Kirkwood House

Alabama linebacker Adrian Hubbard

Alabama won two national championships with a single defensive scheme.  One would think they would stick with it but that’s not really Saban’s style.  He’s always looking to improve and I believe this fall we will see changes in the front 7 on defense.

One reason is to keep apposing coaches guessing.  They no doubt will be scheming for ways to defeat the Saban defense. The other is to take advantage of the skills of current players.

After years of recruiting Jack linebackers, which are a tweener between a big linebacker and a fast defensive end Alabama now has two viable options.  So the Sam spot which was often taken by a lesser player is now being manned by our best Jack, Adrian Hubbard.   The Jack spot is being held by true sophamore Xzavier Dickson.

When Alabama goes to nickle and dime sets that remove the Sam linebacker Hubbard will switch over to the Jack and Dickson will go off the field.

The end result is that in base sets Alabama will have two end players who are big, fast and physical to pinch in on the quarterback.  You may remember a similar approach in the 1992 championship season.

If that’s not giving offensive coordinators enough to think about Alabama now has one of the most athletic nose guards ever in Jessie Williams.  Williams is approaching Mt Cody effectiveness against the run but unlike Cody this guy can rush the passer right up the middle.  Add two senior defensive ends Quinton Dial and Damion Square to the mix and you have a potential QB killer defense.

Alabama’s young secondary took a pounding in 2010 and without much help up front the results were a fourth place finish in the SEC west.   Alabama has much more potential up front to prevent exposing a young secondary this time around.   The prospect of seeing more pressure on the quarterback has to have fans licking their chops at the prospect.

Freshman TJ Yeldon had a huge day Saturday

Alabama didn’t suffer any significant injuries in spring practice and that is always welcome news.    Running Back Eddie Lacy never practiced.   We already know what he can do.   Lineman Arie Kouandjio and Running Back Blake Sims also missed spring with previous injuries.  Both needed the work badly so this may be a big set back for both.  Probably more so for Sims since he plays a well stocked position.   Alabama’s relative lack of depth at offensive line will allow Arie to get back in it.

Special Teams:

Punter Cody Mandel suffered through a tough year as did all the kickers in 2011.   Mandel had a very good day punting and seems much more consistent.    Both place kickers made field goals and several players fielded punts.   No one muffed a punt so overall I’d say it was a good day.

Defense:

The secondary had many new faces.  Overall the coverage was tight all day.  Even though this could still be a problem area for the Tide the players replacing the old ones are definitely gifted and will again be very strong with experience.

The one young defensive back who really stood out was Vinnie Sunsuri.  The true sophomore lined up all over the field,  linebacker, safety, corner.  I predict next season he will be one of the most cursed players in the SEC.   He was certainly a thorn in the side of the offense today.

There were other big plays by rest but Sunsuri was the one that disrupted players all over the field.  He finished his day up by taking a fumble recovery to the house and picking off another pass and going the distance as well

On the defensive line I noted a general uptick in pressure from the line.   With a cast of senior defensive lineman returning I expect a good year.

I did take note of one individual LaMichael Fanning.   I took notice of him because I’ve been hearing all year this guy had the look of an NFL defensive end.  He certainly does have that look but from what I saw he isn’t aggressive enough coming off the line.   He may still need to grow into his body before he will get higher than third string.

The linebackers were typically effective.  I say this as if it’s boring but there is a lot of talent there still even with the loss of Hightower.   Nico Johnson was his usual active self and Trey DePriest had a few major sticks.  In one particular play DePriest stood up 245 lb tailback Jalston Fowler.  DePriest dropped him where he made contact which is something you’re not going to see often.

Offense:

Quarterback AJ McCarron was effective most of the day.  No surprise there.    Backup quarterback Phillip Sims has been nursing a sore shoulder all spring and hasn’t had much work.  Today he was dealing with poor pass protection and backup receivers but still managed to have a very good second half.     If he does NOT transfer from Alabama he will be the unquestioned #2 QB.

Third stringer Phillip Ely didn’t have a very good day.   He too dealt with poor protection but he doesn’t look to have much effectiveness past the 10 yard range.   Currently he does not look like an SEQ quality starter.   This may open the door for true freshman Alec Morris to come in this summer and compete for the #3 spot which could become the #2 spot if Sims transfers.

Alabama has a gaggle of good wide receivers.   In my opinion the best of them is true sophomore Chris Jones.   He is the one who you can almost bank on the catch no matter how difficult.  He had a highlight reel catch for a touchdown.   Kenny Bell is definitely still the deep threat and he wowed the crowd with a duplicate copy of the flea flicker touchdown bomb that he and McCarron stung Auburn with a few months ago.

