Apr 20, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide White Team defensive back Landon Collins (26) defends as Red Team wide receiver Chris Black (5) drops the ball at the annual A-Day game at Bryant Denny Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama returned to full pads for practice Thursday on a beautiful afternoon in preparation for the second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday.
Receiver Amari Cooper was once again in a black non-contact jersey and riding a stationary bike as he recovers from a foot strain. DeAndrew White is leading the group of receivers that Cooper usually leads in drills.
Freshman tailback Alvin Kamara wasn’t at practice today, and was likely in the trainer’s room, as he was sporting a new knee brace and limping in Wednesday’s practice. Nick Saban said that Kamara had his knee scoped today, very much like the procedure Mark Ingram had before the 2010 season (I believe that was a slight meniscus tear). Saban said he would be “out for a couple of weeks” but that he been doing very well during camp. I would fully expect him to redshirt at this point.
Saban said that defensive tackle Wilson Love was “day to day” and didn’t practice today because of a “medical issue” that he didn’t elaborate on.
Cornerback Deion Belue seems to be close to full go now as he took part in all drills during the media’s viewing period.
Tana Patrick was filling in at Trey DePriest’s spot today in nickel packages.
Offensive tackle Brandon Greene was again with the tight ends today. LaMichael Fanning also remained with the tight ends. Saban said that a lot of players at tight end and h-back need to improve and named Brian Vogler at tight end and Jalston Fowler at h-back as the most consistent of the bunch. He said that freshman OJ Howard shows signs that he can be good for the passing game but is inconsistent as well.
Arie Kouandjio was working at right tackle again today as it seems like this might be a permanent move for him. Saban said Arie has had a great camp and said of the giant lineman, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody more dedicated, determined.” He said that Arie was originally moved to guard because the coaches felt his knee injuries would hamper his mobility but that has not been the case, which is why he was moved back to tackle.
This team continues to be described as “very serious and intense.”
Coach Saban said today that this is the “most challenging week of camp” as players are battling the monotony of camp combined with injuries and the heat. He said that the focus needs to be on the things the team needs to do to improve. He said that this week has been dedicated to a lot of game situations at the end of practice, and this weekend’s scrimmage will likely be more “game like.”
He said that things would probably not change in terms of who the kick return men will be this year citing Christion Jones, Dee Hart, and Cyrus Jones as likely kick returners. Dee Hart looked to be turning into the primary punt returner last season before his injury and then Christion replaced him for the rest of the year. Cyrus & Christion handled the kickoff returns last season.
Saban said that both kickers are “very capable” and the ultimate goal for this team is to reach its full potential.
When speaking about walk on safety, Jai Miller, who is a 28-year old former minor league baseball player he said, “I think he could develop himself a role on the team.” Sabin glowed about the type of person Miller is as well, “I’ll take all the guys like Jai I can get on the team.”
Today Alabama’s TideTV posted a video of the Million Dollar Marching Band teaching the Alabama freshmen the fight song, a long time Alabama tradition, as Coach Saban looked on. One of the funnier moments was seeing Coach Cochran getting in the freshmen’s face during the video. That guys is intense even when players are learning the fight song!
Speaking to the media, John Fulton called playing with the starters “a dream come true” but said he’s still working on being consistent as well as helping the younger players out. Speaking of the younger players a very humble sounding Fulton said that they are “way better” than he was as a freshman. He says they ask questions; something he didn’t do as a young player because he didn’t want to look like he didn’t know what to do.
He said that when he got injured it brought him closer to God and that he wanted to become a leader and do the right things to be consistent. He says that doing the right things on and off the field are what it takes to be a leader for this team.
He called Amari Cooper “absolutely amazing” and said he’s a competitor so he loves the competition of having to face Cooper.
Tomorrow is the final practice before the second scrimmage of camp on Saturday.