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re: Spring Football News & Info
Posted on 3/22/19 at 2:43 pm to TidalSurge1
Posted on 3/22/19 at 2:43 pm to TidalSurge1
A few interesting options for Alabama at running back (al.com)
quote:
It’s been a while since there was sincere concern about the talent at running back for Alabama. At the same time, it’s also rare to lose the top two options in the backfield in the same offseason. With Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs now chasing NFL dreams, the Crimson Tide will be without 51 percent of the rushing yardage gained in 2018.
There are two obvious fill-ins, a five-star freshman on the way and a receiver getting a shot at competing for a role. Nick Saban this week said redshirt sophomore Chadarius Townsend has been getting a look early in spring practice. “And he’s actually showed some promise,” Saban said of the Tanner product.
Of course, the attention will be on former five-star Najee Harris and Brian Robinson, a Hillcrest High School graduate. Harris was technically the second leading rusher ahead of Jacobs with 783 yards on 117 carries as the bridge between the starters and reserves in blowout wins. Developing the other responsibilities of Alabama running backs like pass protection has been the concern limiting some prime-time action for Najee Harris. Robinson ran 63 times for 272 yards as the fourth option off the bench.
“Those guys have been great,” Saban said. “I mean they had good offseason programs. They’ve practiced really well. I think they’ve had enough playing experience that they understand what it takes to be successful in terms of their job and being responsible and accountable to get it done, whatever it is. Whether it’s pass-blocking during a passing play, running a route, catching the ball, being an effective runner.”
Jacobs, who left early for the NFL draft, has a scouting report for Alabama’s ground game next fall. “The running backs we have back next year are definitely going to be tough,” Jacobs said. “Especially the two that I’ve seen. Najee and Brian. I think Brian is definitely going to have a breakout year.”
Robinson has been the under-the-radar guy since the recruiting days. He was the other back in the class with Najee Harris -- the No. 2 overall prospect in the class. Robinson checked in at No. 145 or No. 8 among running backs. He was a short-yardage player as a freshman before getting more looks as a sophomore. Jacobs didn’t hesitate backing up his praise of Robinson. “I mean, he’s 230 running a 4.4,” Jacobs said. “I think he’s going to have a breakout year.”
Alabama also returns Jerome Ford who was able to retain a year of eligibility despite playing four games last year. He had seven carries for 37 yards in mop-up duty.
The X-factor doesn’t arrive until the summer. Trey Sanders is the No. 6 overall recruit and top-ranked running back in the 2019 class coming out of IMG Academy in Florida. He famously said he planned to win a Heisman Trophy as a true freshman on signing day but will not have the benefit of spring practice as an early enrollee.
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Posted on 3/23/19 at 10:11 am to TidalSurge1
Posted on 3/23/19 at 11:14 am to TidalSurge1
looks like we are going to have to hear a reporter ask about the "alabama factor" all spring. as soon as saban mentioned it, i knew exactly what he meant. maybe i'm just smarter than reporters.
Posted on 3/23/19 at 3:53 pm to crimsontater
The Alabama Factor, in the words of Jedrick Wills:
This includes several issues that were identified in this thread as were things that were in need of fixing. So, this sounds good!
quote:
“Commitment, discipline, effort, toughness, pride and then developing yourself to be relentless for 60 minutes in the ballgame.”
This includes several issues that were identified in this thread as were things that were in need of fixing. So, this sounds good!
This post was edited on 3/24/19 at 2:53 am
Posted on 3/23/19 at 9:50 pm to RollTide66
Alabama practice report: Terrell Lewis not practicing, other notes By Matt Zenitz AL.COM
quote:
Alabama practiced Saturday afternoon, its only non-scrimmage Saturday of the spring. Here are some notes from the open portion of practice:
— Terrell Lewis didn’t practice for a second straight day. The redshirt junior walked by the media at one point and seemed to be walking around normal. He was in the weight room during the media viewing period.
— Ale Kaho was again practicing. He was at the back of the inside linebacker line during drills.
— Mike Stoops, the former Oklahoma defensive coordinator who joined Alabama as an analyst this offseason, observed the outside linebackers during the open portion of practice.
— Chadarius Townsend continues to work with the running backs. Cameron Latu continues to work with the tight ends.
Posted on 3/23/19 at 10:01 pm to RollTide66
Alabama practice notes, observations from full-contact workout VIDEO -OLB's Alabama practice notes, observations from full-contact workout
quote:
Spring days don’t get much nicer than Friday afternoon. Sunny with temperatures in the 60s, Alabama was back on the practice field for its fourth workout of the spring.
-- It was the first day in full pads after wearing shells the last time out.
-- The most impressive thing we saw was freshman early enrollee Evan Neal doing a simple drill with a manager holding the bag. One minute the manager was on two feet. The next, he was on the ground. Neal, the 6-foot-7 offensive lineman who weighs 360 pounds, accelerated gravity for the much smaller student. Everyone was OK.
-- A few former players were watching that drill. Ryan Anderson, a linebacker with Washington, was impressed with that display from Neal. Chicago Bear safety Eddie Jackson was also with him.
-- Ale Kaho was there again for his second spring practice with the middle linebackers after missing the first two workouts.
-- It was interesting watching Pete Golding work with the middle linebackers.(see video link above) The new defensive coordinator was hands on demonstrating the drills.
-- Defensive back Shyheim Carter remains in a black jersey for limited-contact players coming off injuries.
-- Tua Tagovailoa threw a perfect over-the-shoulder deep ball to Devonta Smith at one point. It has some of the feel from the 2nd-and-26 play. Tagovailoa was sharp on all the passes we observed.
-- Tino Sunseri, son of Sal and brother of Vinny, is the graduate assistant working with quarterbacks this season. He was the starting passer at Pitt from 2010-12.
