While real depth-chart decisions will not be made until the season-opener against Michigan, there is certainly some battling going on with the goal in mind of having an upper hand heading into the fall.
The players are jockeying for position but did not do so to the satisfaction of head coach Nick Saban in Monday’s practice.
“We’ve made progress as a team, we’re getting a lot of reps out there,” Saban said. “But, I didn’t feel like today was one of our better days in terms of the number of guys that had the mental energy, intensity, sense of urgency. You get that sometimes in the spring. It’s something that good teams have to persevere through.”
Saban used the lackluster practice to send a message to his players.
“I told the players after practice I’ll call Michigan and ask if they’re going to take days off when they get tired,” Saban said.
Running the routes
Alabama’s wealth of young talent at the wide receiver position is a good problem to have but does force the coaching staff to make tough decisions in the future. Alabama has Kenny Bell, Kevin Norwood and DeAndrew White returning from last season to go along with the addition of highly-touted recruits Chris Black and Amari Cooper, who enrolled early to participate in spring practice.
The absence of White due to a hamstring injury has made the competition more heated, with several players being given opportunities to separate themselves from the pack.
“Kenny Bell is having a really good spring, making a lot of plays,” Saban said. “Kevin Norwood has done a pretty good job and DeAndrew White was doing a good job until he hurt his hamstring. I think [Cooper] and Chris Black have both shown good ability. Anytime you have freshmen, it’s a matter of if those guys are going to be able to play with consistency.”
The players agree with Saban.
“Everybody is competing to get their spot,” Bell said. “Everyone is going out there and working hard and pushing each other.”
Defending the route-runners
The cornerback position will present a challenge for the Crimson Tide in the 2012 season, just like the last time Alabama had to defend a national championship in the 2010 season. Alabama lost Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie, the two prominent corners on the 2011 national championship team.
“There’s a lot of competition at the position,” Saban said. “Deion Belue is a good cover guy and has done a really good job. Bradley Sylve is a young guy that looks like he’s got some potential.”
The Tide now has to turn to Dee Milliner to be the anchor of a young cornerback corps.
“Now, I’m taking more of a leadership role, telling everybody what to do,” Milliner said. “Just help the young guys since I’ve been there and done it.”
Milliner knows the young corners, who will likely see significant playing time in both A-Day and the fall season, have a tough task ahead of them.
“[It’s hard to] just learn the plays and learn what you’re doing,” Milliner said. “You don’t want to be out there lost. You just come in, compete and learn what you’re supposed to do, and you’ll be ok.”
