Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Alabama Crimson Tide hit the practice field for the second time this spring on Monday afternoon in helmets, shorts, and jerseys working inside the Hank Crisp Athletic Facility.
Starting wide receiver DeAndrew White was spotted off to the side riding a stationary bike during the media’s viewing period and he was actually catching passes while riding the bike.
The first team offensive line looks like this during position drills at the moment, remember it is very early, Arie Kouandjio (LG), Leon Brown (LT), Ryan Kelly (C), Alphonse Taylor (RG), and Austin Shepherd (RT). It looks as if Paul Waldrop, Bradley Bozeman, and Chris Posa are all competing for the number two spot behind Kelly at center.
Jalston Fowler, Corey McCarron, and Michael Nysewander were all getting carries from what has typically been the H-back position the last few years, leading credence to the thought that Alabama may be moving back to a traditional fullback in the I-formation set.
The rotation at running back remains the same as it was to end the season with TJ Yeldon in the front and Derrick Henry behind him and Kenyan Drake at #3.
Eddie Jackson and Cyrus Jones were leading the cornerbacks in position drills. Jonathan Cook was working with the safeties, he was a redshirt cornerback last year.
ArDarius Stewart remained at safety today.
In passing drills Blake Sims, Cooper Bateman, Alec Morris, and Parker McLeod threw with the receivers while David Cornwell was throwing with the tight ends and h-backs.
During an ESPN interview earlier today Nick Saban was asked about the possibility of using a running QB and adopting a new style to the offense. He said that he would like to incorporate a running style or mobile QB into Alabama’s current system, like Blake Sims, but not completely change the system for that type of QB.
“I think if you have a guy like that, it does creat a lot of problems for the defense,” Saban said. “I think that as we go forward in the future; that we’d like to have that kind of quarter (a mobile QB) as well. But we’re still a pro-style type of offense. We really don’t want to go into the spread and have a running quarterback, because the downside of that is when you lose that guy, because of the exposure he has, do you have enough guys that can go in there and play at the same level he can play?”
Harrison Jones was spotted riding a treadmill during practices even though he is no longer with the team. His father spoke with AL.com and said that Jones would still be with the team if he was physically able to do it. Jones ruptured a disc in his back at the end of the 2012 season which required surgery. He was still able to play in 11 games last year, but injuries are forcing him to leave football, including a shoulder injury that is going to require surgery soon.
Harrison’s father said that his son informed Nick Saban of his plans in January but Saban gave him a few weeks to make sure that was the decision he wanted to make. Harrison graduated with his bachelors degree back in May of 2013 and is on pace to earn his masters in 2015. He intends to remain at Alabama and earn the masters degree.