Players like Saban’s hands-on approach

TUSCALOOSA | For the first time in the Nick Saban era, University of Alabama football players were made available to the media following Tuesday’s practice at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility.

Almost all the players, especially the defensive backs, talked about Saban’s intensity level and his hands-on approach to coaching.

Senior cornerback Simeon Castille said he has already learned a lot from Saban.

“He’s intense," Castille said. “I think it’s just going to make us better as a defense and a secondary. Every play he’s correcting something, so I get a tip from him every [repetition] I get. He really is a great defensive backs coach."

Castille said it has been a big change going from an offensive-minded coach (former head coach Mike Shula) to a defensive-oriented coach like Saban.

“It is kind of weird, just knowing that he is the head coach, but he spends most of his time with the cornerbacks," Castille said. “It’s kind of different, because with Coach Shula, I never really saw him, but I see Coach Saban in my face all the time."

Senior safety Marcus Carter said Saban’s work ethic is what has made an impression on him.

“His work ethic on the field [stands out]," Carter said. “He’s a real up-tempo guy at practice. It’s a big difference having the head guy on the defensive end watching everything you do."

Senior cornerback Eric Gray said the pace of practice is faster and has caused a little chaos in the early stages of spring practice.

“The pace is a little bit faster," Gray said. “When the horn blows, we’re looking around wondering where to go. It’s a little chaotic, but as the days go on, we’ll get more used to it."

Castille said adjusting to Saban’s style of play is one of the most important things at this stage of practice.

“We’re learning a lot of new stuff, so it’s going to take some time to get adjusted to all the new calls, terminology and knowing where to be," he said.

In the limited time the media had to view practice, sophomore Marquis Johnson was running individual drills with the cornerbacks, while sophomore Chris Rogers was working with the safeties.

Johnson, who got most of his work on special teams last season, lettered as a free safety. Rogers, who also saw the majority of his action on special teams a year ago, lettered as a cornerback.

Junior cornerback Lionel Mitchell’s father, Stump Mitchell, was on hand for Tuesday’s practice. Stump Mitchell played nine seasons for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals of the NFL, where he amassed over 4,500 yards rushing with 32 touchdowns in his career.

Senior defensive end Wallace Gilberry felt the effects of the five-week offseason program implemented by Saban.

Gilberry, who said he was up to 280 pounds, lost 15 pounds, dropping him down to 265.

“It just ran away," Gilberry said of the weight. “It just ran off. I stayed, and it left."

Senior defensive end Keith Saunders said his role was changing somewhat. He said that instead of playing with his hand down and rushing the passer, he would also play in coverage as well.

“I’m playing stand-up and down now, so I’ll be dropping [into pass coverage] and rushing the passer." Saunders said.