Alabama Football: Fall camp, session No. 1 report and CNS comments

Alabama football began fall camp on Friday. Check out notes from the first practice session and the post-practice review by Nick Saban.

The defending national champion, Alabama football team hit the fall practice field on Friday. For the first session of fall camp, the players worked in helmets and shorts on a warm Tuscaloosa afternoon.

As always, media viewing was limited. Still, after the first look at what Nick Saban would describe as no longer a national champion, there was news. More on Saban’s observations below. First a few practice notes.

Fall camp sets the tone for the upcoming season and one coach, in particular, was raring to go. Thanks to Stephen M. Smith, we have Lupoi quotes as he directed the focus of his players.

"Y’all been talking all summer long. It’s game time now…Stop all that walking. Too many first rounders have practiced on this field for you to be walking."

Practice Notes

• Except for Terrell Lewis, everyone is at or near full health. Anfernee Jennings had a brace on his knee but was moving at full speed. Nigel Knott and Eyabi Anoma were in black, no-contact jerseys. Neither is expected to be limited long. Anoma was moving at full speed and is expected to be in a regular jersey for the first day of practice in pads. Jerry Jeudy and Matt Womack, coming off spring injuries were not in black jerseys.
• Multiple players will get a chance at the backup center position; Chris Owens, Josh Casher, and Richie Petitbone. Casher and Deonte Brown will have a chance to land somewhere on the two-deep at guard.
• Good news on the defensive line is JUCO transfer DT, Tevita Musika looked to be in good shape, even at 332 pounds.
• Mac Jones’ added weight has moved him from thin to solid enough to sustain a hard hit.
• On just day one of fall camp, at least three NFL teams were represented by scouts.

Nick Saban’s Observations

Several insiders have said Saban has been unusually pleased with the results of summer training.

• Nick said, “practice was really, really good.” He added many players were near a “breaking point” late in practice and the team must learn to not “endure” but consistently “strive to succeed.”
• He also pointed out that team leadership was a “work in progress.”
• In response to a question about depth at ILB, Saban said Markail Benton needed to “mature” into a solid player. Saban also said both Christian Miller and Chris Allen will work at outside and inside linebacker.
• In discussing the secondary, Nick said he is very pleased with the new freshmen. He added Eddie Smith will start his Tide career at safety.
• Asked about the new kickoff rule, Saban repeated he thought increasing safety could have been better addressed by moving kickoffs back to the 40-yard line and therefore reducing the number of kick returns.
• Nick was not asked and did not discuss the quarterbacks.

The Alabama football team will have an open practice on Saturday. Nick Saban will also speak to the media again prior to the practice.