Zeke Knight to DEFENSE?

[TerryP]

It's depth but I don't know how "good" the depth really is considering that Brown and Hall are the only two returners in that list that really did anything. Caddell had one or two flashes but basically was a non factor. I didn't even know Oakley ever touched the field in 2005. We've got bodies but Caddell and Oakley need to assert themselves a little more for us to have "good depth".

Ah, you've hit another one of those subjects! If you were to ask or witness them playing you would have been wondering why Caddell and Oakley didn't get more playing time than they did. They had great practices...could it be that "NFL mentality" of sticking with one player in a position like we saw with Brodie and inexperienced back-ups two years ago?

From reports we've seen and heard the talk about Stover is "he's the best receiver we have on campus right now."

Bottom line...I'm hoping we were just part of the dreaded "sophmore jinx" last season.

 

[TerryP]

Something for you to chew on...

Let's step back a few months and imagine this...

Hall is lined up on the right side, Caddell on the other. Brodie drops back...does he check both guys before dumping it off to Hall or does he go with his primary receiver?

Don't get me wrong...but if I were to bet I'd say our stats will look a lot different at the end of the '06 season with more guys getting touches than what we had last season. Brodie brought a lot to the game, no doubt. But I firmly believe we'll have more of a "team" offensively next season than we did this past season.

 

[bamaslammer]

I'm not so surprised at Caddell's playing time, he's not quite as big a break away threat as Hall and Brown, and when he had to start he really didn't play well until the bowl game.

Oakley's another matter, If he's any good I'm perplexed, cause I don't recall him playing at all, even on special teams.

 

[ElkhartTider]

oakley will only be a redshirt soph... i guess not all develop as fast as hall and brown..

 

[TerryP]

I'm not so surprised at Caddell's playing time, he's not quite as big a break away threat as Hall and Brown, and when he had to start he really didn't play well until the bowl game.

Oakley's another matter, If he's any good I'm perplexed, cause I don't recall him playing at all, even on special teams.

True frosh, scout team/practice squad....may have shirted.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Brodie brought a lot to the game, no doubt. But I firmly believe we'll have more of a "team" offensively next season than we did this past season.

This is where I expect JPW to be better than Croyle, field vision. If JPW can keep from locking onto his primary receiver (as did Croyle for most of his career) then our passing game (with respect to Stover, Brown and Hall) ought to be one bad machine. Brown has break away speed, Hall demonstrated his toughness and ability to go up and get balls, and from what I've heard about Stover he can do it all.

 

[TerryP]

I have ticked off more than my share of Bama fans..

with the statement, "I'll be glad when the Brodie era is over." Understand, that isn't a thing against Brodie and I appreciate what he's brought to Alabama. There are several new dynamics now that we've had a change in tha position.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

with the statement, "I'll be glad when the Brodie era is over." Understand, that isn't a thing against Brodie and I appreciate what he's brought to Alabama. There are several new dynamics now that we've had a change in tha position.

I'd tend to believe you probably ticked off "Brodie fans" more than Bama fans. Brodie was a talent that (due to injuries) just never developed into what he could of have been on the college level. It didn't take a D-1 college coach to figure out that he had problems going to secondary receivers knowing when to throw the deep ball and when to go to the intermediate wr sitting in the middle of the field.

Brodie will always be remembered and liked at Bama but yes, it is time to move on and to the next level.

 

[Bama Bo]

True frosh, scout team/practice squad....may have shirted.

Will Oakley was a Redshirt Frosh in '05.
I think he had a lot of nagging injuries that hindered his playing time. Mostly to do with his hamstrings from what I remember reading.

http://www.rolltide.com/Football/10819.asp

As far as Knight goes, it's probably a good move. I remember reading last spring CMS comparing him to a bigger version of Prothro in his playmaking during spring training. I think he is a good practice player but nerves or lack of confidence causes him to drop balls in the game that he catches in practice.

