Alabama Football: Practice Notebook, Sept. 18

Sep 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide kicker Cade Foster (43) reacts after hitting a field goal against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Cowboys Stadium. Alabama won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron confirmed reports out of Monday’s practice that his hand is in good shape. The hand was stepped on by an offensive lineman after a fumbled snap in the second quarter against Arkansas.

McCarron says he could have played the remainder of the game if he was needed.

“I think the only reason they pulled me was to get the other guys the reps while (Arkansas) still had their (first-team) in,” McCarron said.

McCarron remembers the importance of the in-game reps, getting those himself as redshirt freshman backup to Greg McElroy.

“It helps you, just so you can get some of the timing,” McCarron said. “Every rep helps.”

Numbers never lie

For a player that has such a natural ability to earn them, numbers are of no importance to McCarron.

Even when he’s told his pass efficiency rating of 196.6 is the best in the Southeastern Conference and the third-best in the country.

“That’s great, it shows how great my teammates are,” McCarron said. “It’s an example of how great my offensive line is and the wonderful job they’ve been doing giving me plenty of time. I think it really reflects on my receivers. It shows how hard they’ve been working to get those kind of stats or whatever. I just want to win.”

From JUCO to SEC

If there is a more difficult thing to do than play defensive back for Nick Saban, many people in football are unaware of it. Deion Belue has found a way to do it immediately, without having a year or two to groom himself after transferring to the Capstone from Northeast Mississippi Community College and starting every game in his debut season.

“You always have to be at your best,” Belue said. “You cannot take a day off.”

Belue helped his transition to the Crimson Tide by learning most of the techniques Saban teaches before he arrived in Tuscaloosa.

“I just had to tighten up on some things, and Coach really helped me out with that a lot,” Belue said.

Both sides of the new yard line

A great portion of the Alabama fanbase jumped for joy when the NCAA announced that it would move the kickoff line from the 30- to the 35-yard line for the 2012 season, aiding a kicking game that was last in the SEC in touchbacks in 2011.

The one most affected by the new rule, Cade Foster, was torn on the change.

“The five yards definitely help as far as touchbacks though,” Foster said. “At the same time, I was like, ‘Man, I’m not going to get as many tackles this year.'”

Foster’s kickoffs have improved by much more than five yards, however.

“I really worked with Coach Cochran in the summer, taking advantage of his expertise in the strength and conditioning things,” Foster said.

A new voice in his ear doesn’t hurt, either.

“Carson Tinker has really taken leadership over the specialists unit and pushed us to work harder,” Foster said. “Me, Cody (Mandell), Jeremy (Shelley), everybody.”

Everything is working for Foster now as he made a 51-yarder against the Razorbacks last week.

“I got a little too fired up and forgot to give all my guys high-fives,” Foster said.

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