During the team’s first day of game week preparation, the Alabama players and head coach Nick Saban raved about the play of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. Saban went as far as to compare him to former Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton.

Robinson is the biggest offensive threat Michigan possesses, and the Tide knows containing him is key. Robinson puts pressure on defenses as one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the nation. Throughout his career, he has developed into a better passer, using his legs as a compliment to his arm.

“I think that where he has improved the most is when he is in the pocket, becoming a more consistent accurate pocket passer and still having the ability to extend plays with his feet,” Saban said on Robinson’s development. “A lot of times, different than some guys who are athletic, he extends the plays and makes big plays throwing it. He doesn’t just take off and run like some guys do.”

Robinson uses what’s described as a “Michael Jordan-like pass fake” to keep pass rushers on their toes. It’s second nature for a pass rusher to jump when a quarterback appears to be passing in order to bat the ball down. The Tide will have to stay disciplined when trying to contain Robinson.

“No doubt about it,” defensive end Damion Square said. “You don’t want that guy to make plays happen, try to stop his feet and stop keep him in the pocket and do a good job up front, so that the guys in the secondary don’t have to worry about coming up and breaking coverage.”

Running back Eddie Lacy is slowly working his way back into form after suffering leg injuries during the offseason. Lacy described the injuries as “nagging, but nothing serious” and said he is in rehab where he is making progress every day. In Lacy’s absence, true-freshman T.J. Yeldon did work with the first team.

“He did pretty good,” Lacy said of Yeldon. “He came in, he did everything he had to do, and he did it very well, too. He took on the role very well.”

Lacy’s health may be one of the biggest keys to the Tide’s success. The red-shirt junior is the only Tide running back that saw significant playing time, backing up Trent Richardson last season. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns.

If Lacy’s health continues to be a problem, the Tide has a stable of talented running backs including Yeldon, Dee Hart and Jalston Fowler.