Alabama: Fall Practice Reports

[tusks_n_raider]

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

Riley was 1st today and Dear was 2nd…lol

 

[dtgreg]

anybody seen the clips of "defensive analyst" Jarrett Johnson working with the team? Pretty hands on for an "analyst"? I like it! Jarrett was a DAWG!

https://twitter.com/x/status/2086880554046120234

It's AWESOME!! He's a great guy, as well.

 

[dtgreg]

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 we'll need both this year. It's a 15 game season if we do what we want to do. I'm not concerned who starts.

 

[graydogg85]

I’m likely in the minority here, and I’ll eat crow if so, but I really think Mack starts, plays really well, starts the whole season, is one-and-done à la Ty Simpson, and Russell starts in 2027.

If Mack has a good season, he’ll be a first rounder. NFL scouts will salivate over his size and raw arm strength.

I’m not completely sold on the notion that Russell portals out if he doesn’t start this season. I’ve certainly been wrong before though.

 

[TiderJack]

I’m likely in the minority here, and I’ll eat crow if so, but I really think Mack starts, plays really well, starts the whole season, is one-and-done à la Ty Simpson, and Russell starts in 2027.

If Mack has a good season, he’ll be a first rounder. NFL scouts will salivate over his size and raw arm strength.

I’m not completely sold on the notion that Russell portals out if he doesn’t start this season. I’ve certainly been wrong before though.

I don't think you are stepping out on a limb. Both are very talented and whoever is our QB will be very talented. With that said and no inside info I think Russell wins the job but if he does not we are in a great position and hopefully Russell sticks around.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

I’m likely in the minority here, and I’ll eat crow if so, but I really think Mack starts, plays really well, starts the whole season, is one-and-done à la Ty Simpson, and Russell starts in 2027.

If Mack has a good season, he’ll be a first rounder. NFL scouts will salivate over his size and raw arm strength.

I’m not completely sold on the notion that Russell portals out if he doesn’t start this season. I’ve certainly been wrong before though.

I still lean Keelon to win, but I 100% agree that if Austin wins, this is likely what is going to happen. I also think if he's not good enough to go pro after the season, then Keelon probably ends up taking the job from him before the year is over anyways. It is all going to sort itself out. Honestly, Austin could probably sit on the bench his entire career and someone would take a late-round flier on him bc of his size. Brock Osweiler was of a very similar build, and not that good in college, yet was a decond-round pick, so if Austin starts and does well, he will almost certainly get first round consideration.

 

[graydogg85]

I still lean Keelon to win, but I 100% agree that if Austin wins, this is likely what is going to happen. I also think if he's not good enough to go pro after the season, then Keelon probably ends up taking the job from him before the year is over anyways. It is all going to sort itself out. Honestly, Austin could probably sit on the bench his entire career and someone would take a late-round flier on him bc of his size. Brock Osweiler was of a very similar build, and not that good in college, yet was a decond-round pick, so if Austin starts and does well, he will almost certainly get first round consideration.

Yep, agreed.

I mainly lean towards Mack because of his scheme familiarity. One of our WRs, can’t remember which one, referred to him as the human playbook. I think that (a) if our defense is as stout as expected, and (b) the run game really is revamped, Mack is the logical choice, assuming his scheme command and ball security are better than Russell.

It was really evident last season, but for the last 2-3 seasons in particular I think you’ve seen CFB offenses trend away from tempo passing spreads and back towards more of a ball-control style of football. Albeit, most teams are still operating primarily from gun / pistol formations and using a lot of spread concepts - but I think you’ve largely seen a move away from the “let’s run 90 plays a game, throw for 400 yards and score 55 points” style of offense that dominated the game for several years. I think our staff picked up on this and it was evident last season - even though we were disproportionately pass-heavy in yardage allocation, our offense could definitely still be described as “ball control” and it seems like we didn’t run nearly as much uptempo as we did in 2024. We had a lot of 12+ play scoring drives that chewed up clock. I’d expect even more of that this season - and if so, Mack makes more sense to me. That, and I thought Mack acquitted himself nicely in the Rose Bowl. Terrible situation, but he had some ace throws and really didn’t make any mistakes that I can remember.

Who knows though.

 

[squib]

It's AWESOME!! He's a great guy, as well.

I knew Jarret pretty well from my days back at the Capstone. He is a good ol’ country boy. I always liked him. I have some good stories about some of those guys from ‘95 through ‘00.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

Yep, agreed.

I mainly lean towards Mack because of his scheme familiarity. One of our WRs, can’t remember which one, referred to him as the human playbook. I think that (a) if our defense is as stout as expected, and (b) the run game really is revamped, Mack is the logical choice, assuming his scheme command and ball security are better than Russell.

It was really evident last season, but for the last 2-3 seasons in particular I think you’ve seen CFB offenses trend away from tempo passing spreads and back towards more of a ball-control style of football. Albeit, most teams are still operating primarily from gun / pistol formations and using a lot of spread concepts - but I think you’ve largely seen a move away from the “let’s run 90 plays a game, throw for 400 yards and score 55 points” style of offense that dominated the game for several years. I think our staff picked up on this and it was evident last season - even though we were disproportionately pass-heavy in yardage allocation, our offense could definitely still be described as “ball control” and it seems like we didn’t run nearly as much uptempo as we did in 2024. We had a lot of 12+ play scoring drives that chewed up clock. I’d expect even more of that this season - and if so, Mack makes more sense to me. That, and I thought Mack acquitted himself nicely in the Rose Bowl. Terrible situation, but he had some ace throws and really didn’t make any mistakes that I can remember.

