Spring Football - 2025

[The Ols]

My enthusiasm is waning and it doesn’t appear anything is being done to improve it. Really the only thing keeping me interested is seeing if Ty wins starting QB. That might or might not reduce the sting from last two years.

We’re going to put out a good football team next fall…and it’s Alabama damnit!!!
I’m mad…but I’m not even close to giving up!!!
Roll Tide!!!

 

[BamaMoon]

My enthusiasm is waning and it doesn’t appear anything is being done to improve it. Really the only thing keeping me interested is seeing if Ty wins starting QB. That might or might not reduce the sting from last two years.

I predict come the 1st of September you "feel" more interested.

 

[BamaMoon]

I love hearing the big talk about the freshman WR.

Look, Bama is loaded with incredible players that'll never play beyond college. So when a true freshman comes in and stands out that says something!!!

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I can remember CNS saying something to the effect that "we encourage them to go in a certain direction, but if they want to play another position, then we let them. It's a tough game and really tough when you aren't playing where you want to play."

That does sound familiar now that you mention it. I also believe that Saban would allow a kid to play the position he wants but also wouldn't make any promises that he'd be a starter there. I've played with and coached players who were much better at other positions than the one they "loved". Some realized that sticking to the position would allow them to play the sport longer while others switched positions and shortened their playing careers. It's a gamble for the player no doubt.

 

[BamaMoon]

That does sound familiar now that you mention it. I also believe that Saban would allow a kid to play the position he wants but also wouldn't make any promises that he'd be a starter there. I've played with and coached players who were much better at other positions than the one they "loved". Some realized that sticking to the position would allow them to play the sport longer while others switched positions and shortened their playing careers. It's a gamble for the player no doubt.

As mentioned already, it's really another world now than when CNS said that/practiced that.

The open portal gives players so much more "voice" in this.

FWIW, I don't really care if he plays CB or WR as long as he can "play" that position. If he is good enough to have a package of plays at WR, I defer to CKD's wisdom on that.

Of course, if his a future NFL cornerback, the coaches need to help him make a "business decision" about his future too.

Basically, just tell him to follow the $$$ and we'll get the best he has to offer at the position that will lead him to the NFL.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

As mentioned already, it's really another world now than when CNS said that/practiced that.

The open portal gives players so much more "voice" in this.

FWIW, I don't really care if he plays CB or WR as long as he can "play" that position. If he is good enough to have a package of plays at WR, I defer to CKD's wisdom on that.

Of course, if his a future NFL cornerback, the coaches need to help him make a "business decision" about his future too.

Basically, just tell him to follow the $$$ and we'll get the best he has to offer at the position that will lead him to the NFL.

Agreed, it is an entirely different world than when Saban coached. The players have more leverage and options now but the reality is those options can be just as much to their detriment as to their benefit. Having more options is also more opportunity to make a bad decision and a lot of these kids have the wrong people in their ear "helping" them make decisions.

 

[jjv0004]

Keelon talking about Lotzier Brooks. If he picks up the playbook he is going to see the field quite a bit.

https://247sports.com/college/alabama/article/brooks-buzz-keelon-russell-compares-fellow-freshman-to-heisman-winner-super-bowl-champion-247182451/

If Brooks is anything close to Waddle or Smith, look out. Williams is a year older and you still have Bernard and got 6'4" Horton from the portal. Any QB that can distribute this year is going to create a high powered offense. I am excited.

 

[CoolBreeze]

My enthusiasm is waning and it doesn’t appear anything is being done to improve it. Really the only thing keeping me interested is seeing if Ty wins starting QB. That might or might not reduce the sting from last two years.

Dig it. There is a lot of that going around. But you really have to look at this thing as a transition in the rear view mirror. Coach has been here a year now and the honeymoon is over but he has his OC. QB play is guaranteed to improve and we have a stacked roster, again. Seems everyone is sleeping on us this year, including us, so Tide Football should be an exciting product on the field this season. That is what I expect.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

Dig it. There is a lot of that going around. But you really have to look at this thing as a transition in the rear view mirror. Coach has been here a year now and the honeymoon is over but he has his OC. QB play is guaranteed to improve and we have a stacked roster, again. Seems everyone is sleeping on us this year, including us, so Tide Football should be an exciting product on the field this season. That is what I expect.

