CFP-ROSE BOWL NOTES: Tide taking precautions when watching film; Milroe gets odd comparison
By GRAHAM DUNN
Is the sign-stealing still a thing?
It certainly was during the first day of interviews with players and assistant coaches at the Rose Bowl Game on Thursday.
Players from Alabama were asked about precautions being taken by the Tide coaching staff regarding possible thievery of play signals.
Alabama players were coy with answers but stated they had been told to watch what they…. Watch.
“We're just trying to secure our stuff,” Alabama running back Jase McClellan stated. “(Coaches) didn't do much explaining. They just did it, told us and we adjusted to it.”
“I think they said Michigan was stealing signs the first eight weeks or something like that,” said wideout Isaiah Bond. "So we're just watching film with the team, because we're not allowed to watch film on our own; we don't want any stuff like that happening again.”
Earlier this season, Michigan was probed for possible sign stealing and it was reported that former assistant Conner Stalions had visited several games of Michigan opponents allegedly to film sideline signals. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended three games at the end of the season.
But Alabama coaches believe there is still something amiss.
Coaches instructed players to avoid using their iPads for film study. Apparently, practice film is not being uploaded to players' devices. They have been told to use main computer systems to watch with their position groups while at the practice facility.
“We just have to go to a different location to watch film,” McClellan said, “but we're all watching the film as we normally would for a normal game.”
In Bond’s mind, there is not a lot to this. It’s still a matter of making plays.
"It honestly doesn't even matter to me because at end of the day they still got to go on the field to play us," Bond said. "You can know my route, but they still got to guard me at the end of the day.”
Michigan defensive coordinator makes interesting Milroe comparison
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has heard plenty of comparisons regarding his style of play.
But not the one made by Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
“He’s like (former USC back) Reggie Bush running the ball,” Minter said. ”It's not like a quarterback that's scrambling, and he's going to slide and [you] make sure you don't hit him so you don't get a penalty. This dude is going to run like a legit tailback or like a legit slot receiver once he's in space.”
To stop the sophomore quarterback, Minter said the Wolverines will use an “11-on-1” approach.
“He's capable of every play, not only having to defend the first play, but also what we call the second play,” Minter said. “So his ability when he drops back to one, scramble to throw the ball really, really far downfield, or to dump the ball off to the speed guys, and also his ability to take the ball himself.”
Tide continues bowl preparations, gets visit and commitment from USC visitor
Alabama football held its 10th workout of bowl season on Thursday afternoon, spending two hours in full pads at Dignity Health Sports Park. Prior to the practice, five players and coordinator Tommy Rees met with the media for the Crimson Tide’s Offensive Media Day.
While practicing, Alabama apparently received a commitment from USC defensive back Domani Jackson, a former 5-star recruit who Nick Saban recruited out of high school.
Jackson was seen at Alabama’s workouts on Thursday and posted that he would transfer to the Crimson Tide later than night.
Practice will resume on Friday as the Tide continues work towards the College Football Playoff Semifinal. The Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines will meet in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential on New Year’s Day. Fans can catch the action on ESPN at 4 p.m. CT with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Laura Rutledge and Holly Rowe on the call. The game can also be heard on Crimson Tide Sports Network beginning with the pregame festivities at 1 p.m. on WTLS 106.5 FM/94.7 FM.