A Day

Instead of trying to parse a scrimmage that had no contact on QBs and a lot of mix and match pieces in some areas (see Motley v. Boswell), I figured it best to go down the position grid and note on each player if I noticed them in the game. I'll go in ABC order.

Quarterbacks

Thomas Darrah- Where to begin? The football Gods blessed him with a cannon arm and he can put some serious cheese on his passes. That's really it for him though. He's the Happy Gilmore of Quarterbacks, he could do all the trick passes and long ball competitions, but when he plays, it isn't like he really has something to hold on to. His footwork is terrible, and that leads to his passes being off the mark (way long), and he doesn't have any field vision worth mentioning. He threw into double, triple, and quadruple coverage more than once. He's in the hunt for number 2 because Star isn't near ready.

Star Jackson- It is odd that this is the guy who was THE guy for some. I take a lot of heat from folks for pointing to him and saying he's not close to ready. The truth is that he's just not close. The thing to keep in mind about Star is that he's Major's style of QB, not Mac's. I think he can fit in to his system, but he's not going to wow you the way he might have in a spread field system. Star has potential, I can see it just like anyone, but I can also see that his understanding and "football IQ" is very low and I'd point to poor coaching at the HS level. As to the A Day game, remember he took virtually a 2 quarter rest, no QB keeps a steady rhythem like that. Star is in danger of falling down the chart as new QBs enter the scene.

Greg McElroy- He pretty well ended the QB race on Saturday. He was the early favorite, and he has gone through the spring proving that it was his job and only his. He's got a lot of upside to him and I think fans will see the "game manager" of Wilson, with a little more ability to hit all the passes he needs to. His footwork, mechanics, vision, and pocket sense are just years and years ahead of those on campus and might be ahead of where Wilson is right now. My favorite play from him Saturday was when the pocket collapsed, he didn't flee for the hills, he stepped up, checked down his progressions and made the right throw. That's something fans won't notice every game, but after the last 2 QBs didn't do that, it is a nice change of pace. Now, if they could just teach him to tackle....you'd have to see the ESPN coverage to get that one.

RLB002's Summer Guestimate- Like I said a few months ago, McElroy is way ahead of the pack, but now I question if anyone will be a suitable number 2 for various reasons. I always get a fearful stance about playing true freshmen at QB because it can help them learn or send them off the cliff.

Running Backs

Demetrius Goode- Still runs like he's afraid of hurting his leg. His scholarship is about to be fearful too.

Terry Grant- I keep saying it and eventually folks will get it. He just doesn't fit in. A team that runs up the gut uses bigger backs, teams that like to stretch and sweep use guys like Grant. I think his play is summed up by the play in the 2nd quarter ( I think) where he got outside and little Robbie Green knocked him backwards. He may not be 3rd string by summer, and I still wonder if he'll be around come August. I really don't care that he won the Musso award because look at the ballot this spring.

Jeramie Griffin- He's a load to tackle, but he's more of a fullback playing tail than anything else. I like him in short yardage situations and as a lead blocker potentially, but that is really all he can bring to the game for this offense. If he could gain a step or two in speed, he might be a worthy 3rd option, but as is, he's a situational player.

Mark Ingram- Do you know who was the biggest winner at RB from A Day? The guy who didn't play and had everyone appreciate him more. Ingram is just leagues ahead of the pack and I don't think anyone took the gift he gave them to beat him out.

Ivan Matchett- Ivan scored the only TD for the white team. He could eventually be the Glen Coffee style player that gets the gut yards but isn't flashy doing it. He also could be 5th or 6th on the chart and never see the field when it counts. I'd like to see him play a little more to know if he's in trouble of being attritioned or not.

Jermaine Preyear- Didn't play as far as I could tell. That may say a lot and may say little.

Roy Upchurch- Like Ingram, by not playing, he may have helped his stock. If he can return to playing form anyways. I know some of the coaches are real high on him and were before last year, but he hasn't won Saban over just yet.

