Friday, August 8 Practices Updates

[RTR91]

The team has two practices today. Here's the morning practice update from al.com.

Freshman ILB Shaun Dion Hamilton was spotted working alongside junior Reggie Ragland during the first period of position drills and followed Ragland to work with the first-team nickel defense. Hamilton's been with the team since January and has been constantly praised for his smarts. In April, coach Nick Saban said Hamilton showed "promise." Nothing appeared to be wrong with Reuben Foster, who worked alongside Trey DePriest with the second nickel defense. Developing depth at this position is imperative, as it's arguably one of the least experienced groups on the team.

 

[Tideflyer]

Hmmm... Anybody think we`ve already identified our starting OL ?

 

[RTR91]

Hmmm... Anybody think we`ve already identified our starting OL ?

Very doubtful for a few reasons:

1. Leon hasn't played at all because of his rehab.
2. Dominick had to work his way through the pack and moved around through the positions the first few practices.
3. The bolded sentence:

The first group of offensive linemen (LT Cam Robinson, LG Arie Kouandjio, C Ryan Kelly, RG Alphonse Taylor and RT Austin Shepherd) has not changed since the start of camp. Something to watch out for: There were a handful of changes after the first scrimmage of spring practice.

 

[Tideflyer]

Very doubtful for a few reasons:

1. Leon hasn't played at all because of his rehab.
2. Dominick had to work his way through the pack and moved around through the positions the first few practices.
3. The bolded sentence:

`91,barring injuries, would you be surprised if Dom and Leon don`t both start?

 

[WMack4Bama]

`91,barring injuries, would you be surprised if Dom and Leon don`t both start?

Will most likely be one or the other. Doubtful if it's both of them. Shep has RT locked up for all intents & purposes. Kelly is definitely our C. Arie is more than likely our LG, which leaves LT and RG open. I'm thinking that Cam Robinson will be our guy at LT. I think Jackson is our final piece. Nothing against Alphonse Taylor. But I think Jackson will be there.

 

[TiderJack]

Will most likely be one or the other. Doubtful if it's both of them. Shep has RT locked up for all intents & purposes. Kelly is definitely our C. Arie is more than likely our LG, which leaves LT and RG open. I'm thinking that Cam Robinson will be our guy at LT. I think Jackson is our final piece. Nothing against Alphonse Taylor. But I think Jackson will be there.

Kelly was quoted saying Taylor had "come miles" and he had great bend or flexibility. With his size at 6'5" or 6'6" and 320+ lbs he may be maturing into a dominant OL. We will see as camp progresses.

 

[WMack4Bama]

Kelly was quoted saying Taylor had "come miles" and he had great bend or flexibility. With his size at 6'5" or 6'6" and 320+ lbs he may be maturing into a dominant OL. We will see as camp progresses.

His defensive counterparts have given him high praise as well. Josh Frazier has said that Taylor is the best offensive lineman that he's every played against (Frazier hasn't played a down of college football yet, but still.....). And Frazier is not chopped liver either. Speaking of, (shameless plug) he checks in at #11 on our Crown Jewel Countdown

 

[Tideflyer]

His defensive counterparts have given him high praise as well. Josh Frazier has said that Taylor is the best offensive lineman that he's every played against (Frazier hasn't played a down of college football yet, but still.....). And Frazier is not chopped liver either. Speaking of, (shameless plug) he checks in at #11 on our Crown Jewel Countdown

The 5 best start. More power to him.

 

[JBama_in_PCOLA]

Taylor was good out of high school. I think his only problem was his weight, so this doesn't surprise me.

 

[CharlestonTide]

The 5 best start. More power to him.

Unless you are Chad Lindsey :cool2:

 

[JustNeedMe81]

I think we already have OL line set in the camp. I think they install offense next week, so we'll see who truly stepped up big time.

 

[CrimsonForce]

I felt Austin Shepherd struggled at times last year. I figured Dominick Jackson might overtake him at right tackle. Also kinda surprised to see Arie still with the starting 5. I felt he struggled mightily last year. Maybe they have both improved a lot. I would like to see the line with Alphonse Taylor and Dominick Jackson in the first 5.

 

[TiderJack]

I felt Austin Shepherd struggled at times last year. I figured Dominick Jackson might overtake him at right tackle. Also kinda surprised to see Arie still with the starting 5. I felt he struggled mightily last year. Maybe they have both improved a lot. I would like to see the line with Alphonse Taylor and Dominick Jackson in the first 5.

Everybody struggled at times last year and the best 5 will be on the field and it will include Austin and Arie IMO. Experience is a very big factor.

 

[CrimsonForce]

Everybody struggled at times last year and the best 5 will be on the field and it will include Austin and Arie IMO. Experience is a very big factor.

True. Just seems like we are sometimes slow to change up the oline if someone isn't carrying their weight. We have so much depth and talent (raw) there that I would hate to see us continue to play guys who are consistently getting beat. Experience is a big factor but Cam is a true freshman and looks like he will start..

 

[TiderJack]

True. Just seems like we are sometimes slow to change up the oline if someone isn't carrying their weight. We have so much depth and talent (raw) there that I would hate to see us continue to play guys who are consistently getting beat. Experience is a big factor but Cam is a true freshman and looks like he will start..

I agree with your sentiment but the coaches are going to play the best. I think the 2nd year of starting is huge and we are going to have 3 of our guys going into year 2 and I expect these guys to have good years.