It isn't Sunday, and I'm not hungover. Heck, it's Thursday. So here are my so-called thoughts after watching the A-Day game on Saturday.
Second-string QB Mac Jones impressed again on a second straight A-Day. He looked good, but you have to consider he was going against the second-team D, which started a number of fresh players. Nonetheless, he looked good. I've always thought he could be a good quarterback, but he's gotten so few chances to shine that it was good to see him get a good bit of time to show what he can do.
Tua looked a little tentative to me. Then again, I don't think he had the most cohesive starting offensive line out there because of injuries and players trying somewhat new positions.
After losing Harris and Jacobs, it's time for Najee Harris and Brian Robinson to be the next duo of RBs to tote the load. We know what Najee can do, but Robinson doesn't have a ton of experience, but I expect him to do well.
Coach Saban understandably complained about the drops by what one could argue is the best receiving corps in the nation. I expect them to clean that up, and the true freshman Metchie had a heck of a game. Also, when the second-leading receiver from last year (Waddle) is on the second-team offense, you know you have talent.
Both sides of the ball were very vanilla, which directly relates to Saban's acerbic comment after the game: “We had the simplest offense and the simplest defense we could possibly have (in the A-Day Game), so that more players could play and the people that we play next year will not watch our game on ESPN and say, oh, let us do a game plan for all this stuff that they’re going to do.”
Showing posts with label A-Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A-Day. Show all posts
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Monday, April 24, 2017
Sunday Hangover: A-Day
Another A-Day in the books. And it was a competitive one.
The Crimson squad, first-team offense and second-team defense, won 27 to 24.
The main focus for many folks was the quarterback competition between Hurts and Tua. Both played really well. It was obvious Hurts had worked on his deep ball throws in the off season because he threw a number of long-pass strikes to Ridley and Foster.
The White team, on the other hand, had its own standout: Jerry Jeudy, the early enrollee freshman wide receiver. He amassed 134 yards on 5 catches and had two touchdowns. That kid is a difference maker.
With the top two running backs not in action because they're rehabbing, Najee Harris and Joshua Jacobs toted the rock. Both looked good.
As for the defenses, guys that stood out to me were Keith Holcombe, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Rashaan Evans, Raekwon Davis, Terrell Hall (he had a fabulous pick-6), and Mack Wilson.
With losing so much defensive talent to the NFL, it'll be interesting to see who steps up and becomes a leader. Same schemes and system in place, but the defense needs to gel.
As for offense, they didn't run it that much. I don't know if that's because of only having a few tailbacks available, or it was because there's a different offensive philosophy because of a new OC. What I enjoyed was a emphasis on a down-the-field passing attack. While I see the need for shorter passes, Alabama has talented wide receivers who can get down the field in a hurry. They might as well take advantage of that asset more often. At times during the game, I thought "Air Bama." However, since Saban took over in '07, the offensive game plan has always been "balance" between running and passing. I don't think that'll change.
Roll Tide.
The Crimson squad, first-team offense and second-team defense, won 27 to 24.
The main focus for many folks was the quarterback competition between Hurts and Tua. Both played really well. It was obvious Hurts had worked on his deep ball throws in the off season because he threw a number of long-pass strikes to Ridley and Foster.
The White team, on the other hand, had its own standout: Jerry Jeudy, the early enrollee freshman wide receiver. He amassed 134 yards on 5 catches and had two touchdowns. That kid is a difference maker.
With the top two running backs not in action because they're rehabbing, Najee Harris and Joshua Jacobs toted the rock. Both looked good.
As for the defenses, guys that stood out to me were Keith Holcombe, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Rashaan Evans, Raekwon Davis, Terrell Hall (he had a fabulous pick-6), and Mack Wilson.
With losing so much defensive talent to the NFL, it'll be interesting to see who steps up and becomes a leader. Same schemes and system in place, but the defense needs to gel.
