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Bama practice observations
Posted on 8/25/14 at 9:51 am
Posted on 8/25/14 at 9:51 am
I have a business associate who does advertising with Crimson Tide Sports Network. As part of this commitment, his business if given 4 practice passes so he and three others can attend one fall practice each year. This is truly behind the scenes after the media is gone stuff. Observations from Friday:
* QBs go to the furthest side of the field away from media access point. The media hears a unique horn signifying that they are allowed to come out and they (literally) run through the designated doors b/c their allowed time begins the second the horn sounds.
* they're allowed only to a certain point on the field and when the horn sounds again signifying their time is up all managers drop what they are doing and literally start shielding practice and guiding media off the field. There is no "let be get this last picture" going on. The horn sounds, you leave.
* Blake Sims surprised. Apparently, none of the coaches expected him to do what he's done in fall camp. The team loves him, he's performing well, he's committed. Based on Friday, I think he starts and gets the majority of the snaps on Saturday, and likely for at least the two weeks after that.
* Coker is an enormous talent, but it doesn't seem that he's put it "all together" yet. Sims had clear control of huddle and offense. Coker is way more talented (strongest arm since Brodie, and maybe even stronger than that..also, he has the frame to hold up if he ultimately starts), but Sims is ahead on the intangibles.
* All the RBs are quick. Stunningly quick. The size of Henry will take you by surprise. He looks like an LB or DE playing RB. Massive. Goes without saying, but this is a great strength for the team. Any of the three would start at 90% of D1 schools. Drake is incredibly quick.
* The D looks big, fast, mean, and mad. The entire hour and a half someone - Saban or Smart usually - was yelling at them. Not "come on you can do better" type yelling. I mean "what the f*^k are you doing?! get there! faster, damnit. you've got to go faster". And they responded.
* Not sure what happened with Tony Brown, but Saban got in his face and said "why the f*$k are you fighting with the people trying to help you? just do your job". He had gotten beat on a play, but it seemed more than that one play was bothering Saban. That said, he's going to start at some point this year. His talent is obvious.
* Best part, IMO - there are two scout team offenses. as soon as one scout team O finishes a play, the other scout team is at the line of scrimmage ready to snap the ball. The D doesn't substitute. They just have to line it up in a hurry (more yelling of "encouragement" is done in between snaps..."hurry...let's go...move your arse...line it up"). This process was so tight and smooth. It was impressive how they are coaching around the hurry up.
* The team size and speed is probably the best we've ever had. I know people keep trying to say this will be a "down" year at Bama. I don't buy it. If we get slightly above average QB play - and it is consistent - then this team SHOULD be in the playoff.
* QBs go to the furthest side of the field away from media access point. The media hears a unique horn signifying that they are allowed to come out and they (literally) run through the designated doors b/c their allowed time begins the second the horn sounds.
* they're allowed only to a certain point on the field and when the horn sounds again signifying their time is up all managers drop what they are doing and literally start shielding practice and guiding media off the field. There is no "let be get this last picture" going on. The horn sounds, you leave.
* Blake Sims surprised. Apparently, none of the coaches expected him to do what he's done in fall camp. The team loves him, he's performing well, he's committed. Based on Friday, I think he starts and gets the majority of the snaps on Saturday, and likely for at least the two weeks after that.
* Coker is an enormous talent, but it doesn't seem that he's put it "all together" yet. Sims had clear control of huddle and offense. Coker is way more talented (strongest arm since Brodie, and maybe even stronger than that..also, he has the frame to hold up if he ultimately starts), but Sims is ahead on the intangibles.
* All the RBs are quick. Stunningly quick. The size of Henry will take you by surprise. He looks like an LB or DE playing RB. Massive. Goes without saying, but this is a great strength for the team. Any of the three would start at 90% of D1 schools. Drake is incredibly quick.
* The D looks big, fast, mean, and mad. The entire hour and a half someone - Saban or Smart usually - was yelling at them. Not "come on you can do better" type yelling. I mean "what the f*^k are you doing?! get there! faster, damnit. you've got to go faster". And they responded.
* Not sure what happened with Tony Brown, but Saban got in his face and said "why the f*$k are you fighting with the people trying to help you? just do your job". He had gotten beat on a play, but it seemed more than that one play was bothering Saban. That said, he's going to start at some point this year. His talent is obvious.
* Best part, IMO - there are two scout team offenses. as soon as one scout team O finishes a play, the other scout team is at the line of scrimmage ready to snap the ball. The D doesn't substitute. They just have to line it up in a hurry (more yelling of "encouragement" is done in between snaps..."hurry...let's go...move your arse...line it up"). This process was so tight and smooth. It was impressive how they are coaching around the hurry up.
* The team size and speed is probably the best we've ever had. I know people keep trying to say this will be a "down" year at Bama. I don't buy it. If we get slightly above average QB play - and it is consistent - then this team SHOULD be in the playoff.
