Alabama Football: Six takeaways from first fall camp session

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama football fans NEVER get enough information on Crimson Tide practices. It has been that way for so long, the situation can be called the new normal. Though it is not as much as we want, Nick Saban provides updates that clarify and explain. The program-produced videos from practice sessions are also eye-opening. Of course, in those videos, no receiver ever drops a pass and no quarterback ever makes a bad throw.

Fans use their interpretation and conjecture to try and fill in the many gaps in solid information. That process leads to the following takeaways from Alabama football’s first fall camp session.

The list below comes from observations gleaned in the practice video and from Nick Saban’s post-practice media review.

Alabama Football Fall Camp Takeaways (from Aug. 3)

  • The competition to determine the opposite corner from Kool-Aid will boost the Crimson Tide secondary considerably. Whether it is Terrion Arnold who is gifted athletically and has big-game experience or transfer Trey Amos who is physically imposing and profiled by Nick Saban as smart, Alabama will be in great shape at the ‘other’ corner.
  • Preseason talk about Malik Benson has excited Alabama football fans, but he may not be the top game-breaker at wideout. As good as Benson may become, Isaiah Bond has a chance to be as good and maybe even better. In the first camp practice, Bond, rather than Benson lined up with Ja’Corey Brooks and Jermaine Burton.
  • Tight end is going to be a strength for the Crimson Tide. The top two will likely be CJ Dippre and Amari Niblack, but Robbie Ouzts and Danny Lewis Jr. should also make positive impacts.
  • One practice is too soon to jump to conclusions but watch for Terrence Ferguson II at left guard, where he lined up between Elijah Pritchett and Set McLaughlin on Thursday. Fans are concerned about Pritchett at left tackle. Indirectly, Saban hinted at helping out the eventual starter at left tackle with scheme assignments, saying, “if the other team has a significant pressure, we have ways to help guys.” Lining up a very physical guy at left guard in Ferguson may make sense.
  • Based on way too little current evidence to make a solid claim, Jalen Milroe’s passing accuracy should receive more attention. He can make all the throws needed.
  • One item of concern from Thursday is safety (or Money) Kristian Story was practicing in a left knee brace. It may be insignificant, but skill players in knee braces are always troubling.

Next. Fall camp competition is good. dark

Check back with Bama Hammer frequently for more fall camp takeaways and scrimmage reports.