Getting Ready for Spring Battles!

[BamaMoon]

This is probably the most excited I've been for Spring practice rolling around in a few years!

Heard Rodney Orr today on Three Man Front predict the battle of Austin and Keelon for QB and he thinks Austin line up #1 in drills but Russell overtakes him in time by the fall to be the starter.

What other position battles are you excited about? Predictions?

 

[AlexanderFan]

This is probably the most excited I've been for Spring practice rolling around in a few years!

Heard Rodney Orr today on Three Man Front predict the battle of Austin and Keelon for QB and he thinks Austin line up #1 in drills but Russell overtakes him in time by the fall to be the starter.

What other position battles are you excited about? Predictions?

O line, all positions.

 

[Cruloc]

I'll wait to hear what's going on with the OL and DL. If we don't get better along the lines nothing else will matter.

 

[jjv0004]

Running back and o-line.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I'll wait to hear what's going on with the OL and DL. If we don't get better along the lines nothing else will matter.

That's about where I am with it. I have no interest in any other offensive position or group until I hear what's going on with the OL.

 

[BamaMoon]

That's about where I am with it. I have no interest in any other offensive position or group until I hear what's going on with the OL.

I understand where you are coming from. We all feel a little like "burnt children" regarding the OL and how their problems extended to multiple areas of struggle.

Literally, I think the OL issues last year impacted RB, QB, and WR production... so yeah, it is a foundational issue for this team.

But, here's where I am, on this topic: I personally don't think there's any way we are not improved. We have a new OL coach and practically ALL new players other than RT, correct?

For us to be worse next year would be like going double blind low in spades and pulling it off. It is possible (I've done it once!) but it's nearly impossible.

 

[DrollTide]

I'm ready for Jess to wade in.

 

[bamajas]

I understand where you are coming from. We all feel a little like "burnt children" regarding the OL and how their problems extended to multiple areas of struggle.

Literally, I think the OL issues last year impacted RB, QB, and WR production... so yeah, it is a foundational issue for this team.

But, here's where I am, on this topic: I personally don't think there's any way we are not improved. We have a new OL coach and practically ALL new players other than RT, correct?

For us to be worse next year would be like going double blind low in spades and pulling it off. It is possible (I've done it once!) but it's nearly impossible.

This is where I'm at. Don't think we could have our talent/program level and get any worse

AND the regression of the OL occurred along the same timeline as Ty's injuries and limitations

A healthy QB who attacks every inch of the field (and can scamper for a first down) and a RB who can get 1-3 yards when necessary can go a long way in building continuity and confidence on the OL

 

[Cruloc]

We also need the RBs to have much better vision and ability to follow the actual blocks, see the holes etc.

The OL was atrocious last year yes......but the RBs didn't help much either. There were times when something was there and the RB just never saw it or didn't follow the block. Tis a horrible combo.

 

[TDBama78]

Battles? We had battles last year. I'm waiting for fierce battles, they need to turn it up a notch or two, O-line especially,iron sharpens iron.

 

[CE1983]

Battles? We had battles last year. I'm waiting for fierce battles, they need to turn it up a notch or two, O-line especially,iron sharpens iron.

Has there been any word about S&C emphasis changes with the new O-line coach? Last year it was reported that 5 O-linemen could bench 500, but it seemed below the waist wasn’t as strong as it needed to be.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

This is where I'm at. Don't think we could have our talent/program level and get any worse

AND the regression of the OL occurred along the same timeline as Ty's injuries and limitations

A healthy QB who attacks every inch of the field (and can scamper for a first down) and a RB who can get 1-3 yards when necessary can go a long way in building continuity and confidence on the OL

I look at it as Ty's injuries and limitations were caused by the Oline. He got hammered in the Missouri game where he initially injured his back/neck. After that game, the OL blocking got worse because defenses were starting to figure them out. He kept getting hit more and more and his performance kept getting worse and worse.

 

[BhamToTexas]

QB - this is obviously the big one between Mack and Russell

RB - wide open competition

WR - Williams moving back outside? Rogers transfer probably grabs a spot

OL - wide open competition, I think 5-6 transfers came in?, hard to guess

DL and LB - lots of new faces here too, Beaman back, several transfers, hard to guess how this will shake out

DB - I think we are pretty set here, no big changes, Jackson is gone but the others have all been starters