Alabama football fans have many questions. The A-Day game might provide clues to the answers. There can be a long list of fan questions, from the changes implemented by two new Coordinators to how certain individual players perform.
A-Day games rarely provide definitive answers, so the list below is short, with just four areas to closely scrutinize.
First, a reminder the game is as much a scrimmage as it is a game. The over-used word to describe A-Day games is vanilla. Play calling, on both sides of the ball, will not utilize much of the Crimson Tide’s offensive and defensive playbooks. Blitz packages will be limited by Kevin Steele. Tommy Rees may choose to show a new formation or two but the full scope of how much he has tweaked the Tide’s offense will not be on display.
Some players in contention for starting roles are on the ‘second units’ and during the game, some players may be used on both teams.
In general terms, fans can assess intensity and consistency. No player wants to be in the group eating beans instead of steak and all the trimmings.
Alabama Football Quarterbacks
It is touch football for the QBs, which limits some of their skills, especially those of Jalen Milroe. Because sacks are easier to come by, most reads will need to be quick, instead of checking off to secondary receivers. All of which, makes it hard to assess the quarterbacks. But it can easily be seen how accurate are their throws and how far downfield are the completions.
Alabama fans will drill down on Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson, but all four of the scholarship QBs will be under a microscope.
Crimson Tide ‘First-Unit’ Offensive Line
The first unit is expected to be, left to right, Elijah Pritchett, Darrain Dalcourt, Seth McLaughlin, Tyler Booker and JC Latham. From the second unit, Kadyn Proctor and Terrence Ferguson II may get snaps with the ones. The first unit O-line will get a true test blocking against a deep D-line and linebackers. Of special interest is how well the first-unit OL does in short-yardage run plays. Tide fans want to see the O-line physically dominate the line of scrimmage.
Alabama Secondary and especially the cornerbacks
After the Tide’s last practice, Nick Saban was asked about depth at cornerback. His answer admitted a Crimson Tide weakness.
"Nick Saban says Alabama has “a long ways to go” at cornerback. He says he has guys who have the ability to do it, but they have not shown the necessary consistency yet."
Saban was talking about the backups at cornerback. In the A-Day game, fans are hoping to see solid cornerback play from Terrion Arnold and Earl Little Jr. But those two are not enough. At least two more cornerbacks need to show they can step into starter roles whenever needed.
Crimson Tide Backup Running Backs
On the second unit offense Crimson team, Jam Miller and Justice Haynes might have big days. They will be running behind the second unit O-line, but not running against the Crimson Tide’s first unit defense. Both have had strong springs with Alabama football insiders stating they may be the Tide’s hardest backs to bring down.
There will also be many eyes on freshman safety Caleb Downs, to see if he has the advertised potential to be another Minkah.