News Article: Battles to watch as spring practice nears

[JessN]

Battles to watch as spring practice nears
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief
Feb. 20, 2010

With recruiting season officially over, Alabama football now enters a dead period of sorts – the gap between Signing Day and the start of spring practice.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to talk about, however. Alabama must replace a whopping nine defensive starters, both kickers and must find a replacement for arguably its most consistent weapon in the passing game in 2009, tight end Colin Peek.

For the full story, click here.http://www.tidefans.com/forums/tidefans-com-articles/102196-battles-watch-spring-practice-nears.html

 

[Swanny]

Jess,

Do we know yet who will be long snapper and holder?

Thanks

 

[JessN]

Jess,

Do we know yet who will be long snapper and holder?

Thanks

I look for Carson Tinker to get the snapper's job if he comes back this year (you never know with walk-ons until they show up). As for the holder's job, no idea. I always like having a QB there or at least someone who can throw. Rob Ezell was a walk-on QB who is now a WR and he could be the guy. Morgan Oglive perhaps. I think the new punter (Jay Williams, most likely) may be too big. He's close to 6'4", 230.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

Jess,

is Nico Johnson no longer on the team???

he just happened to be the only true freshmen from the
2009 LB corp to play last season...

 

[tftplisa]

Thanks. I can't wait for Spring practice.

 

[RollTide1987]

Jess,

is Nico Johnson no longer on the team???

he just happened to be the only true freshmen from the
2009 LB corp to play last season...

He is not on the list because he was a starter last year after Dont'a was injured. He is considered to be a shoe-in to keep that position, with Dont'a likely taking over Rolando's MLB position.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

He is not on the list because he was a starter last year after Dont'a was injured. He is considered to be a shoe-in to keep that position, with Dont'a likely taking over Rolando's MLB position.

if anything that we have learned from having CNS as HC, there is no "shoe-in"...

if I recalled, correct me if I am wrong, Upshaw was sometimes listed as a starter along with Johnson. in fact, Upshaw WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL in the game against Texas in the BCSNC.

 

[jps1983]

if anything that we have learned from having CNS as HC, there is no "shoe-in"...

if I recalled, correct me if I am wrong, Upshaw was sometimes listed as a starter along with Johnson. in fact, Upshaw WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL in the game against Texas in the BCSNC.

You're right in that no spot is really "guaranteed," but considering he was a true freshman and beat out others, I think it's safe to say NJ sees a lot of PT. Upshaw recovered the fumble against UT, that definitely clinched the game for us.

With all that happened with Green, I think Dre moving to FS would be a solid move if he has picked up the defense. I didn't know he was adamant about staying at CB though, so it might be tough to convince him to move, even though of all the players listed at S, he would easily be the most athletic.

 

[BoroBama]

I look for Carson Tinker to get the snapper's job if he comes back this year (you never know with walk-ons until they show up). As for the holder's job, no idea. I always like having a QB there or at least someone who can throw. Rob Ezell was a walk-on QB who is now a WR and he could be the guy. Morgan Oglive perhaps. I think the new punter (Jay Williams, most likely) may be too big. He's close to 6'4", 230.

Carson will be back. He has backed up Brian the last two years and is ready to see the field. MO has been working on holding this off season but do not know if we will take a holder only on the traveling squad.

Another interesting note is that Taylor Pharr has been punting and looks to be the punter this spring. I would not look for him to be the holder because he is larger than Jay Williams.

 

[PDL]

Battles to watch as spring practice nears
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief
Feb. 20, 2010

With recruiting season officially over, Alabama football now enters a dead period of sorts – the gap between Signing Day and the start of spring practice.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to talk about, however. Alabama must replace a whopping nine defensive starters, both kickers and must find a replacement for arguably its most consistent weapon in the passing game in 2009, tight end Colin Peek.

For the full story, click here: http://www.tidefans.com/forums/tidefans-com-articles/102196-battles-watch-spring-practice-nears.html

Question about the article: while talking about Kirkpatrick, you say that he is "adament about safety." Does that mean he really wants to play safety or is that a typo and he wants to play corner? Curious, because I'd like to know which position he prefers.

 

[JessN]

Question about the article: while talking about Kirkpatrick, you say that he is "adament about safety." Does that mean he really wants to play safety or is that a typo and he wants to play corner? Curious, because I'd like to know which position he prefers.

Mental snafu on my part. It now reads "corner." That's where he wants to play.

 

[JessN]

Jess,

is Nico Johnson no longer on the team???

he just happened to be the only true freshmen from the
2009 LB corp to play last season...

I made reference to him in the middle linebacker section. Here's the quote: "If (Dont'a Hightower's) knee is sound, this won’t even be a battle; Hightower will win this job, while Jordan moves over to challenge incumbent Nico Johnson for the weakside linebacker position."

In other words, Johnson's position right now is technically filled -- by Johnson himself.

 

[JessN]

Carson will be back. He has backed up Brian the last two years and is ready to see the field. MO has been working on holding this off season but do not know if we will take a holder only on the traveling squad.

Another interesting note is that Taylor Pharr has been punting and looks to be the punter this spring. I would not look for him to be the holder because he is larger than Jay Williams.

Interesting about Pharr. A friend of his mentioned to me he would try to punt this year but I thought he was joking.

It would be a hoot if he won the job. The last punter I remember being that big was some guy who used to punt for the Chicago Bears who was also a tight end.

Further on the holder, P.J. Fitzgerald was good at it in part because he used to be a high school quarterback. I'm surprised we didn't run more fakes during his time here because he could throw the ball.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

I made reference to him in the middle linebacker section. Here's the quote: "If (Dont'a Hightower's) knee is sound, this won’t even be a battle; Hightower will win this job, while Jordan moves over to challenge incumbent Nico Johnson for the weakside linebacker position."

In other words, Johnson's position right now is technically filled -- by Johnson himself.

Thanks Jess.

 

[OreBama]

Awesome read, Jess, as usual.

Does potential money have anything with Dre being so adamant about CB? I'm pretty sure corners make much more money than safeties in the NFL. I'm not judging anybody, but I hope he does what is best for the team.​

 

[IMALOYAL1]

Another interesting note is that Taylor Pharr has been punting and looks to be the punter this spring.

I remember a picture of him punting the ball when he was recruited. He was supposed to be an exceptional athlete. :BigA:

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

Here's hoping "Big Flu" can make a move for the RT spot. Would love to see him make it.

 

[elDee]

Thanks Jess.

I remember not too many years ago when you would post similiar articles that the "position battles" had far fewer choices.

My, how things have changed in a short time.

Roll Tide!

 

[Rant]

Jess,

First, thanks!! I really like your articles - medicinal reading at its finest.
Second, it is a darn shame I cannot claim your articles on my FSA!

:wink:

Keep'em coming and I will keep on reading 'em!
Roll Tide!

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I'm fired up and can hardly wait until spring.
The competition for some of these positions could be intense.
A lot of the young guys saw enough competition last year that they want be just raw green talent. In a couple of cases we will have up-graded the talent
at some of the positions.
(With Penn St. coming in week 2, I hope we hit the ground ready to go...)