Deaderick: Should be 100 percent 'real soon'

TUSCALOOSA | Brandon Deaderick had a lot more than a football game to reflect on late Saturday night. The University of Alabama defensive end, to be sure, was as thrilled as any of his teammates to be 1-0 after having beaten a top-10 opponent in Virginia Tech.

But the perspective he had on the victory couldn't be shared by anyone else. Shot the previous Monday but not seriously injured in a robbery attempt, Deaderick recovered in time to play against the Hokies.

'Words can't explain it. God was merciful on me and He gave me a second chance at life,' Deaderick said in remarks released by UA media relations. 'I just want to take advantage of every opportunity I get every day because nothing is entitled to you. … I got an opportunity to do what I love tonight and I was healthy enough to do it. So I went out there and helped my teammates. I love my teammates. I've been with them for five years now and we've bled together and sweat together all through the offseason program.'

UA coach Nick Saban said after the 34-24 win over the Hokies that he sought a reason to not play Deaderick under the circumstances. But when the UA medical staff cleared the senior from Elizabethtown, Ky., and he expressed an interest in playing, Saban relented and allowed Deaderick limited action in a backup role.

'I should be out there at 100 percent real soon,' Deaderick said.

Deaderick was shot outside the Rivermont Apartments off Rice Mine Road the night of Aug.31, with the bullet caroming from his left arm to his hip. Deaderick, who was with a female acquaintance at the time, stayed at DCH Regional Medical Center overnight and was released Tuesday afternoon.

'It was pretty scary. At first, I thought it was a joke actually,' Deaderick said. 'When it comes down to it, you've got to do what you've got to do sometimes. … I pulled (in) and I saw him come up from the side. I tried to get the car pulled over. By the time I realized it was for real, the only thing I could do was go for the gun. Nothing goes through your mind. You react. That's what you do.

'It is a testament to how good God is and how good he can be. I could be in a wheelchair or in a funeral home right now. I just look at it as an opportunity.'

Saban said after the game that he expected Deaderick to be in better playing condition by the Crimson Tide's second game, a home opener against Florida International on Saturday.

'It's kinda big,' Deaderick said of the wound. 'It's open, but it really doesn't hurt. I have padding over it on my arm and my thigh. It felt pretty good out there.'

Coming together

Alabama had just 13 yards on 28 carries at the end of the first quarter against Virginia Tech, and quarterback Greg McElroy posted most of those yards on scrambles. The next three quarters, however, produced 240 yards on the ground.

'Well, I think they played better as the game went along,' Saban said of an offensive line that features three new starters. 'We had 230 yards rushing. Obviously our pass protection, our overall passing game, even though we made explosive plays, probably needs to continue to improve.'

Left tackle James Carpenter, center William Vlachos and right guard Barrett Jones made their first career UA starts.

Tide bits

Running back Mark Ingram, Deaderick and reserve quarterback Star Jackson were not present during individual drills at Tuesday's practice. According to UA media relations, each absence was excused. UA coach Nick Saban noted on Monday that Jackson had contracted flu symptoms, and Tuesday marked the second consecutive missed practice for the redshirt freshman from Lake Worth, Fla. … Terry Grant worked with the wide receivers for the second consecutive practice. Grant, a running back throughout his career, carried twice for two yards in the win over Virginia Tech on Saturday. … The Alabama offensive coaching staff was honored by FootballScoop.com for a 498-yard performance by the team against Virginia Tech. It was the fourth-highest total at UA under Saban.

Reach Chase Goodbread at chase.goodbread@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0196.