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re: Spring Football News & Info

Posted on 3/30/19 at 5:32 pm to
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 5:32 pm to
LINK ]Everything Nick Saban said after first spring scrimmage BamaOnLine - By Charlie Potter [quote]TUSCALOOSA, Ala.
-- Alabama head coach Nick Saban spoke to reporters during a press conference following the Crimson Tide's first spring scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Below is everything Saban said in his fourth press conference of the spring.
Opening statement
"As first scrimmages go in the spring, you obviously have goals and objectives and things that you want to accomplish in the spring. The first time you have a scrimmage you kind of see where you're at in all that. I think we have some really good players, we have some guys that can play winning football. To me, we don't have enough. We don't have enough depth on our team. We don't have enough guys that execute with confidence, playing fast. So the way we need to go about that is keep working these guys and keep practicing them. I think I've said this before, what a lot of players don't understand is 'You don't just do things until you get it right, you do it over and over and over until you can't get it wrong.' That's what our young guys have to understand. I think offensively, for the first scrimmage, we executed pretty well today. Obviously, we have a little more experience.
"Ruggs had a family issue today, a funeral he had to go to, so he was missing. We have a couple tight ends missing. A couple guys on defense missing, a couple guys playing in black jerseys. So I think it's going to be important that some of the other guys that are going to come in for the fall, especially the defensive players, I think there are three down guys, two more linebackers, four guys in the secondary, they're going to have to come along and add some depth to our team on defense because we don't have enough guys… We feel they have the potential but need to continue to grow and that competition will definitely help them grow.

"I thought both quarterbacks played pretty well today. Obviously, we've got work to do, but that's why we have practice the rest of spring and the summer and also fall camp to get ready to play the season."

On new coordinators' philosophies

When you hire a new coordinator, How much influence does he have in changing the philosophy and schemes?

"Not a lot. We kind of do what we do. I think the new coordinator brings new energy, new enthusiasm, new ideas. Sometimes we make tweaks and adaptations to what we do. But we're pretty successful on offense, especially last year. So why would we change it a lot? I think some of the additions that we make are very positive and will be very helpful in helping us feature some of the players that we have. Defensively, Pete was here. We definitely need to improve. We slipped and we continue to try to replace a lot of personnel, year-in and year-out, whether guys leave the program early for the draft or whatever it might be. We've never had this much turnover in players like we did a year ago. Now we have again this year. It affects depth and it affects knowledge and experience. We just have to keep working with the young players and we'll probably have a pretty young team."

On scrimmage QB reps

How did you structure the quarterback reps today?
"Tua is obviously the starter. Mac is the guy that has the most experience and got some playing time last year and has made a lot of progress. He's the guy that can execute best right now as the next-best player. Then we let Taulia play some with the twos. Paul played some as well. So we need to kind of see who's going to be the next best guy and if anybody can challenge the first two guys. That's kind of where we are today and that's how we had it planned. I think those guys have a ways to go. First time out there, they did some good things but it was also pretty obvious that it was their first time out there."
On the defensive line

What did you see from the defensive line today? And how have you seen that group progress this spring?


"The first group played fairly well. The second group was not that great. I haven't watched the film yet. I'm sure we'll find some good things they did and we'll find a lot of things that need to be fixed. A lot of things that need to be corrected. I think the big thing is, getting guys striking out of their hips and being more aggressive up front, trying to control the line of scrimmage a little better, which I thought the first group did a pretty good job of that. Past that, I think we have lots of work to do."

On communication

Was just curious how players handled situational awareness during the scrimmage and just communicating calls throughout as they get into a more game-like situation?

“We didn’t have any issues at all. I don’t know why we would. We’ve got a lot of experienced players that have played a lot of football. I don’t know why Tua (Tagovailoa) would have trouble with communication. Dylan Moses has played a lot of football here. We didn’t have any communication errors. We had some lack of execution and mental errors in terms of executing what the calls were. But not really a lot of communication errors.”


continued next post
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 5:33 pm to
Continued from above
On simulating for scrimmages

Speaking generally, what are some things that you can simulate really well in scrimmages? And some things that are difficult to simulate relative to how it would look in a game?