Who knows though.

I didn't watch much of Washington until the national championship game where they were playing catch-up the whole game, but I wanna say they did the ball control thing at Washington too. I believe I heard Brooks Austin say that. They certainly had a vertical passing game, but I think they were draining the clock before every play then too. It's the reason why they had so many close games, which people tend to bash DeBoer for. But I remember a lot of those one score games last year and many of them were never really in doubt, despite the score. I think that's just something we're gonna have to get used to.

I think they did the up tempo in 2024 because of Milroe. I think they tried their best to build the offense around him, and he was never one that was gonna stand there and make adjustments for 15 seconds. That might be what Grubb means when he says he wants the guy to have the best command of the offense. So you might be onto something with Mack there. I'm almost certain he can be an outstanding field general. They handpicked Keelon, so I would assume he probably has those traits too. I think the thing we were missing last year was the ability to push the ball vertically down the field, and that probably kept the offense from being what it was at Washington, so if both QBs can be an effective field general, then we might be looking at who can do the best at pushing the ball vertically.

 

[arthurdawg]

I didn't watch much of Washington until the national championship game where they were playing catch-up the whole game, but I wanna say they did the ball control thing at Washington too. I believe I heard Brooks Austin say that. They certainly had a vertical passing game, but I think they were draining the clock before every play then too. It's the reason why they had so many close games, which people tend to bash DeBoer for. But I remember a lot of those one score games last year and many of them were never really in doubt, despite the score. I think that's just something we're gonna have to get used to.

I think they did the up tempo in 2024 because of Milroe. I think they tried their best to build the offense around him, and he was never one that was gonna stand there and make adjustments for 15 seconds. That might be what Grubb means when he says he wants the guy to have the best command of the offense. So you might be onto something with Mack there. I'm almost certain he can be an outstanding field general. They handpicked Keelon, so I would assume he probably has those traits too. I think the thing we were missing last year was the ability to push the ball vertically down the field, and that probably kept the offense from being what it was at Washington, so if both QBs can be an effective field general, then we might be looking at who can do the best at pushing the ball vertically.

Yeah... So... Maybe we could make those two score games?

 

[CaliforniaTide]

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.

And the younger ones that did transfer out b/c he didn't play them enough, didn't make CNS regret that decision.

 

[dtgreg]

And the younger ones that did transfer out b/c he didn't play them enough, didn't make CNS regret that decision.

Well, MOST of them didn't. I can think of one or two...

 

[graydogg85]

I didn't watch much of Washington until the national championship game where they were playing catch-up the whole game, but I wanna say they did the ball control thing at Washington too. I believe I heard Brooks Austin say that. They certainly had a vertical passing game, but I think they were draining the clock before every play then too. It's the reason why they had so many close games, which people tend to bash DeBoer for. But I remember a lot of those one score games last year and many of them were never really in doubt, despite the score. I think that's just something we're gonna have to get used to.

I think they did the up tempo in 2024 because of Milroe. I think they tried their best to build the offense around him, and he was never one that was gonna stand there and make adjustments for 15 seconds. That might be what Grubb means when he says he wants the guy to have the best command of the offense. So you might be onto something with Mack there. I'm almost certain he can be an outstanding field general. They handpicked Keelon, so I would assume he probably has those traits too. I think the thing we were missing last year was the ability to push the ball vertically down the field, and that probably kept the offense from being what it was at Washington, so if both QBs can be an effective field general, then we might be looking at who can do the best at pushing the ball vertically.

Agreed. It was striking to me in the Rose Bowl how much stronger Mack’s arm looked compared to Ty. Granted, Ty had been beat up the back half of the season and was no where near 100% - but I recall a sideline rope that Mack threw to Bernard in that game and thinking to myself at the time that Ty probably couldn’t have made that throw, at least not at that point in the season. I think Mack definitely has the cannon to push the ball down the field. Obviously Russell does as well.

 

[BamaInBham]

I take it that it could mean two things.

1. Austin Mack hasn't progressed and learned the offense like he should.
or
2. Keelon Russell is that good.

It’s definitely number 2. His throwing ability and instincts/judgement are both “off the charts”. The “judgement” applies not only to passing (when, where and how to throw it) but when to run or pass.

Mack is very bright (dad’s a pilot) and conscientious, as well as a good passer, with a great deep ball, which is very important to how DeBoer wants to attack defenses to lighten the box and deepen the safeties to help to run game and short and mid passing game. Alabama’s inability to throw deep last year contributed to the running game woes and the eventual overall collapse of the offense vs better D’s. Only a great coaching job, very good D, and Ty’s NFL like ability in the short and medium passing game enabled Bama to have the level of success they had last year. When you consider they could not run the ball at all or throw deep (2-15) at all. it is a miracle they won 11 games and scored 20+ in the reg season but for 17 vs FSU vs their schedule and the top ranked D’s they played. When they encountered a wiser UGA and a smart D like Indiana, they were almost hopeless on O. I don’t blame him for going for it late vs UGA or early vs Indiana.