Defense gets shot at redemption

A week after the Alabama offense ran up huge numbers in the first fall scrimmage, the defense will get a shot at redemption this afternoon. The second and final scrimmage of the preseason is set for 1 p.m. in Bryant-Denny Stadium. All scrimmages are closed to the public. The second go-round will differ somewhat from last Saturday’s as difficult decisions loom for the coaching staff. “We still want to let the players play,” coach Nick Saban said. “We want to see who can go out there and play at a higher level in terms of taking their knowledge, experience, ability to adjust and adapt, still play hard and play effective winning football. We’re still looking for a number of guys at a number of positions to find out who we’re going to coach for this season. Also, we’ll probably have a few more situations because we like to try to cover every situation that we can cover somewhere in camp.” Tight end Michael Williams isn’t about to get to mouthy with his defensive counterparts. “We had an on-day that day,” he said. “(The defense) has their days when they’re on like this week, they were on. You clash some days, and that day, we were just on a little bit more than they were.” [More]

Tide offense has to roll to meet 2010 goals

Alabama center William Vlachos sat stoically and kept a serious tone. A week after rolling up big numbers in the Crimson Tide’s first scrimmage, Alabama’s offense has areas it needs to improve in during today’s second and final preseason scrimmage, Vlachos said. Despite almost 700 yards passing and the defense’s general embarrassment, there are indeed areas where the offense was lacking last week. “We have goals that we have for each game, and we have the same goals for a scrimmage,” Vlachos said. “We came out pretty good on some, but we still have to get better on others. Red zone and third down are very, very key things that we have to focus on this scrimmage and try to improve.” Today is a key day for the Crimson Tide — the final exam where Alabama coaches will decide which players can make a contribution this year, head coach Nick Saban said. “We want to see who can go out there and play at a higher level,” Saban said. “We’re still looking for a number of guys at a number of positions to find out who we’re going to coach for this season.” [More]

Will documentary change Nick Saban’s image?

The gap between the person and the persona has been gaping, but that’s beginning to change. An “All Access” program this week on ESPN was a start. Now comes a documentary that premieres next week. “Nick Saban: Gamechanger” hits the big screen Tuesday. As Alabama football fans get set for an inside look at the coach they love and other fans prepare to see another side of a man they loathe, Saban scoffs at the notion that he agreed to these projects because he is sensitive about the way he is perceived. “No, that’s not the purpose,” he said Thursday. “First of all, ‘All Access’ was done strictly for the fans.” The same goes for the documentary, he added. But the result nonetheless could be favorable for the fiery yet cold coach of the reigning national champion. Call it “Nick Saban: Image changer.” [More]

Square in gear for his big return

He was there every day, pumping the pedals — waiting his turn and letting his knee heal. The tear to Damion Square’s anterior cruciate ligament late in the second game of the 2009 season threw his whole plan to the side. Instead of practicing every afternoon, the rising pass rusher was forced to the sidelines at the Alabama football complex. He worked on the exercise bike and did other non-football workouts to get him in gear for the return. That time has come and Square is ready. He figures to play a central role as one of the more versatile defensive players. He can play defensive end or outside linebacker. Coach Nick Saban said he was likely the third defensive end in the Tide’s 3-4 base defense behind Marcell Dareus and Luther Davis. He’s also expected to have a role in the nickel package that Alabama used frequently last fall. Where Square plays makes no difference at this point. He’s just eager to get back out there after losing most of his redshirt freshman season to the knee injury suffered late in the win over Florida International. [More]

Roll Tide!

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