“I think we try to create as many situations as we can in practice. We practice good against good a lot, so that’s a lot like playing in a game. We do a lot of situational-type things, a lot of two-minute things. We did third down, we did red area, we did goal line, we did coming out, we did several two-minute situations at the end. So, other than the fans, the noise, football is football, and there’s 11 guys out there on both sides and the field’s 100 yards deep and 53 yards wide and there’s 11 guys out there in different formations and everybody’s got to adapt and adjust and do their jobs and do the right thing. React the right way, block the right guy, press the hole and read the run the right way. I mean I don’t know what changes in the game? Do they put more players on the field? Do they make you play like on ice? Is it still grass? I mean it’s no different.

“It’s only different if you make it different. If you make the game different and you say, ‘I want to have a lot of anxiety. And I’m not going to be able to focus on looking at the right thing. I’m not going to be able to focus on doing what I’m supposed to do,’ just like any other practice. Then I guess it’s different. But otherwise, you’re supposed to be competing, playing hard, giving the best effort you can, focusing, trying to win, covering the guy you’re supposed to cover, beat the guy you’re supposed to beat if you’re running a pass route, blocking the guy if you’re trying to block him. So, I don’t know -- I guess if you’re outcome oriented, you would think the game is a lot different. But if you’re process oriented, you try to play that particular play, hit that particular shot. If you’re playing golf and not worrying about your score’s going to be at the end of the day, I would say it’s pretty much the same.”

On the inside linebackers

You mentioned Dylan Moses earlier, but how are some of the other guys at the inside linebacker position progressing, especially the younger guys -- Markail Benton, Jaylen Moody, Shane Lee?

“We have a work to do. Those guys have ability. They make too many mental errors. I mean if you make mental errors at linebacker, you either have a guy that’s unprotected, you have somebody that’s not covered. We had way too many of those today. And we just have to keep on working and keep on working with them and see where it takes us. I thought some of the outside ‘backers played pretty well today. But inside guys, we’ve got lots of work to do.”
On the kicking game

This is the first game-like opportunity to see the special teams. How did the kicking game look out there?

“The kicking game was good. I think we’re a lot further ahead in the kicking game this year. We had to make a lot of changes in the kicking game last year, which really was beneficial in terms of statistics. How explosive we were on kickoff return really improved. We improved punt return explosive plays to the point where in the second we weren’t getting the ball kicked to us so that we could return them. I think that it seems like we have a few more guys that really buy into playing special teams well. Coverage units did a pretty good job last year.

“So, I think when you guys say special teams, I think of special teams. When you say special teams, you think a punter and kicker. So, I don’t know why you wouldn’t just ask me about the punter and kicker. Because special teams are special teams, the punter and the kicker are the punter and the kicker, aight. And we have a new freshman kicker, who kicked well today. He also punts, and he punted well today. And then we have the other guys, who actually were better today than what they’ve been in the past, which is what our hope is that we can develop them and get them to improve.”
[/quote]
Full Video of Presser 10:30
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 5:39 pm to
LINK ]WATCH: Tide readies for first scrimmage BamaOnLine - By Travis Reier Go inside Bryant-Denny Stadium and watch the Alabama Crimson Tide get ready for its first scrimmage of 2019 spring drills! 3:20
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 6:01 pm to

"Alabama's REMAINING 2019 Spring Football Practice Schedule:

Monday, April 1 -- 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3 -- 3:30 p.m.
Friday, April 5 -- 3:30 p.m.
**Saturday, April 6 -- Probably 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9 -- 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 11 -- 3:30 p.m.
**Saturday, April 13 -- 1 p.m.

** indicate scrimmage dates at Bryant-Denny Stadium."
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 6:02 pm to
For you that would like it, here is Alabama Crimson Tide on AL.com Youtube Channel
This post was edited on 3/30/19 at 6:04 pm
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 7:58 pm to
Posted by Bear88
Member since Oct 2014
14641 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 10:15 pm to
No Boz report ??
Posted by CrimsonBoz
Member since Sep 2014
19837 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 10:38 pm to
Was typing it :)

So I’ll get right into it.

Ones OL:
LT Leatherwood- solid
LG Evan Neal- thought he looked really good
C Chris Owens- lots of power
RG Emil - jury still out
RT Jedrick Wills- solid

The Kicker Reichard:

Missed a 35 bad, made a 40 good and they stuck him at punter and he had about a 9 yard punt.

Delong was booming kicks.

Metchie with 2 TDS today, huge upside there.

Ford and Anoma played well and have been standouts

DJ Dale looking super impressive

ILB didn’t look bad, they are getting there I already see that leader spark from Moses.

