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Official In-Season Practice, Injury Reports and Press Conferences Thread: 12-0
Posted on 9/6/16 at 9:39 am
Posted on 9/6/16 at 9:39 am
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TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama head coach Nick Saban updated a couple of injuries from the USC game Monday.
Defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson and wide receiver Cam Sims both left the field with injuries in the Crimson Tide’s 52-6 win over the Trojans, but neither of their setbacks were considered serious, according to Saban.
“Dalvin went back and played in the game,” Saban said. “Cam has got a bruised shoulder. He’ll probably miss a few days and could be questionable for this (Western Kentucky) game, just depending on how he responds throughout the week. But I think everybody else will be OK.”
Tomlinson started the game at defensive end and played well before his exit. He contributed one tackle and was a frequent visitor in the USC backfield. Sims caught one pass for 12 yards that sent him to the sideline for evaluation.
This post was edited on 11/26/16 at 8:54 pm
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Posted on 9/6/16 at 9:40 am to TideSaint
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Alabama was back out on the practice field Monday afternoon for its first practice of Western Kentucky week, following its 52-6 win over USC. The Crimson Tide players practiced outdoors and in shells on a sunny, 91-degree afternoon.
Here are several tidbits from the media viewing portion of Alabama's Monday practice session in Tuscaloosa:
- The quarterback line finally saw a shakeup. Blake Barnett led the group through drills with Jalen Hurts, Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell and Montana Murphy behind him. When they broke into two groups Barnett headed one line, with Bateman behind him, while Hurts was at the front of the other, with Cornwell behind him. Cornwell appeared to be more mobile Monday.
- The running back line also experienced a shift with Damien Harris leading the position group through footwork drills. Bo Scarbrough, Derrick Gore, Ronnie Clark, B.J. Emmons and Joshua Jacobs filling out the rest of the pecking order.
- Newly-added analyst Steve Sarkisian was spotted on the sideline with fellow analyst Mike Locksley.
- The first-team offensive line remained the same after the first game of the season. Fresh off a suspension, Alphonse Taylor was at right guard with the second team when the O-linemen were working at the blocking sled.
- Dalvin Tomlinson was practicing. Tomlinson left Saturday’s game with an injury but returned to the field.
- Cam Sims (shoulder) was not spotted during the one viewing period. Nick Saban said he is questionable.
- Freshman defensive tackle Raekwon Davis was also at practice. He did not travel with the team to Texas because the team is still waiting on word of his academic eligibility. Saban said there is no update on Davis at this time.
- I noticed a few scout-team jerseys during the viewing period. Linebackers Joshua McMillon and Ben Davis sported Nos. 4 and 6, respectively, representing Western Kentucky 'backers Joel Iyiegbuniwe and T.J. McCollum.
- Outside linebackers Mekhi Brown and Terrell Hall wore Nos. 11 and 42, emulating WKU’s Tanner Reeves and Derik Overstreet, while safeties Keaton Anderson and Shawn Jennings wore Nos. 2 and 31, representing Hilltopper linebacker Keith Brown and defensive back Branden Leston. The Tide and Hilltoppers will square off in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Sept. 10.
- An NFL scout from the Arizona Cardinals watched Monday’s practice from the sideline.
*** What’s next: Alabama will return to the practice field Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. CT.
LINK
This post was edited on 9/6/16 at 9:42 am
Posted on 9/6/16 at 9:41 am to TideSaint
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TUSCALOOSA -- Things escalated quickly on the Alabama sideline.
Safeties Ronnie Harrison and Eddie Jackson were seen arguing, and senior inside linebacker Reuben Foster, and even head coach Nick Saban, got involved to cool the situation down in Arlington, Texas.
Emotions run high during a football game, and Saban was cognizant of that when he was asked what happened to cause the disagreement during the Crimson Tide’s 52-6 win over No. 20 USC on Saturday. Here’s what he said occurred.
“Ronnie let it emotionally get to him that these other guys were talking,” Saban said Monday in a noon news conference. “So he said something, and Eddie said ‘Hey man, this is not what we do, we don’t talk to the other team.’ And Ronnie got all upset, not necessarily at Eddie, he was just emotionally upset about the trash talking and Eddie saying something to him.
“These two guys have a lot of respect for each other. They’re really good friends. The lesson to be learned is that when you have a teammate who is caring about you and trying to help you, the response should be ‘Thank you,’ not ‘Screw you.’ That’s basically the lesson that should be learned from the guys. Sometimes when players get emotional, that’s very difficult to do.”
