Crimson Red Sports

What we saw

-- Still no sign of star DE A'Shawn Robinson, who wasn't spotted at the morning practice, either. Saban will update Robinson's status after Thursday's practice. His absence is not for disciplinary reasons. Without Robinson, Alabama's entire first-team defensive line from A-Day is not practicing. Jarran Reed and Brandon Ivory remain indefinitely suspended.

-- CB Eddie Jackson continues to look like someone who is more than four months removed from knee surgery. He runs smoothly and looked good shuffling side to side during one particular drill. He even took a bit of a pop from freshman safety Laurence "Hootie" Jones and wasn't any worse for the wear...

Eddie Jackson (recovering from spring knee surgery) participated with everyone else in a crimson jersey. He showed no hesitation during the drill.

LB Trey DePriest, sporting a brace on his left knee, worked through drills and was doing so with a bit more pace, but he's still not 100 percent.

Still no sign of star DE A'Shawn Robinson, who wasn't spotted at the morning practice, either. Saban will update Robinson's status after Thursday's practice. His absence is not for disciplinary reasons. Without Robinson, Alabama's entire first-team defensive line from A-Day is not practicing. Jarran Reed and Brandon Ivory remain indefinitely suspended.

Offensive guard Leon Brown, who has yet to practice because of a foot injury, has added straight-line running to his rehabilitation regiment but is "still probably a week away from really being able to play," Saban said.

Brown was Alabama's first-team right guard at A-Day. During his absence, sophomore Alphonse Taylor has worked with the first team and junior-college transfer Dominick Jackson has been with the second group.

Jarran Reed and Brandon Ivory returned from their respective suspensions, but the NCAA-mandated five-day acclimatization period will prevent the duo from participating in Saturday's scrimmage and won't allow them to return to full capacity until Tuesday.

Also out for Saturday's scrimmage is star sophomore A'Shawn Robinson, who is dealing with a sprained knee. Freshman O.J. Smith, a three-star recruit who wasn't anticipated to take on a significant role in 2014, will soon undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.

"We thought that the defensive line was an area we had pretty good depth going in with the guys that we recruited," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "But, you know, it's provided an opportunity to create more reps for some of the younger players." ...

Not sure what we'll learn from the scrimmage on Saturday now.  If the O-line can't block the 3rd team, guess that'll be telling.  Otherwise, expect the QBs to have a big day!

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.

-- So what does this mean? First, let's go back to Saban's quote from last week.

"I say this every year: You never, ever get it, because you guys can't operate unless you have something on a piece of paper that you can rank in some kind of order," Saban said. "But we do not have a depth chart right now. Whatever we do out there is for administrative purposes." ...

A rundown of players who are likely out for Saturday's scrimmage: DL A'Shawn Robinson (knee), CB Eddie Jackson (knee), LB Trey DePriest (knee), DL O.J. Smith (shoulder), OL Leon Brown (foot), DL Jarran Reed (unable to wear pads), DL Brandon Ivory (unable to wear pads).

-- After Thursday's practice, Alabama coach Nick Saban laid out what he wants to see from the Crimson Tide's first scrimmage.

"This first scrimmage is really to evaluate players, to see if we can get them in the right positions," Saban said. "I always talk about when the coaches aren't in the huddle anymore, when the coaches aren't making the calls, when you've got to go out there and make adjustments on your own – whether they're blocking assignments or coverage adjustments or whatever it might be – which guys can sort of function and execute in that situation? It's just another step of how close are you to being ready to play? ...

Dakota Ball ... looks darn comfortable at tight end.

Interesting having him at TE.  Maybe:

1. Vogler for running plays;
2. OJ for passing;
3. Dakota for goal line, victory formation, & FG team

The most serious issue belongs to JUCO transfer offensive lineman Dominick Jackson. Saban said he has an ankle sprain that will keep him out of practice for a "couple weeks." The new arrival had been playing very well in practice to this point, Saban said.

Jackson made an impression on teammates too.

