November 17, 2012; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Deion Belue (13) returns a 57 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Bryant Denny Stadium. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
A bruised and sore Alabama team kicked off the final two-a-day of fall camp Wednesday morning inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility due to thunderstorms on Tuesday night that soaked the ground outside.
Freshman tailback Alvin Kamara didn’t participate in practices today and was wearing a knee brace on his right knee. He was also spotted limping around. Despite that injury, strength coach Scott Cochran still snuck up behind him and knocked the ball out of his hand, something Cochran has been spotted doing to all the running backs as a ball security measure.
During the media’s viewing period receiver Amari Cooper was on a stationary bike due to his foot strain.
Fellow receiver Chris Black had his left leg heavily taped but he went through all drills.
Linebacker/defensive end Xzavier Dickson wasn’t participating in most drills with his teammates; he is still healing from surgery on his patella tendon over the spring.
Linebacker Tana Patrick has his left foot heavily taped up but was more involved in drills than on Tuesday.
Cornerback Deion Belue continued to work some drills while sitting out others as he recovers from his pulled hamstring. Bradley Sylve is in Beleue’s post in nickel defense with Belue out.
Offensive tackle Brandon Greene was working with the tight ends again today. LaMichael Fanning also continued to work with the tight ends.
With Trey DePriest suspended and not at practice sophomore Reggie Ragland was working beside C.J. Mosley with the first team inside linebackers.
During the media’s viewing period the quarterbacks and running backs worked primarily on draw plays and how to properly hand a draw off.
Senior guard Kellen Williams was working at the first team at left guard continuing the shuffling on the line that Alabama has been doing. Both Arie Kouandjio and Austin Shepherd have took turns at that spot as well. It seems like the only two spots that are a lock right now are left tackle (Cyrus Kouandjio), right guard (Anthony Steen), and center (Ryan Kelly).
When Alabama went to the nickel defense during situations Dillon Lee, rather than Ragland, worked beside Mosley at linebacker.
Linebacker Reuben Foster is wearing a “cowboy collar” (a thick pad that extends from the shoulder pad covering the back of the neck, mostly linebackers wearing them) due to the stinger he suffered in the scrimmage.
Alabama closed out its last two-a-day of fall camp this evening returning outside for its final practice of the day.
Amari Cooper was once again in a black non-contact jersey, as expected, working with strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran again.
Deion Belue was more active working drills in the evening practice than the morning so he’s being worked back into things as Saban said he would. He was manning his starting corner spot when the DBs were doing their dime defense packages.
Landon Collins was seen working out at the “money” (dime back) position in dime defense. Vinnie Sunseri filled that spot most last year but with Robert Lester in the NFL now Sunseri will likely be the full time safety opposite HaHa Clinton-Dix this year. The rest of the dime line up seems to be Belue and Fulton at the corners, HaHa and Sunseri at safety, Geno Smith at star, and Landon at money.
Austin Shepherd was working with the first team left guard in the evening while Kellen Williams was manning that spot in the morning practice. Arie was manning the right tackle spot again.
Brandon Greene remained with the tight ends again. Both Alvin Kamara and Xzavier Dickson were watching from the sidelines through drills as they recover from injury.
Freshman linebacker Tim Williams is getting a lot of reps behind Denzel Devall at that jack linebacker spot with Dickson sidelined.
Scouts from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, and Seattle Seahawks were in attendance at the morning practice. Tampa drafted former Alabama safety Mark Barron last year and the Seahawks drafted former Tide defensive lineman Jesse Williams this year after drafting offensive tackle James Carpenter in 2011. The Rams drafted Barrett Jones this past year. The scouts were spotted talking with strength coach Scott Cochran as well. Scouts from the Buffalo Bills were at the evening practice and were said to be paying a lot of attention to C.J. Mosley. The bills drafted former Tide defensive lineman Marcell Dareus in 2011.
Alabama returns to practice tomorrow afternoon and then Nick Saban will address the media after practice.