Crimson Tide Football Holds 1st Fall Scrimmage
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Saban: "First teams executed fairly well"
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| Nick Saban providing direction during first fall scrimmage Photo Credit: RollTide |
Saturday was the first. The first scrimmage of the 2016 fall "practice season."
Approximately two hours start to finish. That's roughly 135 plays for The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team inside Bryant-Denny Stadium under overcast skies to stretch it out and put into effect all that they have been working on during Fall Camp.
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban commented afterward, "If I was going to give an overall assessment, I'd say the first teams executed fairly well and I think after that, we've got a lot of guys that really need to work hard on having a better feeling about the expectation of the kind of effort, the kind of toughness, the kind of responsibility you have to have to actually know how to do your job on a consistent basis and do it enough that you have confidence in what you're supposed to do, how you're supposed to do it the way it needs to get done so you have the best chance to be successful so we're a work in progress when it comes to that."
The rains early in the scrimmage hampered things somewhat, but the team showed overall improvement as things dried out and temperatures hung in the 80s. The Crimson Tide defense had its highs and lows during the afternoon.
Saban's assessment? "This is an indication of where we are," he said. "It gives us a much better barometer of things we need to improve on to get better, each guy individually, as well as each unit, as well as our team. We had some guys who did really, really well out there today."
Concerning quarterbacks, Saban had a few things to say concerning the "competition" for the starting position. Three quarterbacks are basically in the competition at present. Those being redshirt junior Cooper Bateman, redshirt freshman Blake Barnett and true freshman Jalen Hurts. Saban said that all three "did some really good things." He also commented that all three of the young men "would sit and tell you if you asked them that question that there were things that they could have done better and that there were also decisions that they made that they'd like to have back."
Following the scrimmage, Saban commented on Hurts, saying, "Jalen is a very talented guy, and I thought he did some really good things out there [yesterday]. I think he does really good things each and every day. I think the key for both younger guys (Hurts and Barnett) is consistency in performance, taking care of the ball and taking what the defense gives and being satisfied with that."
Saban said, "(They) all had an equal opportunity with each group actually, so I think it sort of gave us a good idea who might be most ready to manage the team, but I think that decision is far from getting made. Just my feeling based on watching the scrimmage today on the field. But I'll watch the film and sort of see, get a better feeling for how many balls got dropped and did they throw it in the right place all the time, how did they execute, what was their decision-making, how did they manage the team, what was their leadership like (and) how did the team function when they were in there. I think when we watch the film, we'll get a little better feel for that."
Sophomore Bo Scarbrough, freshman B.J. Emmons, sophomore Damien Harris and freshman Joshua Jacobs are all expected to contribute at the running back position. Scarbrough looked good in the opening, but was "a little dinged up" as things progressed and didn't get many carries.
"The young guys, I think, all did a pretty decent job," commented Saban. "I think that we're very encouraged by what they've been able to do daily in practice, and I feel like those guys can certainly be contributors for us. B.J. is a very naturally instinctive guy, really works hard, has got a lot to learn, but he is working hard at it and has done a really good job so far."
Concerning Harris, Saban said, "Damien Harris, I think, has done a pretty good job so far. We just gotta keep working those guys, and I think they're all gonna make a contribution to the team this year."
Besides Scarbrough there were a few other injuries during yesterday's scrimmage. Defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson sustained a twisted ankle on the afternoon, but Saban said that the redshirt senior should only be out "a few days."
During the press conference following the scrimmage Saban also said a couple players suffered light concussions, but didn't name those individuals.
One other player mentioned didn't even participate in the scrimmage yesterday. Defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand had an undisclosed injury and did not play. Saban said, however, he expects Hand to be back practicing Monday.
David Cornwell, was in the run for the starting quarterback position, is still suffering from a foot injury. He has been unable to participate when the quarterback corp worked on its drop-backs, and has been limited in other phases of the game. He has been able to throw the ball, however.
A pair of injured running backs were seen in street clothes. Ronnie Clark and Derrick Gore weren't participants and only watched.
Inside linebacker Keith Holcombe was again not seen during the media viewing period.
The team will be taking today off for the first time since camp began, then back at it on Monday for the third and final two-a-day session of Fall Camp. The Crimson Tide continues preparation for their season opener Saturday, September 3rd, when Alabama will face the Trojans of Southern Cal in the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff on ABC television. Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Sam Ponder will be announcing the game.
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| Jalen Hurts Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt |
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| Cooper Bateman Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt |
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| Blake Barnett Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
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McCarron Passes For 125 Yards In Preseason Opener
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| A.J. McCarron during Bengals preseason opener Photo Credit: AP |
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Spanish Fort DL Justin Thomas Passes On Bama
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| Justin Thomas Photo Credit: AL.com/Mike Kittrell |
Spanish Fort defensive lineman Justin Thomas committed to Les Miles and the LSU Tigers yesterday. Thomas is the stepson of former University of Alabama standout Atlas Herrion.
The 6' 5", 250-pound lineman had been known to be an LSU lean, but still had shown interest in the Crimson Tide. He decided that Saturday was the day to announce. He plans to graduate in December to enroll at LSU in January.
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Famous Celebrity Birthdays
Here's a look at celebrities celebrating birthdays on August 14th:
Tim Tebow, 29
Magic Johnson, 57
Ander Herrera, 27
Shea Weber, 31
Mila Kunis, 33
Halle Berry, 50
Bryce Hall, 16
Steve Martin, 71
Garrett Ryan, 17
Nick Grimshaw, 32
Princess Love, 32
Marsai Martin, 12
Catherine Bell, 48
James Buckley, 29
Chris Perez, 47
Susan Olsen, 55
Briana Roy, 11
Jackee Harry, 60
Doc Holliday, deceased
Brianna Hildebrand, 20
