"What did we learn? Our best answers to Alabama's 5 biggest preseason questions"

[WALL-E]

What did we learn? Our best answers to Alabama's 5 biggest preseason questions

By Andrew Gribble | agribble@al.com
Published August 23, 2014, 04:12:01 AM

Talking quarterbacks, linebackers, offensive line and more on the eve of Alabama's first game week of 2014. Read more...

[Chechem]

2. How's Alabama going to fill its two spots on the offensive line?

The Crimson Tide is swapping out one five-star, top-ranked left tackle for another, as Cam Robinson is poised to replace Cyrus Kouandjio and become the first Alabama freshman to start a season opener since Julio Jones in 2008. Robinson, who enrolled in January, hasn't budged from the spot since A-Day and is being backed up by another true freshman, Ross Pierschbacher...

3. Will the cornerbacks be better?

Many fans wanted the future to be now at both of Alabama's cornerback positions, but it should be viewed as an encouraging sign that juniors Cyrus Jones and Bradley Sylve appear to be in line to start in front of star freshmen Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey...

Lots more left unknown, but overall its been an excellent preseason.
Most importantly, we haven't lost any players to injury this year (knock on wood), and none has been suspended for game 1 (as far as we know).  How many SEC teams can say that??

[pmull]

I have three concerns going into the first game. I think we are solid everywhere else and that includes QB.

1 Offensive Line: We must improve or it will be difficult for the new QB. I want a dominating OL that always gets a 3rd and short. A physical running game will open up the passing game. I think we will be better than last year. We need to be much better.

2. Defensive Backs: Specifically corners. I think we a combination of experienced players and new players who are outstanding athletes. I think we see a rotation until we settle on the starters. I think we will be better. the DL looks much better so a good pass rush may be just what these DB's need.

3. Kicking Game: I like what I am hearing from Jamos and the other reports I have read. It sounds good but I can not forget what I saw at A-Day. It was terrible. We need a dependable place kicker and a punter that can flip the field on long punts and pin them deep on short kicks.

I will put our RB, receivers, DL and LB's units up against any in the country. They are that good.

We are one week away. It can not get here soon enough.

[Jamos]

I have three concerns going into the first game. I think we are solid everywhere else and that includes QB.

1 Offensive Line: We must improve or it will be difficult for the new QB. I want a dominating OL that always gets a 3rd and short. A physical running game will open up the passing game. I think we will be better than last year. We need to be much better.

2. Defensive Backs: Specifically corners. I think we a combination of experienced players and new players who are outstanding athletes. I think we see a rotation until we settle on the starters. I think we will be better. the DL looks much better so a good pass rush may be just what these DB's need.

3. Kicking Game: I like what I am hearing from Jamos and the other reports I have read. It sounds good but I can not forget what I saw at A-Day. It was terrible. We need a dependable place kicker and a punter that can flip the field on long punts and pin them deep on short kicks.

I will put our RB, receivers, DL and LB's units up against any in the country. They are that good.

We are one week away. It can not get here soon enough.

I am with you on the OL situation, the jury is out on them. For some reason I feel that if Sims starts or whenever he plays, he will not be the pocket QB that the others are. I think he will be rolling right or left with various options of handing off or throwing the short route passes, he had pretty good accuracy on the short route passes in the last scrimmage. This might make it a little easier on the line until they can settle in some.

[pmull]

I have three concerns going into the first game. I think we are solid everywhere else and that includes QB.

1 Offensive Line: We must improve or it will be difficult for the new QB. I want a dominating OL that always gets a 3rd and short. A physical running game will open up the passing game. I think we will be better than last year. We need to be much better.

2. Defensive Backs: Specifically corners. I think we a combination of experienced players and new players who are outstanding athletes. I think we see a rotation until we settle on the starters. I think we will be better. the DL looks much better so a good pass rush may be just what these DB's need.

3. Kicking Game: I like what I am hearing from Jamos and the other reports I have read. It sounds good but I can not forget what I saw at A-Day. It was terrible. We need a dependable place kicker and a punter that can flip the field on long punts and pin them deep on short kicks.

I will put our RB, receivers, DL and LB's units up against any in the country. They are that good.

We are one week away. It can not get here soon enough.

I am with you on the OL situation, the jury is out on them. For some reason I feel that if Sims starts or whenever he plays, he will not be the pocket QB that the others are. I think he will be rolling right or left with various options of handing off or throwing the short route passes, he had pretty good accuracy on the short route passes in the last scrimmage. This might make it a little easier on the line until they can settle in some.

How much of our OL issues is coaching. I miss Coach Joe Pendry.

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