Alabama Football: With 12 Days of Practice, Tide Is Already Looking Good

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) With just twelve practices in the books, this year's version of the Crimson Tide is looking like the well oiled machine it should be, and less like the inexperienced defensive squad that some feared.

This is also the healthiest the team has been at this point in the year since Saban has taken over.

Of course with just about the entire offense returning, you expect to see them operating at near optimum performance this time time of year and they aren't disappointing.

All three quarterbacks are deftly dropping balls into receivers hands in perfect stride. This could be the best trio of quarterbacks the Tide has had at one time in over 25 years. From the look of the results in practice, even against the number one defense, Alabama fans won't have to cringe in the corner should McElroy have to sit out a game or two with an injury.

Things would just go business as usual with that position.

Of course you'd expect a returning Heisman Trophy winner and his stable mate from last year to be good, but Eddie Lacy has also shown that he intends not only to deserve, but to warrant some playing time as well.

As with the quarterback situation, these could be the best three running backs ever assembled one one team at one time in the SEC.

The offensive line is returning as well and don't be alarmed by any knee braces you see, those are just precautionary. The line returns well and 100 per cent ready to go and they're run blocking is simply devastating as Texas can attest to.

The receiving corps has been looking great and even the running backs have been showing off their hands as well with long TDs.

This is the first year that Julio Jones is 100 percent healthy and he should make a statement year out of it. Marquis Maze has added some bulk that is all muscle and the extra pounds of size is noticeable as is his ability to project a more physical side like Julio. The best news is that it hasn't hurt his speed.

Preston dial impressed with a great grab in heavy traffic and has been very consistent. He and Smelly should cause us to not miss a beat at tight end, which is always an important spot in a Bama offense.

Other wide receivers are showing that they intend to fight for some rotations as well, Kevin Norwood, Brandon Gibson and Earl Alexander as well as newcomer DeAndrew White have all made some great catches when subbing for the number ones.

One offense, there are only two words needed to describe the totality of this group, deep and juggernaught.

Special teams is a different matter. Cade Foster has the leg to break some records at Alabama, but he needs some more consistency. When he does miss, he's close however, hitting the uprights a few times is a good example, but most on staff feel he'll be ready in a few weeks.

Likewise at punter, we have a guy who can cannon shoot one and then shank another, but the shanks are getting much farther between and fewer.

Saban and coach Burton Burns have been trying a lot of different players at returner and nothing may be settled until the first game there. There is no doubt that Alabama will miss the speedy and elusive Arenas in the short term, but there are many who Alabama can develop in this role.

Now for the part that even some Alabama fans fear, the defense and replacing so many starters. First of all, with the rotation and that Saban and coach Kirby Smart employ, there is hardly a position that someone will take that doesn't have some game time behind them.

The defensive line and linebacker corp has been so documented that I won't waste time here rehashing their virtues. This could be the nation's top defensive line and linebacker corp.

It's in the backfield where people are worried, but so far, even against the number one offense, it's hard to see anything really scary.

You see a lot of long receptions, but only because the ball was so perfectly placed. There's no defense against a perfect pass without drawing a penalty, but no one is blowing coverages and seldom is a man in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

Tackles are being made after reception and overall, things looks much better there than expected. With Saban personally spending so much time there himself to help the new position coach, things should work out well by the middle of the season when they'll be tested.

Mark Barron is simply a beast in the backfield and I predict he'll lead the league in opponents helped off the field. Lots of receivers may get a cause of alligator arms when coming across the middle while he's on patrol there. He will be one of the top safeties by season's end.

Other backs are all pushing one another for spots right now and that may not be completely settled for a while yet.

Dre Kirkpatrick is looking like someone who wants a spot of his own and DeMarcus Milliner continues to baffle the training staff with his quick recovery and workouts so far. Phelon Jones looks like the likely nickle back right now and for a Kirby Smart defense that is just like a starting position.

With Woodson gone and Robby Green suspended, that leaves a thin reserve at safety were Robert Lester will fill the other slot unless someone else steps up.

But with the anticipated pressure that this Bama front wall of linemen and linebackers will put on quarterbacks, that could only help a young defensive backfield all the more.

After 12 days of practice it is easy to see why the coaches and media alike have named Alabama as the number team in college football. They look like they could start the season tomorrow and not miss a beat from last year's record.

Of course, everybody has a plan until they get hit in the mouth. Seeing who, when and if someone can deliver that hit is the thing that makes watching college football so much fun.