After that Deandrew White, Kevin Norwood, as well as true freshman Amari Cooper and Chris Black all had their moments.

I was actually pretty happy with the tight ends.  There were a number of good plays by some of the new ones.   It was disappointing to see veteran Michael Williams get a ball stripped late in the game.  He was the player who had the ball stripped near the end zone in the first LSU game that was so pivotal in that loss.   I was actually happy with converted running back Brent Calloway at H-Back.    He needs work in all areas and he needs to get bigger and stronger but he brings an athleticism to the position that could make him a very dangerous player down the road.  When he catches a pass out of the backfield he can really cover ground on a corner before they can get him down.

At running back Jalston Fowler was powerful and consistent.   He didn’t run the ball that much today.  I wonder if they were afraid he would actually hurt some of our defensive players.

Dee Heart had his first action in front of a crowd since last spring.  He is still recovering from torn knee ligaments.   It seemed obvious to me that he is still hesitant to cut full speed on the knee.   When he gets the occasion to run straight ahead he is deadly fast and will likely be used as a third down back this year.   He was especially effective in catching short passes out of the backfield.

Without a doubt the biggest splash of the day was true freshman TJ Yeldon.   Little has been said about Yeldon since he arrived on campus in wake of a huge recruiting controversy in which he spurned Auburn for Alabama.   Previous scrimmage stats for freshman are almost never released.   I don’t know how he did in earlier scrimmages and he has been dealing with an injured wrist but  Yeldon exploded against the second team defense for 179 all purpose yards.  It was the second team defense but we are talking ALABAMA’s second team defense which is better than some defenses we will see on the field this fall.

There is simply no way to downplay this,  TJ Yeldon is the real deal.   Barring injury or off field problems there is no doubt he will become a great running back at Alabama.   He is not built like either of the previous stars Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson.   He is taller and runs a little more upright.    If I’m forced to compare him to someone I would say his running style reminds me of former NFL Running back Erick Dickerson.  He is strong, has great vision, and speed to burn.   He needs some weight room work this summer but from what I saw today this guy will play this year and play a good bit.   He is very fluid when he moves and when he breaks a tackle he can rip off huge yardage very quickly.

It’s still early in spring practice but some information is seeping out,  be it ever so slight.

From what I can tell linebacker Trey DePriest who is a true sophomore may be moving to a full time starter with Nico Johnson and CJ Mosley continuing to split time according to the situation.  They have done that the last two years and it works well so I guess they figure why change it.   Last time we saw DePreiest he came into the national title game and showed everyone he can play on a big stage.

True Freshman Dillon Lee has reportedly picked up the defense faster than any other freshman recently.  Though it seems unlikely he will make a dent in our deep inside line backing corps he likely will get cover team duty which will put in in line for the super valuable trash time.

The outside linebacker spots might be less clear.  Adrian Hubbard has the most experience at Jack and has to be the favorite but Xzavier Dickson and true freshman Ryan Anderson are big strong boys and could push him.   Last season Hightower switched to this spot often but I don’t think DePriest will do that,  so plenty of playing time is available here.

Long time bench warmers Tana Patrick and Johnathan Atchinson are likely battling it out for the Sam position.   Both had great potential but have not achieved much in their careers.  Atchinson in particular seems to have been held back by injury.

Running Back Brent Calloway has moved to outside linebacker.  He insisted on getting a shot at running back and the staff gave him that shot but now he’s way behind.  He might as well prepare for a year of scout duty.  He is very fast though,  his only chance to get on the field is as a rabbit rusher.

On the offensive line the job of left tackle has now been taken over by sophomore Cyrus Kouandjio.  The transition was under way last season but a knee injury derailed his freshman season.    All-American Barrett Jones will move to Center.  If Cyrus gets into trouble due to a speed rusher Jones will switch back and Junior Kellen Williams might play center.  That could change depending on who else cross trains at center.

The only real question mark is right guard Anthony Steen.  He has been a weak link for two years and he needs to show the consistency that the staff has been wanting to see.  If he again struggles we might see a younger player get a shot.   I said the same thing about Warmack last year and he became a rock solid guard.  Hopefully Steen will follow suit.

Former recruit Deion Belue who failed to qualify and spent two season in junior college has reportedly made a great early impression on the staff.    Look for him to see the field this fall,  both at corner and in the return game.

Belue is battling DeMarcus Milliner, Travell Dickson, John Fulton, Jebriel Washington and Bradley Selve for the three corner spots.   You can bet Milliner will take one so that leaves two spots for the other five.    We may not know the result of this battle till the fall.

