Aug 4, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive linesman Cyrus Kouandjio (71) during practice at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
The Alabama Crimson Tide returned to the practice field Monday morning at the Thomas Drew Practice Fields for the first of two practices, after a much needed day off on Sunday after nine consecutive days of practice (including two two-a-days) and the first scrimmage of the fall.
In some surprising news it was Amari Cooper, not AJ McCarron that seemed to be injured today.
Cooper had a massive first scrimmage, catching four passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, but Cooper stood on the sidelines and watched as the receivers went through drills. He was still taped up but wasn’t wearing a black no-contact jersey. Coach Saban didn’t mention an injury in his press conference after the scrimmage.
AJ McCarron, who was had his foot stepped on in the scrimmage, showed no signs of a limp or any discomfort to his foot as he went through all drills. Alabama fans will rest easy, after some seemed to panic hearing AJ got a little banged up.
Other observations:
Freshman Reuben Foster, who suffered a stinger in the scrimmage, was a full participant in practice and didn’t seem to be slowed up much.
Freshman receiver Robert Foster seemed to be a little dinged up but there is no word on any injuries he suffered.
After missing the scrimmage due to a hamstring injury, cornerback Deion Belue participated in some drills today, but sat out others. He’s still not fully recovered from the injury.
LaMichael Fanning remains with the tight ends again this week.
Defensive line coach Chris Rumph could be seen working closely with the young d-linemen primarily about using their hands to gain leverage.
In one of the more newsworthy items of the day redshirt freshman Brandon Greene was practicing with the tight ends today. Greene has been an offensive tackle since coming to Alabama and was expected to be the reserve behind Cyrus Kouandjio at the left tackle spot. He was wearing a colored jersey on top of his usual practice jersey (number 58) likely to switch between the o-line and tight end during practice.
The offensive line was concentrating on individual blocking drills rather than group drills during the media viewing period today.
Both wide receiver Amari Cooper and cornerback Deion Belue, neither of which participated in practice drills this morning, were absent from practice tonight presumably getting treatment for the injuries at the time.
Nick Saban got pretty loud with some of his defensive backs in the second practice described as the loudest he’s gotten so far in camp.
After the morning practice AJ McCarron spoke to the media and was asked about the younger players struggling and whether that was expected.
McCarron said that it definitely wasn’t expected and that everyone, including young players, is expected to do their jobs. He said he felt the rain affected some but that they can’t allow outside things to impact the team as Coach Saban always says.
McCarron spoke about being a leader and how tough a job it is. He said there are days when he comes out down and sore but he still has to not just pick himself up but others on the team. He said that Sunday was a good day off for the team and it was very needed. He said that the team went to church together, an Alabama tradition for decades.
He said that his foot is “great,” and that it simply got stepped on during the scrimmage. He said that the thing the team learned the most from the first scrimmage was that they have to get better all around.
When asked about the other quarterbacks, McCarron jokingly said “they ain’t getting on the field while I’m here” as he laughed and then said he tries to share the knowledge he has and help them out. He said the freshmen were doing really good as well.
McCarron said he didn’t know if this was the best group of receivers that has been at Alabama, but that the chemistry is great because he’s been here with most of them their entire careers at Alabama.
HaHa Clinton-Dix also spoke to the media and talked a lot about the rainy conditions during the scrimmage. He said that situations like that teach the team a that when it rains and they get tired, they still have to push through it.
HaHa complimented the receivers, calling them “excellent” and mentioning how hard they work each day. When asked who he least likes tackling without hesitation he named Jalston Fowler, calling him a “bus.” He also said T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry were very tough as well.
Jalston Fowler said that he feels good after the scrimmage, and said getting hit helped his confidence in his knee. He said he’s grown comfortable at h-back, and has learned the position. When asked if running, blocking or receiving was his favorite part of the game, Fowler said he preferred running.
“I like to truck people, run people over. We’ve got this saying: when you hear the train coming across the railroad, hear the little ‘choo! choo!’ Nah, bruh that’s the Nudie Bus.”