Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Alabama Analysis: Expect more from UA's offensive line

While fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide shouldn't expect the 2014 offensive front to be as stout as the 2012 line, one of the greatest in 'Bama history, the 2014 line should be better than what UA fans winessed last season.

During the 2013 campaign, the offensive front was a question mark most all season, especially during the first month. Most Tide fans can still remember the uneasiness which seemed to permeate the season-opener against Virginia Tech.

While the Crimson Tide did lose Cyrus Kouandjio and Anthony Steen from the 2013 squad, two impact starters, Alabama should be more secure and solid this season as a whole.


Prominent players

Leon Brown
Dominick Jackson (JUCO)
Ryan Kelly (Returning Starter)
Arie Kouandjio (Returning Starter)
Cameron Robinson (True Freshman)
Austin Shepherd (Returning Starter)
Alphonse Taylor

Emerging talent

Bradley Bozeman
Joshua Casher (True Freshman)
Brandon Greene
J.C. Hassenauer (True Freshman)
Grant Hill
Isaac Luatua
Ross Pierschbacher (True Freshman)

Departures from 2013

Cyrus Kouandjio
Anthony Steen
Kellen Williams

For 2014, the Crimson Tide will return three starters, add a prominent junior college transfer, and welcome arguably the top offensive lineman in the nation in the person of five-star stud Cameron Robinson. The talent is on the table, now the chemistry needs to cook on the front burner.

In respect to the aforementioned Robinson, by virtually all accounts, the true freshman will be the starter at left tackle. The kid is a mountain on two legs, and has garnered nothing but high praise from the 'Bama coaching staff since his arrival in January.


Leon Brown, Dominick Jackson, and Alphonse Taylor will likely battle to decide who completes the Crimson Tide front line. Due to a foot ailment, Brown missed the first week of preseason camp, and Jackson, during Alabama's initial scrimmage of camp, suffered an ankle injury. As of now, simply due to the obvious factors, Taylor is the current favorite to start against West Virginia. However, quite obviously, this is subject to multiple changes.

Alabama's offensive line is talented, big, and strong. Tide fans should expect this group to gel much faster than the 2013 edition. Come October, barring injury, 'Bama should have one of the most productive offensive fronts in the SEC, and perhaps the nation.

Unit rating: 8.5/10

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Friday, August 8, 2014

Alabama concludes first week of preseason camp

With the initial week of preseason camp in the books, here are some news and notes from the week that was. In typical fashion, as is the case for most teams, the Crimson Tide has had some impressive performances as well as a series of bumps and bruises.

General observations

For the most part, things are essentially as predictable as they were during the course of spring camp, which is a positive, all things considered. Nothing has really stood out as a major problematic issue in terms of player development or drastic experimental position changes.

-Blake Sims and Jacob Coker, as expected, are in a battle for the top spot at the quarterback position. Thus far, by all accounts, both men have had a solid preseason camp.
-Nick Saban seems to be very high on the Alabama receiving unit, especially the younger guys. Saban, during media obligations, has mentioned the likes of Chris Black, Robert Foster, and ArDarius Stewart.
-In case you're not aware, offensive lineman Cameron Robinson is a mountain. An early enrollee, Robinson has continued to pick up where he left off in spring camp in terms of learning his position across the offensive front. All signs point to Robinson starting in the Tide's season opener.
-As of publication time, linebacker Tim Williams is the only suspended player who has yet to hit the practice field. Thursday marked the first practice session for nose guard Brandon Ivory and defensive tackle Jarran Reed, who were each suspended prior to the start of preseason camp.
-The Crimson Tide will have a closed scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Earlier this week, Nick Saban noted that Alabama's first scrimmage will be more of a situational outing rather than an exhibition.