Starting running back Eddie Lacy is out for the spring healing up his turf toe that plagued him all last season.  That leaves a knock down drag out competition for the coveted #2 spot.   This spot almost guarantees future stardom.

True freshman TJ Yeldon wisely enrolled early to get a shot at the job.  He will battle it out with red shirt freshman Dee Hart who is recovering from a knee injury,  Junior Jalston Fowler who rushed for  385 yards last season.  Blake Sims could have been in that battle but he hurt himself playing basketball over the break and he is in Saban’s dog house.

The starting three on the defensive line will be Quinton Dial and Damion Square at ends with Jessie Williams in the middle.  The real drama is over who will spell them.   Alabama has recruited hard in this area and there is much playing time to be had.  Alabama is also looking for a guy to play a roll similar to what Nick Gentry has done the last few years.  A smaller quicker defensive lineman who can generate pressure directly up the middle.    We don’t know who is doing well and who isn’t but there is reportedly a heated battle there for the coveted number 2 spots.

Ed Stinson played a good bit last season so you can bet he will contend strong for a #2 spot.

Brandon Ivory is battling a massive true freshman Alphonse Taylor to back up Jessie Williams.   This battle is huge because if either can cover the nose well enough they could move to starter and allow Williams to move back to end.

At end jeoffrey Pagan, LaMichael Fanning, DJ Pettway, and Chris Bonds are all fighting over what is probably the final open spot in the rotation.  Last season Pagan won the early playing time,  but many have said LaMichael Fanning is a physical beast who looks like an NFL end waiting to happen.  It could be just a matter of Fanning figuring out the defense.

Recruiting is continuing to roll along.  I’ll deliver an update on that in the near future.

Alabama just put the final touches on a spectacular 2012 signing class but Nick Saban never quits and Alabama hosted a huge group of juniors this week.

To begin with, prior to today Alabama had 6 players committed.   Rivals only recently came out with their early rating so we really didn’t know much about them except that Bama offered.  Well,  Rivals has every last one of them rated four stars except linebacker Reuben Foster and he is rated a five star.

With a huge junior day camp this week Alabama has been raking in the commitments.  Just today Alabama got two four star rated players.

Running Back Tyren Jones is the top running back in Georgia.  At 5′ 8″ and 185 lbs he is smaller than the average Saban back,  but don’t expect him to follow up on what ever roll Dee Hart will play at Alabama.   Jones  is a power back who runs very similarly to Mark Ingram.   Others have noted he is only slightly smaller than Ingram was as a high school junior.   Either way this guy is a yard gaining monster who has blown away the 6A competition in Georgia.   Jones is rated four star by Rivals.

Jones joins Arkansas player Altee Tenpenny who will be one of the top running backs in the nation this year.

The other player who committed verbally today is Offensive Lineman Grant Hill.   Hill is a large tackle prospect at 6′ 5″ 330 lbs from Huntsville Alabama.

With relatively few large offensive lineman signed in the last two classes expect more ground shakers in this class.  Hill is rated four stars and joins Bradley Bozeman from Roanoak who looks like a Guard.

Some Other players committed thus far:

Athlete Ardarius Stewart 6′ 3″ 190 lbs will be a defensive back or wide receiver.

Wide Receiver Raheem Falkins is 6′ 3″ 190 lbs from New Orleans.

Linebacker OJ Howard who is another fine player from Prattville.  Howard is 6′ 5″ 220 lbs.   He could grow into another Hightower.

I mentioned Reuben Foster,  he is 6′ 2″ 232 lbs and reminds me of current tide starter Nico Johnson who was also a five star player.

In 2009 Kenny Bell was ranked the 40th ranked wide receiver in the country by Rivals,  36th by Scout.    Rated four stars by Rivals he caught 46 passes for 816 yards and 9 touchdowns his senior year out of Rayville, La.

Bell could have been ranked higher but he only weight 160 lbs and was considered somewhat slight and would need time to bulk up.

Originally considered an LSU lock Bell was a signing day surprise.   The day before signing day in 2009 word began to leak that Alabama was going to get a surprise switch and Kenny Bell turned out to be it.

Currently listed at 6′ 1″ 175 lbs Bell is still not big enough to power his way through bump coverage,  his strength is speed and if he gets by a defensive back they are in trouble.  He has great hands and can fly.

After red shirting in 2009 Bell played in 10 games but only snagged two catches and no touchdowns.

In 2011 Bell was part of the young trio of receivers who came off the bench for regular playing time.   Bell was definitely the one of those three that showed the sort of deep threat Alabama had been looking for.   Bell is the leading returning receiver for Alabama in 2012.