Trash talking was at the root of the situation, and USC was doing plenty of it in the early goings of Saturday’s game. Linebacker Shaun Hamilton said the Trojans did most of it in the first quarter. “But trash talk is not gonna win you any games,” Hamilton said. That, however, is what led Harrison to act the way he did, allowing it to get under his skin during the game.
Harrison took to Twitter on Saturday night after the game to provide an explanation for his actions on the sideline, as well as apologize to Jackson, his older teammate. Saban said the incident was uncharacteristic of Harrison.
“Ronnie Harrison is a fine young man,” Saban said. “It’s totally out of character for him. He’s apologized for it and is very sorry for it and I don’t think that'll ever be an issue again.”
Trash talk is something that is not tolerated at Alabama, and Saban reiterated that point Monday.
“We have a rule where our players can’t talk to the other players on the field,” Saban said. “There was a lot of trash talking going on on the other side. That’s OK, that’s their choice, they can do whatever they want. I’m not being critical of that.”
All of the Crimson Tide players are well-aware of that rule, too, but they use it as fuel on the field.
“It definitely motivates you,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said Monday afternoon. “We’re not supposed to talk to the other team. Saban doesn’t like it, so you make a big play. Speaking with your pads always speaks better.”
Looking back at Harrison and Jackson’s altercation on the sideline of the USC game, it hasn’t affected the team in a negative way. Hamilton viewed it as leadership taking center stage, which needed to happen for this year’s Alabama team.
“It’s nothing but coaching, to me,” Hamilton said. “Eddie’s just taking a leadership role, I mean we don’t want to get any dumb penalties or anything like that. … It’s just a leader stepping up and trying to get a young gun right to prevent something from happening.”
LINK
Posted on 9/6/16 at 9:41 am to TideSaint
Saban is trolling with the QBs again, lol
Posted on 9/6/16 at 9:45 am to MontyFranklyn
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TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama started redshirt freshman Blake Barnett in its season-opening game against USC on Saturday, while true freshman Jalen Hurts entered it after the second offensive series. But will that transpire again in Week 2?
Or will head coach Nick Saban do something he’s never done and start a true freshman at quarterback?
“Well, I guess I might,” Saban said Monday. “If I said I might do it in a different order, that means I might do it in a different order. So that’s what it means. I think that’s what might means. Does anybody have a dictionary on them?”
Regardless of the order, though, nothing has been decided at quarterback ahead of Western Kentucky.
“I still think that we need to play two quarterbacks to try to gain the experience and knowledge and consistency that we need to see,” Saban said earlier in his news conference. “We may do it a little different way than we did last week.
“But I think we'll probably still play two guys in the game.”
Barnett started the game versus the Trojans and re-entered it in the third quarter. He threw for 100 yards and one touchdown on 5-of-6 passing in his collegiate debut. But all the talk revolved around Hurts. The true freshman accounted for four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) and quarterbacked the Crimson Tide to a 38-0 scoring streak while he was behind center.
Does that mean an expanded role for Hurts is to be expected for Saturday’s game against the Hilltoppers?
“Yeah, I would think that would be the goal,” Saban said. “I think it would be the goal for both guys. If we’re going to have the kind of team that we need to have, the quarterbacks are going to have to do more so that we can utilize the other players on our offensive team that have capabilities of making plays. That will be the goal that we have. No doubt.”
The recipient of Barnett’s 45-yard touchdown, graduate transfer wideout Gehrig Dieter, is of the same mind of his new head coach. He saw the redshirt freshman calm down after a rocky start, as both played well. Both players’ body language was positive on the sideline, as both guys were supportive of one another, according to Saban. “I think that’s very critical.”
“I think he had a little bit of a rhythm the second half,” Dieter said of Barnett. “I think you could tell he was a little bit more confident. I think they all played great and in the practices this week everybody is going to have to bring it again, the same with us. Everybody is going to have to prove to the coaches that we can play on a consistent basis.”
The two-quarterback system worked in the inaugural game of 2016, but it is not the long-term answer.
“Y’all don’t need to be reading more into this than what there is,” Saban said. “Do you understand we’re doing this for now? So that means that’s how it is today. We act like now there’s going to be two quarterbacks for the whole season or there’s not any competition
“… I think that if we’re going to have two young quarterbacks both of them need to gain experience so they can play in the future. How we go about doing that is a plan that I think is very, very important to both guys and to our team. We’re going to try to do that the best way we can.”
LINK
Posted on 9/6/16 at 9:56 am to TideSaint
Any guess who gets the start at QB this weekend? Based on Saban's comments, it sounds like it will be Hurts.
