re: Alabama FB -- 2018 FALL CAMP Thread -- Garbage Dump Edition

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Alabama’s defense made a lot of plays in the first scrimmage last week.

This week, however, went to the offense.

Following the roughly 130-play, two-hour scrimmage inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, head coach Nick Saban said his Crimson Tide team showed improvement between Scrimmages 1 and 2.

“We made a lot more explosive plays today, were a lot more consistent on offense, took care of the ball pretty well,” Saban said Saturday afternoon. “Both quarterbacks played well. … We had a couple two-minute situations at the end of the game that we were successful at.”

No official statistics were released following the game-like practice, but by all accounts, Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa both performed well in the muggy conditions in the Druid City.

The junior and sophomore have battled for the starting job behind center throughout the preseason, and following a strong performance in last week’s first scrimmage, Tagovailoa appeared to have the upper hand in the competition. The southpaw was the first quarterback out with the first-team offense and after some forced throws, settled down to finish strong, per a source.

But Tagovailoa and Hurts alternated possessions with the ones, and Hurts had a much better day than the first outing in the home stadium this fall camp, rounding out was a solid day for both signal callers with two weeks until the opener, according to those in attendance.

So, the quarterback battle will continue throughout the remaining days of camp and into UA’s first game week of the season, when it begins preparing for Louisville. And asked where he has seen improvement specifically from Tagovailoa, Saban praised both quarterbacks.

“Look, everybody has improved,” Saban said.

“Jalen has made a lot of improvement. Tua has made a lot of improvement. I think he has a better understanding of the offense, he’s got a lot more reps. I think he’s always been a very instinctive player. But I think he would tell you that his knowledge and experience has certainly benefited him in having greater confidence and understanding for what he’s doing.”

And prior to Saturday’s second scrimmage, Saban still did not rule out using both players.

“We have two guys who are great competitors, who are both really good players,” Saban said. “They both have had good fall camps, so I don’t expect (the decision) to be easy. I want them to continue to compete and work hard and do well. Our coaches are working hard to help each one of those guys to be the best player that they can be, and we're going to continue to do that.

“Like I said before, if both guys can contribute to our team, we’ll certainly utilize that the best way we can.”

Alabama will have Sunday off and return to the practice field Monday, Aug. 20, at 2:30 p.m.

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Starters: Anfernee Jennings, Christian Miller

Jennings and Miller were poised to start before any of these injuries occurred, but the setbacks only solidified that notion. After dealing with injuries of their own last season -- Jennings (knee) and Miller (biceps) -- the veteran pass-rushers are now healthy and have led the position group this preseason. They were the first two outside ‘backers in base on Saturday afternoon.

“We basically have Anfernee and Christian Miller, who have been starters around here,” Saban said. “Past that, we have Ben Davis and (three) freshmen. That’s basically what we have. If we had more inside linebackers -- Joshua McMillon could play the position, but I’m not sure we could afford to move him. So, we’re very thin at those two positions right now.”

Still, Jennings and Miller give UA a veteran duo to apply pressure on quarterbacks off the edge.

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Newcomers: Jarez Parks, Eyabi Anoma, Cameron Latu

With the injuries, Alabama could be in a similar situation to last year where a freshman had to fill role as a key reserve. Luckily, UA has three promising first-year players on its current roster.

After a grayshirt year, Parks joined the program prior to the College Football Playoff and has a few more reps already under his belt than his fellow newcomers. Anoma and Latu joined the team this summer, and all three of the newcomers look the part from a physical standpoint. And according to an Alabama veteran, all of the young linebackers have caught on quickly.

“The biggest thing I’ve seen from them is their willingness to learn because obviously, those guys are all talented,” Miller said. “They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t. I’ve seen tremendous physical traits from them, but the thing I like about all those guys is they all want to learn.

“They’re texting me, coming up to me, asking me, ‘Can we get extra film?’ every day. That’s something that I think is awesome, and I’m more than willing to help them. Those guys have been doing a really good job. I just told them, ‘Y’all are probably the most advanced group of freshman that I’ve seen here since I’ve been here, and I’ve been here a while.’”

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Phone died. Been drinking. Here’s the haps.

Defense:

Surtain was starting at star it seemed like during nickel and carter was first team money in dime.

Our two deep on the D-line is gonna be just fine.

Moses is gonna be a force in dime rabbits.

Jennings and Miller will be great just with the injury to Allen can’t get any more injuries.

All in all I feel good about our front 7 specially our two deep on the D-line. DoctorWho is correct though. This secondary is gonna be suspect. It’s hard to tell at these things because you’re scrimmaging yourself and might be playing against the best WR core and a top 10 draft pick at quarter back.

Offense

Tuas was warming up with the first team O-line and was the first quarterback to take snaps today. He had a slow start. Fired a laser to Jeudy for a first down, but didn’t complete like his next 6 passes. Ended up having a very good day and looked really really good in red zone and 2 minute. I can’t stress that even on the 6 straight incompletions he looked the part to a T and went therough his progressions and was just a hare off on throws. His anticipation is next level stuff. It’s absolutely amazing to see it live.

Jalen had a much better day than I anticipated. His first pass to waddle was an amazing wheel route that surtain got beat on for about 70 yards. Perfect throw. Stalled inside the 10, but nor really his fault. He was going agains the first team defense and the run defense stuffed them on first and second.

He connected with waddle on several big throws and consistently converted third downs. He still had issues on timing with the receivers, but had a much better day than what he had last week.

All in all between the quarterbacks from what I was told last week and saw this week. We have a great competition going on and I’m glad to see Jalen competent and TUA making the throws that have us all excited to see him in extensive action.

Waddle waddle waddle. Saban when he spoke to us talked about how impressed he has been with him. Dude is gonna be electric!!

Jerome ford is gonna be dynamite and our run game is gonna be incredible .

Our O-line is gonna be next level.

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I’m really starting to wonder about our training program.. this is getting out of hand

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middle aged white

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Why is this any different from punching anybody in a bar?

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