Spring football: Monday practice report

The Crimson Tide will hold its first scrimmage on Wednesday, which will also signal the midway point of spring practices. For many of the younger players it’ll be their first opportunity to impress the coaches in a live, full-speed setting. “The most important thing we look for in a first scrimmage is how a guy competes,” Coach Nick Saban said. “A guy who plays hard, doesn’t get frustrated, is relentless, coming back and playing is important to him, they have the right plan and really get after it. The number two things is the consistency and performance, that level that everyone has been able to achieve when they’re out there on their own. And then obviously to evaluate players. There are some guys who practice well, and they get into a game and they can’t take it to the field. There are other guys it’s always a struggle in practice but they always play a little better in a game.”

One player coaches will probably be watching closely in the scrimmage is converted wide receiver B.J. Scott at cornerback. He’s already appears to be working his way in to the mix with the first couple units. As Saban indicated last week, the coaches appear a lot more comfortable playing Mark Barron near the line of scrimmage and having the other safety play deep.

Alabama got back into its normal routine Monday after the weekend coaching clinic, and practiced outside. There didn’t appear to be any obvious position changes, which may indicate the coaching staff already has everyone where they want for the scrimmage.

Wide receiver Earl Alexander (shoulder) and running back Roy Upchurch (neck) continued to wear black, signaling no contact. Linebacker Brandon Fanney is still not practicing due to a suspension.