RLB002's guestimate- I think a lot of the names you see now probably won't be there by summer. I think Trent is probably as happy as Roy and Mark are. If Eddie Lacy can qualify, you probably see 3 guys maybe 4 either transfer or quit.

Wide Receiver

Earl Alexander- He dressed out, probably got hurt lacing up.

Brandon Gibson- I know some are big on him, but he's got to show up at some point to be that. Right now, he's deep on the chart, and not looking like a guy that wants the ball or be on the field much.

Darius Hanks- Stat wise, it wasn't a big day, but he's their number 3A guy. He's a big target, has good hands, and makes the catches when thrown to him most of the time. I don't see anything that worries me about him.

Julio Jones- Julio is Julio, what else do you say? He's built like a linebacker, has the mentality of it too. If you want to see a gap between number 1 and 2, Julio and the other guys is where it is at.

Marquis Maze- Had a good game on Saturday, and he's at his best in space. If he can ever get over the hump with the mental mistakes (he had another one or two Saturday) he'll be a starter.

Mike McCoy- McCoy is this enigma for fans and the staff. Which one shows up and how do you tell when that is? Every spring game he looks good, most practices he looks good, but on Saturdays against guys not wearing crimson helmets, he seems to be a wallflower. Who knows. Perhaps the new QB will get him more incorporated into things, but for McCoy, he's got to show me something in a real game for a change.

Travis Sikes- I didn't see him play, and I hope that does speak volumes. I just don't have much patience for guys like Travis.

Chris Jackson- I like his play and he gives effort, but he doesn't do anything that separates him from the crowd. I would love to see him establish himself as a posession guy like Stover and Jones are. I do fear that he will get lost in translation and keep flipping around trying to get him somewhere to contribute.

RLB002's guestimate- I think the WRs that make it to campus have a real shot at being on the 2 deep rotation. I think the 3 starters are set though.

Tight Ends

Preston Dial- Had a really nice day and is a nice threat in the passing game, has ok blocking skills. He should be the number 3 TE going in and to me, I'd like to see him get more looks in Smelley's spot some because Peek and Dial are more dual threats than Smelley is.

Colin Peek- People asked me why I thought he was the all round guy, maybe you got that look for yourself moment. He is a really good target for a QB to check down to and he loves, LOVES, to hit people. He's easily one of my favorites because he loves to hit.

Brad Smelley- Brad's a great receiver from the TE spot, and he gives them a lot of options to move out to the slot, put in motion, slide under the coverage, etc. He isn't the best blocker in the world, but former QBs rarely are. I think if he can get better in his containment assignments, he will be a really good option for McElroy this fall and next fall.

Chris Underwood- I didn't notice him play, if he did it wasn't much.

Michael Williams- The Matchett touchdown was courtesy of a clear out by Williams on the right side. He drove his guy into another linebacker and it freed the lane for the score. He got separation on another play and the QB missed him badly. I think next year is the year we see him in full force. This year, he's more situational it looks like. I can see why the staff is high on him.

RLB002's guestimate- With no new TE's coming in this summer, not officially anyways, the depth chart probably doesn't move much without injury.


Offensive Line

John Michael Boswell- Boswell ended the spring as the starting RG, and number 2 RT. Due to the lack of quality depth at tackle, they elected to play him there to make it competitive. That speaks volumes as to how poor the OL recruiting of past has been. Bos has a serious mean streak and when he engages defenders, he doesn't lose many battles. He's an ideal guard, and moves well in the formations, but at tackle, he's not exactly fast enough to hold it full time.

Evan Cardwell- Did not play. I think a medical scholarship is looming here.

James Carpenter- Starting at LT is a big step for anyone. The fact he's beaten out the competition says a lot about the competition more than him. He's a guard playing tackle and I noticed a few plays where defenders got on him and drove him inside way too easily. Good for the D, bad for him. The debate may be does he start at RG over Bos? I don't know that answer, I think I'd like both there.

