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The Jumbo Package | 08.14.13

Your daily dose of Crimson Tide related links and quotes.

Landon Collins is earning praise from veteran Clinton-Dix.
Landon Collins is earning praise from veteran Clinton-Dix.
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

DBs Bradley Sylve, Landon Collins doing well in Alabama's camp, HaHa Clinton-Dix says | AL.com

Sylve is a third-year sophomore from Port Sulphur, La., who was redshirted in 2011 and played in 12 games last season. He's had a good camp so far, Alabama coach Nick Saban said Thursday. Clinton-Dix concurred.

"Brad's been coming out every day and competing," Clinton-Dix said. "He knows the defense. He's being -- what's the word I'm looking for? -- he's being explosive. Consistent. He's picking it up and being consistent with it."

I've heard Bradley Sylve's name come up a couple of times this camp. It seems like he may be positioning himself to step up if Belue's hamstring proves to be more of a nagging, long-lived injury than we're all hoping.

From what was observed during media viewing periods while Belue was sitting out, Sylve and Fulton were working at the corner spots, while Geno Smith was working at the Star position.

Alabama looking for the right mix on its offensive line, Nick Saban says | AL.com

“Shep could be a guard or a tackle, could be a right tackle or a left tackle,” Saban said. “He's a guy that is a smart guy who we feel good about as a starter but may give us a little bit more flexibility if he played left guard, left tackle.

“But again, we're going to look at this guy for three or four days and then decide what we think is the best. Arie is a powerful guy, and that does help us develop power with the right side of the line.”

I know this shouldn't worry me, but I'd be lying if I said that I just shrugged this off. I'm used to these types of experiments during spring practice, but two weeks from the first game is starting to get a little close for comfort. Optimistic Slice would like for me to believe this change is the result of Arie's rehabilitation and him becoming more awesome. Negative Slice says that this probably wouldn't be happening if Leon Brown had worked out as planned. I wouldn't say that I'm worried, but I would move my confidence in this unit at the moment down from 8 or 9 to 6 or 7.

The scrimmage this Saturday could be telling. If this position swap is continued through the scrimmage, I'll be very curious to see how Saban feels about the push the line is able to get. If he's happy? I'm happy. If we're still not getting a push, I'm going to get a head start on bubble-wrapping my valuables.

Jalston Fowler says Alabama's offense 'could be great' and touts freshman RB Altee Tenpenny | AL.com

Fowler singled out Altee Tenpenny.

"He’s been doing great," Fowler said. "He runs hard. He finishes plays. But like anybody else, he’s got to keep working."

Interesting that Tenpenny would be the one singled out. I thought highly of Tenpenny coming in, but this corps is a know that is dang near impossible to unravel. Derrick Henry is a monster of a man, Tyren Jones went beast mode in the scrimmage this past Saturday, and now Tenpenny is being singled out for his work ethic. This defense is going to need to force a ton of three and outs to get these backs enough carries to go around.

Tuesday Practice Report:

The team had one practice in full pads yesterday. During the observation period, Amari Cooper was spotted in a black jersey running through exercises by himself. Tana Patrick didn't participate in all of the drills, and had his left foot/ankle taped up. not great timing for Tana to be out of pocket, since he is on the short list of people that could make a move in the midst of Trey DePriest's suspention.

The team has a two-a-day today (the last one of fall camp). They will scrimmage again this Saturday.

You guys ready for a video dump?

Offensive Line:

Defensive Backs:

Michael Faciane (TE) is back on the field:

Is it just me, or are these numbers getting smaller?