Happy Gump Day, everyone. Sorry we’re late, my man Brent was suspended for the first half of today. We’ll kick it off with the most spectacular nickname ever.
Trailer Park Jesus became his nickname thanks to his long hair, beard and a strength coach. It was one of those motivating moments during the famously trying Fourth Quarter offseason conditioning program that
“I actually take it as a compliment,” Amos said.
Before anyone gets their boxers in a bunch, his best friend and devout Christian, Miller Forristall, came up with the name and no blasphemy was intended. The header pic really doesn’t do justice to the look that gave him the name.
#Alabama sr. TE @GAUnoDos, a former walk-on who received a scholarship last week, talks about his relationship w/ fellow TE @mcforristall, who revealed Amos’ nickname, “Trailer Park Jesus,” to the media today. Forristall also got a question in at the end of today’s availability. pic.twitter.com/rGGQoGP0BE
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) August 27, 2019
Congratulations on the scholarship, and it appears that he will have an opportunity this season with the departures of Hale Hentges and Kedrick James.
We should know more about any potential suspensions later in the morning, but as of now Alabama ain’t talking.
A University of Alabama spokesman would not comment nor confirm any details on reports of suspensions for the football team’s season opener against Duke.
AL.com first reported running backs Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr. would be suspended for the first half; Rivals later reported wide receiver DeVonta Smithand outside linebacker Terrell Lewis will miss part of the game.
It’s kind of interesting that this leaked, as Saban has kept internal partial game suspensions mum for the most part, until after they are served. We will see what he has to say.
Practice notes:
Senior Matt Womack was at left tackle on the second unit, next to freshman Pierce Quick at left guard and Emil Ekiyor Jr. at center. Kendall Randolph was the right guard. I didn’t see Scott Lashley.
Absent among the defensive linemen was true freshman Justin Eboigbe (foot), making it unlikely he’ll play against Duke on Saturday.
Redshirt freshman Stephon Wynn true freshman end Antonio Alfano went through drills. It appeared that freshmen Braylen Ingraham and Ishmael Sopsher were working with the scout team.
— Running back Jerome Ford (ankle) looked mobile during drills, but appeared in pain following a rep, as he stopped to look down at his foot before peering up at the ceiling.
— Alabama worked on its Dime package. Trevon Diggs and Josh Jobe were the outside cornerbacks. Patrick Surtain II was the Star. Xavier McKinney was the Money defensive back. Shyheim Carter and Jared Mayden were the safeties.
— ESPN/ABC dispatched its broadcasting team for the Duke game to Tuscaloosa. Watching practice were Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Todd McShay.
So, Ford is still gimpy, eh? I’ve heard of a zero RB strategy for fantasy football drafts, but this might be the first time it’s been tried in D1 football.
Bill Connelly has taken his talents to Disney, and his math isn’t helping our narrative.
I attempted to account for as many offseason transfers, dismissals and injuries as possible in the below numbers. Here are the current 2019 ratings, presented in the form of an adjusted points per game figure. No. 1 Alabama’s rating of 35.3 means the Crimson Tide are projected to be 35.3 points per game better than the average FBS team, while No. 130 UTEP’s rating of minus-30.2 means the Miners are projected to be 30.2 points per game worse than average.
We are trying to keep the rat poison away, Bill.
As you know, Christian Harris is listed as the sole starter at Will.
Saban noted that Harris is “a very aggressive player.” And there is hope among Alabama staffers that Harris’ experience as a defensive back in high school will translate at this level, allowing him to track receivers and close up zones.
It will be just one part of a crucial job Harris has been given at the outset of his career.
“He wasn’t even expecting it,” Moses said. “He was just playing fast and doing what he usually did, doing what got him recruited and caught the eye of the coaches.”
The DB experience should indeed play well in coverage. All eyes will be on him for sure, and David Cutcliffe will undoubtedly test him.
Last, Yahoo has some bold predictions and one of them is hilarious.
This year’s title game will not be Alabama v. Clemson, Round 4. I’m not sure if I believe that moments after typing it, but let’s roll with it for a second. Alabama has some obstacles to hurdle in the SEC: road games against No. 12 Texas A&M and No. 16 Auburn, an early November date with No. 6 LSU, and the SEC championship game, of course. Clemson plays the Aggies early on, too, but has a relatively easy schedule from then on. Nevertheless, maybe Georgia, Oklahoma, or one of the Big Ten teams (Ohio State or Michigan) develops enough throughout the year to topple one of those two in the Playoff. That’s not too unrealistic, is it?
There are 128 teams at the FBS level, and picking the field over another Alabama-Clemson matchup is considered bold. That is unreal.
That’s about it for today. Gump early and often, my friends.
Roll Tide.