As for offense, they didn't run it that much. I don't know if that's because of only having a few tailbacks available, or it was because there's a different offensive philosophy because of a new OC. What I enjoyed was a emphasis on a down-the-field passing attack. While I see the need for shorter passes, Alabama has talented wide receivers who can get down the field in a hurry. They might as well take advantage of that asset more often. At times during the game, I thought "Air Bama." However, since Saban took over in '07, the offensive game plan has always been "balance" between running and passing. I don't think that'll change.
Roll Tide.
Monday, April 18, 2016
[Belated] Sunday Hangover: A-Day Game
The defenses dominated this season's spring game at Bryant-Denny.
I feel bad for the poor guy who had to try to block Tim Williams. He and Rashaan Evans, who had 17 tackles, took over the game. Quarterbacks rarely had time to throw passes, so it was difficult finding out who won the quarterback battle. The four players vying for the job will take the competition into fall practice as has been usual the past few seasons.
The quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is expected to redshirt, this season arguably had the best day of the four quarterbacks. He's a dual-threat qb who has quite a bit of quickness.
The first-team offense was able to do very little against the first-team defense. In contrast, Damien Harris, who worked at running back for the second-team offense, had a very good day. Scarbrough has generated a lot of attention because of his similarities to Henry, but Harris reminded me of a cross between Kenneth Darby and Mark Ingram.
From my perspective, I'm feeling good about the defense. The offense has an outstanding receiving corps at wide receiver and tight end, but the quarterbacks had little time to get them the ball. The work in the off-season will determine who starts on the o-line and at quarterback.
I feel bad for the poor guy who had to try to block Tim Williams. He and Rashaan Evans, who had 17 tackles, took over the game. Quarterbacks rarely had time to throw passes, so it was difficult finding out who won the quarterback battle. The four players vying for the job will take the competition into fall practice as has been usual the past few seasons.
The quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is expected to redshirt, this season arguably had the best day of the four quarterbacks. He's a dual-threat qb who has quite a bit of quickness.
The first-team offense was able to do very little against the first-team defense. In contrast, Damien Harris, who worked at running back for the second-team offense, had a very good day. Scarbrough has generated a lot of attention because of his similarities to Henry, but Harris reminded me of a cross between Kenneth Darby and Mark Ingram.
From my perspective, I'm feeling good about the defense. The offense has an outstanding receiving corps at wide receiver and tight end, but the quarterbacks had little time to get them the ball. The work in the off-season will determine who starts on the o-line and at quarterback.
Monday, April 20, 2015
[Belated] Sunday Hangover: A-Day Game
Another A-Day game came and went.
This was an interesting one because with notable starters out (Cyrus Jones) or in non-contact jerseys (Kenyan Drake), a number of younger players had opportunities to show why they were so highly regarded by recruiting services.
Once again the big question was who was going to win the starting quarterback spot. Web-based rumblings prior to the game noted that redshirt freshman David Cornwell had been working with the first team during spring practices. However, he was the starter on the Crimson team that showcased the second-team offensive line and other assorted backups.
Jacob Coker had a much better day than Cornwell, but he had the luxury of piloting the first-team offense. Even though Coker had a very good day sans a stupid interception, Cornwell is still very much in the mix.
After losing Cooper to the draft, White and Jones to graduation, and Cam Sims to an injury, wide receivers who had been riding the pine needed to step up. And they did. Robert Foster (six catches for 125 yards) and ArDarius Stewart (eight catches, 118 yards, two touchdowns) were co-mvps of the game.
While O.J. Howard didn't have a catch, after the game Coach Saban mentioned that he had a really good spring. In other TE matters, Ty Flournoy-Smith (five catches) and Dakota Ball (three catches) had good days.
Henry had a decent day running the ball, but Drake was visibly frustrated because he was in a non-contact jersey and easy to "tackle." With Tyren Jones kicked off the team, it's a mystery as to who will be the third-string running back.
