with the quickness and explosion of Ben Davis and Chris Allen. Excited about those two man.
This post was edited on 8/18/17 at 10:13 am
Posted on 8/18/17 at 10:16 am to bamasgot13
quote:
uh...
To be fair, Hand was arrested BEFORE practice started.
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