Alabama: Fall Practice Reports

[Coach D]

I agree; when I saw that clip I thought "THIS is Alabama Football". Thanks to JJ for giving back; after 12 years in the NFL he does not need an "analyst" job. I bet Freddie Roach brought him in?

He was brought in to help Roach. The coaching on the d line was lacking.

 

[mlh]

My understanding is they are NOT that close in ability. While Mack is a solid QB, as we witnessed in some spot play last year, Russell is, IIRC, our highest 5 star recruit in history.

The only thing keeping it close is Mack's familiarity with the offensive system he's been studying since his 1st year with CKD at Washington.

Concerning #1, it's about the TD/INT ratio. Every great QB will turn it over, but how many TDs they give you is the bigger stat. I get the sense this is who Russell is. Because of his inexperience compared to Mack, he'll probably turn it over occasionally, but his potential for big plays is also off the charts!

BTW, I don't mean to sound as if Mack can't be a solid QB. I think he can. I'm just so much in awe of Russell's star potential to be the next great Alabama QB!!!

I was referring to their ability to run the offense, not their physical ability, which are two very different things.

Otherwise, I agree with your points exactly.

 

[Tidewater]

I understand the logic and promise I'm not trying to stump the teacher. And I'm certainly no Milroe apologist. But I truly don't understand how Milroe was responsible for so many low snaps. Low to the point of rolling back.

There's no doubt McLaughlin's year in Columbus was far more successful than his time in Tuscaloosa. But I'd love to know what, specifically, was different for Seth at tOSU. If the answer is no Milroe, what specifically was Milroe was doing to disrupt Seth?

For me, the shotgun snap has to be in a certain box. for any mishaps to be the QBs fault. A snap that rolls back to the QB about four feet off centerline is clearly the center's fault. If a snap hits the QB in the hands, but the QB was looking elsewhere and he drops the snap, that is on the QB.
I recall a bunch of the former by Seth McLaughlin, but zero (that I saw, anyway) at tOSU.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

For me, the shotgun snap has to be in a certain box. for any mishaps to be the QBs fault. A snap that rolls back to the QB about four feet off centerline is clearly the center's fault. If a snap hits the QB in the hands, but the QB was looking elsewhere and he drops the snap, that is on the QB.
I recall a bunch of the former by Seth McLaughlin, but zero (that I saw, anyway) at tOSU.

Seth didn’t have to pull double duty at tOSU being the Center and having to call pre-snap protections and adjustments.

Will Howard had those things covered and that allowed Seth to focus only on being a Center.

I think Seth had way too much on his plate for us and it got in his head a bit on the snaps that hit the ground.

Some have said that #4’s Cadences and when he signaled for shotgun snaps kept throwing Seth off too.

That may have caused anxiety over double clutching the snap too.

But Seth had no issues with bad snaps at tOSU or in the NFL so far and #4 continues to put the ball on the ground in practice for the Seahawks.

 

[BAMARICH]

Good point. And I think you're right....money will figure in. Which you'd have to think would augur for Russell.

Also the old-school thought that, if two players are equal, you play the younger one because he has more time to develop. Not always true with today's portal and NFL draft process, but I do think there's still something to it.

Saban's philosophy was to play the older guy... loyalty to the program and paying one's dues. But then again, he didn't have to worry about the younger guy transferring out on him.

 

[BAMARICH]

Nothing against Austin Mack, like many have said, we can win with either one, but if Mack has been in this system for four years and took say 25% first team reps last season, and Grubb says it's even right now, I believe that means Keelon is the guy,just my opinion

One has to believe that if Russell has caught up to Mack in less than half the time in CKD's offense, he will eventually surpass him. Absolutely nothing against Mack - I'm partial to him because he's been so loyal in a time when players often aren't. However, the ceiling of Russell surpasses that of Mack and that simply can't be ignored.

 

[BamaHoopsBoi]

One has to believe that if Russell has caught up to Mack in less than half the time in CKD's offense, he will eventually surpass him. Absolutely nothing against Mack - I'm partial to him because he's been so loyal in a time when players often aren't. However, the ceiling of Russell surpasses that of Mack and that simply can't be ignored.

Even if Ty Simpson had been in Mack's shoes now, IMO Russell would have surpassed him too. If that means anything.

 

[JDCrimson]

If Im CKD, Im managing this QB battle sort of like the Jalen-Tua dynamic. I view Mack as Jalen in terms of talent ability to absorb contact over the course of the season but with some limited upside. Keelon being in the Tua mold with elite upside.

