Alabama Football: Fall camp No. 6 under the lights and the Black Mamba
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football got a break from the summer heat Thursday night. The Tide players also had a special treat listening to NBA legend, the Black Mamba.
Alabama football players are the recipients of many lessons. They are taught to be the best players they can become. They are taught a level of commitment and discipline that translates to any of life’s endeavors. From that framework, they are also taught how to achieve greatness, individually and collectively.
Lessons about greatness are always best given by someone who has achieved greatness. Indisputably one of the greatest NBA players ever spoke to the Alabama football team before the Thursday night practice. When Kobe Bryant spoke you can bet he had the full attention of every player in the room.
Alabama football practices are hard, hard in the spring, in fall camp and during the season. Having someone known worldwide explain the purpose of hard can only be enlightening and motivating. All of us can probably catch a clip of it on ESPN’s next episode of Training Days: Rolling with the Tide. See just snippet of Kobe below discussing leadership.
The Thursday night practice brought no earth-shattering news. It was the second session of players in full pads. Full-speed contact always carries some risk. True freshman, defensive lineman, Stephon Wynn was on crutches Thursday. As Saban explained last night, he has a ligament problem and will miss valuable time, but will not require surgery. New 2018 recruit, inside linebacker, Brandon Kaho did not make it from Reno, NV to Tuscaloosa. He is expected in Tuscaloosa on Friday, at which time we can start calling him a new signee.
Practice Notes
- Running backs, Josh Jacobs and Brian Robinson again looked at or near 100 percent.
- Sophomore Chris Allen worked with the outside linebackers Thursday night after being with the inside linebackers for three sessions.
- Even with organizational units and drills, it can be difficult to discern player movement in the two-deep. Based on Thursday, redshirt freshman, Kyriq McDonald may have a shot at the ‘money’ position in the dime formation. Xavier McKinney might also earn the ‘money’ role, leaving an opportunity for Daniel Wright to take a safety role in the dime.
- No change has been seen in the apparent two-deep on the offensive line. Alex Leatherwood so far is holding off Matt Womack at right tackle.
Alabama football will practice again Friday afternoon. The Saturday session will be a scrimmage in Bryant-Denny.