Alabama Football: Coach Ed Orgeron talks and Tide injury report

Alabama football worked on LSU preparation Monday after LSU head coach, Ed Orgeron shared his thoughts about how the Bengal Tigers will beat the Crimson Tide.

On Monday, LSU head coach, Ed Orgeron spoke about how his Bengal Tigers will combat the strengths of the Alabama football team. Coach O is an optimistic guy and when he spoke on Monday he gave the impression he believes his guys can win.

The complete media session is available in the tweet at the bottom of this post.

Splashed all across Twitter on Monday afternoon were claims Coach O said he wanted to force Tua to throw. We cannot find any proof Orgeron made that statement. He was asked about Tua’s accuracy throwing on the run and he said,

"his release is phenomenal. His ability to run, outstanding athlete. I don’t know how much they want to run him … But you’re going to have to contain him, keep him in the pocket, make him throw out of a well. He’s a little bit taller than I expected him to be after meeting him in person."

We assume what Coach O means about throwing from a well is from inside a pocket, where defenders obstruct the field view of the quarterback. Nick Saban said on Monday LSU will sometimes drop seven or eight players into zone coverage. Maybe Coach O doesn’t want Tua to be able to see all those defenders.

Some other Coach O comments

• “One thing that Alabama does well, they’re not fancy. To be honest with you, they run basic plays that are run very well with great execution.”
• “This game is always won in the trenches. We have to do a great job in our techniques. This is going to be a technical game, stay in your gap, own your double-team, put pressure on the quarterback. Also keeping him in the pocket, not letting him run outside or inside.”
• “I think this team (LSU) is mature enough to understand that all they got to do is play their best to beat Alabama. If we play our best, we’re capable of doing that. We feel that already.”

Orgeron also said the LSU staff will make a few changes to throw the Tide off-guard. He expects Nick Saban will do the same with the Crimson Tide.

Alabama football injury update

• Jalen Hurts was throwing passes in practice Monday. Earlier Monday, Nick Saban said Jalen’s status is day-to-day. Media observers said Jalen was moving gingerly.
• Devonta Smith was running routes with the other wide receivers during the media viewing period. Devonta had a wrap on his previously injured hamstring.
• Tua Tagovaioa was able to throw from his knees during a standard warmup drill. He had not been able to do so for the last few weeks. He still wore a knee brace but he explained it was only a precaution and was not really needed.

One non-injury note from practice was a change on the offensive line first unit. Lester Cotton was back at left guard with the first group. Deonte Brown got the left guard start over Cotton in the Tennessee game. Reports were Brown did well against the Vols, was strong in the run game and gave up only one QB pressure. Brown was back with the second unit on Monday.

Lester Cotton has also been recovering from a minor ankle injury that may be fully healed after the bye week. Another advantage for Cotton over Brown is Lester’s game experience in loud, hostile environments.

It seems so long since a game week had a big game feel. It’s about time. It is games such as this that Alabama football is built to play, and win.