A labama head coach Nick Saban called today’s scrimmage, the Tide’s first scrimmage of the 2012 campaign, “really good,” indicating that he was pleased with the performances of AJ McCarron, the first team defense, first team offense, and in particular, tailback Eddie Lacy.
He also indicated that linebacker Adrian Hubbard “has done a really good job.” Hubbard will likely step into the position vacated by Courtney Upshaw.
Coach Saban said there were no injuries in today’s scrimmage of note, but that junior defensive back Jarrick Williams suffered a season ending ACL injury on Friday. The injury prompted the move of Eddie Williams to get work at safety from where he was working at receiver.
The injury is the second of the preseason, after receiver Chris Black suffered a shoulder injury which required surgery. Black is expected to redshirt this season, with 3-4 months expected for his recovery.
So with Jarrick Williams’ and Chris Black’s injuries, and the departure of defensive back Travell Dixon for family reasons this week, Bama has lost three players for the season.
Freshmen defensive backs Geno Smith and Landon Collins seem to be turning heads, both vying for duty in backup roles in the defensive backfield.
Junior punter Cody Mandell seems to be a consistent spot on special teams, averaging 40 yards per punt in today’s scrimmage.
Other players mentioned by Saban were Xzavier Dickson, who he said is “growing up,” as well as linebackers Tana Patrick, Reggie Ragland, Dillon Lee and Jonathan Atchison. All “have potential” according to Coach Saban, with consistency being the goal for them right now.
Of the back-up quarterbacks, redshirt freshman Phillip Ely “managed the game” a little better than true freshman Alec Morris, who “played like a freshman.” “But we’re going to keep working to develop them,” Saban said.
Unofficially, excitement continues to build over freshman wide receiver Amaari Cooper and junior (JUCO transfer) defensive back Deion Belue. Both have shown superstar potential, with immediate impact written all over them.
Here are the official stats from today’s Alabama football scrimmage.
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Yeah Baby…Saban rarely says the team looked good…What does that say about this years squad??? I say it says repeat…Lookout…Bama is Back…
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