OLB/DL looks to be our most solid group. 92 is scary

Looks like they want to keep Jobe at corner and possibly make Diggs Safety. We will see how this plays out. Something like PS2, Jobe, Diggs, McKinney (future high draft), Carter. Maybe Wright.

Still loaded at WR and RB it’s silly almost

Tua is Tua

All QBs look good

TE’s were solid. If James ever gets his head out of his arse he will be a star. Just watching him goof off he is talented.

Any questions let me know.
This post was edited on 3/30/19 at 10:40 pm
Posted by mistaken4193
Member since Jan 2017
29415 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 10:42 pm to
quote:

 he had about a 9 yard punt. 

quote:

Missed a 35 bad,



It Never fails to disappoint
This post was edited on 3/30/19 at 10:43 pm
Posted by pmacattack
Member since Oct 2016
6800 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 10:49 pm to
quote:

Delong was booming kicks.

Does not compute.

Is Ford, Jerome Ford the RB?

Outside of Moses, what is skinny on the other ILBs?

Ben Davis finna set the world on fire, right?
Posted by CrimsonBoz
Member since Sep 2014
19837 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 10:52 pm to
It wouldn’t be a Bama kicker if he didn’t shank a kick or two.
Posted by phil4bama
Emerald Coast of PCB
Member since Jul 2011
11776 posts
Posted on 3/30/19 at 10:56 pm to
Seems like Deshank was ok in practice last year too. Not great, but serviceable. But when the bright lights came on...
Posted by Tide or Die87
Huntsville, AL
Member since Jan 2012
13257 posts
Posted on 3/31/19 at 12:10 am to
Who is 92? Also Diggs at free safety would be nice if he can tackle.
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/31/19 at 12:21 am to

92 Justin Eboigbe true freshman

A highly-regarded defensive end prospect and one of the top players in the state of Georgia ... tabbed as a consensus four-star defensive end and one of the best players at any position in the state of Georgia ... ranked 31st on the ESPN300 and the outlet's No. 5 defensive end nationally ... ESPN.com also rates him as the No. 5 player in Georgia ... rated as the No. 5 strongside defensive end prospect and the No. 62 player nationally on the 247Composite ... 247Sports ranks him as the No. 70 player nationally, the fifth-rated strongside defensive end and the No. 10 player in his state ... ranked 133rd nationally by Rivals.com and the No. 12 strongside defensive end ... a four-star prospect and the No. 67 player on the PrepStar Top 150 Dream Team ... ranks as PrepStar's No. 7 defensive end and the ninth-rated prospect in Georgia ... selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game ... coached by Martez Edwards at Forest Park High School in Forest Park, Ga. ... chose Alabama over Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Miami and Tennessee.
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/31/19 at 12:25 am to
pmacattack
quote:

Is Ford, Jerome Ford the RB?


#27 Jerome Ford is the only FORD on the roster. Noticed him in the 1:00 video highlights above, seemed to be scoring? LINK
This post was edited on 3/31/19 at 12:32 am
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/31/19 at 12:28 am to
Seems I heard the same thing, DeShort boomed then all week long, then in the game he forgot the face of his father.

Hate to hear that Will was shankarous on punts and with a miss and hit, seems right for a Bama kicker. Where is Cody Mandell and his ilk
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/31/19 at 12:35 am to
Thanks for the post BOZ... hope you will be a frequent poster (even with your newly appointed duties)
I for one dont feel the great need for heavy handed moderation... but that is just me, I could be mistaken
Posted by pmacattack
Member since Oct 2016
6800 posts
Posted on 3/31/19 at 12:36 am to
I couldnt tell. noticed Diggs looked to be returning a punt and looked quick in the process, so thats encouraging.
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/31/19 at 4:05 am to
LINK ]2019 Alabama Crimson Tide Spring Football Unit Previews: Special Teams Roll 'Bama Roll•Mar 29, 2019, Speaking of ST, here is a continuation of the Unit Previews from 3/29
quote:

PLACEKICKING
At this point in his career, it is hard to argue that Nick Saban is not one of the best - if not the greatest - football coach of all time. But he is not without flaw. For some reason, he cannot perfect the field goal kicking aspect of the game. In recent years, Saban has been adding top-ranked kickers to his rosters but there always some strange voodoo that bites him in the Achille's heel. However as Mr. Pope emoted, there is hope.