Yeah, I'm extremely excited about this season. I haven't been this excited about Bama football in awhile. We're in that "magical" second year of DeBoer's tenure, and I think that's exactly what it's going to be. We return the majority of last year's very solid defense, and if we get quality QB play, then I think this will be our best offense since 2020. Now everyone has a year in the system, and that's really going to pay dividends. As long as Kalen DeBoer is our HC, the future is very, very bright in Tuscaloosa.

 

[Padreruf]

Dig it. There is a lot of that going around. But you really have to look at this thing as a transition in the rear view mirror. Coach has been here a year now and the honeymoon is over but he has his OC. QB play is guaranteed to improve and we have a stacked roster, again. Seems everyone is sleeping on us this year, including us, so Tide Football should be an exciting product on the field this season. That is what I expect.

I hope you are right...I am somewhat concerned about both the OL and DL -- the latter in the middle. Those 2 sides of the ball are vital to winning....

 

[CrimsonTitles]

I hope you are right...I am somewhat concerned about both the OL and DL -- the latter in the middle. Those 2 sides of the ball are vital to winning....

I think the OL will be fine. I've heard good stuff about Formby, and I think he's going to surprise some people. Then we've got Brailsford, Proctor, and Roberts returning. This is year 3 for Proctor, and could be the year when he finally takes that next step. I've heard Jackson Lloyd may be ready to play also. Cubelic has been saying a lot that a huge chunk of the oline issues are due to the QB not sliding protections, and ever since then I've tried to keep an eye out for it, and sure enough, that is often the case. One of the biggest things that gives me optimism is when I go to the comment section of Milroe's Senior Bowl throws, and see "the offensive line is terrible". That's the same thing we said, so then I watch it and see several examples of protections not be shifted. I think our pass blocking may end up being a bright spot, because it's improved, and also because it may not have been as bad last year as it seemed.

I do wonder a little about our run blocking. I think some of those issues last season were due to wrong reads on read options and RPOs, but some of that may have been that the line was built for a power run team. That's a question mark, but hopefully it's more of the former than the latter.

 

[HearMeOut]

I think the OL will be fine. I've heard good stuff about Formby, and I think he's going to surprise some people. Then we've got Brailsford, Proctor, and Roberts returning. This is year 3 for Proctor, and could be the year when he finally takes that next step. I've heard Jackson Lloyd may be ready to play also. Cubelic has been saying a lot that a huge chunk of the oline issues are due to the QB not sliding protections, and ever since then I've tried to keep an eye out for it, and sure enough, that is often the case. One of the biggest things that gives me optimism is when I go to the comment section of Milroe's Senior Bowl throws, and see "the offensive line is terrible". That's the same thing we said, so then I watch it and see several examples of protections not be shifted. I think our pass blocking may end up being a bright spot, because it's improved, and also because it may not have been as bad last year as it seemed.

I do wonder a little about our run blocking. I think some of those issues last season were due to wrong reads on read options and RPOs, but some of that may have been that the line was built for a power run team. That's a question mark, but hopefully it's more of the former than the latter.

I wondered about run blocking also last year but when I’ve gone back and taken a second look, there were waaaay to many wrong reads on RPO’s as you mentioned. Defenses crashing down and our backs getting hit as soon as they got the ball. And just as bad, when there were nice holes opened up, last years starting QB pulled the ball and got dropped trying to get around the end. While he had awesome speed once he got going, his first two steps were nothing special. See all the sacks once a defender had a bead on him. But back to the line, I am excited to see what we put on the field come September. It can only improve from last year. Plus, we’ve got the stable of backs that can get it done. Look for a solid year from R. Young. On a semi related note, new member here. Been reading for a good long while and finally decided to make it official. This is one of the few boards that I’ve found that, while opinions are given, the trash and bash of everything else is t the status quo. So hats off to you guys for bringing substance and leaving the BS at the door. I look forward to being a part of the team and ROLL TIDE!!

 

[gtgilbert]

I wondered about run blocking also last year but when I’ve gone back and taken a second look, there were waaaay to many wrong reads on RPO’s as you mentioned. Defenses crashing down and our backs getting hit as soon as they got the ball. And just as bad, when there were nice holes opened up, last years starting QB pulled the ball and got dropped trying to get around the end. While he had awesome speed once he got going, his first two steps were nothing special. See all the sacks once a defender had a bead on him. But back to the line, I am excited to see what we put on the field come September. It can only improve from last year. Plus, we’ve got the stable of backs that can get it done. Look for a solid year from R. Young. On a semi related note, new member here. Been reading for a good long while and finally decided to make it official. This is one of the few boards that I’ve found that, while opinions are given, the trash and bash of everything else is t the status quo. So hats off to you guys for bringing substance and leaving the BS at the door. I look forward to being a part of the team and ROLL TIDE!!

welcome aboard!

