Fall Camp Catchall (practices, scrimmages, injuries)

[Bama Lee]

How many drops actually occurred? Some complained about drops by the WR at the end of last season. I went back and checked the Georgia game I think. Not many drops by the WRs at all. Most was the TE and RBs.

A Hall had 4 drops in that game

 

[Ledsteplin]

A Hall had 4 drops in that game

Drops or incompletions?

 

[CajunCrimson]

Drops or incompletions?

Didn’t Ozzie say that “if I can touch it I can catch it”? Or something similar?

 

[colbysullivan]

Not loving what I’m hearing about Ricks. He was supposed to come in and be a starter right away. For him to still be “learning the defense” in fall camp is not a great sign.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Not loving what I’m hearing about Ricks. He was supposed to come in and be a starter right away. For him to still be “learning the defense” in fall camp is not a great sign.

Agreed.

There was also some commentary from someone (can’t remember who), mentioning a struggle to understand the role of the position in the overall defense. Then went on to say that too much gunning for big plays leaves you vulnerable to giving them up the other way.

That reminded me that he had a bunch of interceptions in his freshman year at LSU. I wonder if he was free-lancing too much there as well, and just didn’t pay the price.

Shocking I know that a player on Orgeron’s defense would lack positional discipline, but I’m now wondering a few things: (1) Will Ricks’ development take more time than we thought? (2) If so, did we miss that in the course of recruiting him out of the portal? Or (3) did we see it, but decided his physical talent was worth the investment in mental training?

Regardless, it does seem that Ricks isn’t yet quite dependable enough to get a ton of playing time against a quality non-conference or SEC opponent.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

I’m not gonna start feeling great about our receiving corps until I see them do something. It’s been a couple yrs now since anyone we brought in as a non transfer has been close to an impact player.

I wish I could disagree. Metchie is the last one I can think of. Maybe Brooks on the basis of the barn game, but that’s just one game.

 

[Ledsteplin]

A Hall had 4 drops in that game

I think you're right. I was thinking about the A-Day game, rather than Georgia. The WRs looked good in A-Day. Leary dropped one, but otherwise played well. Jo Jo dropped 3. That was all the drops by WRs.

 

[Tideflyer]

Agreed.

There was also some commentary from someone (can’t remember who), mentioning a struggle to understand the role of the position in the overall defense. Then went on to say that too much gunning for big plays leaves you vulnerable to giving them up the other way.

That reminded me that he had a bunch of interceptions in his freshman year at LSU. I wonder if he was free-lancing too much there as well, and just didn’t pay the price.

Shocking I know that a player on Orgeron’s defense would lack positional discipline, but I’m now wondering a few things: (1) Will Ricks’ development take more time than we thought? (2) If so, did we miss that in the course of recruiting him out of the portal? Or (3) did we see it, but decided his physical talent was worth the investment in mental training?

Regardless, it does seem that Ricks isn’t yet quite dependable enough to get a ton of playing time against a quality non-conference or SEC opponent.

Probably just as much a commentary on the nature of CNS`s schemes and associated assignments as compared to the one he played in at LSU. That one was indeed perhaps " freelance" compared to what he`s in now. He obviously has physical ability.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

I think you're right. I was thinking about the A-Day game, rather than Georgia. The WRs looked good in A-Day. Leary dropped one, but otherwise played well. Jo Jo dropped 3. That was all the drops by WRs.

Three drops by a guy you're counting on as a starter, or at least a material contributor, strikes me as a lot. Moot point, though, until he returns from the broken foot.

 

[CajunCrimson]

One thing to keep in mind regarding the cornerbacks….. last year Georgia’s pass rush covered up issues at corner. We have time to let those guys get their chemistry. Our front seven, and our safeties are top notch. If we can get an effective pass rush with the front 5-6, That will free up the safeties to protect the corners

 

[CB4]

Agreed.

There was also some commentary from someone (can’t remember who), mentioning a struggle to understand the role of the position in the overall defense. Then went on to say that too much gunning for big plays leaves you vulnerable to giving them up the other way.

That reminded me that he had a bunch of interceptions in his freshman year at LSU. I wonder if he was free-lancing too much there as well, and just didn’t pay the price.