With Eddie Jackson currently working at one of the safeties (and he got burned a couple of times), Bradley Sylve and Tony Brown started at the cornerback spots, and Marlon Humphrey had a really good day. There is a ton of pressure on the play of the secondary this year because of the final two games last season. For the most part, Cyrus Jones usually shut down his side of the field last season, but Jackson had a rough go in a number of games.
Reuben Foster had some pleasantly violent hits on Saturday. Reggie Ragland was solid as usual. And Keith Holcombe did well at LB too.
In all, from this fan's perspective, I think we have answers at the wide receiver position, and I think our offensive line will be decent. Our front seven on defense will be one of the best in the country this year. The question marks are with two areas: quarterback (Coker or Cornwell?) and the defensive backfield.
This was an interesting one because with notable starters out (Cyrus Jones) or in non-contact jerseys (Kenyan Drake), a number of younger players had opportunities to show why they were so highly regarded by recruiting services.
Once again the big question was who was going to win the starting quarterback spot. Web-based rumblings prior to the game noted that redshirt freshman David Cornwell had been working with the first team during spring practices. However, he was the starter on the Crimson team that showcased the second-team offensive line and other assorted backups.
Jacob Coker had a much better day than Cornwell, but he had the luxury of piloting the first-team offense. Even though Coker had a very good day sans a stupid interception, Cornwell is still very much in the mix.
After losing Cooper to the draft, White and Jones to graduation, and Cam Sims to an injury, wide receivers who had been riding the pine needed to step up. And they did. Robert Foster (six catches for 125 yards) and ArDarius Stewart (eight catches, 118 yards, two touchdowns) were co-mvps of the game.
While O.J. Howard didn't have a catch, after the game Coach Saban mentioned that he had a really good spring. In other TE matters, Ty Flournoy-Smith (five catches) and Dakota Ball (three catches) had good days.
Henry had a decent day running the ball, but Drake was visibly frustrated because he was in a non-contact jersey and easy to "tackle." With Tyren Jones kicked off the team, it's a mystery as to who will be the third-string running back.
With Eddie Jackson currently working at one of the safeties (and he got burned a couple of times), Bradley Sylve and Tony Brown started at the cornerback spots, and Marlon Humphrey had a really good day. There is a ton of pressure on the play of the secondary this year because of the final two games last season. For the most part, Cyrus Jones usually shut down his side of the field last season, but Jackson had a rough go in a number of games.
Reuben Foster had some pleasantly violent hits on Saturday. Reggie Ragland was solid as usual. And Keith Holcombe did well at LB too.
In all, from this fan's perspective, I think we have answers at the wide receiver position, and I think our offensive line will be decent. Our front seven on defense will be one of the best in the country this year. The question marks are with two areas: quarterback (Coker or Cornwell?) and the defensive backfield.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Sunday Hangover: A-Day Game
The A-Day Game was televised on ESPN2 Saturday.
If you were looking for good play from safeties, you had to be happy with the spectacle yesterday. Six interceptions from Clinton-Dix, Sunseri, Collins, and Perry. From my amateur perspective, cornerback Belue had a good game, and linebacker Mosley was in the middle of the action most of the time.
But strong play from the defense, namely the DBs, means the play of the quarterbacks was suspect, which it was. Returning starter and field general of two straight national championships, A. J. McCarron had a so-so day. I wish the network wouldn't have cut off the broadcast early ~ for some reason they thought the showing of drag racing was more important ~ because viewers missed the last part of the fourth quarter when starters were still playing.
On the offensive side of the ball though, sophomore running back T. J. Yeldon was the star of the day, amassing 129 all-purpose yards and scoring the game-winning touchdown that I missed because of flippin' drag racing.
One of battles to watch has been who will be the second-string quarterback. Based on practice reports, returning second-team QB Blake Sims has had a good spring. However, he didn't have a good A-Day. Alec Morris had a decent day, and even Coach Saban made this luke-warm comment: "Alec probably played as well as any of [the back-up quarterbacks]."