 

[dtgreg]

Yeah, I'm extremely excited about this season. I haven't been this excited about Bama football in awhile. We're in that "magical" second year of DeBoer's tenure, and I think that's exactly what it's going to be. We return the majority of last year's very solid defense, and if we get quality QB play, then I think this will be our best offense since 2020. Now everyone has a year in the system, and that's really going to pay dividends. As long as Kalen DeBoer is our HC, the future is very, very bright in Tuscaloosa.

I'm hoping right along with you. I still believe this staff has the potential to be the best since 2020.

I want to believe that CKD came in and, after assessing the situation with the team and Saban's departure, decided to let the team try to "walk the walk" after all the talk he heard about "we win Championships here at Alabama!" and "we know what we're doing". I recall Saban saying after 2007 "Okay, we tried it YOUR way, and you see what that got us. Now we're gonna do it MY way!"

We'll find out.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

I wondered about run blocking also last year but when I’ve gone back and taken a second look, there were waaaay to many wrong reads on RPO’s as you mentioned. Defenses crashing down and our backs getting hit as soon as they got the ball. And just as bad, when there were nice holes opened up, last years starting QB pulled the ball and got dropped trying to get around the end. While he had awesome speed once he got going, his first two steps were nothing special. See all the sacks once a defender had a bead on him. But back to the line, I am excited to see what we put on the field come September. It can only improve from last year. Plus, we’ve got the stable of backs that can get it done. Look for a solid year from R. Young. On a semi related note, new member here. Been reading for a good long while and finally decided to make it official. This is one of the few boards that I’ve found that, while opinions are given, the trash and bash of everything else is t the status quo. So hats off to you guys for bringing substance and leaving the BS at the door. I look forward to being a part of the team and ROLL TIDE!!

I remember in the UGA game where a RB got blown up (in the 1st half I think), but JM had pulled the ball. On the surface, it appears that he made the right read in that situation. But the RB was totally decleated, maybe even lost his helmet.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I hope you are right...I am somewhat concerned about both the OL and DL -- the latter in the middle. Those 2 sides of the ball are vital to winning....

Yeah, I am with you on this. Seeing how many consecutive years we've had OL issues I'm just plain gun-shy about it. Until I see a true improvement, I'm going to be gunshy about the OL.

 

[day-day]

How Alabama football, Kalen DeBoer plan to replace Jalen Milroe, the runner, in 2025 - Yahoo Sports

"To me, those runs go to the running backs, but it also may be a few more pass attempts that you have that the play-action game gets opened up with more handoffs to the tailback," DeBoer said. "I see a lot of that kind of developing now with the play-action game because there are more carries the running backs have."

"The system is the same, the concepts are the same," DeBoer said. "It's just what what direction to do you call more plays when it comes to the style of runs, which are definitely more tailback oriented right now for sure compared to what we had a year ago."

 

[CoolBreeze]

I wondered about run blocking also last year but when I’ve gone back and taken a second look, there were waaaay to many wrong reads on RPO’s as you mentioned. Defenses crashing down and our backs getting hit as soon as they got the ball. And just as bad, when there were nice holes opened up, last years starting QB pulled the ball and got dropped trying to get around the end. While he had awesome speed once he got going, his first two steps were nothing special. See all the sacks once a defender had a bead on him. But back to the line, I am excited to see what we put on the field come September. It can only improve from last year. Plus, we’ve got the stable of backs that can get it done. Look for a solid year from R. Young. On a semi related note, new member here. Been reading for a good long while and finally decided to make it official. This is one of the few boards that I’ve found that, while opinions are given, the trash and bash of everything else is t the status quo. So hats off to you guys for bringing substance and leaving the BS at the door. I look forward to being a part of the team and ROLL TIDE!!

Nice post and welcome to the board!

 

[CoolBreeze]

I hope you are right...I am somewhat concerned about both the OL and DL -- the latter in the middle. Those 2 sides of the ball are vital to winning....

I think this will be a case of "what a difference a year makes." O line play and D line play are interrelated to an extent as it relates to time of possession. If we are moving the ball and cutting down on the 3 and outs on offense then there is improvement on both sides of the ball. QB play helps that to a major extent but so does play calling. We have major upgrades on both fronts.

 

[mlh]

I think the fact that our new OC also has experience as an OL coach will be a big plus and facilitate improvement for that group.