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Alabama Football: The five greatest threats to a 2017 championship season

By Ronald Evans

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) runs the ball for a long touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) runs the ball for a long touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama football cornerback Marlon Humphrey
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) makes a catch ahead of Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) during the fourth quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

How long will it take Trevon Diggs to develop into a consistent cornerback?

Marlon Humphrey was a very good cornerback for Alabama football. The final evidence of Marlon’s skill was becoming the No. 16 selection in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

As good as Marlon was, Alabama football fans remember the times he was beaten for long pass plays. It is the nature of the position. Arguably it is the most difficult position in the game of football.

In 2017, the Alabama defense will depend on Trevon Diggs to hold down the second cornerback position opposite Anthony Averett. Diggs is an exceptional athlete, capable of playing on either side of the ball.

Diggs is likely to become a star at Alabama. After two or three solid seasons at cornerback, he too could become an NFL early round pick.

When the season kicks off on Sept. 2, Trevon Diggs will be an unproven work-in-progress. If he remains a work-in-progress throughout 2017, Alabama could struggle to make the post-season.

Tide fans should be reassured that coaching defensive backs is the specialty of Nick Saban. But for many, that does not allay all fears.

For the multitude of us who know enough about football to be dangerous, we worry if Diggs has the hips to play at corner. To excel a corner needs flexible rather than stiff hips allowing them to rotate or change direction quickly.

Defensive backs with stiff hips play the safety position, keeping the game in front of them and requiring less sudden changes in direction.  For this reason, very good safeties rarely make very good corners.

We cannot predict how fast Trevon Diggs will develop. Against FSU, he may be provided some help over the top. But the Tide cannot overcompensate for Diggs all season. The Saban designed defense demands corners that can match up man-to-man with the opponent’s best receivers.

If Trevon Diggs cannot consistently meet the Saban standard in 2017, Alabama football will be in trouble.

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