Alabama was at it bright and early Wednesday morning for the team's sixth practice and its first two-a-day practice. It was hot and humid and you can tell that fatigue is beginning to catch up with the players and the coaches. Remember that the team's first off day is Sunday after Saturday's scrimmage. Just me reading the tea leaves, but I wouldn't be shocked if Nick Saban is a little irritable during the next couple of press conferences due to players making mental mistakes because of fatigue.
Here is what I saw during the limited viewing period.
During quarterback drills Blake Sims continues to take the first rep of every sequence. Jake Coker went fourth in the rotation. Blake really has come a long way in his development as a pro-style passer. His drops are smooth and his technique has improved. With Jake Coker his problem has been timing -- he's thrown over receivers and behind receivers. But he threw a back corner end zone pass that was perfect to Amari Cooper this morning. No matter how the good coverage would have been, a defensive back could not have made a play on the ball. Sims laced one down the middle to Robert Foster that was as pretty a pass as you've seen. As you've probably noted in the practice videos, both quarterbacks have good throws and both have bad throws. I continue to be impressed with David Cornwell. He throws a very consistent ball.
Working with the defensive backs, Saban was fired up at one player not doing the drill correctly, which led to an outburst by a frustrated Saban: "Anybody ever tell you how lazy you are?" The point being that all the players are tired, but Saban wants to instill mental discipline that combats fatigue late in games.
One big player noticeable in his absence was sophomore defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson. Robinson was at practice Tuesday, and the media doesn't meet with Saban until Thursday so no update will come until then. I'll be sure to note whether or not he's at practice tonight.
Trey DePriest works back slowly from a knee tweak he sustained during Saturday's practice. He was in a regular jersey.
The three suspended players remain out of practice: Tim Williams, Brandon Ivory and Jarran Reed.
Dakota Ball continues to practice with the tight ends.
Reminder that the team practices again tonight at 7:30.
https://alabama.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=427&tid=202952674&mid=202952674&sid=885&style=2
Here is what I saw during the limited viewing period.
During quarterback drills Blake Sims continues to take the first rep of every sequence. Jake Coker went fourth in the rotation. Blake really has come a long way in his development as a pro-style passer. His drops are smooth and his technique has improved. With Jake Coker his problem has been timing -- he's thrown over receivers and behind receivers. But he threw a back corner end zone pass that was perfect to Amari Cooper this morning. No matter how the good coverage would have been, a defensive back could not have made a play on the ball. Sims laced one down the middle to Robert Foster that was as pretty a pass as you've seen. As you've probably noted in the practice videos, both quarterbacks have good throws and both have bad throws. I continue to be impressed with David Cornwell. He throws a very consistent ball.
Working with the defensive backs, Saban was fired up at one player not doing the drill correctly, which led to an outburst by a frustrated Saban: "Anybody ever tell you how lazy you are?" The point being that all the players are tired, but Saban wants to instill mental discipline that combats fatigue late in games.
One big player noticeable in his absence was sophomore defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson. Robinson was at practice Tuesday, and the media doesn't meet with Saban until Thursday so no update will come until then. I'll be sure to note whether or not he's at practice tonight.
Trey DePriest works back slowly from a knee tweak he sustained during Saturday's practice. He was in a regular jersey.
The three suspended players remain out of practice: Tim Williams, Brandon Ivory and Jarran Reed.
Dakota Ball continues to practice with the tight ends.
Reminder that the team practices again tonight at 7:30.
https://alabama.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=427&tid=202952674&mid=202952674&sid=885&style=2
