Expecting massive revelations on the first day of fall camp is a fool’s errand. That being said, it’s hard to characterize this news as anything less than encouraging.
On this day, Tate Ratledge, coming off a season-ending Lisfranc injury in the opener last season, was lined up as the starting right guard and Devin Willock was at left guard. The tackles were Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon and center was Sedrick Van Pran-Granger.
… Safety/nickel Tykee Smith practiced without limitations.
Smart’s been hedging his bets on the health of both Ratledge and Smith throughout the preseason. If they’re both capable of working their way through fall practice, that is a big deal.
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Fingers crossed. We seem to be built to handle injuries (compared to the past) but a little luck in that area sure would be welcome.
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Much better than the past but injuries can still derail a season very quickly.
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Yeah, Alabama just found out they lost Metchie and Williams forever.
Instant rebuilding mode for the tide! Another lost season.
I hear those two were the key to any success.
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I do think it says something that Saban had to go get a receiver from Georgia, one that has had injury issues himself, and a running back from tech to fill starting roles.
Gibbs is good, there is no doubt about that, but I’m not sure he is Crimson Tide feature back good. If you look at his stats by game last season, he didn’t really do much against the decent teams tech faced. He piled up yards against VT and UVA, 245 of his 746 total rushing yards came in those two games with another 99 against NIU so close to half of his total rushing yards came in three games last season. He had 4 games where he had 40 or fewer yards rushing including -10 against Pitt.
Burton is good too, no question, but he isn’t Metchie or Williams good. I guess he thinks he’ll get more touches at Bama since they like to leave Young and the starters in late in the game to pad stats. Maybe he thinks it will help his draft prospects.
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I made fun of the Metchie – Williams whine, but when I think about it it was true for Bama because they didn’t have any other plan. No serious running game that could impose its will when needed. No alternate passing game that had any experience. What that makes me realize is that Kirby playing everybody some during the season is not just good for player morale it’s good for the team as a whole. If we lost our LT we could put Broderick Jones in and he was ready. I feel bad for Nick. Not.
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A couple of Road graders right there. Willock is a monster.
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I would have never said this out loud. Yeah I’m superstitious.
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Having both of those guys healthy and ready to play would be a big boost to our hopes this year. Ratledge with McClendon would really make that right side of the line formidable. Tykee with Chris Smith would allow the young safeties to grow up before being thrown into the deep end of the pool.
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True. Big deal indeed.
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Is Mims a utility guy or part of a rotation?
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Tackle rotation … the heir apparent to McClendon or Jones if one of them leaves after this year.
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The lack of injuries has been so great I’m starting to get worried. Or maybe I’m just summoning my inner Munson and Yogi Berra.
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A fatalistic but healthy way to look at it!!!!
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