Jumbo Package: Kalen DeBoer speaks ahead of his first game week at Alabama

As far as an injury report, DeBoer said that Jam Miller and Jaeden Roberts should be practicing this week and will be ready to go for the game, but Jeremiah Alexander will not be available.

He also talked on quite a few other subjects, such as how to deal with nerves before a game, his pregame routine, and how they are working with helmet communications, plus he also gave some of his thoughts about a few specific players like Jalen Milroe and Caleb Odom.

Overall, DeBoer continues to be a masterclass at having a very engaging press conference without actually revealing much of anything to the public.

Next, we also have a press conference from DC Kane Wommack:

As always, Wommack continues to be my favorite interview. On the final question, he was asked about what they look for in players who are going to be on the field, and a few terms came up: “juice”, “fever pitch”, and “violent intentions”.

For as cerebral as Wommack is about his scheme, he also seems to bring an element of crazy to his defense that hopefully will shine through on the field.

Wommack also talked a little about Que Robinson and the rest of the group of outside linebackers, or “Wolf” players. And while he spoke at length about QRob’s work ethic and leadership, he also never specified that he would be the starter and later mentioned that they would be using multiple guys for different situations. I think the position battle for that spot is still wide open, and we’re going to be seeing tryouts for the first few weeks.

Nick Sheridan also gave us nothing to work with on the ongoing battle for the final spot along the OL, the RT position:

One of Alabama football’s final question marks entering the 2024 season is who will start at right tackle. The options: Wilkin Formby and Elijah Pritchett.

The winner of the battle? The Crimson Tide coaching staff isn’t saying.

“We’ll wait until Saturday before we let the opponent know exactly what that’ll look like,” offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said on Monday.

Assuming we actually get a depth chart, I bet this one comes with a big, fat “or”.

Speaking of coaches, we have out answers on which coaches will be up in the box vs. who will be on the field:

With the new group comes a new gameday operation system. On Monday, the Crimson Tide announced which coaches will be in the upstairs box for Saturday’s season opener against Western Kentucky.

Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan will be up in the box. He’ll be joined by UA safeties coach Colin Hitschler.

The rest of the staff will be down on the sideline, including defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. The change comes just as college coaches are finally permitted to communicate with players on the field using helmet radios.

With Nick Sheridan’s personality as a stoic, intelligent schemer and Wommack’s fiery brand of coaching, the box and field roles for each of them is not surprising at all. Hitcschler being the other guy up in the box is interesting, and it makes sense as the safeties/secondary guy so that he can get a better view of what’s happening on the back end of the field.

USA Today ranked Alabama’s schedule in 2024 as one of the toughest in the country:

Alabama

Toughest games: vs. Georgia (Sept. 28), at Tennessee (Oct. 19), at LSU (Nov. 9)

Opponents’ 2023 record: 97-58

It’ll be a predictably tough schedule for first-year coach Kalen DeBoer, capped by a four-game stretch at LSU, home for Mercer, at Oklahoma and back home for the Iron Bowl to close the regular season. There’s also a road trip to Wisconsin in non-conference play that marks the first test of the DeBoer era. But one thing to keep in mind: Alabama plays many of the top teams in the FBS but does get an open week before playing the Bulldogs and Tigers. The Crimson Tide also face off with Vanderbilt and South Carolina before taking on the Volunteers.

Honestly, I don’t think it’s too bad of a schedule, all things considered. The tough games seem to be broken up well, and overall the home games are favorable.

In NFL news, John Metchie has really made some nice plays this offseason after recovering from the leukemia that delayed the start to his career. With that, it seems the league is taking notice:

Would the Texans be willing to give up two years of club control of a cheap, good WR? For the right price, I’m sure they would be… But what is that price? I’d have to think a high-second round pick would be the minimum here.