"He's done great," center Ryan Kelly said last week. "He's had a great camp the first few days. ...

"I don't think it's real fair to the guys who have been out there for 14 days practicing on the first and second team, they need to beat them out," Saban said with a slightly louder voice. "They aren't entitled to anything. They're working hard and they're getting plenty of work. They certainly have to improve as football players but from a behavioral standpoint, they have done a very good job and I'm pleased with them."

#+

Hmmm, had they played for Malzone they would probably be team captains for the first game. ;)

-- What did he see in film from the scrimmage: "inconsistency in performance."

-- Saban sounds a little more agitated than last week. He's looking for more competitive action in practice.

-- "This is always a tough week." Saban called it "hump week."

-- This week is about installation situations like 2-minute drills. They're also looking at several opponents to expose the team to what they'll see this season.

-- Offensive lineman Dominick Jackson and defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson will be out for another week at least.

-- Safety Geno Smith and tight end Brian Vogler are both limited this week...

Freshman Shaun Dion Hamilton was running with the first group in nickel alongside Reggie Ragland...

Per the NCAA's re-acclimatization period, OL Leon Brown wasn't participating in tonight's practice because players still in the five-day window can only practice once per day. In his place with the second-team offensive line was Isaac Luatua.

-- There have been no changes to the first group of offensive linemen -- during the media viewing window -- since the start of camp. Take that for what it's worth.

-- DB Geno Smith (knee) continues to be a bystander during the media viewing period. He's dressed out and watching intently, though...

What we saw (Thursday 8/14):

-- First, a few housekeeping notes. Leon Brown has one more day of acclimation and wasn't in full pads returning from the off-season leg injury.

-- Safety Geno Smith was still watching with his sprained knee.

-- Tight end Brian Vogler was holding a blocking pad instead of doing tight end drills. Nick Saban said he was a little banged up the other day.

-- Middle linebackers Reggie Ragland and Reuben Foster were out there together with the first team doing some walk-through installation...

-- DB Geno Smith (knee) appeared to be doing more than he had been during the previous few media viewing periods. He's still wearing a brace on his right knee and not 100 percent, but the progress is noticeable.

-- Because Alabama was in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts, OL Leon Brown (foot) was in the same gear as his teammates. Saban said Thursday that Brown was on a "pitch count" and likely will be back to full speed next week.

-- Don't expect any changes with the first-team offensive line at tomorrow's scrimmage. We've seen the same five -- Cam Robinson, Arie Kouandjio, Ryan Kelly, Alphonse Taylor and Austin Shepherd -- work together since the start of camp.

Here are the positions we think will receive the deepest look when it's all over at 2nd scrimmage.

1. Defensive line

-- One week after Alabama was without four major players from this group, everyone except star defensive end A'Shawn Robinson should be available. The focus will be on how much nose guard Brandon Ivory and Jarran Reed can prove they belong with the top contributors. As of Tuesday, the A-Day first-teamers were working with the third team after serving their respective suspensions...

Sophomore defensive end A'Shawn Robinson, who has missed nearly two weeks of practice with an injured knee, is anticipated to return Wednesday and do "a lot of football-related stuff," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. Because Robinson was around for the start of camp, he won't be forced to go through the kind of five-day acclimatization period others have throughout the past few weeks.

Offensive lineman Dominick Jackson, a junior-college transfer who was competing for the starting job at right guard, "will start to do some stuff on Tuesday ...

-- WR Amari Cooper didn't appeared to be slowed at all. Guess two days was all he needed to recover from his bruised knee.

-- Same goes for freshman LB Shaun Dion Hamilton, who played through an ankle injury at Saturday's scrimmage.

-- DL A'Shawn Robinson (knee) and OL Dominick Jackson (ankle) are still at least a day away from returning to practice. Alabama coach Nick Saban projected Wednesday for Robinson's return date while Jackson's status is a bit murkier, though he's anticipated to increase his workload in some capacity this week.