As for the running backs behind Yeldon, with uber-talented Derrick Henry sidelined with a broken fibula, the men who got featured yesterday were Kenyan Drake and Dee Hart. And I don't remember seeing Jalston "The Beast" Fowler play. He's recovering from a knee injury from last season. Both Drake and Hart were okay Saturday.
The receiving corps looked outstanding. Cooper didn't have a lot of balls thrown his way, but both DeAndrew White and Kenny Bell, two guys coming back from injuries, had solid games. True freshman Raheem Falkins was impressive. The tall, rangy fellow from New Orleans looked good.
I'm excited about the potential of another true freshman, O. J. Howard. He's a tall, pass-catching tight end, who could create all kinds of match-up problems when defensive backs are having to worry about Cooper, Jones, Bell, White, Norwood, Black, Falkins, et al. He played in an offense in high school that never had him play with his hand down, so he's going to have to learn how to block, but he has serious potential.
The biggest questions for this team is replacing three starters on the offensive line. From what I saw, it looked like Arie Kouandjio started on the first o-line at left guard right beside his brother Cyrus, who plays left tackle. At least I saw them playing together from time to time, but that position still sounds like it's competitive. The other two positions to get worked out are Center and Right Tackle. I'm pretty sure Ryan Kelly will start at Center, but we'll see who nails down the right tackle job.
If you were looking for good play from safeties, you had to be happy with the spectacle yesterday. Six interceptions from Clinton-Dix, Sunseri, Collins, and Perry. From my amateur perspective, cornerback Belue had a good game, and linebacker Mosley was in the middle of the action most of the time.
But strong play from the defense, namely the DBs, means the play of the quarterbacks was suspect, which it was. Returning starter and field general of two straight national championships, A. J. McCarron had a so-so day. I wish the network wouldn't have cut off the broadcast early ~ for some reason they thought the showing of drag racing was more important ~ because viewers missed the last part of the fourth quarter when starters were still playing.
On the offensive side of the ball though, sophomore running back T. J. Yeldon was the star of the day, amassing 129 all-purpose yards and scoring the game-winning touchdown that I missed because of flippin' drag racing.
One of battles to watch has been who will be the second-string quarterback. Based on practice reports, returning second-team QB Blake Sims has had a good spring. However, he didn't have a good A-Day. Alec Morris had a decent day, and even Coach Saban made this luke-warm comment: "Alec probably played as well as any of [the back-up quarterbacks]."
As for the running backs behind Yeldon, with uber-talented Derrick Henry sidelined with a broken fibula, the men who got featured yesterday were Kenyan Drake and Dee Hart. And I don't remember seeing Jalston "The Beast" Fowler play. He's recovering from a knee injury from last season. Both Drake and Hart were okay Saturday.
The receiving corps looked outstanding. Cooper didn't have a lot of balls thrown his way, but both DeAndrew White and Kenny Bell, two guys coming back from injuries, had solid games. True freshman Raheem Falkins was impressive. The tall, rangy fellow from New Orleans looked good.
I'm excited about the potential of another true freshman, O. J. Howard. He's a tall, pass-catching tight end, who could create all kinds of match-up problems when defensive backs are having to worry about Cooper, Jones, Bell, White, Norwood, Black, Falkins, et al. He played in an offense in high school that never had him play with his hand down, so he's going to have to learn how to block, but he has serious potential.
The biggest questions for this team is replacing three starters on the offensive line. From what I saw, it looked like Arie Kouandjio started on the first o-line at left guard right beside his brother Cyrus, who plays left tackle. At least I saw them playing together from time to time, but that position still sounds like it's competitive. The other two positions to get worked out are Center and Right Tackle. I'm pretty sure Ryan Kelly will start at Center, but we'll see who nails down the right tackle job.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sunday Hangover: A-Day & GymTide
What the hell, right?
