Alabama Football: Early spring football buzz from Tuscaloosa

Two sessions down in the Alabama Football spring program, there is change and surprise in Tuscaloosa.

Whether this spring is more of an Alabama Football rebuild than normal will not matter to Nick Saban. Neither will the integration of five new assistant coaches. Expectations and goals do not change for Nick Saban.

Crimson Tide fans might have been surprised by a couple of statements made by Saban at the start of spring practice. Speaking generally, he reframed the definition of good defense in the current, offense-driven game. As reported by Charlie Potter, Saban said,

"I think what people visualize as good defense is a little bit different now than it used to be.I know everybody complains about the defense, but we were like first in the SEC in points allowed and we were 13th in the country in points allowed."

Nick Saban has not turned soft on expectations for his Alabama Football defense. He went on to say getting off the field on third down was a problem last season, requiring improvement by the 2021 defense.

In talking about inside linebacker roles, Saban made a comment that will surprise many Crimson Tide fans. In discussing the Mike and Will positions, along with Christian Harris and Jaylen Moody, Saban mentioned Shane Lee. Many Tide fans gave up on Lee long ago. Nick said Shane was not healthy last season, while still recovering from a hernia injury. Perhaps Lee will be a pleasant surprise this spring and next fall. Giving that possibility some context; there were past comments by some Alabama football insiders Jaylen Moody would never be more than a special teams player. Moody impressed late last season and looks primed to prove naysayers wrong. Moody could well start next to Harris. Maybe Shane Lee will be another pleasant surprise.

Two sessions into spring is too early to get anything but hints about players. Still, early buzz is Kendall Randolph has a shot at starting on the offensive line. Rather than mostly a blocking tight end, Randolph could earn a starting tackle job.

With Emil Ekiyor and Pierce Quick basically out for the spring, Randolph, Javion Cohen and Tommy Brown will have a chance to hold off the incoming freshmen. The future offensive line battles will be fun to watch based on the high expectations for Tommy Brockermeyer and J.C. Latham.

Competition will be just as intense at running back. Behind Brian Robinson Jr., Jase McClellan and Keilan Robinson are expected to battle for RB2. Roydell Williams is close behind the pair. When Tre Sanders is fully healthy and Camar Wheaton gets on campus, the Tide will be loaded with running back talent.

What would the offseason be without some quarterback controversy in Tuscaloosa? There is none now, with Bryce Young as QB1, but according to insiders, Paul Tyson looked sharp in the first two practice sessions. Tyson is solidly QB2 and will have an opportunity to win the starting job.

There are 12 more sessions left this spring, plus A-Day. Two scrimmages, more like real football than the A-Day game will take up two of the 12 sessions.

Check back frequently with Bama Hammer for the latest Alabama football spring updates.