Newsflash: I made a prediction that was incorrect. Sometimes I think I’m the kiss of death.
Quinton Dial did not get the starting job over Ed Stinson as the other defensive end alongside Jesse Williams and Damien Square on the depth chart released by Alabama head coach Nick Saban this afternoon. Some points about the newly-released lineup:
Defensive End: Everything in practice indicated that Quinton Dial was getting the best of Ed Stinson when it comes to being the complete defensive end that Saban usually prefers. Stinson has made his reputation in Tuscaloosa off of his pass rush, disturbing any pocket that dared to keep him out of it. Dial did this to a certain extent, but also showed an ability to stuff the run that at times bested Stinson’s.
In the end, Stinson is definitely the guy the Tide wants on the line against Michigan. Saban put an unbelievable amount of emphasis on containing Michigan QB Denard Robinson in his Monday press conference, and Stinson is the more athletic of the two. Dial may be able to lay the harder hit on Robinson, but he would have to catch him first. If the game were played twice with Stinson starting five times and Dial starting five times, Stinson would most likely get the best of Dial statistically.
Running back. Welcome to the Show, T.J. Yeldon. After a phenomenal spring, the true freshman halfback is in position to see playing time in his first-ever collegiate game. Yeldon and Hart battled all Spring for the spot behind Fowler, and Yeldon apparently pulled away in preseason camp. How Yeldon’s playing time is split with Fowler’s is to be determined, but the sharp contrast in skill sets leads me to believe that Fowler is the 3rd-and-short, 4th-and-short back while Yeldon will come in for his pass-catching threat and when a power back is not needed yet.
Also, the depth chart is a huge vote of confidence for Eddie Lacy when it comes to his health. He has never claimed to be 100 percent, but has repeatedly said he is close. The coaching staff clearly believes in him if they are planning to trot him out against a Big Ten defense in Week One.
Tight End/H-Back. Michael Williams was a rather obvious choice. What really comes out to me is Kelly Johnson. Johnson, who is also the back-up long snapper, was previously thought to be behind both Brian Vogler and Harrison Jones when it comes to playing time at the H-Back position.
In this week one depth chart, however, it seems as though Vogler will call the tight end position his home and let Johnson and Jones play the H-Back position. Johnson is the leader in the clubhouse for the Secret Weapon Award, the guy who comes out of seemingly nowhere to make a huge impact on a team (the last winner of this award was Trent Richardson in 2009).
Wide Receiver. World, meet DeAndrew White. White, welcome to your coming-out party. The open bar is in the room to your left. You won’t be paying for a drink tonight.
Kenny Bell was the man in spring practice while White was in and out with nagging injury. For White to be listed as the No. 1 wide receiver despite missing spring practice (super important to Saban’s program and process), means he’s something to watch out for in my book. The same can be said for Kevin Norwood, who rode the momentum from his torching of Tyrann Mathieu in the BCS National Championship Game and has beaten Bell for that starting spot.
Mike/Will Linebackers. Again, blame this one on my kiss of death. I thought C.J. Mosley would be the one moving around to accommodate having Nico Johnson on the field at all times, but it appears that Nico will be moving around to ensure that he is on the field at all time, depending on the situation.
The exact usage of these packages is yet to be determined, but it seems to be this way. In running situations, Alabama will have DePriest and Johnson on the field together while Mosley and Johnson will pair up for the passing situations. First downs will be the most interesting in this corps: will it be Mosley most of the time, DePriest most of the time or will it fluctuate depending on in-game performance/field position? I’m going to be tracking that.
Kicker. I’m considering Cade Foster’s inclusion in the starting rotation with no mention of true freshman Adam Griffith a wink and a thumbs-up from the coach’s office to Foster. Foster had a pretty rough season last year, and the chants from the fanbase calling for Griffith were noisy, to say the least.
Competition makes everyone better, right?
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