I would lead with Mack and feature Keelon in most games with a view toward the end of the season. If Mack offers better ball security, then we need to lead with him so we dont take ourselves out of the season during a brutal opening 8 game schedule.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Practice number 6 in the books:

Practice Report from Alabama's Sixth Fall Camp Practice

Notes, observations and footage from the Crimson Tide's Tuesday practice in the second week of fall camp.

www.si.com

 

[CoolBreeze]

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

This has got to be the least closely I have ever followed football. And i mean the NFL too. Not sure what my deal is but I'm sure my interest will turn a corner once real games are starting.

Really hope Russell is the guy, I'm not sure Mack has the upside needed to take us as far as I would like to go. I'm not sure we have the talent around the QB for the starting QB to just be a solid QB.

 

[BamaMoon]

This has got to be the least closely I have ever followed football. And i mean the NFL too. Not sure what my deal is but I'm sure my interest will turn a corner once real games are starting.

Really hope Russell is the guy, I'm not sure Mack has the upside needed to take us as far as I would like to go. I'm not sure we have the talent around the QB for the starting QB to just be a solid QB.

Looked like Mack missed high and time or two in those passing skels. I promised I'm not rooting against him, but Russell just throws lasers!

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Looked like Mack missed high and time or two in those passing skels. I promised I'm not rooting against him, but Russell just throws lasers!

you can also tell there is a different ceiling based on how players/coaches talk about them IMO. I am fine with either starting, I'm sure the coaches will pick the one who helps us win today, but I hope Russell proves to be that guy because I think we can go further with him.

 

[gtgilbert]

On the QB race, I don't know how much Mack being with CKD for 4 years now really matters.

Coach has heard the rumblings and knows he'd better have an improved season this year to restore more confidence in his coaching abilities in the SEC, and more importantly, at Bama.

Do we really think he'll play the loyalty card if he knows Russell has more potential to explode on the scene this year??? I'm going with the majority here that believes Russell is the guy with the most high-end potential, though being less experienced in the program.

If I'm CKD, it's not the time to "play it safe," so I'd go with the higher-ceiling potential of Russell and, then, if he doesn't work, you have the steady-handed Mack to step in and take over.

I think that in addition to the high ceiling, you also have to look at how low the floor might be and that's more than just the turnovers.

I'll start by saying I don't know where either QB is on this aspect, so am not making a statement about either, but in very broad general terms, the floor could also be, above and beyond the TD/INT ratio, do they get us to the line on time, can they make the calls at the line to get us to the right play, will they make the right reads, will they know when to just eat a play instead of trying to rescue it to often, and even where/when it's 'more ok' to have a turnover versus when to absolutely protect the ball.

 

[CoolBreeze]

This has got to be the least closely I have ever followed football. And i mean the NFL too. Not sure what my deal is but I'm sure my interest will turn a corner once real games are starting.

Really hope Russell is the guy, I'm not sure Mack has the upside needed to take us as far as I would like to go. I'm not sure we have the talent around the QB for the starting QB to just be a solid QB.

It is not just you. Seems to me board traffic is way down this season.

 

[Joefus]

Oh boy do I like Jarrett Johnson. One of my favs as a teenager. Him Rudd (few years earlier) were some of my fav lineman

 

[Joefus]

AK Dear has apparently been 1st in line in RB Drills for a few days.

He scored a TD on a wheel route yesterday.

That’s potentially exciting.

He and Crowell may be the closest analogues we have to a Drake/Gibbs type of RB’s wrt being HR threats.

I wonder if it’ll stick. Grubb was pretty effusive about hill last week. Our coaches must go to school for coach speak. Can’t make heads or tails outta anything they say

 

[Joefus]

My understanding is they are NOT that close in ability. While Mack is a solid QB, as we witnessed in some spot play last year, Russell is, IIRC, our highest 5 star recruit in history.

The only thing keeping it close is Mack's familiarity with the offensive system he's been studying since his 1st year with CKD at Washington.

Concerning #1, it's about the TD/INT ratio. Every great QB will turn it over, but how many TDs they give you is the bigger stat. I get the sense this is who Russell is. Because of his inexperience compared to Mack, he'll probably turn it over occasionally, but his potential for big plays is also off the charts!

BTW, I don't mean to sound as if Mack can't be a solid QB. I think he can. I'm just so much in awe of Russell's star potential to be the next great Alabama QB!!!

I’ll be excited if we can just make it through a few games without a sack fumble

 

[Joefus]

He was brought in to help Roach. The coaching on the d line was lacking.

I’ve been wondering if him and Gillespie would make it to the 27 season

 

[CoolBreeze]

Oh boy do I like Jarrett Johnson. One of my favs as a teenager. Him Rudd (few years earlier) were some of my fav lineman

Heck yea, add Wallace Gillberry and we'd really be cookin!