Drew Davis- Davis is one of the "vets" of this year's line and he looks better after a year of play and not looking over his shoulder as much. He's technically fine, he lacks the footwork to be a LT, but has ok feet for a RT. I look for him to take on a more leader role in things for this unit to be good.

Mike Johnson- Mike's the anchor this fall. We all know it. When he went down, I think even the staff gasped some. Without Johnson, this line is far weaker than it should be this far into things. That speaks volumes to his play and importance.

Barrett Jones- I thought he would be a bigger player in things, but watching him play didn't give me that same impression. I hope that he can turn it up a notch this summer.

Tyler Love- Tyler should be a RT, he lacks the ability to play LT, that's pretty clear. I think he could be a starter someday at RT, but then again, he could never play a starter down too. I know some will get defensive because he was a "big time recruit", but so was Charlie Dare. Really, like Jones, if you can't beat out some of the folks on the roster, especially those not labeled "big time recruits", well it is what it is.

Alfred McCullogh- Big Al is one of those guys that really will be a coach's favorite because he'll do anything you ask him whether he's amused with the idea or not. He's been passed around from DT, DE, to OG, to LT over the last year, but keeps on plugging. I like him as a guard on offense and a right tackle maybe, but I still think he's a heck of a 3-4 end to deal with.

Brian Motley- Motley played on the 1s for A Day, but he's running 2nd in reality. He is very strong and that gets him through things, but he still doesn't look real confident in what he's trying to do.

Taylor Pharr- I think at some point you have to know you're not gonna cut it. Pharr is in that Deaton area now.

David Ross- Looked ok at center, the snaps were clean, but the blocking was up and down. He got chewed up a few times by Chapman and others. I think this is really it for him and his shots at playing. If he can't get the center position down, I don't know if he'll be more than a key reserve or starter due to injury/suspension type guy. He isn't a tackle and his times at guard haven't been inspiring, so center is the last hope now.

William Vlachos- Vlachos is a guy that gets up and mauls guys, but he's not the most techinically sound guy either. My worry isn't him going pound for pound, it is the snaps and shotgun stuff that worry me. Caldwell took 3 years before he got it down. With the OL looking unsettled and good defenses ready to expose it, a bad snap or 3 won't help much. I do like to see him drive block though, he's got a mean streak that I like and he holds up to Cody, that makes him tough enough in that respect.

Chance Warmack- I didn't notice Chance play, I may go back one more time (that will be 4 times watching) but if I didn't see him, that doesn't mean a bad thing at times...

RLB002's guestimate- There are 3 locked spots- center, LG, RT- and the rest are still fluid situations currently. Fluker was the biggest winner at LT on A Day because there is nothing that I saw from Carpenter that says he is the best at it.

Defensive Line

Undra Billingsley- Didn't see him on the field.

Josh Chapman- The drop off between Cody and Chapman isn't much really. Chapman just approaches the job differently. I thought he did a good job of getting in the middle and really shutting down the run. He and Dareus work well together on pass downs.

Terrence Cody- The svelt new look should pay dividends in the fall, if he keeps at it, and I think he will see more time on the field, but he's never going to be an every down DT. Guys like him aren't expected to be that either. I hope that he takes the summer to work on his first move off the snap more to get penetration and not just try to flop over as much. His tackle of Grant was one of those sinful pleasures because you know that hurt like hell. Against short passes and the run, he's a top of the line tackle, against 3rd down spread the field situations, he's still okay at best.

Marcel Dareus- Dareus is a strong end and plays really well inside the tackles. He loves to hit, and he loves to bull rush. In time he'll get that first move down that gets him beyond the lineman and into a disruption position. If and when that happens, watch out. Until then, he will play 2nd string.

Luther Davis- If the mouth ever matched the player, he'd be something. He's got potential and he should contribute again this fall, but I don't see a starter in him.

Brandon Deaderick- Deaderick has to pick up the slack with Greenwood gone. I thought he did a good job of pushing the line back at times, and his role is not a blitz role so he did well to contain and move. I don't see him losing his job anytime soon.

Nick Gentry- I think I saw him, but he's getting deep on the chart now.

