Alabama football has a bit of a punt returner problem. There is no shortage of speedy, elusive, explosive returners. The problem is fielding the punts.
For the last two games, Alabama football and punt returners have had an adventure. Failures in ball security have made the adventure troubling.
In the two-game sequence, Trevon Diggs, Henry Ruggs III and Xavian Marks combined to fumble four times. Two of the four miscues resulted in turnovers. That none of the turnovers affected the outcome of a game is immaterial.
Lying ahead are games in which a turnover may determine an outcome, maybe even a championship. Nick Saban and assistant Joe Pannunzio will spend the bye-week addressing the problem, drilling players and evaluating options. Nick Saban spoke about the three returners,
"All three guys are very capable. Trevon Diggs did a good job of doing it for a long time. Ruggs is very explosive. But … when guys sort of don’t have success, what is their confidence level?"
Saban’s plan between now and LSU is to “try and figure out who can do the best job there.” The guy who is most likely to do ‘the best job’ is Minkah Fitzpatrick. Speaking about that option, Saban said,
"Minkah does take reps with the punt return … not something that he’s done since he’s been here, but I think he’s very capable of doing."
The question about Minkah is not can he do the ‘best job’ but rather is it worth putting him at increased risk for injury. Saban has long said he does not worry about injuries to top players competing on special teams.
Injuries led to loss against Clemson
Last season that lack of worry may have cost Alabama football a national championship. Several knowledgeable college football pundits have agreed on the injuries to Shaun Dion Hamilton and Eddie Jackson having cost the Tide last season’s national championship.
Nothing against Hamilton but after he was lost in the SEC Championship game there was a strong replacement in Rashaan Evans. The same cannot be said about Eddie Jackson. Alabama football adjusted after losing Jackson in October but Eddie’s skill set was irreplaceable.
When Jackson went down he was leading the FBS in punt-return average. An even bigger loss was his ball-hawking play at safety. Add Eddie Jackson to the Tide secondary against Clemson, and the outcome would almost assuredly have been different.
If Minkah Fitzpatrick misses any of the last few games on a championship run this season, there is like last year, no replacement. Since Minkah is so versatile and such a leader on the field, losing him in 2017 would be even more damaging than losing Eddie Jackson last season.
Is it worth the risk? Solve the punt return dilemma with Minkah and increase his risk of injury. It is a tough call, without fully known consequences.
Down in Cajun Country, they are already practicing for the trip to Tuscaloosa. It will be a season-defining game for the Bengal Tigers. Check with us often as we cover the run-up to the big game.