📡 Alabama football: Grading Crimson Tide's A-Day spring game - SECcountry.com

[Google Inc.]

​

SECcountry.com​

Alabama football: Grading Crimson Tide's A-Day spring game
SECcountry.com

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A-Day is in the books for Alabama football, but there’s still plenty to break down.

The Crimson team (first-team defense, second-team offense) defeated the White team (first-team offense, second-team defense) 24-12 in front of an announced crowd of 74,732 this past Saturday.

Here’s how the Crimson Tide graded out.

First-team offense: D
It wasn’t a pretty day for Alabama’s first-team offense. There were some explosive plays, but the group lacked consistency and couldn’t finish drives in the red zone. Alabama’s first-team offense settled for four field goals.

Alabama’s first-team offensive line couldn’t block the first-team defensive line, but luckily for the Crimson Tide offense, it likely won’t face a front seven that good or better all season.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said there was entirely too much pressure on the quarterback.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts was tough to watch in the first half. He looked a little better in the third quarter, but never seemed to settle in because he hesitated on throws and faced pressure from the defensive front.

First-team defense: A-plus
This just in: Alabama’s defense will be OK this season. Alabama lost its entire secondary, potential first-round draft picks at linebacker and defensive line, yet it will have a unit in 2018 that is just as fearsome as past groups.

The front seven has an opportunity to be elite if the group can stay healthy. There are playmakers all over the field, and plenty of guys who can rush the passer.

Alabama’s revamped secondary looked up for the challenge as well. You didn’t see guys blowing many assignments or looking lost.

Second-team offense: A
Redshirt freshman Mac Jones came out and put his stamp on the day. Jones finished 23 of 35 for 289 yards and 2 touchdowns, earning co-MVP honors along with kicker Joseph Bulovas.

Jones threw a beautiful 46-yard touchdown pass to Xavian Marks to cap off the victory for the Crimson team.

Running back Brian Robinson had a nice overall day, rushing for a touchdown and putting up 59 receiving yards.

The second-team offense appeared to be way ahead of the second-team defense on Saturday.

Second-team defense: B-minus
Outside of a few players, the drop-off from the first-team defense to the second-team defense is noticeable. Because of low numbers, Saban mentioned that Alabama wasn’t able to go two-deep in his secondary.

The second-team defense did make a couple of nice plays, including an interception by defensive back Jared Mayden. The group racked up 6 sacks as well.

Special teams: A-minus
The big star of A-Day was redshirt freshman kicker Joseph Bulovas. He kicked off well and was 5 of 7 on his field goals, which included conversions from 48 and 49 yards.

The most impressive thing was Bulovas’ ability to make kicks from different distances and how he bounced back from his misses.

Alabama doesn’t need a kicker to be spectacular. It just needs someone to be consistent. Alabama fans are hoping Bulovas can be that guy.


Google Inc.
Alabama football: Grading Crimson Tide's A-Day spring game