This post was edited on 8/25/14 at 10:01 am
Posted on 8/25/14 at 9:56 am to bamasgot13
bama stacked; SEC fricked. let's get it!!
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:07 am to bamasgot13
I just cant understand anyone that says this will be a down year for us. We literally have fewer question mark areas across the board than I ever remember having and even the question mark areas are pretty solid, they are just more questionable than the other areas which seem to be fricking stacked out the arse. All we need from a QB this year is McElroy level play in my opinion. If whoever plays the position can avoid turnovers and just get the ball to the playmakers we will be fine. We could have another year full of screens and dumps and win it all IMO.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:09 am to bamasgot13
If the team really does love Sims will it cause strife in the locker room if Coke starts or eventually takes over the position? How will that effect the teams overall chemistry?
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:20 am to Patton
quote:
If the team really does love Sims will it cause strife in the locker room if Coke starts or eventually takes over the position? How will that effect the teams overall chemistry?
They like Coker too. Obviously they haven't known him for as long, but that's why this thing will go into the season. IF Coker is the guy, the players will see that and accept it. If Coker were to show up and start vs WVU based on practice, the team would have been pissed.
I think ultimately they want to win. If Coker is the guy, then anyone who gets pissed about it doesn't belong in T-Town.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:26 am to Patton
I love the second scout team lining up after the snap. It may not be at the same pace as HUNH teams, but our lining up and defensive focus will be sharpened. Also we can work on the substitution patterns and have those rotation players ready when there is stoppage. Ready to Roll
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:28 am to ThaKaptin
quote:
I just cant understand anyone that says this will be a down year for us.
we've gotten to the point where if we dont have a 5 star recruit or an all conference returning starter at every position, some fans get worried.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:31 am to Snoop1911
quote:
I love the second scout team lining up after the snap. It may not be at the same pace as HUNH teams, but our lining up and defensive focus will be sharpened. Also we can work on the substitution patterns and have those rotation players ready when there is stoppage. Ready to Roll
That was my favorite part of the OP.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:33 am to ThaKaptin
When drake is in there a dump to the rb is likely to get you a td (or a fumble).
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:36 am to ThaKaptin
quote:
I just cant understand anyone that says this will be a down year for us
I really can't either, but I guess it is because of the QB situation and our performance in the Sugar Bowl.
I don't like to be "that" Bama fan, but I don't see how anyone can look at our schedule and not have us in the playoff.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 11:27 am to taylormade
Although in youth ball, I coached a little defense. I can't imagine having to account for so many weapons on offense. Coop, White, Howard, Yeldon, Drake, Henry, Fowler.....just DAYUM!
DC's will be drunk by halftime trying to figure this shite out.
DC's will be drunk by halftime trying to figure this shite out.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 11:41 am to bamarep
The nice thing about the talent we have at skill positions is if they play to their capability we do not have to hide anything. Just play straight up and force them to stop you. Very few teams if any can match us up at the WR and RB position all game long. It is not just our starters but our depth that will cause problems. We can almost go 3 deep at each WR and RB without a drop off. The only thing DCs will figure out by halftime is they do not have to resources to match up and stop us.
This post was edited on 8/25/14 at 11:42 am
Posted on 8/25/14 at 11:52 am to SECSolomonGrundy
The only gatcha about Sims is that he is a dual threat. Chances are he will end up scrambling a few more times than average relative to our past few quarterbacks. His chances of injury are inherintly higher. He may win the job outright and we still end up playing Coker somewhere down the line. I just hope the team is ready to roll with whoever.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 2:13 pm to bamasgot13
Your friends evaluation of the QB's and other players is spot on at least that's the way I saw it at the fan day practice except they didn't shield the practice from the view of the QB's.
It's not that Coker isn't what he's been projected to be but Sims has improved more than we could've ever imagined he would. I just wonder how he'll perform in live game action.
I also know a doctor that's a big booster and he attended the practice the Saturday after fan day and confirmed basically what I saw and your friend has told you.
That said,..Bama going to da ship...lol
It's not that Coker isn't what he's been projected to be but Sims has improved more than we could've ever imagined he would. I just wonder how he'll perform in live game action.
I also know a doctor that's a big booster and he attended the practice the Saturday after fan day and confirmed basically what I saw and your friend has told you.
That said,..Bama going to da ship...lol
Posted on 8/25/14 at 3:20 pm to bamasgot13
Great post. Sims has been a true team player his whole career. Although I've been wanting Coker to win the job outright, I'd be happy if Sims is the man.
Posted on 8/26/14 at 11:34 am to bamasgot13
The biggest thing I've seen at practice is how good our younger QBs are. Cornwell and Bateman are both impressive athletes.
Also, Kiffin running routes for the QBs is pretty funny to see
Also, Kiffin running routes for the QBs is pretty funny to see
Posted on 8/26/14 at 9:53 pm to BamainCFL
quote:
Kiffin running routes for the QBs
It's going to be fun watching all the playmakers that Bama has.
Can't wait to see Henry running with it.He's huge to move like he does.
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