Crimson Red Sports

Hopefully our CBs will develop faster than last year.
Unless we have strong CB play, our defense will suffer (again).

 :tinfoil: :tinfoil:

The reports coming out indicate that there is much improvement in the secondary, thanks to Coach Mel Tucker. I sure hope so.

Reading all this makes me want to body slam the microwave or something! (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Food/dancing-broccoli-23.gif)

I'd rather stomp broccoli.

- Cyrus Jones and Tony Brown were the first two cornerbacks up during multiple drills Friday. Recently-enrolled freshmen Minkah Fitzpatrick and Kendall Sheffield were taking reps behind them.

- Redshirt freshmen corner Marlon Humphrey appeared to be limited, as he hung back in the back of the line and did not participate in drills. He was not, however, wearing a black, no-contact jersey during practice.

- The safety group only consisted of six scholarship players on Friday. Geno Smith and Eddie Jackson were at the front of the line, followed by players like Laurence "Hootie" Jones, Ronnie Harrison, Jabriel Washington and recently-enrolled freshman Shawn Burgess-Becker.

- First-year defensive backs coach Mel Tucker seemed to be especially vocal when working with the safeties.

Alabama fans received some troubling news today that Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson was taken off the field today with a possible foot injury.

Word from insiders is that the injury is not serious. Cam may sit for a week, but is ok.  :clap:

-- There were a few formations of note on defense. The first team dime (six defensive backs) included Reuben Foster was the linebacker with Cyrus Jones and Minkah Fitzpatrick at corner. Safeties included Eddie Jackson and Geno Smith with Tony Brown and Maurice Smith as the extra backs.

-- Cornerback Marlon Humphrey was doing a little more in practice after twisting an ankle Friday...

 :(

Don't know what to think about all these "injuries."  Maybe they are just bumps and bruises. 

But if these guys can't make it through a week of fall camp, what will happen to them when they get in an SEC game?

Reading insider reports from RTB, the QB competition is still completely up in the air. Seems Coker and Cornwell "Couldn't hit the water if they fell out of a boat". Barnett still the most impressive at this point, with Morris not far behind. Apparently, Morris reads defenses better than the others, but doesn't have a particularly strong arm.

Everyone is hoping that a clear leader will emerge in tomorrow's scrimmage.

J, are you going to the scrimmage?

Injuries, injuries, and more injuries. :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall:

Wednesday:

Jake Coker, who suffered a "minor foot injury" last week, was back practicing during the media viewing portion of Wednesday's practice.

The fifth-year quarterback was the first quarterback to go through drills, and looked good through most of them. At times Coker struggled on his follow-through and accuracy but he delivered multiple on-the-money passes including one longer pass to Chris Black. ...

Cam Sims, who tore his ACL and LCL in the spring, was back at practice in a non-contact black jersey.

 :popcorn2:

Thursday:

-- Left tackle Cam Robinson was dealing with a sprained shoulder, Nick Saban said Wednesday, but he was in a white, full-contact jersey Thursday.

-- Injured receiver Raheem Falkins was on the field in a black jersey, but not close to practicing. He still had the gray walking boot on his injured foot.

-- Chris Black, another banged up receiver, appeared to be moving a little better Thursday running routes. He's been hurt almost two weeks at this point....

Good grief.

A good juggler keeps all balls in the air...


(nobody transfers if they think they may play).

The walking wounded.....God love 'em!  :-*

Just a little FYI, CNS has clamped down on the media as to what is being reported from the practices. I've got a feeling, too much is being made of the battle for the QB spot and injuries. :dunno:

I had heard that too. That's the speculation on other boards, as well.

All of this talk about Morris, but Coker is still with the first team during every practice.  It doesn't sound like CNS is making a move away from him ... yet.

 :popcorn2:

Well chechem you remember how last year we all and I say we all, because a lot of us thought Coker was going to walk in and take right over but it didn't happen. Neither it might happen that morris will be the man. CNS keeps us all intrigued and his team under wraps until he deems it is time to uncover it. lol, RTR!

I remember, Preacher.  Just wish Morris could run (for his life) like Sims!

I don't think Morris is much of a runner.  Even Coker seems better in that Department.  If Bama decides to head that direction, one of the freshmen would be a better option.

— Running back Bo Scarbrough hopped on his injured right leg during one drill, another indication of how rapidly Scarbrough is recovering from a torn ACL suffered during the spring.

—Cornerback Bradley Sylve practiced, days after — according to a source — breaking his hand and undergoing surgery to repair the damage. Sylve had a large cast on that covered his right hand/wrist area.

— Right tackle Dominick Jackson was also back practicing after suffering a strained shoulder during the Tide's scrimmage Saturday....

 :popcorn2:

All the reports I've read said that everyone thinks it's just short of a miracle that he's come back from the injury so quickly. Apparently, he's good as new.

Either way, he's got plenty of time to recover yet.  He won't play for another month (or more).

I remember, Preacher.  Just wish Morris could run (for his life) like Sims!

I'm still worried about him. Can he still make a sharp cut, stop then accelerate quickly, twist & dodge, etc?
Has anyone seen him in practice doing these things? Thanks.


 ???

The only thing keeping Scarbrough out of the game is his suspension. If you didn't see the brace/wrap on his knee you would never know he had been injured. He shows no sign of injury when doing his agility drills and they are very demanding. He wears that black jersey just to keep him well until he can play. ;)

This team has the opportunity to be very special, particularly on defense. This is probably the deepest team we've had, maybe ever. The young guys like Minkah, Hump and Ronnie Harrison on defense, and Bo (when he can play), Damien Harris, Charlot and Ridley on offense, all have tremendous talent and add to an already talented team, regardless of what string the player is.

My biggest concern is protecting the football, and minimizing the blown assignments on D. If the team does a good job of doing both of these things, the sky is the limit. Even with the extremely tough schedule, Bama will be very hard to beat.

-- A few true freshmen were with the second-team offensive line. Lester Cotton worked at left tackle with Dallas Warmack at left guard.

-- On the defensive side, Marlon Humphrey continued with the first-team dime defense at cornerback opposite Cyrus Jones. True freshman Minkah Fitzpatrick was also on the field along with Maurice Smith and safeties Eddie Jackson and Geno Smith. The linebackers were Reuben Foster and Reggie Ragland...

 :dunno: :dunno: :popcorn2:

I thought Eddie Jackson was a corner?  Did he move to safety?

...
Eddie Jackson:
Yes he has been moved to safety. He has potential as a corner but he seems to get beat on a regular basis and was a weak link last year. He is getting high praise from the staff on his move to safety and is expected to start. I think he will do great in pass coverage at safety which is much easier than corner. I question does he have the size, tackling skills and nose for the football in run support.