Jumbo Package: Baseball rained out; Foster as high as 2; time running out to improve RPI

Draft

Reuben Foster, a projected first-round pick, may have helped himself more we knew in this year’s draft. Even before the Combine and Pro-Day, it’s already being speculated that the 49ers, not sold on Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson, could make a move for the inside linebacker from Alabama.

If the 49ers aren’t convinced on one of the top quarterbacks, they should try and move off this pick while staying inside the top 10 to get Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, a safety, or a wide receiver.

2017 NFL mock draft: Trades could shake up the 1st round - SBNation.com

Revamped Staff

We know it’s been an unusual year of offseason moves for the staff, but this chart really breaks it down — half of Alabama’s coaches were released or reassigned. And, that doesn’t include three other losses in admin and analyst roles. Is Saban gearing up for one more fundamental revamp of the program as he begins the final few campaigns of his career? While it seems so, it’s almost a certainty that this coaching staff will not resemble next year’s: there still seem to be many temporary-type coaches or experiments, not to mention coaches in line for promotions elsewhere (Locksley, Ansley, Werner, perhaps Pruitt come to mind immediately.)

Saban completes reworked Alabama coaching staff after several departures

In addition, director of player development Freddie Roach became Ole Miss’ defensive line coach, director of football operations Justin Dickens left the program, and graduate assistant Clint Trickett became FAU’s tight ends coach (after only a few weeks on staff).

And, from ESPN comes this:

New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett:

"He's a phenomenal coach, one of the best I've been around," Bennett said at the start of the Patriots' playoff run. "Always prepared. Preparation is key. I've been in the league going on my 10th year now, and he's helped me grow as a player tremendously. He's invested in me, and I'm invested in him, and we have a great relationship together."

This sounds more like an imprint of Saban’s early teaching than vice-versa, no? You can’t begin your career with Nick and then work for Bellichik without being supremely detail-oriented.

(ignore ESPN’s headline goofup: Da'Shawn Hand ready to break out as star on Alabama Crimson Tide front)

Crootin’

Speaking of Daboll, I have no idea of what to make of the offer to Las Vegas’ Dorian Thompson Robinson. He is very much a dual-threat guy in the mode of Jalen Hurts. It was assumed that Daboll’s presence would bring a return to and expansion of the pro spread Alabama ran in 2015. That may be a premature assessment in light of this early peek at the recruiting plan.

Thompson-Robinson is the country's No. 55 overall prospect and No. 2 dual-threat quarterback, per the 247Sports composite.

He backed up Ohio State five-star signee Tate Martell over the past two seasons, hitting 21-of-31 passes for 269 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions last season. Thompson-Robinson also ran for 171 yards and six scores and shined as a receiver, catching 22 passes for 397 yards and eight touchdowns. He'll play quarterback this season.

Alabama offers first QB since Brian Daboll's reported hire | AL.com

Baseball

Alabama baseball takes to the diamond on Wednesday; tonight’s game vs. Southern Miss having been rained out. Alabama dominates the all-time series, but the Golden Eagles have had the Tide’s number of late. The 104th meeting between the two will be at the New Joe at 6:00 local.

Early season anomaly to note: One poll has the Tide ranked 14th, BTW. I’m not sure how that ranking was arrived at though. The bullpen has a really nice mix of young arms and a really stellar vet, so perhaps the pollsters foresee a team that wins with pitching and defense? I’d ask Roger, but he’s Baseball’s Baghdad Bob (just teasing, Roger.)

Alabama Baseball’s Originally Scheduled Tuesday Game with Southern Miss Changed to Wednesday - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletics Site

Still Buckled

Despite two wins last week, and playing its best basketball of the season on Saturday, the Tide look to be running out of time. See, those two wins were against the dregs of the SEC/NCAA. At 16-19 and against the 63rd-ranked schedule in the country, Alabama still finds itself at 76th in the RealTimeRPI. Lunardi’s Bracketology has the Tide at 69 (nice) having gone 4-9 versus the Top-100. That is firmly on the NIT bubble, with just four games left to play, and, if we’re honest with ourselves, maybe not even that. Alabama isn’t playing exactly hot or cold down the stretch; its last 12 games boast a 7-5 record, so the Tide have been consistent all season and what its record would indicate: A decent basketball team, but not a good one.

I would think with Greg Byrne coming to the Captsone and wanting to evaluate the program, and with the bevvy of young and new players that could use the practice, Alabama would take the buy-in for a CBI bid.

NCAA College Basketball RPI Rankings - ESPN

—

That’s all for today, folks. It’s a slow one. Feel free to fling digital poo in the comments like the angry little capuchin monkeys you are (pictured)

iStock