Alabama Football: Depth chart experiments continue as Tide works in pads

Alabama football had a full-pads practice Wednesday. Shuffled depth charts for Mercer may or not portend the same for Auburn.

Alabama football has been in a self-review and accelerated teaching mode during the Mercer week. No player and certainly not Nick Saban will admit the team is giving any thought to Auburn.

Either because of past injuries, latest injuries or because key players struggled against Mississippi State, less used players are getting an extra look. It is not known whether these pseudo auditions are for starter slots or backup roles. And if they are auditions, the tryouts will also include game performance against Mercer.

Who will not and might not play in the Mercer game.

• Ross Piersbacher will not play this Saturday. He is in a walking boot for a high ankle sprain and he may not return for Auburn.
• It was reported Minkah Fitzpatrick was in full pads and a black no-contact jersey Wednesday. He was not seen participating in drills during the media viewing period. Giving Minkah’s hamstring a day off on Saturday makes a lot of sense.
• The long list of players from earlier injuries not currently available are: Shaun Dion Hamilton (out for season); Miller Forristall (out for season); Mack Wilson (out until post-season); Christian Miller (out at least until post-season); Terrell Lewis (out at least until post-season)
• Rashaan Evans could also use more time for his groin to heal. He could be rested against Mercer unless the coaching staff thinks Dylan Moses needs game reps with Rashaan on the field.

Who steps up against Mercer and maybe against Auburn?

• J.C. Hassenauer will be at left guard for Piersbacher.
• If Minkah is rested, look for Deionte Thompson at safety in the Dime defense.
• Dylan Moses will get a lot of action against Mercer. What he does with that opportunity might give him an expanded role against Auburn.

Latest Nick Saban Comments

• Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis are in the “functional phase of rehab” from their injuries. They are not medically cleared to play and when they will be medically cleared is not known.
• On possible expanded roles by young players, “if (young players like Dylan Moses and Deionte Thompson) have expanded roles (against Mercer) hopefully that will enhance their development and their confidence.”

In response to a question about the improvement of young players, Saban was clear the coaching staff is continually analyzing what players can play “winning football.” That analysis with defensive players did not start after the Mississippi State game. It is ongoing and has been since last spring.

It is highly unlikely, particularly with the injury situation, for the Tide to conduct anything like a game-type scrimmage next week. So for young players hoping to prove they can be trusted in expanded roles against Auburn, Saturday is their chance.

Rainer Sabin of al.com wrote what many Alabama football fans have been thinking since last Saturday,

"Both redshirt junior Keith Holcombe and freshman Dylan Moses turned in subpar performances, unveiling a weakness in a defense that for the longest time has shown no deficiencies."

A relaxed Nick Saban is never good for future opponents

If Nick Saban agrees with Sabin’s assessment he was not churned up about it during the Wednesday press session. Multiple reporters commented that Nick was unusually relaxed, almost playful in his attitude. If any of that demeanor carries over to next week, Auburn could be in for a reckoning.

Next: A Summer Prediction Reviewed

Last summer we listed the five reasons 2017 might not become a championship season. We did not see clearly into the future but we were not far off either. We missed Levi Wallace solving a CB weakness. Our fear for players who could not be lost to injury should have had a longer list. Otherwise, the list was pretty accurate. Check it out above.