PUNTING
Alabama has been blessed over the years with some pretty darn good punters: Lane Bearden, P.J. Fitzgerald, Cody Mandell, and JK Scott to name a few. But suddenly, the Tide has a blackhole at the position. Saban has made a regular practice of signing kickers and punters instead of the old ways of granddaddy of pinning hopes on the walk-ons.

LONG SNAPPER

Here again, Saban has taken to signing long-snappers instead of picking one out of the student body, and it seems to be working.

PUNT RETURN & KICKOFF RETURN

The return game did not make too many highlight reels in 2018, which is both a good thing and bad thing. Alabama fans did not witness as many spectacular returns that they had become accustom to in recent years. Josh Jacobs had a few good kickoff returns and Jaylen Waddle had a 63-yard punt return against Louisiana, but there were not many game-changers. On the flip side, there was a reduced amount of muffs that sometime goes with that part of the game.
DEPARTING?

Scott Meyer - The rising walk-on junior was the primary snapper on PAT and field goal attempts in 2017 while then-freshman Thomas Fletcher snapped on punts. Last season, Fletcher took over both duties. Meyer entered his name into the Transfer Portal but as of this writing is still on the Alabama roster and practicing with the team. He has value as a just-in-case back-up.

RETURNING

Jeff Banks - A year ago, Saban brought in Banks to be the Special Teams Coordinator. He had a rough inaugural year but he worked with what he was given.

Skyler DeLong P - One of the top punting prospects coming out of high school, the rising sophomore won the job in fall camp but was less than spectacular in first half of the season and was replaced. He averaged 34.44 yds per punt on 16 boots.

Mike Bernier P - This walk-on transfer was believed to be a senior last year but has qualified for one more season. He was named the starting punter before the Tennessee game and was only slightly better then his predecessor at 38.04 ypp. He had one kick blocked against Auburn and will have more if he cannot speed up his motion.

Joseph Bulovas PK - Another performer in this ongoing soap opera, the redshirt sophomore was beat out in camp by Austin Jones, but took over the starring role after the aforementioned kicker faltered. Bulovas was 14 of 18 on field goals with a long of 49 on the year, but he missed 5 PATs. On a positive note from the Iron Bowl on out into three post-season games, he was perfect connecting on 3 field goals and 19 extra points. He missed his only chance at a field goal of over 50 yards, and Saban seemed to have a reluctance to let him try any other such attempts. Maybe that is a good thing.

Thomas Fletcher LS - Full-time snapper has had no issues and should be solid for 2019.

Jaylen Waddle KR - The dynamic playmaker has yet to return one to the house but 2019 is the year!

NEWCOMERS

Will Reichard PK - The nation’s No. 1 kicking prospect from Hoover, AL will be expected to challenge both Bulovas and the punters. Alas as Alabama fans, we are skeptical. I will believe it when I see it.

Tripp Slyman PK - The walk-on from Huntsville (Randolph HS) is listed as a sophomore but was not on the roster last year. Ya never know...

Jake Hall LS - Walk-on from Saraland, AL, hopefully it will never come down to him.

Jeffery “Scooby” Carter
is the only early enrollee who might have return skills.
PREDICTED DEPTH CHART

PK - ???? A-Day might give us a better indication but this one might go deep into September before it is decided.

P - Bernier probably beats out DeLong but neither is an ideal option.

LS - Fletcher > Meyer > Hall

PR - It may be tempting to put Trevon Diggs back there. However, seeing how Waddle did a good job and Diggs is coming off an injury, it would make better sense to stick with Waddle. Henry Ruggs could be an option as well.

KR - Brian Robinson returned five kickoffs a season ago and might be the best option for 2019. Ruggs was the main kickoff returner two seasons ago. Wild card option: Chadarius Townsend.
This post was edited on 3/31/19 at 4:09 am
Posted by RollTide66
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2015
3005 posts
Posted on 3/31/19 at 4:10 am to
quote:

Will Reichard PK - The nation’s No. 1 kicking prospect from Hoover, AL will be expected to challenge both Bulovas and the punters. Alas as Alabama fans, we are skeptical. I will believe it when I see it.
quote:

The Kicker Reichard:
Missed a 35 bad, made a 40 good and they stuck him at punter and he had about a 9 yard punt.
Delong was booming kicks
seems the analysis was spot on, at least for the 1st time under watchful eyes in a game simulation
This post was edited on 3/31/19 at 4:13 am
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