Jaguars Training Camp Highlight: Tyson Alualu

by Alfie Crow on Aug 5, 2011 9:01 AM EDT in Jacksonville Jaguars CBS Fantasy Football

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Tyson Alualu is a very low-key player, it's just who he is. He doesn't say a lot, he's quiet, and in media sessions you've got pry him to talk at times. There's nothing at all wrong with that, that's just him, he's a great kid who's humble and works his butt off. That hard work Alualu puts in, looks like it should pay dividends in 2011.

As much as we've had camp reports, and from multiple people, this morning I realized... no one has really mentioned Tyson Alualu outside of the Oklahoma drill, where he absolutely dominated rookie guard Will Rackley. I felt the need to mention Alualu, because well... that's how he's looked all camp so far. Despite the reports of Austen Lane and Aaron Morgan looking much improved, it's easier for an edge rusher to catch one's eye than a defensive tackle. I realized it last night watching Alualu in some drills and I thought "Man, he's looked great all week."

As mentioned, being low-key is kind of Alualu's "thing". From getting the jeers of "Alual-who?" on draft day when general manager Gene Smith took the relatively unknown defensive lineman from Cal to ESPN's Herm Edwards not even knowing how to say his name, Alualu is poised to make a splash in 2011. His rookie campaign was actually very impressed for being thrown into the starting line-up on Week 1. Ndamkong Suh got all the glory for rookie defensive lineman, because quite honestly he was a monster for the Detroit Lions. After Suh however, I think the case could be made that Alualu was the second best defensive lineman in his rookie year out of the 2010 draft class.

The Jaguars are counting on Alualu to be a part of their pass rush, from the inside. He's quick off the snap and has some nice power moves, so he shoud give interior lineman fits. We saw flashes of his pass rush ability last year and he ended the season with 3.5 sacks. That number should go up in 2011.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

THAT is exciting news

I’m truly delighted to hear this.

Now, we just need Knighton to get onto the damn practise field. Our D-line could be vastly improved from last year… but we do need Knighton to get his act together.

by KeithG on Aug 5, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

    I think he could easily double his sack total this year. He appears to be stronger. Im also looking forward to seeing him after some time off from football. I remember him saying at seasons end last year, that he hadnt taken a break since the end of the season before his last year at Cal. He went straight into combine/ pro day training. Then the combine and straightinto training camp, and a full NFL season. Time off and an NFL workout program and extra time from the lockout. He is going to be in BEAST MODE with Lane.
    Now if we could just get FAT ALBERT in there next to him practicing. We could have one of the top DT dominant 2 some’s in the league. They also need to get their timing down together. That could easily translate to more sacks and havoc across the front 7. ive got to believe that FAT ALBERT came into camp much more then 8-12lbs overweight as he and some others mentioned. For god’s sake you are a pro athalete.
    Alfie can you give some quick info on who appears likely to back up up the DT’s, and how they are doing in camp?

by chrisltr22c on Aug 5, 2011 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

big fan of his

Guy is really devoted to his trade and is going to work his tail off until he is one incredible football player. I sense such drive in this guy

by Jagsrok9008 on Aug 5, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

I heard Lageman talking about him on Jaguars this Week

He said Tyson has been having a dominant camp thus far.

by duuuvaaalll on Aug 5, 2011 9:23 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

The time is quickly approaching...

where Gene’s (and his staff) plan for this franchise will come to fruition. The players he has drafted are maturing, becoming more seasoned, and learning what a successful NFL season requires. I don’t think we are there just yet – there are a few more areas to address, but my goodness we are getting close. The pieces are falling into place, and I honestly believe that this team is becoming a team that will make a sustained run at postseason success – and I mean for multiple years to come.
When the Jaguars are the team that Gene and his staff envisioned, it is going to be an incredible, wonderful time to be a Jaguar fan. Hopefully, the people of Jacksonville will get as excited and involved and as passionate – as those of us here on BCC have been through these lean years.
I cannot wait!!!

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Aug 5, 2011 9:48 AM EDT reply actions

I think so too

… and I sincerely hope we are both right about this :)

by KeithG on Aug 5, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

This will be the staple of his career.

He’ll be the guy quietly dominating his opponents, allowing everybody around him to be better for it, while they get the glory.

by kjones407 on Aug 5, 2011 11:15 AM EDT reply actions

I have a feeling we will see a monster in form of Alualu this season :p His upside is huge, we should have a dominating DL.

"Do I need to be liked? Absolutely not! I like to be liked, I enjoy being liked, I have to be liked. But it's not like this compulsive need to be liked...like my need to be praised." Michael Scott

by Hellveto on Aug 5, 2011 12:19 PM EDT reply actions