Posted on 3/23/19 at 10:19 pm to RollTide66
Practice video: Sal Sunseri coaches up Alabama's OLBs
quote:
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.
-- Alabama held its fifth practice of the spring Saturday on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields. It was the fourth practice of the week and the one-third mark of the spring. The Crimson Tide will hold its annual A-Day Game on Saturday, April 13, at Bryant-Denny Stadium. We focused on outside linebackers coach Sal Sunseri
-- though this isn't his first stint at UA -- and his position group. Terrell Lewis and Ben Davis (shin splints) weren't in drills, but Anfernee Jennings, Christopher Allen, Eyabi Anoma, Jarez Parks and Kevin Harris were present. The outside 'backers worked on pass-rushing combinations in the second of two viewing periods. Sunseri spent three seasons at Alabama (2009-11) as the assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach. He left Tuscaloosa following the 2011 season to serve as Tennessee's defensive coordinator. He then worked on Jimbo Fisher's staff at Florida State in 2013-14, coaching defensive ends in 2013 before being promoted to defensive head coach in 2014. After a stop in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, Sunseri's last stop was at Florida as defensive line coach. With his sons Tino and Vinnie on the staff, too, Sal Sunseri is set to earn $650,000 in 2019 on a newly-approved deal as the outside linebackers coach, replacing Tosh Lupoi, who is now in the NFL.
Posted on 3/24/19 at 11:55 am to RollTide66
Sunseri being back is huge
Posted on 3/25/19 at 3:45 am to stomp
I agree a 100%. Sunseri could be a key guy on the staff for multiple reasons: 1. he's a good position coach, who can coach multiple positions and help a guy like Pete Golding with the ILB coaching, 2. he can teach the players what it means to play with The Alabama Factor and 3. he can teach the new coaches about what Saban means with The Alabama Factor.
And he can recruit too!
And he can recruit too!
Posted on 3/25/19 at 6:48 am to RollTideNL
most of these coaches have been around a while so I doubt they need as much hand holding as last years newbies did with what it means to be all in and understand the process.
Posted on 3/25/19 at 11:36 am to mrbroker
Yep, Sal is a huge hire. I was very bummed when he left our staff last time. Great coach, great recruiter, what's not to like?
Posted on 3/25/19 at 5:01 pm to RollTide66
Alabama likely to sit star LB for remainder of spring ball AL.COM - By Matt Zenitz | mzenitz@al.com
quote:
Terrell Lewis probably won’t practice again this spring for Alabama. Alabama will likely sit the redshirt junior outside linebacker for the remainder of spring ball for precautionary reasons as he continues to work back from the torn ACL he suffered last summer, according to sources. Lewis, who suffered the injury in July, has missed each of the Crimson Tide’s last two practices. If healthy, Lewis could finally have his long-awaited breakout season for the Tide. Lewis, who has missed most of the last two seasons due to injuries, had a preseason first-round draft grade from one of the NFL’s scouting services last year before sustaining the ACL injury.
Posted on 3/25/19 at 5:23 pm to RollTide66
That isn't a good sign almost a year after the injury.
Posted on 3/25/19 at 5:44 pm to remaster916
I think it is strictly precautionary. He has been in the program long enough, and it isn’t worth him playing in the spring game. Let him rest, and be ready for the season.
Posted on 3/25/19 at 5:47 pm to remaster916
It wasn’t that long ago that a torn ACL was an 18 month rehab to 100%. It’s been less than a year. I’m not giving up on him and this might be the best thing. He’s not going to win any games for us in March or April.
Posted on 3/25/19 at 6:35 pm to remaster916
If its precautionary like they say i dont see the big deal. Let the young guys get some clock(especially Anoma).
Posted on 3/25/19 at 10:18 pm to tider04
Alabama adds 2019 tight end - Andrew Bone • BamaInsider.com
quote:
Richard Hunt, tight end from Briarcrest Christian in Eads, Tennessee, announced his decision to accept a preferred walk-on opportunity at the University of Alabama. The decision came after Hunt spent the weekend in Tuscaloosa. It was his first time visiting Alabama as a football recruit. However, he has been on campus several times since his sister is a sophomore at the Capstone. Hunt is a very intriguing prospect at 6-foot-7, 250-pounds who has always played basketball. His best friend, Jackson Walker , was the starting quarterback and signed with Richmond. He talked him into playing football as a senior. "He convinced me to come out, just try it and I ended up loving it," Hunt said. "I played basketball my whole life. My senior year was my first year playing football, so I was a little behind." Hunt did well for an athlete who was learning a new sport and recorded 15 catches for 220 yards and five touchdowns. He attracted plenty of attention. Hunt received preferred walk-on offers from Alabama, Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Tennessee. "Talking to Coach Saban just made me really want to go and play for a program like Alabama," he said. "I loved it. I love the way Coach Saban runs the whole program." It was a bit of an eye opener watching the Crimson Tide practice on Saturday. "There was a lot of movement and switching fields, so I think I’m going to have to get used to that," Hunt said.
Posted on 3/25/19 at 10:50 pm to RollTide66
That kid have any film?
Posted on 3/26/19 at 5:54 am to Tide or Die87
Sure there must be something out there, I have not been able to find much of anything. (also, having Computer issues, since the weekend...so time and search abilities limited)
Posted on 3/26/19 at 7:34 am to Tide or Die87
He has a hudl. He's fairly athletic, but to refer to him as an unnatural pass catcher would be an understatement. He looks like a willing and enthusiastic blocker though. Most walk-ons are never going to have a shot at playing, but I could see this guy eventually getting into games in 3 years as a goalline yackle or even as an actual OL if he puts on the weight.
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