-- DB Geno Smith (knee) was moving around fine and fully participating. He did not scrimmage Saturday. When the team worked on nickel defense, both he and Maurice Smith lined up at Star.

-- Trey DePriest and Reggie Ragland were working as the linebackers with the first-team nickel. This is one of the first times all camp we've seen DePriest, who is recovering from a knee injury, do anything first-team related....

This time of year there are lots of injuries.  By this time next week everyone will be denying they're hurting (so they can play Game #1).

-- For the first time this preseason, linebacker Tim Williams was on the field. Nick Saban had said he was suspended on the first day of practice and nothing changed until Wednesday. Williams wore full pads with the outside linebackers since they don't need the five-day acclimation period required during camp. The suspensions announced Aug. 1 included defensive linemen Jarran Reed and Brandon Ivory, but they returned a week later.

-- Also back was A'Shawn Robinson. The starting defensive end was out for two weeks with a knee sprain. He did most drills during the media viewing period, but sat out the one involving lateral movement. On Saturday, Saban said he expected Robinson back Wednesday to do "a lot of football-related stuff."

-- The other player back was Dominick Jackson. The offensive lineman sprained his ankle in the first scrimmage of the preseason and was back in full pads Wednesday.

-- With the return of Williams, Robinson and Jackson, Alabama does not have any players not practicing because of injury or suspension...

 :clap: :clap: :clap:  :fingers crossed:

A'Shawn was moving very well today even with a brace on. That was  some very good news. Tim Williams being back is also a huge thing. I think this guy can do some special things for us. They did not show Dominick Jackson but I really hope he can get to where he is close to 100% by Florida Atlantic. That would be a huge boost to the O-line. Now that we have everyone back lets hope things can really move forward for the rest of this week and into game week.

QB-Center Exchange:

... when there's a new quarterback in play, the rhythm and cadence of the equation changes. When there's two different sets of hands under center, there's even more in play.

"Just keep working on it," Kelly said. "It just kind of happens when you have new quarterbacks in there. It wasn't as many as we usually have. It's just something we have to iron out this week and we'll be fine."

The good news: Kelly said the number of unsuccessful snaps were down in Saturday's scrimmage...

-- Alabama's offensive line is back to full strength with the returns of Leon Brown and Dominick Jackson, but there's been no change yet when it pertains to the first group. Brown lined up behind Alphonse Taylor at right guard while Jackson, in his second practice back from an injured ankle, was behind Arie Kouandjio at left guard.

-- Jackson's ankle, by the way, was heavily wrapped but he appeared to be moving OK.

-- The only two players who started camp with the team who were not on the practice field were tight end Kurt Freitag and walk-on running back Lawrence Erekoshima. Both players are dealing with turf toe.

-- The wide receivers spent a significant portion of the viewing period working on run blocking. For players on the fringe of making it into a rotation, that could be one of the X factors that pushes someone over the top.

-- Watched CB Eddie Jackson for a while. If it weren't for seeing him sidelined whenever Alabama works with its first- and second-team nickel and dime defenses, you'd think he could be ready to play against the Mountaineers...

Alabama's quarterback group is up to six now that the rosters have been expanded. We don't know the name of No. 16, but we're looking into it. If you know, feel free to pass it along in the comments section.

-- Defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson was doing a little more again Friday as he progresses from the knee sprain. He was doing more lateral work that he was sitting out Wednesday.

-- Offensive lineman Dominick Jackson was not among those in scout team jerseys. He didn't appear to be moving any slower as he returns from an ankle sprain.

-- Now, some scout team members:

-- Linebacker Rashaan Evans wore No. 9. The Mountaineers have safety KJ Dillon (6-1, 206) wearing No. 9 while Evans checks in at 6-3, 225.

-- Speaking of No. 9, WVU quarterback Clint Trickett also wears that number. None of the Tide quarterbacks were in the No. 9 jersey, though.

-- Linebacker Tim Williams, suspended until Wednesday, was in a scout team jersey.

-- The running backs who were in scout team jerseys were Altee Tenpenney and Tyren Jones...

