re: Official Fall Camp Discussion Thread - Who Wants to Wear Out That Trojan arse?

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Marlon Humphrey is now the answer man for Alabama’s secondary.

The Crimson Tide’s secondary is full of underclassmen which makes Humphrey one of the old guys heading into his third year in Tuscaloosa.

“It’s a little weird,” Humphrey said. “But it’s just weird to think I’m a redshirt sophomore and I’m not really that freshman that’s just learning. I’m figuring out little things that I didn’t know, maybe just different techniques and other styles.”

Humphrey is slated to start at one of Alabama’s cornerback spots this year. But his role this season extends beyond locking down one side of the field.

Alabama lost veterans Cyrus Jones and Geno Matias-Smith to graduation. Senior safety Eddie Jackson is the lone returning upperclassmen.

That means Humphrey must be more vocal and offer tips on how to decipher Alabama coach Nick Saban’s sometimes-complicated teaching methods.

“Main thing is I just try to practice hard because I know that the younger guys, that’s who you look to when you’re young and you’re confused on some things or in meetings,” Humphrey said. “Sometimes you ask an older guy a question when you don’t exactly understand what Saban means. Typical freshman thing, not exactly understanding. I just try to do the things right that Saban teaches, set a good example.”

Humphrey met with reporters in the main media room for the first time in his career on Wednesday. Humphrey, a Hoover, Ala. native, kept things light and was full of jokes. He laughed about needing to “stop gaining some weight” if he has any hopes of ever competing in the Olympics (Humphrey is a sprinter/hurdler on Alabama’s track team).

Humphrey is now 200 pounds. That’s great for an SEC defensive back, but a little heavy for track and field.

Humphrey has the speed to return kickoffs. But don’t expect him to be back deep anytime soon.

“Umm, I would, but I’m not gonna lie, I don’t know if I want to get hit,” Humphrey said, smiling. “I do, but at the same time, I think they put me running down and blocking for a reason.”

Humphrey earned freshman All-American honors from the FWAA after starting all 15 games last season. Humphrey finished the year with 45 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and eight pass breakups.

Humphrey’s most notable play came in the Crimson Tide’s national championship win over Clemson. With the game tied at 24 in the fourth quarter, Saban felt Alabama needed a big play if his team had any hope of beating Clemson. Saban dialed up an onside kick which kicker Adam Griffith and Humphrey executed to perfection.

“I hear about it every once in a while,” Humphrey said. “I went to Hoover, ate dinner and somebody came and shook my hand and said ‘Thank you for the onside kick.'”

That’s not a bad legacy to have.

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Like most everyone I love me some Blake Sims, but refresh my memory; did he win a title ? I seem to recall him getting exposed as an athlete playing QB, no ?

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Led the team to a 2014 SEC Championship title.
23 of 27 passing 262 yds 2 TD's 0 Int's and 19 yds rushing

Not every single QB is going to win a National Championship that plays for us. As far as the playoff loss, if memory serves, I felt our lines got dominated the 2nd half and that was more the difference in the game than QB play. Admittedly, I had started on margarita's around 9 that morning on Bourbon St though and didn't stop til halftime.

That Sugar Bowl loss against Ohio State was a team-loss. Bad playcalling / Poor gameplanning / Poor Execution / Injuries to key players (Yeldon/Ragland/Collins)

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re: Official Fall Camp Discussion ThreadPosted on 8/11/16 at 2:54 pm to PowHound quote: Bateman has a 45% Barnett has a 40% Hurts obviously would be at 15% IMHO So while Bateman is the favorite; those odds are not exactly favorable. These and the other odds solely depend on the scrimmages. If Barnett chokes like last year he is done. I'd lay claim in whoever does the scrimmage well.

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re: Jalen Hurts....Starter?Posted on 8/8/16 at 4:41 pm to Cow Phunk
I think people are under estimating the pressure Hurts is now putting on B8.
Im not saying that B8 does not have the talent.
He has everything it takes to be the starter.
( I personally think that hitch he seems to have worked out a little more.Is the main concern)

B8 dropped the ball when he had his chance last year..Hopefully he take this shot he has to over take Batemen.
But what he thought was easy picking taking out bateman.Just became much harder with Hurts.

The kid Hurts is a coaches son QB..
So that playbook edge is not as big as it would seem to be.
But coming in early has allowed the Kid to make B8 notice him in the rear-view ..

All the pressure is really on B8 as Hurt is and was expected to red shirt..I think Hurt has just a good of a shot because of equal talent.
But more should realize B8 and B18 could drop the ball..

The only reason I had Hurts behind BB by such a wide margin was simply due to CNS having never played a TF QB. Purely from a statistical standpoint that is very daunting for Hurts, and as an observer it can not be ignored. Simply put until there is precedent how can you believe it possible ?

I watched the same ADay everyone else did, and I was most impressed with Hurts out of everyone. Im not going to revisit my evaluation, but simply put he was physically, athletically, and seemingly mentally (ice cold under pressure) superior to the other QB's.

A lot of those whistle tackles were garbage vs Hurts. His numbers would have been eye popping if not for the early whistles (arm tackles at best), and the "receiver out of bounds/return inbound" penalty that killed a drive.

HOWEVER... One thing that really stood out to me from ADay that was kind of subtle.

If you recall Herby was somewhat subtly giving the nod to BB8 after having watched practices that week. I found that really interesting. He was suggesting that BB8 had what it took to take the job; he just needed to settle down, and play within the game.

Lots of debate short these scrimmages are going to be vital, and oh so telling. Can. Not. Wait.

They did prep work for FSU and Oregon before they started preparing for Ohio St. They didn't have a lot of film on Jones either.

I was listening to Cecil Hurt today and he made it sound like it would be C Bateman or J Hurts. That Saban has a history of going with experience. We know we have WRs, RBs if we have to run, and a D that should keep it close. But the decision right now is that does he go with the experience or Hurts who will be the future of the program. He compared it to a NFL team with a solid returning(veteran) QB or the 1st round draft pick you are going to build the program around.

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does Bateman continue to play like a deer in the headlights

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I don't believe this to be remotely accurate of Bateman's performance, even referencing last year. Dude actually played fairly solid - just didn't win the team. And by all accounts, he's had a nice spring and start to fall, enough to be QB1 if we played today.

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So do you play Cutler (Bateman) until things go south hoping you can muddle through to the playoffs and steal a title? And if things go bad enough, do you then throw Winston (Hurts) out there to learn the job? Or do you take your lumps now with Winston (Hurts) building for the future with the long shot of getting some breaks along the way and winning now with him?

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If your team is capable of winning a championship, like Alabama, then you play the guy who gives you the best chance to win. Each and every Saturday. Nothing else is logical. The "future" doesn't exist. There is only the next game.

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I don't believe this to be remotely accurate of Bateman's performance, even referencing last year.

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I disagree, he looked very wide eyed vs Ole Miss and crumbled. Apparently the coaches thought he was ready during game week, then the pressure of the game took over.