Posted on 9/6/16 at 10:01 am to remaster916
I think it will be Barnett again.
Posted on 9/6/16 at 10:08 am to TideSaint
i actually think they may flip this week and see how Hurts handles the start pressure then Barnett come in at the 3 or 4th series. Who knows though, would make sense to see it play out that way though.
I dont really care which one starts to be honest I think they both are talented guys that can lead the team once they get confidence. My main concern right now is the running game and getting that actually going and not depending on an 80yd run out of the blue to break the game open. Need to be able to open holes for those 5-6yd gashes and keep pounding it. If we can get a running game going consistently who the QB is wont matter.
I dont really care which one starts to be honest I think they both are talented guys that can lead the team once they get confidence. My main concern right now is the running game and getting that actually going and not depending on an 80yd run out of the blue to break the game open. Need to be able to open holes for those 5-6yd gashes and keep pounding it. If we can get a running game going consistently who the QB is wont matter.
Posted on 9/6/16 at 10:16 am to JohnnyUtah
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i actually think they may flip this week and see how Hurts handles the start pressure then Barnett come in at the 3 or 4th series.
That's how I see it.
Posted on 9/6/16 at 10:16 am to JohnnyUtah
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Here is my Associated Press Poll top 25 coming off of Week 1 of the college football season.
First, a few notes:
-I tried to start with a clean slate for the most part so there was a lot of movement for some teams. I used the preseason poll as a measuring stick, but didn’t let it control where I put teams.
-Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, Clemson and Houston are my top 5. Alabama dominated a preseason top-20 team in USC. Florida State came back on, and pulled away from Ole Miss, who was ranked No. 11 in the preseason. Ohio State rolled a team it was supposed to roll. Clemson struggled at times against Auburn, but still found a way to win. Houston completely undressed an Oklahoma team that many believed would make the College Football Playoff.
-Oklahoma and LSU are still two of the top 25 teams in the country, but neither looked impressive. Houston manhandled Oklahoma at times on both lines of scrimmage. LSU is still having the same offensive issues the Tigers have had since 2011.
-Ole Miss and Notre Dame lost, but I still believe they are two of the 20 best teams in the country. Ole Miss lost in Orlando to the team I have ranked No. 2. That’s nothing to be down about. Notre Dame lost a shootout in double overtime to a Texas team that might be the most improved team in the country. Texas has a legitimate chance to win the Big 12 this season.
-Remember that we’re just coming off a Week 1. A lot will change between now and the end of the season.
If you want to yell to be mad online at me, follow me on Twitter, @Marq_Burnett.
1. Alabama
2. Florida State
3. Ohio State
4. Clemson
5. Houston
6. Michigan
7. Stanford
8. Michigan State
9. TCU
10. Louisville
11. Washington
12. Tennessee
13. Georgia
14. Iowa
15. Baylor
16. Notre Dame
17. Ole Miss
18. Oklahoma State
19. Oregon
20. Florida
21. Texas
22. Wisconsin
23. Texas A&M
24. Oklahoma
25. LSU
LINK
Posted on 9/6/16 at 10:21 am to TideSaint
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama got back on the practice field on Monday coming off its blowout over Southern Cal.
Here’s what you need to know from Nick Saban’s time at the podium, practice updates and everything else.
Former USC coach Steve Sarkisian was spotted at Alabama’s practice on Monday. Saban added Sarkisian to Alabama’s staff as an analyst.
“We talked about it, really, quite a while ago. I told him that we’d love to have him as a part of the organization. He’s going through some personal things himself to get himself in a very positive position and wants to continue to do those things in the future. Professionally, he loves coaching. So we thought it would be a good thing for our organization to have somebody – look, I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a very, very good coach – to make a contribution to being an analyst here and having some input into some things that we could do better, I think, would be a real positive for our organization. We’re going to continue to help him in his program as an organization and we’ll support him and he has an opportunity. But I think he understands the consequences that he deals with professionally if he has any issues or problems. We’re glad to have him as part of the organization. Hopefully he’ll be able to get back on his feet professionally and this will be beneficial to him.” — Saban
Defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson practiced on Monday. Tomlinson left Saturday’s game with an injury, but later returned.
Wide receiver Cam Sims was not at practice during the media’s viewing period.
“Cam has got a bruised shoulder. He’ll probably miss a few days and could be questionable for this game, just depending on how he responds throughout the week. I think everybody else will be OK.” — Saban
Blake Barnett led the quarterbacks through drills. He was followed by Jalen Hurts, Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell. It’s the first time we’ve seen someone other than Bateman lead the quarterback line.
