Barrett Jones Sticking at Left Tackle?

While Barett Jones has been a standout at right guard the past two seasons, his recent move to left tackle is looking more and more like a long-term position change rather than a short-term experiment. Jones was once again at left tackle in practice today, and Nick Saban said in his post-practice press conference that he will play there in the A-Day game as well. Per Chase Goodbread:

We'll obviously have to wait and see what happens at right guard, but all indications are that Anthony Steen will take the place of Jones. Saban has spoken highly of his performance this spring, and in fact Steen's improvement may very well be a major driving force behind this move. If all of that indeed holds true, the starting five, going left to right, will be Barrett Jones, Chance Warmack, William Vlachos, Anthony Steen, and D.J. Fluker.

One way or the other, it's hard to interpret this as a positive sign moving forward for either Alfred McCullough or Aaron Douglas. While they could conceivably make a push later this summer, doing so will not be easy and the odds are more likely that neither would see the field in a meaningful capacity if Barrett Jones remains at left tackle. This is the last chance for McCullough with his senior season on the horizon, and with Douglas being a true left tackle the move of Jones would block his only legitimate path to playing time. And, of course, the arrival of Cyrus Kouandjio later this summer will only be another obstacle in their way.