Linebacker Trey Depriest makes a tackle during Alabama’s Tuesday football practice. (Photo by Brett Hudson)
– The depth chart may have Cyrus Jones as a second-string cornerback behind John Fulton, but he continues to get reps, and quality ones, with the safeties as well as the corners. This does not mean that Jones will switch positions again, but it could make Jones a viable candidate for dime or nickel packages to play in either spot depending on down and distance (for example, they will need more bodies deep on third and long than they would on second and five).
– Speaking of the defensive backs, the units as a whole took to coverage schemes both Monday and Tuesday. Monday, the defensive backs did a lot of work with motion, defending certain schemes Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler has been known to use with wide receivers in motion. Tuesday’s practice saw some more wide open looks, including heavy doses of four- and sometimes five-wideout looks. In almost all cases, the defenses were tasked with covering five eligible receivers in pattern.
– The wide receivers and quarterbacks seem to have put an emphasis on routes that can do damage against man coverage, such as post corner routes or the sluggo route (you can click the route name for an image of the route).
– Overall, the practices as a whole are picking up in contact. The hitting is becoming more intense, but not quite 100%, probably to make sure all nagging injuries from preseason camp are healed up before the opening game.