What I am thinking--writing a Sunday Hangover feature about Alabama's spring game.
Although you might look at this post with scorn using a grimace similar to Coach Saban's above, here it is. When you're as addicted to Crimson Tide football as I am, this isn't "beyond the pale" or "jumping the shark." It's business as usual.
Three cliches in two sentences--I'm not starting strong in this post.
Damn it, another one.
Okay, okay, I'll get to the game.
Bryant-Denny was a packed crowd as usual--over 90K in the stadium for a free football game and lots of fun to be had afterward I can imagine.
The major battle in spring ball has been at quarterback, with AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims the main combatants even though Blake Sims could provide an interesting wrinkle for defenses in "wildcat" formations.
Of the two QBs, neither emerged as the clear number one signal-caller after A-Day. From this amateur's eyes, McCarron seems to have a better touch passing on the intermediate and longer routes, and P. Sims (below) seems better in the pocket and might possess the stronger arm.
Later in the game, Sims directed the White team down the field pretty well. I see why recruiting services ranked him the number one quarterback in the 2010 class.
Trent Richardson, as you should expect, will be a force this season. Eddie Lacy played well, and the true freshman Dee Hart also looked good at tailback. He's a smaller version of Richardson, but he could be faster.
On defense, the secondary looked stronger. And it has to be because that was the Tide's main weakness last season. Unless Penn State suddenly gets pass-happy, its first major test will be when Arkansas comes to T-Town on September 24.
Dont'a Hightower, the senior linebacker, didn't look as sluggish as he was last season when it was his first season after knee surgery. He seems to have his speed back. The linebacking corps could be quite salty with Hightower, Upshaw, Johnson, and Mosley and Jordan, DePriest, Harris, and Stinson providing depth. This Adrian Hubbard guy could turn out to be a good DE too.
As always, I look forward to fall.
And congrats to the Alabama gymnastics team who won their fifth national championship on Saturday. The last time they won it all (2002) Mrs. Nasty and I were in attendance at Coleman Coliseum.
Roll Tide, ladies.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday Hangover: A-Day Game
While most A-Day games (final spring scrimmage for Alabama) don't provide a lot of exciting news, here are my so-called thoughts on some of the highlights/lowlights of interest from Saturday.
With the loss of two very good TEs who were seniors, it was nice to see Colin Peek and Preston Dial step up and catch quite a few passes during the game. Dial, in particular, tied with Marquis Maze as leading receiver. Besides Julio Jones, Maze was the receiver that stood out. He had a couple of reverses that were outstanding. And he's supposedly the fastest guy on the team, so I expect him to the get the ball in his hands more often this season. The dude's short though. Unfortunately, he didn't catch a few balls thrown his way that drew the ire of Coach Saban and groans from me.
McElroy, for the most part, looked good, but in regard to those after him on the depth chart I wasn't impressed. The heralded recruit, Star Jackson, made poor decisions. And Thomas Darrah, presumably number 3 on the depth chart at QB as a walk-on, didn't do much early on, but got better as the game wore on. But if McElroy gets hurt sometime this year, that's scary. A freshman QB is coming in this fall, but he needs a year in the weight room and training table.
The rushing offense didn't look good at all. With both Upchurch and Ingram out of action for the sake of precaution, it's hard to tell if the offensive line and running offense stunk or the rush defense is just that good. I'd have to lean toward the latter.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Just When You Thought
Just when you thought this writer would take a break from commenting on Alabama football, I get pulled back in.
Alabama's A-Day game is this Saturday, and this annual event will be televised by ESPN from 2-4 pm.
While the focus will be on the quarterback position and the yet to be rebuilt offensive line, I expect the defense to dominate.
The past few A-Day games have had huge attendance figures, with the past two being filled to capacity (93K+ fans).
I went to a couple of these while I lived in T-Town. For one, it's a free football game. And two, you get to see hints of what's in store next season.
So dear readers, expect a "Sunday Hangover" post.
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