Jumbo Package: Gump Day!

Will Alabama blitz as much in 2017 as it did in '16?

Earlier this week, Evans was asked what his role may be this season, when he is expected to step out of the shadows of the stars who came before him and become one of the team's most significant contributors.

"If anything, most of the time I see a lot of time on first and second down [on the inside] and they use me on third downs to rush and whenever I get tired, they bring someone else in," he said.

Because of his athleticism, Evans may be the perfect player for defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt's scheme, which can be best be described as hawkish.

After spending his first two years as an edge rusher before changing to inside linebacker as a junior, we’ve all been waiting to get to see Rashaan Evans play both roles, being a terror from all over the field. It’s good to hear some confirmation of that from his own mouth.

The article also has some quotes from Minkah Fitzpatrick, which, while fairly tight-lipped with specifics, he did mention that he believes the secondary members replacing Marlon Humphrey and Eddie Jackson are skilled enough cover guys that Coach Jeremy Pruitt will be able to blitz just as much in 2017 as he did in 2016.

Alabama practice report: Latest on RB back from absence

-- Bo Scarbrough was back with the running backs after missing Friday's practice and Saturday's scrimmage. Nick Saban said he was sick those days but appeared to be playing full speed.

-- Josh Jacobs was still out of practice. It's been more than a week since a hamstring injury sidelined him.

-- Ronnie Clark remained with the running backs as he's been for the last week or so. He had transitioned to the tight ends in the spring.

-- It looks like Matt Womack was still working with the first group at right tackle as Jedrick Wills made progress at that spot.

-- Practicing in dime, Hootie Jones was a safety and Minkah Fitzpatrick moved up to play closer to the line.

-- No scout team jerseys yet for Florida State. Stay tuned later in the week.

Here’s a few tidbits from Aye Ell dot com for those of you starved for anything related to football. Bo Scarbrough is back practicing, and Josh Jacobs is still out. Not much else to say from the little bit of information leaked to us.

Alabama Football: Fall camp practice report No. 17

Based upon the rep lines on Tuesday, Matt Womack is holding off Jedrick Wills for the starting right tackle position. Wills turned heads in the scrimmage and may still win a starting role this season. Who starts against FSU is a mystery.

There were some changes in the offensive line second group. Alex Leatherwood was still at left tackle. Left guard was Deonte Brown. Brandon Kennedy was at center and the usual backup center, J C Hassenauer was at right guard.

BamaHammer also has a practice recap from today if the other one wasn’t enough for you. The shake-up in the second team offensive line is a little different, if anyone cares. We have been seeing Brown at right guard, Hassenauer at center, and Dallas Warmack at left guard. It seems like Kennedy is pushing for a role in 2018.

5 Alabama players named preseason AP All-Americans

Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick was the Crimson Tide's lone first-team selection. Running back Bo Scarbrough, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, offensive tackle Jonah Williams and punter JK Scott were named to the second-team.

Penn State, LSU and Florida State were the only schools with multiple first-team selections.

The Associated Press released their preseason All-Americans. Minkah Fitzpatrick made first team. Scarbrough, Ridley, Williams, and Scott all made second team.

Scarbrough’s presence further indicates just how underrated Damien Harris is. Harris led Scarbrough in yards, carries, and yards per carry last year while being the starter for most of the year until dealing with some injuries late. And he looks to be the starter again this year.

Also don’t be surprised if you see Da’Ron Payne end up becoming an All-American by the end of the year.

Brian Daboll’s offense at Alabama all about matchups, diversity and being ‘dangerous’

It’s not like Alabama won’t ever run a jet sweep again. It will. Hurts still will take off with the ball, but the coaches are trying to get him to be more confident in his reads and take off only when it’s the best option. The Crimson Tide still will wear down defenses and pound away with the running game when it has the upper hand.

It’ll be an offense with more elements, more big-play possibilities and, here’s the kicker, more ways to attack anywhere it wants downfield.

“It’s definitely a complicated offense, but that’s a good thing,” Hentges said. “You don’t want your offense to be overly simplified, and he’s definitely brought in an explosive, intricate offense that is tough to learn but at the same time is going to be really good.”

It also will evolve over the course of the season, as Alabama hones in on what it does best, makes adjustments and players improve. There will be changes in personnel, injuries to be dealt with and tough games to be played, but Ridley didn’t hesitate to declare the offense’s prospective future.

“We could be very dangerous,” Ridley said.

This a well-done article with a bounty of quotes from different players and Daboll himself about how he plans to run the offense and about some of the players in it. The biggest concept that is repeatedly being emphasized is that he is not coming in and trying to get Alabama’s players to run the Patriot’s offense. He’s creating an offense geared towards the skillsets and strengths of Alabama’s players, though he is bringing in a focus on matchups and progressions in the passing game.