Kerry Murphy- They have down he participated, but I never really noticed him. I will try to go back and find him in the DVD to see what I can find.

Damien Square- He looks the part, no doubt, and coaches can't stop touting him as a real player in the front line. To me, he had a good day up front with 3 tackles and I saw him penetrate a few times. I think he'll play in rotation this fall and will see more time next year after several graduate.

Milton Talbert- I think at this point, it would be a surprise to even Milton that he plays.

Zo Washington- It seems like he's been there for 50 years now, but he finally gets a chance to play in his natural spot and maybe he'll show a fire in his play. Physically, he's great for the end position, technically he does it well, but the motor doesn't burn at the same level as Greenwood or Deaderick. My hope is that the coaches can find that burr and put it in his saddle.

RLB002's guestimate- I think the starting 3 are set and don't have a lot to worry about. Dareus and Square could push Washington some though. I think the freshmen will get some PT chances, but starts are not in the ball park yet.

Linebackers

Eryk Anders- I think Eryk had a good spring, he looks like he is getting the other half of the game finally. He can rush, no doubts there, but could he play the run. I saw him do a lot more this time than all of last year against the run, and I hope that can continue.

Brandon Fanney- He missed most of the spring for off field issues, but he kept in shape and earned the spot back. He still is the best Jack against the run and plays the zone better than the others when in coverage (rare), but he will never be the rush Jack they miss.

Glenn Harbin- DNP, starting to wonder if better talent is going to get the better of him

Jerrell Harris- He's not a "beast", "stud", "hoss", etc. yet. (And I have now officially qualified the post by using said phrases to fit in BOL discussion) He is a very good Sam linebacker that will start in the near future. I think he would be well served, however, to continue watching Reamer play and learn from him how to do all the technical areas well. What Reamer lacks in long term potential, Harris has, but what Harris lacks in "football IQ", Reamer has 3 or 4 players worth.

Jennings Hester- I get accused of hating players. I'll confess, I don't "Hate" any players, but the closest to that in the just can't stand to watch area is Hester. He's pretty much not ready and won't ever be ready for SEC play. He should be at Ga Southern.

Charlie Higgenbotham- Another guy lost in the shuffle of better talent and 3-4 schemes. I know the Rudy fan club out there will say what a leader he is on squad and such, but if you aren't in the huddle when it counts, well, there ya go.

Dont'a Hightower- Probably the best overall linebacker they have. He' plays the run, pass, and rushes better overall than any other on the team. That's saying something. I know the urge of seeing him at Jack is just working some over like Enzyte, but what he does at Will is just too important to just toss. His tip pick is a good example, not many guys are that good at coverage and getting a hand on the ball. Maybe he can play corner....

Chris Jordan- Jordan looks the part. I think he could be a starter eventually and he is getting more comfortable with the role. My worry is that better talent may dwarf him to a more reserve role. Time will tell, but I don't worry that if he starts, problems occur. However, he won't be Rolo, just won't.

Charlie Kirschman- Boy, when you sign the friend to get the star, and it doesn't work, the least he can do is help them know what he does well. Otherwise, CK1's moment is special teams and nothing else.

Rolando McClain- Rolando is the best run/pass disrupter on the group. He has matured a lot over the last 2 years and he's exceeded most of any expectations of him. My worry is that this is it for him and Bama loses him to the NFL soon. I think the one thing that may keep him in school is his sub average pass defense. That doesn't seem to be a worry to scouts right now though.

Cory Reamer- He's a coach's dream. He's a student in film and a teacher on the field type of guy. He loves to play, gets his role, and plays the ball better than any Sam. I wish they could find more of a role for him, but what he does is near perfect when he plays.

Alex Watkins- According to Rolltide.com, he's a hell of a punter. He had a fair A Day with a sack and a couple of tackles, but he just isn't going to fit into the scheme as well as expected. He's now pretty much a career backup.

Chavis Williams- Williams looked good in the game, again, and I again see his potential, but I see where the staff has fits with him. When he's not rushing the QB, he's lost in space. Litterally, he doesn't know what to do after the snap if his first step is not at the QB.

