The Jumbo Package | 09.10.14

Your daily dose of Crimson Tide news and notes.

By Slice of Life Sep 10, 2014, 8:43am CDT

How much of Lane Kiffin's offense has Alabama shown? Senior explains playbook management | AL.com

"I think there's a lot left on the table we can show," Alabama tight end Brian Vogler said. "I think the coaches are saving that up to work on a different defense. We put in a lot of stuff. We take certain stuff out against certain defenses. We game plan around it. There's a lot of stuff still out there. The coaches are just waiting to use it."

There likely won't be too many new looks displayed at 5 p.m. Saturday when Southern Miss comes to Bryant-Denny Stadium. It's the second straight non-conference game against a team outside the Power 5, so it's not typically a time for showing too many exotic looks.

While it is certainly possible that we are hiding an entire formation/package (wildcat or diamond or something), I think the thing we are most obviously waiting to unveil is he option game. Will we be able to execute it well? Will it prove effective against Florida? No idea, but I can't wait to see.

Anatomy of Alabama's WR screen pass and how it's become the ultimate weapon | AL.com

With reporters watching at a practice last week, wide receivers coach Billy Napier had his group go through a drill that didn't involve a ball or route-running. One by one, the receivers sprinted a few yards before lunging shoulder first into a tackling dummy. It's safe to assume Alabama's four- and five-star receivers didn't start playing their position so they could block, but they've had no choice but to embrace it. There's simply too much depth for Saban to play receivers who can only catch the ball.

"I think receivers sometimes take what they do in the game literally, which means they're supposed to receive the ball," Saban said. "What we try to emphasize with them is you've got to be a complete player at your position, you're going to receive the ball. "If you have a really good day, you might catch five or six balls. There's going to be 70 plays in the game. That means there's something else that you have to do on the other 65 plays a game that makes you a good player."

Well, yeah... unless your name rhymes with Tamale Trooper, in which case,

Alabama practice report: Competition heats up on Tide's offensive line | AL.com

Wide receivers DeAndrew White (shoulder) and Christion Jones (ankle) were noticeably more active but weren't full go. That White, who was said to be out for two weeks, is even out on the practice field should be viewed as an encouraging sign. Saban said Monday he expected Jones to be more involved at today's practice.

DB Jarrick Williams (foot) continues to go through his rehab behind closed doors. He's another couple of weeks away from returning.

So, I guess we can officially put to bed any hope of Jarrick making a miraculous recovery in time for the Florida game.

Reggie Ragland names Alabama's 'dark horse' LB, explains importance of Trey DePriest's return | AL.com

Ragland singled out three who are poised to make a bigger impact as the season progresses.

"The dark horse," he said, is third-year sophomore Ryan Anderson, who shined at A-Day and picked up his second career solo sack Saturday. "As the season goes on, he's going some have some stats – some big stats for us," Ragland said. "He works so hard, he's finally getting his chance. How he is and his mindset, he works hard the whole time he's in the weight room, on the field. He's going to come in and produce."

Ragland called freshman Rashaan Evans "a freak" after his first career sack, but also doled out similar praise to sophomore Tim Williams. Williams, a pass-rushing specialist who was suspended for most of the preseason, has worked with the scout team in practice but was able to get on the field against FAU.

"Those guys, the first step they have it's unbelievable," Ragland said. "And as the season goes on you are all going to see it."

SEC quarterback tracker: Week 2 - ESPN

How Sims performed: Sims continues to do what coach Nick Saban and his staff value most: manage the offense. It might not be flashy, but Sims has taken what the defense has given him time and time again. Relying on mostly short, quick passes, Sims threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns on 12 of 14 passing against Florida Atlantic. He also ran in a touchdown from 7 yards out.

What it means: Sims has done nothing to lose the starting job, but it's still what he hasn't done -- throw the football deep -- that's most troubling. Coker, on the other hand, can do that. In fact, he seemed intent on chucking it deep in his first real action under center for the Crimson Tide. Coker was 15 of 24 for 202 yards and a touchdown against FAU. But it was what he couldn't do -- manage the offense, minimize mistakes -- that is keeping him from truly challenging Sims. – Alex Scarborough

Jacob Coker isn't afraid to run but Alabama teammates would like to see him slide | AL.com

"Yeah, I was laughing. I was like, 'What are you doing? You don't need to be getting hurt,'" right tackle Austin Shepherd said. "I just told him to get down. I was like, 'Be smart.'"

On the next possession, Coker scrambled again near the goal line. After being tackled out of bounds, Coker had a quick shove for an FAU defender. "I didn't even see that," a smiling Shepherd said. "Someone was telling me about that. But that's good."

Bradley Bozeman 'got out there and did things right' in surprise Alabama debut | AL.com

Midway through the third quarter, the redshirt freshman center was simply thrown into the first action of his Crimson Tide career even though starter Ryan Kelly wasn't hurt. Bozeman worked with the rest of the first-team offensive line on Alabama's final touchdown drive of the game and finished with the second-team group he's worked with throughout the preseason.

"Coach just kind of said get him in there and threw him in the heat of everything. We just adjusted," right tackle Austin Shepherd said. "I think right before it was a TV timeout or something and we were standing there on the sideline and coach said, 'Get him in there. Kelly you're out.' We were all just like, 'OK. Let's go.'"

Ohio State, ex-Tide C Chad Lindsay ends career after injury - CBSSports.com

Ohio State 's offensive line showed against Virginia Tech it could use some experienced help. Unfortunately, it will not be coming from Chad Lindsay. The fifth-year senior transfer from Alabama informed Columbus-area media Monday night that he has elected to end his football career after reaggravating in practice an injury he originally suffered during fall camp.

"After careful consideration, I have determined that it is time for me to walk away from football," he wrote in his statement to media, per the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. "I have had a great career and I will always be grateful for so many wonderful experiences. I would like to thank Coach Meyer, the coaching staff, players and trainers as it has been an honor to be a part of The Ohio State University football family.

Tough news for Lindsay. We wish him the best as he moves on to the next stage of his life.