 

[SimCastilleFan3]

Its official Zeke Knight to DE per bamamag.com

 

[Crimson Hawk]

Ah, you've hit another one of those subjects! If you were to ask or witness them playing you would have been wondering why Caddell and Oakley didn't get more playing time than they did. They had great practices...could it be that "NFL mentality" of sticking with one player in a position like we saw with Brodie and inexperienced back-ups two years ago?

From reports we've seen and heard the talk about Stover is "he's the best receiver we have on campus right now."

Bottom line...I'm hoping we were just part of the dreaded "sophmore jinx" last season.

Does that include Prothro? Or do you consider Pro a true WR, as opposed to a flanker/slash type player?

 

[Bama Reb]

yes this information is true. a trainer for the football informed my friend "zeke knight will not be catching passes anymore". so i guess the only he will be catching is INT's hopefully !

If he can't catch 'em, he can at least knock 'em to the ground!
RTR

 

[drjamesm]

I am in agreement

with the statement, "I'll be glad when the Brodie era is over." Understand, that isn't a thing against Brodie and I appreciate what he's brought to Alabama. There are several new dynamics now that we've had a change in tha position.

I remember that statement,and after much thought I agree. It is time we moved on,IMO sometimes we game planned around BC and not the strength and weaknesses of the team and our opponent.I am glad ZK is moved to the D side for obvious reasons too. I believe he will eventually help the team more on that side of the ball. :wink:

 

[buzzincuzzin]

I've been Zeke's biggest fan, but yes the time has come. Would his knowlage of pass routes and speed get him a quick look at WSL? I know he's already too big and going to bulk up some more but, MAN, what a match-up problem!

 

[TerryP]

If you look over the roster you'll see Zeke is the same size as our SLB. Tentative (being the operating word) spring rosters has him listed as one of the DE's. We know Kines likes to take big linebackers and move them into DE spots for their speed and agility...but that's going to take some bulking up, IMO.

I've been Zeke's biggest fan, but yes the time has come. Would his knowlage of pass routes and speed get him a quick look at WSL? I know he's already too big and going to bulk up some more but, MAN, what a match-up problem!

 

[TerryP]

No, I wasn't including Pro. Flanker, Split End, Slash...let's call him an H-back...as in Hybrid.

Does that include Prothro? Or do you consider Pro a true WR, as opposed to a flanker/slash type player?

 

[GrandBayTider]

Let's step back a few months and imagine this...

Hall is lined up on the right side, Caddell on the other. Brodie drops back...does he check both guys before dumping it off to Hall or does he go with his primary receiver?

I agree but whenever I would post something about this, the next post would read:

"he doesn't have time to check down, because our OL is so bad!"

 

[CrimsonAvenger]

Zeke kept us (Lineville) from going to the 2A State championship game with his play at LB.He was all over the field,side line to side line.We did score on the first offensive play of the game but he stepped up his game and RCHS went to the Super 6.I believe he will be a much better player on defense.

 

[TerryP]

Zeke kept us (Lineville) from going to the 2A State championship game with his play at LB.He was all over the field,side line to side line.We did score on the first offensive play of the game but he stepped up his game and RCHS went to the Super 6.I believe he will be a much better player on defense.

I've seen a few members here post about seeing Zeke at LB in HS and saying that he did a great job there. On the other hand, I've also heard from several that watched him play that said his athleticism allowed him to make plays, but he didn't have a solid grasp of a LB scheme and would need at least a 'shirt before he'd be up to par when it comes to Div. 1 LB play. Six of one, half a dozen of another...

The thing about Zeke on the end of the DL is his speed. If we get into situation where teams are trying to run outside of the tackles we'll need that speed to be able to contain that approach. There, he could offer some minutes but a lot like a player who we'd use on passing downs...situational.

 

[rizolltizide]

Does that include Prothro? Or do you consider Pro a true WR, as opposed to a flanker/slash type player?

I don't think you can include Pro in the mix at this point. Unfortunately.