Alabama Football: The Process Continues at A-Day

Clearly, Alabama's defense has come a long way this spring. Stats can be misleading but it was obvious from the first scrimmage that the defense was owned by the offense.   

The second scrimmage stats indicated things were starting to even out. At A-Day, the young defense had clearly made more steps in the right direction.   

This is not to say problems don't exist for the defending National Champions. 

The offense got off big plays in the passing game. Receivers and even running backs got open deep and Mark Ingram was allowed to waltz nearly the length of the field on a simple off-tackle play.

Cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick and BJ Scott did well in coverage. Scott needs to work on tackling, but I think between head coach Nick Saban and strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran, he will be fine by the fall.  

From the options at safety, the coaching staff may need to take a serious look at two incoming freshman safeties, Nick Perry and Jarrick Williams, for help.

I felt two true freshmen corners Demarcus Milliner and John Fulton did a nice job in coverage. They got a baptism by fire with quarterbacks going after them time after time. 

Considering that these guys were playing in high school a few months ago, I thought they did well. Experience will be golden this summer as they will need it to improve their game.

Some have noted Chris Jordan on the first team at middle linebacker with Nico Johnson on the second team. This may or may not be a valid observation. Clearly, Jordan had a great spring and is in the battle for a starting position. 

Johnson was calling the huddles on the second team defense Saturday so he may have been there to lead the second team, not because he is second team. 

The front seven was unstoppable. This defense will be significantly faster than any since Saban arrived. Marcel Dareus was unblockable.

The second team defensive line was as disruptive with Darrington Sentimore getting in the backfield. 

Courtney Upshaw was abusing the Crimson Tide's offensive tackles. Chavis Williams even got in to the act. Jarrell Harris showed his speed and was used often in coverage. 

This front seven and their backups were recruited and built to rush the passer. This will be something new for teams to deal with as Saban has designed past defenses based on coverage. 

All four quarterbacks played well.

AJ McCarron displayed the most arm talent. He can make more throws and can do so on the run. He lacks game experience. 

For instance, he wasn't always aware of where he was on the field and didn't select the best targets.   

I do believe he is ready to step in should something happen to McElroy. It's been a long time since Alabama had two game ready quarterbacks. 

McElroy went against the No. 1 defense all day and his time was limited in the backfield. He showed his experience and is clearly the best option.

Star Jackson has continued to improve. There is still a gap between McCarron, McElroy and himself.

True freshman Phillip Sims showed why he was one of the nations top high school quarterbacks. He will benefit from a red shirt season. He showed some poise and good arm strength under pressure. He's also quite accurate.  

It was obvious to those watching that the offensive line didn't have a great day with pass protection. That was with a limited blitz package thrown at them.

I want to make a few points in their defense. 

One, from mid-season last year it seemed nobody could block Marcel Dareus. This former three-star prospect from Huffman may be the best lineman 'Bama will see outside of the practice facility.

Courtney Upshaw burst on the scene in the Texas game and he, like Darius, has carried that momentum to the spring. I'm not sure how many 260-pound outside linebackers with that kind of speed the Tide will face.

This front seven is the best I've seen, at least since the 1980's, and may have to go back to the times of Bear Bryant to find their equal. Having a bad day against these guys may not be a sign of impending doom, at least not for Alabama that is.

Two, Alabama went almost half a season last year without getting flagged for holding.  That doesn't happen by accident. 

While other coaches are teaching how to grab and hold, hopefully without getting caught, offensive line coach Pendry is taking the road less traveled. He wants his guys to do it right and that takes time.

The punting started god-awful, but improved as the game went on. The consistency on display Saturday will get Alabama beat in the fall. 

Alabama will be counting on the leg of Jay Williams, who should arrive this summer. If not, Saban may want to start hanging out at the rugby games on the recreational field.  They will generally play for food.

Place kicking wasn't terrible, but Alabama fans will be wishing that Van Tiffen had more offspring. 

True freshman Cade Foster had two nice kickoffs, but two short ones as well.

Offensively, the spring is about teaching and evaluating. You normally don't see many new wrinkles in the spring game, but it's obvious that the staff wants to get the ball to the running backs, and to Richardson in the passing game.

This makes since when you have two guys like Ingram and Richardson and want to get the most out of both. 

I don't think Richardson was 100 percent healed from the pulled muscle he suffered. He played well but I don't think that was vintage Richardson.

Ingram was every bit the man who won the Heisman. If anyone thought he would let up after his tearful acceptance speech, be ready to be disappointed. 

He won't repeat as Heisman due to Richardson getting more touches, but he will be as good or better than last year.

Of the other running backs, I'd say Eddie Lacy had the better day. He didn't get many carries but did have a few nifty runs. Demetrius Goode had an outstanding touchdown catch and may be in line for third down duty. 

Receiver Brandon Gibson had a good day, but not against the starters. All of the starting receivers from last year had good catches, but none racked up numbers. The starting offense did not produce quite as much as fans would have all liked. 

Julio Jones dropped more passes but he would have drawn several pass interference calls in a real game. 

I don't know if Jones will live up to his billing, but he's still a physical beast and if you don't put bodies on him, he will destroy a defense. 

All it took was one laxed moment for him to make LSU pay last year.

Hightower played well, but didn't appear 100 percent. 

Frankly, I'm floored that he and the other members of the "all knee reconstruction team" played. I questioned if any of them would be back by this fall and right now I'd have to say all of them will be ready to go.

Now for some general observations:

Clearly, Alabama fans like Ingram, have not lost their fire. They packed the house for the most part with just over 92,000 people. They all bought their championship t-shirts (most had them on) and teased their Auburn co-workers. 

Like always, Tide fans are ready for football.

The championship has changed nothing about Saban's approach to coaching. His approach to the season was made clear from the opening snap of A-Day. 

Saban believes in hard work, physical play, consistency, competition and you've all heard the speeches by now.   

Mark Ingram won the Heisman, he's the starting tailback, and broke the single-season rushing record that's stood since the 80's. 

Ingram doesn't have much left to prove on paper, but to Saban he has to prove everyday that he wants it just like he did this time last year. 

Ingram played in all four quarters of the A-Day game and was not spared the carries or the contact. He even returned punts. The same could be said of Jones, McElroy and every one else of note.  

The message was clear. If one comes to Alabama to play for Saban, he comes to compete everyday. Championships are the goal, but you are either a part of the daily process or you will be part of history. The bling on the finger changes nothing.

For fans who stayed to watch the entire scrimmage, Alabama played as many starters in the fourth quarter as they did the first. Plenty of backups played, but they were scattered in throughout the game. 

They also witnessed a backup quarterback throw a beautiful fourth down bomb for a touchdown to win the game and a steak dinner. 

A sign of times to come. The process continues.