Not too many changes today as Alabama went through its 13th practice of August. The team was in full pads.
The Crimson Tide is closing in on its second and final scrimmage, and we should see some movement after that. Coaches will probably have to make their final decisions on who will play and who will redshirt. Specific units should firm up as game preparation begins.
Of note: This is Alabama’s final night practice of fall camp. The schedule becomes more regular beginning on Wednesday with the first day of classes. Here’s what we did see during the viewing period:
Defensive packages
Alabama repped its base defense again today after spending some time in it yesterday. We actually didn’t see them in the nickel or dime looks at all.
In the base package, which did not include a defensive line, the inside linebackers were Shaun Dion Hamilton (with Mack Wilson shadowing) and Rashaan Evans. The outside linebackers were Anfernee Jennings and Christian Miller. The cornerbacks were Anthony Averett and Trevon Diggs. The safeties were Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Harrison.
That’s been pretty standard. Diggs has earned praise lately and seems to be tightening his grip on that cornerback spot. Minkah’s role will shift based on the package, but he seems to be at safety in both the base and nickel packages. He moves to Money when Alabama is in its dime, and Hootie Jones usually comes on to replace him at safety.
Defensive line
Only had a moment to take a look at the defensive line, but they were doing a drill to simulate burst coming off the ball in groups of four. One group was Raekwon Davis, Johnny Dwight, Jamar King and Isaiah Buggs. The other group was Da’Shawn Hand, Joshua Frazier, DaRon Payne and Quinnen Williams.
But it’s a little strange to see the defensive line doing something in groups of four when they usually play three guys at a time, so there might not be anything worth reading into there.
Other notes
There seemed to be pretty good energy at practice today. Nick Saban got a little fired up yesterday talking about players not being able to sustain a level of play in the heat. Maybe that helped and maybe the evening practice helped them.
Josh Jacobs wasn’t practicing during the viewing period again today. With so many options at running back, wonder if missing a few days will affect his role early on. We’ll see if he’s back by the scrimmage.
Read on…
Nick Saban wasn’t mad about everything at the press conference. He did have compliments for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Aaron Suttles wrote about that today.
Cecil Hurt wrote about Saban’s focus in fall camp. He’s still all about trying to get better. They’re not on to FSU yet.