-- Though Dillon Lee is listed as an outside linebacker, he worked again with the inside group Monday. The multiple looks, nickels and dimes make the depth chart somewhat misleading for the defense, so this isn't monumental.

-- Linebacker Trey DePriest was moving with a slight limp still, but was walking through with the first team.

-- Alec Morris was working third with the quarterbacks after jumping Cooper Bateman for the No. 3 spot behind co-No. 1s Blake Sims and Jacob Coker. More on the QBs in a minute.

-- Dominick Jackson didn't have any noticeable limp from his ankle sprain a few weeks back. He was listed as the No. 2 left tackle Monday.

-- None of the scholarship quarterbacks were WAS [Chech edit] wearing the No. 9 scout team jersey representing West Virginia QB Clint Trickett. A walk-on who doesn't appear on the roster was filling that role later in the viewing period.

-- Watching the quarterbacks, it's obvious the accuracy of Coker has improved from the first few practices of August. All three top quarterbacks were hitting the targets on a number of long and short routes...

Watching the quarterbacks, it's obvious the accuracy of Coker has improved from the first few practices of August. All three top quarterbacks were hitting the targets on a number of long and short routes...

(http://misfit120.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/artie-johnson-on-laugh-in.jpg)

Encourrraging, verrry encourrraging!

 :popcorn2: :popcorn2:

None was?  Really?  I always thought it should be none were.  :dunno:

This is an interesting case since none is not singular or plural, it is 0.

A common misconception is that none must always be treated as singular.  The customary support for this view is that none necessarily means "not one" (implying singularity); in fact, "none" is just as likely to imply "not any" (implying plurality).  As noted in The American Heritage Dictionary:  "the word has been used as both a singular and a plural noun from Old English onward. The plural usage appears in the King James Bible as well as the works of John Dryden and Edmund Burke and is widespread in the works of respectable writers today."

http://www.grammarmudge.cityslide.com/articles/article/1026513/9903.htm

None means 'not one' or 'not any' and it may take either a singular or plural verb. Writers are more or less free to decide which meaning is appropriate in their context. This grammatical construction, which is based on sense rather than form, is called notional agreement or notional concord, and is very common. So, consider none as singular when you want to emphasize a single entity in a group, but consider none to be plural when you want to emphasize more than one.

http://dictionary.reference.com/help/faq/language/g11.html

It is sometimes held that none can take only a singular verb, never a plural verb: none of them is coming tonight, rather than none of them are coming tonight. There is little justification, historical or grammatical, for this view. None is descended from Old English nān, meaning ‘not one,’ and has been used for around a thousand years with both a singular and a plural verb, depending on the context and the emphasis needed.

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/none

I am an humble suitor to your virtues;
For pity is the virtue of the law,
And none but tyrants uses it cruelly.

FINALLY, we're preparing for WV.   #+

What we saw

-- They were using some different formations and personnel groups with the offensive line. It looked like they were tinkering with some unbalanced fronts putting three lineman (not including a tight end) on both sides. They've done this in games several times in recent years.

-- The first team offensive line didn't have any changes, but it looked like Dominick Jackson was with the second group at right tackle for the second straight day. It looked like Isaac Luatua was the third player on the right side with the second team lined up outside Jackson in the unbalanced set.

-- Utility lineman Grant Hill was lined up to the left of left tackle Cam Robinson with the first group when using an unbalanced look.

-- Leon Brown was the second team right guard Wednesday as he works to get back to the first group. He started the Sugar Bowl and spring practice before missing the first part of camp with a lower-leg injury. Alphonse Taylor remains with the first unit...

What we saw

-- DB Jarrick Williams (foot) and WR DeAndrew White (shoulder) worked from the inside because of their respective injuries. White's arm is in a sling while Williams is wheeling around on a scooter. White could be back as soon as Sept. 20 against Florida while Williams is out for the next month.

-- Alphonse Taylor lined up with the first-team offensive line at right guard while Leon Brown worked as the backup. Brown started Saturday but Taylor played a number of series. Brown had three penalties.