Shocking I know that a player on Orgeron’s defense would lack positional discipline, but I’m now wondering a few things: (1) Will Ricks’ development take more time than we thought? (2) If so, did we miss that in the course of recruiting him out of the portal? Or (3) did we see it, but decided his physical talent was worth the investment in mental training?

Regardless, it does seem that Ricks isn’t yet quite dependable enough to get a ton of playing time against a quality non-conference or SEC opponent.

I think it was even brought up back in the spring that he was having issues learning the various coverages and assignments. And yes I do believe Eli was “hamstrung” playing under Ogre. And we know CNS expects his DB’s to be able to read and make the right decision.

Not trying to “hammer” Eli. But there will be times that his talent and abilities can’t overcome putting himself in a bad spot coverage wise. But CNS frequently says “it isn’t about “doing it right”. It is about doing it enough “the right way” so that you don’t get it wrong.

I kinda think that is where Eli is. He can do it “right”. I just don’t think he has done it right enough that CNS trusts, when the pressure is on, he won’t get it wrong.

 

[Tideflyer]

My brother-in-law was a ranked collegiate tennis player. He said when you get to " elite " levels it`s not usually physical attributes that separates competitors, it`s what goes on ( or doesn`t ) between the ears.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

All off one scrimmage? I bet we'll see significant improvements in next scrimmage from wrs

 

[Tideflyer]

All off one scrimmage? I bet we'll see significant improvements in next scrimmage from wrs

Think it was Spurrier who had a drill where the football was painted two colors. The WRs had to call out the color on top when they caught the ball. You can`t do that unless you watch the ball into your hands,

 

[4Q Basket Case]

All off one scrimmage? I bet we'll see significant improvements in next scrimmage from wrs

I sincerely hope you're right about improvement.

To me, the issue isn't so much the drops in the one scrimmage....that can happen. It was more the fact that the drops are a continuation of a problem that's been an issue since at least December of 2021.

 

[TiderJack]

Oatis is becoming a really interesting story. Way overweight this time last year, but has worked hard and lost 50 - 70 pounds, while apparently maintaining strength.

The question will be how long he can sustain — as in, can he be a 3-down player, or will he be limited to mainly passing downs? It’ll be fun finding out.

Great to hear about Oatis and how he has worked so hard in the short time he has been on campus. We are going to be deep at DT with Burroughs, Dale, Smith and Oatis.

 

[bamaga]

Great to hear about Holden and BY!

I always thought of Holden as a Metchie type receiver. Hopefully he will fill that void and get the bail outs and the dirty yards JM was so good at.

 

[bamaga]

Some quick notes from The Athletic (behind paywall) on the scrimmage

- WRs had drops, specifically Brooks had a few
- starting 3 wrs were Brooks, Burton and Holden
- when going 5 wide Leary and Prentice came in
- Tyler Harell is still learning the playbook. Got open deep once but Milroe missed him
- also heard positive things about Shazz Preston

- starting OL from left to right was Steen, Randolph, Dalcourt, Ekiyor, Latham
- 2nd team OL was Knight, Cohen, McLaughlin, Booker, George

-Gibbs is the real deal and is "even better than we thought"

- Jahim Oatis is getting some first team reps. One source said "we can't move Oatis" meaning even double teams aren't pushing him back
-Burroughs is looking good

- Moody has inside track to start with To'oTo'o

-Barswell is considered elite along with Turner and Anderson
- Keanu Koht is making plays and making some noise even with the 3 edge guys in front of him

- Ricks and Arnold got time at 1st team CB across from Kool Aid. Sounds like Ricks still isn't comfortable in the defense which is definitely a flag. But Arnold has played well

here is the write up from The Athletic . It is not behind a paywall if anyone is still interseted

. Bama scrimmage notes

 

[bamaga]

Proud of Kendall Randolph , he seems to have found a home at Left Guard. Also, I thought we would have heard from one of the Brockermeyers on the two deep. Dalcourt running with the ones at center was a little surprising after McGlaughlin seemed to stabilize the unit when he came in last year. I believe Dalcourt is the more talented player though.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

here is the write up from The Athletic . It is not behind a paywall if anyone is still interseted

. Bama scrimmage notes

My bad, i just assumed it would be since i subscribe