For the first time, the installation at Alabama’s training camp is interrupted by the first real evaluation period. The Crimson Tide scrimmages for the first time today at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Nick Saban left little doubt in his comments to reporters after Thursday’s practice that today’s session is crucial, particularly for a number of talented but unproven newcomers.
“Who can go out there and play with the kind of consistency and play winning football at their position? Who can persevere and have the mental toughness and discipline to do their job?” Saban said, listing what he and staff will be looking for.
“I think we need to find that out about a lot of our players. Some players around here have done that in the past. It might not be as critical for them as it is for the younger guys who have a chance to contribute to the team.”
The quarterback battle between AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims will continue, although there is little reason to expect it will be decided today.
An experienced Alabama defense may be expected to be ahead at this point in training camp. As many as 10 players have started on that side of the ball. But sophomore linebacker C.J. Mosley said his unit has been focused on this scrimmage throughout camp. He remembers some tough lessons learned here last season.
“They said the defense always did pretty bad as far as scrimmage, tackling-wise,” Mosley said. “Coming into camp, we’ve been telling the offense that we’re going to be coming and this is our scrimmage. So, we’re trying to make a second effort to do better this year.”
Junior linebacker Nico Johnson of Andalusia doesn’t see much difference between a regular practice session.
“Our practices are the same every day – intensity, flying around, everything,” Johnson said. “We’ll just be able to take each other to the ground.”
Safety Will Lowery hinted that the scrimmage atmosphere is a welcome break.
“Camp has been a lot more intense,” the junior from Hoover said. “I feel like we are out to prove something this year. We have been really grounded and working hard this camp.”
Saban acknowledged the circumstances, the heat and the adversity demand mental toughness, but noted that every team Alabama plays is facing the same elements.
“It’s not what your intention is, it’s what your action is,” Saban said. “And everybody controls their own actions by what they do. That’s what we need to continue to do as an entire team, not one part of the team one day, another part of the team the next day.”
The coach stressed the need for more consistency from his players, not just executing assignments.
“Everybody’s got to have that kind of mental energy and intensity all the time to improve,” Saban said.
“I see improvement in some areas of the team, but I don’t see it with the kind of consistency that we need. That’s what creates a dependability and trust that everybody has in each other.”
Johnson said today’s scrimmage offers a rare opportunity to play the game and have fun. Not much in a training camp can be described as “fun.”
“Practice is so high tempo in intensity and up tight that time in the stadium is just time to relax and fly around,” the linebacker said. “That’s what we’re going to do, have fun.”
Golden anniversary: Members of the 1961 national championship are celebrating the 50 th anniversary of the school’s first national title under coach Paul “Bear” Bryant this season. That team is in Tuscaloosa this weekend to celebrate their crown.
Alabama finished 11-0 overall and 7-0 in the SEC that season. The Crimson Tide then defeated Arkansas 10-3 in the Sugar Bowl to clinch the title.
Friday’s work: Alabama didn’t coast into today’s scrimmage. The Crimson Tide held their second two-a-days workouts on Friday. The team worked out at 9:30 a.m., then returned to the practice field at 7:30 p.m.
That means they have practiced five times in the last three days going into today’s session at the stadium.
Dont’a Hightower was back at practice with his broken left hand heavily wrapped. Hightower missed Thursday’s practice after a minor surgical procedure on the hand.
Undra Billingsley also was back at practice after being out since Monday. He became ill that night and was hospitalized for tests.
Senior center William Vlachos missed his second straight practice. Saban said Thursday he was ill.
The players’ first off day since they reported to camp on Aug. 4 is Sunday.
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