Damien Harris moved to the front of the running back line. Bo Scarbrough worked behind him.
Yeah, (Bo’s) healthy. Damien did a nice job in camp, he did a nice job in spring, had a good spring game. So we thought he was the guy that would be the most productive at the position. We have a lot of faith, trust and confidence in Bo. We’re hopeful that Bo will continue to improve and respond because we would like to be able to play two backs. And those two guys have the most experience. We have two young guys that both played in the game that we hope continue to develop, as well. — Saban
What Saban said … What we think it means
On the offensive line and how Alphonse Taylor factors in to the rotation:
Well, Shank’s been a starter around here at right guard. He’s got to kind of earn his way back and that may take some time. But I think our two tackles played, really, pretty well in the game. I think that inside – the inside three – we need to continue to improve and work. There was a little inconsistency there in hand placement, steps, playing with power on a consistent basis. But there were also some very encouraging things that these guys did. But I think if you want an analysis that would be probably … Now, Shank coming back at right guard where he played before, he’s powerful guy, he’s a big guy. That might be helpful to us. He’s got to play his way back into it. He’s got to beat somebody out now. — Saban
What we think it means: Alphonse “Shank” Taylor is going to have to work to get his starting spot back. Taylor started all 15 games at right guard last season, but weight issues in the spring and a summer arrest for driving under the influence pushed him to the second team. Where does Taylor fit in if he does regain his spot? Does Alabama move Ross Pierschbacher to center and put Bozeman in a reserve role? Or does Pierschbacher get moved to left guard, which would send Lester Cotton to the bench? Alabama has options, but Taylor must raise his level of play to regain his job.
On Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts:
“I thought that both guys were a little shaky in the beginning in terms of how they played, and I think that the longer they played in the game, the better they played. That goes for both guys. I still think that we need to play two quarterbacks to try to gain the experience and knowledge and consistency that we need to see. We may do it a little different way than we did last week. But I think we’ll probably still play two guys in the game. But Jalen did a nice job in some of the things he did, turned the ball over a couple of times. When Blake went back in the game, he actually played with a lot more confidence and a lot more poise. I think we need to continue to develop both of those players. It was encouraging that both players played better as they played in the game, which should be expected of freshmen. Hopefully we’ll see big improvement in this game.” — Saban
What we think it means: It’s just a hunch, but the “we may do it a little different way than we did last week” alludes to Jalen Hurts getting the start against Western Kentucky. Both quarterbacks should see significant time on Saturday. Saturday should be the end of the competition. Surely, Saban and Alabama’s coaching staff don’t want to take a quarterback battle into Week 3 when the team faces Ole Miss. That cost Alabama a game last season.
On Eddie Jackson and Ronnie Harrison’s sideline altercation during Saturday’s game:
“I wish we had a rule in college football … We have a rule where our players can’t talk to the other players on the field. There was a lot of trash talking going on on the other side. That’s OK, that’s their choice, they can do whatever they want. I’m not being critical of that. You know, Ronnie let it emotionally get to him that these other guys were talking. So he said something, and Eddie said, ‘Hey man, this is not what we do, we don’t talk to the other team.’ And Ronnie got all upset, not necessarily at Eddie, he was just emotionally upset about the trash talking and Eddie saying something to him. You know, these two guys have a lot of respect for each other. They’re really good friends. I think the lesson to be learned is that when you have a teammate who is caring about you and trying to help you, the response should be ‘Thank you,’ not ‘Screw you.’ That’s basically the lesson that should be learned from the guys. I think sometimes when players get emotional, that’s very difficult to do. Ronnie Harrison is a fine young man, it’s totally out of character for him, he’s apologized for it and is very sorry for it and I don’t think that’ll ever be an issue again.” — Saban
What we think it means: Eddie Jackson showed leadership by telling Ronnie Harrison to stop talking with the other team. Harrison got a little too emotional. The two exchanged words that we can assume aren’t safe for publication. Cooler heads ultimately prevailed in the end. If you’re an Alabama fan, you should be happy about Jackson saying something to Harrison. That’s a sign of leadership. Alabama’s veterans have to keep their young stars in check to avoid any type of letdown. Reuben Foster also showed leadership by getting into Harrison’s face when separating Harrison and Jackson. Leadership shouldn’t be a problem for this team.