Alabama coach Nick Saban was brief and to the point when he was asked about the ongoing competition.

"I think both the guys at right guard played OK," he said. "And we think both guys can improve and play better." ...

Nick Saban said Eddie Jackson was cleared and pushing for practice time and he got it Tuesday. He worked with the first team at cornerback during the walk-through portion of the team drills. He worked opposite of Cyrus Jones. Jackson had been working back into shape after injuring his knee in the spring.

It sounds like Jackson will be back for this weekend.

Hope he's fit and able!   :worship:

Got to be better than Sylve (I hope).


 :pray:

Here's the latest.

-- Alabama had a number of players shadowing and lining up in different spots as it worked through its dime defense. This is what happens when a player as valuable and versatile as Jarrick Williams goes down with an injury.

-- Freshman Laurence "Hootie" Jones was shadowing Nick Perry at one of the safety spots. Jabriel Washington and Reggie Ragland were both working at Money while Geno Smith was at Star. Eddie Jackson and Cyrus Jones were the corners.

-- The second-team group had what seemed like the entire defense on the field as numerous players were in shadowing positions. The chain reaction of an injury is real and significant. Williams is out for at least a month with a broken foot.

-- Few injury notes: DE A'Shawn Robinson is no longer wearing a brace on his injured knee.

tinkering with some unbalanced fronts putting three lineman (not including a tight end) on both sides. They've done this in games several times in recent years.
 :shh:

Looks like that after three consecutive penalties on Saturday that Alphonse Taylor will get the start at Right Offensive Guard this week. Still no word that I have heard if Dominick Jackson will play this week. Hopefully Eddie Jackson will see a significant amount playing time this week. But I sure would like to see Tony & Marlon get some reps!!! They are the future and we need to get them ready!!!! But again the big story is the qb. How much time will Jake get on the field this week. Will he be the starter by Florida?
A lot of questions to be answered.

Looks like that after three consecutive penalties on Saturday that Alphonse Taylor will get the start at Right Offensive Guard this week. Still no word that I have heard if Dominick Jackson will play this week. Hopefully Eddie Jackson will see a significant amount playing time this week. But I sure would like to see Tony & Marlon get some reps!!! They are the future and we need to get them ready!!!! But again the big story is the qb. How much time will Jake get on the field this week. Will he be the starter by Florida?
A lot of questions to be answered.

1. Leon is a talent; we will need him back (when he learns to count);
2. D Jackson - yep, no word, which likely means 'no play';
3. I hope Eddie's ready.  See the thread dedicated to him, with video of him at practice: http://www.crimsonredsports.com/index.php?topic=28215.0
4. Tony and Marlon must be slower to pick up the complexities of the D than anticipated.  Maybe it is too complex, as suggested by others.
5. Do I get half an e-cred back if Jake Coker starts game 2?   :lol2:

...
I'll give you a whole one. I really want to see what he's got.

I'll give you a whole one. I really want to see what he's got.

I would too!
was this the reason Coker didn't play more:
There were pregame reports (tweets) on the status of Jake Coker. Aaron Suttles of the Tuscaloosa News tweeted that Coker was not on the field throwing in warm-ups. This was followed by "Jake Coker just ran onto the field with a bit of a limp". And then reports that he had a heavily taped left leg which was confirmed. My theory is that Coker has a sore or injured knee and Nick Saban did not want to risk further injury by giving Coker significant minutes if not needed. The two snaps he took at the end of the game were simple hand-offs.

Saban is notoriously tight-lipped on player information so we may not know how Coker's health truly is for awhile.http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2014/8/31/6088153/sunday-morning-hangover-alabama-footballs-blake-sims-yay-or-nay

...

My buddy and I were talking about it at the game that it looked like Coker was limping. That may explain a lot.

I can hear it now: "AJ played hurt.  What can't Coker?"

 :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

My buddy and I were talking about it at the game that it looked like Coker was limping. That may explain a lot.