RLB002s guestimate- The starters are locked in with Jack being a rotation on situation setup. However, I could see the freshmen coming in making things real interesting too. I think there are 4-5 guys that have to make a choice or have a choice made by the staff. Football is a career for coaches folks. Warm and cuddly is what cost Shula his job.

Defensive Backs

Javier Arenas- I don't think they tested him much and he continues to do what he does well, bump and play physical. He's a lock at one corner.

Mark Barron- He is back at SS, and that's best for him. He led the White in tackles and really laid the wood on one play. I could see him outgrowing the SS position eventually and playing Sam. He's not much lighter than Harris right now.

Robby Green- He's a lot like Reamer, he's just one of those guys who gets it. He's not quite big enough physically but he likes to tackle and he isn't afraid to get hit. He's going to make young mistakes (Julio's TD), but he doesn't let it eat him up (see Marquis Johnson) and makes plays when the opportunity arises. He's their FS this fall, and I don't see him losing that to anyone. Period.

Kareem Jackson- He is still a starter and he's still one of the 3 best they have, but that tag is getting less firm. He still struggles to find the ball and gets beaten off the ball too much. He does however cover the island and plays bump well. If he can just learn how to cut from following the WR to following the ball he'll be good. To the thread about him and Saban' s teachings. Saban does teach to follow the WR, but he also teaches to look for the sign to turn and find the ball.

Marquis Johnson- He is what he is. He's a backup playing starter. I thought he might be a FS candidate, but he just doesn't see the game that well. It isn't that he's a bad player, it is just that he's not got the speed to do what he thinks he can do. Any corner no matter how big or star rated will bite on a fake, but the ones that play on Sundays and the ones that better have a diploma have the speed to correct and close the gap. Johnson doesn't have that.

Tyrone King- I like his hustle, and he plays the dime well, but he's a situational player nothing more or less.

Zo Lawrence- The moment that sticks out to me is when someone had to grab him and point him in the right direction before the snap. That is where Zo is right now. He looks the part, he plays the part when he plays it, but he still doesn't have any understanding of the part beyond the limited teaching he had. If he can just be quiet long enough and park the ego with the car, he might be ahead of Johnson right now. As is, he is another year or more away.

Robert Lester- Lester isn't a bad player, he's just not where Green is. I didn't see him playing except for special teams, I think, but that's a good start for him. I'm not close to thinking his spot is in trouble like some others on the roster.

Wes Neighbors- He's going to participate, share in the family legacy, and get a degree.

Chris Rogers- He'll play special teams and mop up. He definately has not lived up to the expectations coming into school.

BJ Scott- I hate the fact that folks have idolized him because of a message board fetish or recruiting philosophy, because he has the skills to be really good. The thing is that he's not that well coached, at least offensively. At corner, he looked more at home than he did at WR. I think some time learning behind Arenas and others will be good for him and he could be a starter later this year or next. He will not have his breakout game though.

Ali Sharrief- Ali had the shot at FS, but the staff's haunted memory of the Sugar Bowl and Green's upside have him back at the backup spot. He can play, but he doesn't see the field well enough to be the FS he needs to be for Saban's cover 2.

Justin Woodall- Justin is growing into a top end SS. He's learned from RJ and I think that and coaching have brought him along by leaps and bounds. He's a big asset to the 3-4 in run support and as he grows more comfortable in passing situations, I think he'll be a bigger asset there.

RLB002's guestimate- I think if there is room for concern on defense, it is here. They are still looking for that 3 corner rotation to lock down things and with a young FS that will make mistakes, the staff probably will be experimenting all summer.

Special Teams

Leigh Tiffin- I just wonder that if he wasn't a legacy player, would he play still? He looks very lost and has got the mental farts something fierce. We're talking Mitch Williams, John Rocker can't get it in the strike zone any more kinda thing.

Couldn't tell much about the punts because of the set up, but when nobody rushes you, they all look good....