Tide Tidbits – August 23, 2009

Ingram, Grant highlight Tide scrimmage; Jones, Richardson suffer non-serious injuries
Although coaches and invited boosters had a couple of big scares while watching the University of Alabama football team go through its final scrimmage prior to the start of the 2009-10 season, they were overshadowed by numerous big plays Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Sophomore running back Mark Ingram had a 66-yard touchdown reception, junior running back Terry Grant broke a 49-yard run for another score, and junior linebacker Rolando McClain reached the end zone as well on a 20-yard interception return. “There was a tremendous amount of improvement from last week’s scrimmage to this week’s scrimmage in terms of ability to execute, consistency and performance,” Coach Nick Saban said. “I was very pleased with the way the ones played on both sides of the ball. I was not really that pleased with the way the twos played. At times they lost their poise and ability to execute.” The scares came in the form of injuries that proved to be not serious.

Tide goes to air in scrimmage
One of the SEC’s most-committed rushing teams opened things up Saturday, throwing 83 times in the approximately 160 snaps that accounted for the second and final scrimmage of the preseason. Quarterback Greg McElroy threw 44 passes, completing 23 for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, according to stats released by UA media relations from the scrimmage, which was closed to the media. Seven players tallied at least three receptions on a day where Alabama coach Nick Saban scripted “the first 50 or 60 plays just like a game.” Saban came away pleased with the first-team offense and defense, while noting deficiencies in second-string units on both sides of the football.

What Does James Carpenter Bring to the Bama Offensive Line?
In November of 2008, when James Carpenter announced his intentions to join the Crimson Tide, there was very little known about him and very little fanfare surrounding his commitment. Alabama fans did take note of his commitment because not only was Carpenter an experienced offensive lineman but he had also been selected as a JUCO All-American. But, the fact remains, as a recruit he simply wasn’t that well known. It’s not a stretch to say the person currently in the state of Alabama that knew about James is none other than Gene Chizik. That’s somewhat ironic considering Chizik recruited Carpenter during his tenure at Iowa State, but will be on the opposite sideline this fall.

CECIL HURT: Tide preseason almost a mirror image of ’08
For years now, Alabama’s talent level has been less than what it was in those glory years. That doesn’t mean there weren’t great players over the past 20 years — obviously, there were. But a draining combination of NCAA probations and coaching instability kept there from being a continuity of talent that would sustain the program at the upper levels of college football. Now, things are getting closer. Yes, Alabama has to replace a quarterback, and a safety, and some very good offensive linemen. But there are talented players who can do that. A few will be freshmen, but only a few. So when Saban says, as he did on Saturday, he is “very pleased with the 1’s (first-teamers) on both sides of the ball,” he is saying something. And he’s been saying it. The emphasis throughout August seems to have been less on finding warm bodies to fill all the spots — and it was not too many years ago when that was an issue at Alabama. Now, it seems to be more about “attention to detail,” to use another of Saban’s Saturday phrases.

Crimson Tide’s offensive line improves as group
Alabama coach Nick Saban still isn’t ready to announce starters on his offensive line, though he’s happier with the entire group than he was a week ago. “I think there was a big improvement — not only in the first group but actually in the second group, I think — a big improvement from last week to this week,” Saban said after Saturday’s scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Redshirt freshman Barrett Jones continued to work at right guard with the top offensive line, as has been the case through two scrimmages and more than a week of regular practice. Left tackle James Carpenter, left guard Mike Johnson, center William Vlachos and right tackle Drew Davis are expected to round out the group.

Roll Tide!

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