-Linebacker Denzel Devall did not participate in individual drills during either practice session on Friday during the media viewing periods. While Devall was not wearing a black non-contact jersey, the reason he was not active remains a mystery. Nick Saban will likely address the situation following Saturday's scrimmage.
Injuries

-Linebacker Trey DePriest continues to wear a rather bulky brace on his left knee. While he's been active in drills, he'll likely be absent during 'Bama's initial scrimmage of preseason camp.
-Defensive end A'Shawn Robinson has missed the latter half of the week due to a sprained knee which has been reported as an MCL issue. While Nick Saban has said the injury will not require surgery, Robinson while likely miss the next several Tide practice sessions.
-Offensive lineman Leon Brown, who missed the first week of preseason camp due to a foot injury, will likely be on the shelf for a few more days. Nick Saban says Brown is getting better, but he's not ready for football activities at this time.
-Defensive lineman O.J. Smith, a February signee, will miss the 2014 season due to a shoulder ailment that will require surgery. Earlier this week, Nick Saban confirmed that Smith arrived at Alabama with a shoulder injury.
Coming soon

Next week will be dedicated to unit-by-unit position breakdowns. Stay tuned.

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Sunday, August 3, 2014

Weekend Wrap: Practice sessions, media obligations, Fan Day

While Saturday marked the first time that Alabama's 2014 squad came together as one unit on the practice field, Sunday featured a mixed bag of media obligations, a public practice, and the annual "Fan Day" autograph session.

Media time

Given the occasion of such a busy weekend for the Tide program, and out of respect for reader attention, I'll try not to go long-winded.

However, I will say that @BamaFootballTCE, the official Twitter account of The Crimson Elephant, was able to capture a plethora of quotes from Lane Kiffin, Kirby Smart, and Nick Saban courtesy of some of the best beat writers and diligent reporters in the state. Personally, I say thank you for providing a wealth of information.

Be sure to visit the Twitter account, linked above, and take a quick scroll through an assortment of news and notes.
The 2014 team photo...
Public practice

In respect to Alabama's Sunday practice session, the early morning blue sky didn't last long. The session, in which the Crimson Tide adorned helmets, pads, and shorts, was met with a brief rain shower.
Autograph City, USA

As you can expect, the race to get an autograph from Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin, Amari Cooper and "insert player here" was quite intense. Watching 'Bama fans race across the turf at Bryant-Denny Stadium has become something of legend...and pure comedy.
Picture of Alabama fans in line to meet Nick Saban...
Coming Soon: Unit-by-unit position breakdowns of the 2014 Crimson Tide.

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Friday, August 1, 2014

Preseason camp begins at Alabama (News and Notes)

The month of August has finally arrived and football season is in the air. In the case of the Alabama Crimson Tide, the smell of an early fall commenced around 9:30 a.m.

With the 'Bama veterans taking center stage, joined by a few select newcomers, here is what the morning had to offer.

-Quarterback Jacob Coker, arguably the most highly anticipated figure of Alabama's initial practice, was joined by Blake Sims and Cooper Bateman in the quarterback rotation. Based on video and photo galleries, Coker, at least physically, looks like a top-notch SEC gunslinger.
-The running back rotation consisted of T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake, and Jalston Fowler.

-In respect to a feel good story, defensive back Eddie Jackson is back. Jackson, a rising star who tore the ACL in his right knee during spring practice, was on the practice field this morning going through drills.
-Concerning newcomers, punter JK Scott and offensive lineman Dominick Jackson joined Jacob Coker. With the loss of Cody Mandell due to graduation, the starting job at punter is essentially Scott's to lose.

-Offensive lineman Leon Brown was not in attendance. Post practice reports have confirmed that Brown's absence was due to a foot injury.
-Wide receiver DeAndrew White, who missed spring practice due to his recovery from toe surgery, is back in the fold and looks to be healthy.

-In his post practice press conference, Nick Saban announced the indefinite suspension of nose guard Brandon Ivory, defensive lineman Jarran Reed, and linebacker Tim Williams.
-Wide receiver Chris Black is now adorning No. 1 rather than No. 5.

-Earlier this week it was noted that offensive lineman signee Montel McBride failed to meet enrollment standards. As of the present time, the same would appear to be true for five-star running back Bo Scarbrough. Per Nick Saban, Scarbrough is appealing his situation and Alabama hopes to have him on campus in January.
10 p.m. UPDATE: Click HERE for a recap of Alabama's evening practice dedicated to newcomers and younger roster players.

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