This past season he netted 16 catches for 229 yards.   He scored two long touchdowns,  one a 39-yard strike vs. Tennessee and the other a thrilling 41-yard flea-flicker in the Iron Bowl that was part of the offensive explosion that doomed Auburn’s chance of the upset.

Bell needs to continue to add size and work on getting off the line against more physical defensive backs but is in a great position for a starting roll in 2012.    Spring training will be key with numerous young receivers,  many of whom are bigger wanting to get past him.

DePriest Makes Hits against LSU

The NCAA problems at Ohio State and the subsequent career crash and burn by their coach Jim Tressel had one immediate impact.  Top Ohio linebacker recruit Trey DePriest bailed on Ohio State and rolled with the Crimson Tide.  With Urban Meyer taking over there we may not see another Ohio recruit.

All the recruiting services had DePriest listed in their top 10 linebackers nationally.   His list of top this and top of that is impressive.  His senior season at Springfield he amassed 117 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks.    Rivals listed him as a four star while Scout had him as a five star.

DePriest arrived at Alabama at over 240 lbs and was still very mobile at that weight.  He made impressions early in fall camp and was a regular on the field on both special teams and subbing for inside linebacker Hightower and Johnson.

By mid season as often happens DePriest sort of hit a wall with the stiffer competition and played mostly on special teams.

There was an ugly moment late in the season when he went the wrong way on a kickoff and allowed Auburn an easy touchdown.     Saban was on him like white on rice and he did not see the field again.

After that I wondered if we would see him again this season but apparently during the time between the iron bowl and championship game he earned himself back out of the dog house.

Alabama’s horrible kick coverage had been the focus of much of the championship preparations and Trey DePreist laid a thundering hit on the LSU return man to open the game and send a message.  The message was the return game isn’t going to work today,  and it didn’t.

Early in the second half CJ Mosley went down with a hip injury against LSU and was not able to continue.  With a national championship still on the line and the brightest spotlight possible in college football true freshman Trey DePriest was the man off the bench.

DePriest was unfazed by the spotlight and played well in relief of Mosley recording another solo tackle.

A smart player who was quick to pick up Nick Saban’s complicated defense DePriest may be a favorite to take over Hightower’s Mike inside position which makes all the defensive calls.  Alabama may also try Nico Johnson at that spot and CJ Mosley will continue to be a big part of the inside package unless he moves outside to Sam.

Either way expect to see plenty more of Trey DePriest on the field this fall.

In installment #2 of my Moving Up series I move to offense.  Many casual fans wondered in Alabama’s stunning victory against LSU who is this Norwood kid?   Truthfully I was not surprised how well he played.

In fact as good as Marques Maze has played Norwood had the skill set Alabama needed to defeat LSU’s tight coverage.    They just didn’t know until that moment if he could come through on a stage that big.

Signed in 2009 Norwood was the 22nd ranked wide receiver and 3rd ranked deep threat receiver according to Rivals.   He was a member of the Rivals 250 and the Super Southeast 120 by the Mobile Press Register.

In High School he was a first team All-State selection for D’Iberville Mississippi where he snagged 64 passes for 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior.

After red shirting the 2009 season he got early playing time in 2010.   Norwood caught notice early in the season with an over the middle catch that he powered through the secondary for an impressive touchdown.  Unfortunately he decided to somersault into the end zone,  an act that could have resulted in the touchdown being taken away starting in 2011.

It’s also an act that gets you into Nick Saban’s dog house which is where Norwood spent most of the rest of the 2010 season.  Still late in the season you began to see him sneaking onto the field here and there.

In 2011 Norwood once again had an impressive camp and it payed off against Penn State where he caught 3 passes for 25 yards.   Norwood was fighting with several other young wide receivers for playing time.  All of them had impressive days and other day’s they barely saw the field.

Norwood had another big game against Mississippi State where he caught 2 passes for a whopping 60 yards.   The next week he caught a 22 yarder against Georgia Southern.

Then of course came the explosion against LSU where he snagged four passes for 78 yards against one of the best secondaries in college football.    Norwood finished the season with the highest average per catch on the team.    He has clearly cemented himself as a serious contender for a starting job in 2012.

At 6′ 2″ and 193 lbs Norwood has the size to go up and get the ball over smaller corners.  He uses his body well to block defenders and aways catches the ball with his hands,  away from his body.

In 2010 playing time for receivers was highly dependent on who practiced well that week.  Norwood will have to prove he can play at a high level consistently every day in practice to be an every down starters.   Kenny Bell and Deandrew While also had big days for the tide during the season so all three are going to be fighting for that consistency that will elevate them above the others for that starting roll.

After Norwoods game against LSU however early betting has to be on him.