LINK with Player Interview Videos
Posted on 9/6/16 at 10:21 am to TideSaint
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He said what? (quote of the day)
“I wouldn’t say I was surprised. I feel like our secondary’s pretty good. I know nobody gives them much respect; I don’t think they did either. We felt like we were kind of disrespected going into the game by kind of him and just that whole team. They felt very confident, but we also feel confident also. So, I wasn’t really surprised, but I was definitely pleased.” — Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey on holding USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to 9 receiving yards.
Posted on 9/6/16 at 10:25 am to TideSaint
After watching FSU shred OM last night with a mobile QB that looked almost exactly like Hurts physically...I'm betting we start Hurts this week to see if he can handle it.
FSU had no success running the ball with Cook. Without the running ability of their young QB last night, they lose that game and maybe badly. Don't think our coaching staff didn't notice that. I love BB, but he isn't going to take off and rip 30 yards down the sideline like Hurts can and will need to do against a really tough OM DL. At this point we are preparing to not only beat WKU but to go into Oxford to win...WKU will be prep for that game, which is why I think we see a lot of Hurts.
FSU had no success running the ball with Cook. Without the running ability of their young QB last night, they lose that game and maybe badly. Don't think our coaching staff didn't notice that. I love BB, but he isn't going to take off and rip 30 yards down the sideline like Hurts can and will need to do against a really tough OM DL. At this point we are preparing to not only beat WKU but to go into Oxford to win...WKU will be prep for that game, which is why I think we see a lot of Hurts.
Posted on 9/6/16 at 10:42 am to TideSaint
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Pretty, pretty, pretty good start to the 2016 college football season, huh?
What was billed by many as the best opening week of competition ever didn't fail to live up to the hype, with great games from the Thursday openers to Monday's finale. Along the way, seven teams ranked in the Bleacher Report Top 25 lost, which means our first regular-season poll is going to look a lot different.
The Bleacher Report poll is voted on by 19 members of our college football staff: writers Ben Axelrod, Greg Couch, Tyler Donohue, Ed Feng, David Kenyon, Sanjay Kirpalani, Adam Kramer, Brian Pedersen, David Regimbal, Barrett Sallee, Damon Sayles, Brad Shepard, Greg Wallace and Christopher Walsh; video staff Michael Felder and Sean McManus; and editors Eric Bowman, Hunter Mandel and Eric Yates.
First-place votes are worth 25 points, with each subsequent vote worth one fewer point all the way down to one for 25th place. The 25 teams with the most poll points make our list, with the rest falling into the "others receiving votes" category.
Check out where everyone stands after one week of play, but remember there's still a long way to go.
LINK
Posted on 9/6/16 at 10:43 am to TideSaint
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1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Poll points: 474 (18 first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: first
Week 1 result: Won 52-6 vs. USC (in Arlington, Texas)
Week 2 matchup: Sept. 10 vs. Western Kentucky
It doesn't look like Alabama (1-0) plans on giving up its spot atop the college football world anytime soon.
"Alabama was like a cross between the U.S. women’s gymnastics team at the Rio Olympics and a pack of wild animals tearing apart a carcass," Bleacher Report's Christopher Walsh wrote of the Tide's 13th consecutive win.
The first quarter might have been a bit shaky, but once the Crimson Tide got going it was the usual display of defensive dominance and an offensive game that wears you into submission. And with a true freshman at quarterback, it's skewing even younger than ever.
Jalen Hurts, inserted late in the first quarter, fumbled on his first snap but then went on to throw for 118 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for two more.
The Tide ran for 242 yards, getting 138 from Damien Harris, had Marlon Humphrey's interception return for a TD and held USC to 194 yards.
Posted on 9/6/16 at 10:47 am to TideSaint
TCU at 9??? Did this guy not see the score of their game against a nobody?
Posted on 9/6/16 at 12:29 pm to tider04
quote:I think the same applies to us. We need Hurts' mobility until the O-line can get its act together. They aren't very good but certainly have potential.
Without the running ability of their young QB last night, they lose that game and maybe badly.
Posted on 9/6/16 at 12:33 pm to Bamadiver
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They aren't very good
I wouldn't go that far. The first 3 series were rough but they def held their own. People would kill for our OL. I think they get better and better as we go on.
Posted on 9/6/16 at 12:41 pm to CrimsonBoz
And the difference in the first 3 series was the escapability of Hurts opening up the field. Once we established a downfield threat USC had to back off. Up to that point, we were entirely predictable and simply unable to seize control. We definitely have great talent there, but it will take time to establish themselves. The awesome part is they will do so and will be hard to stop.
Posted on 9/6/16 at 12:47 pm to Bamadiver
I agree with that part. Hurts did open it up and that's what DT guys do to the defense. Which, is just another good point to be made.
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