What Nick Saban, Alabama Players Want to See in First Fall Scrimmage
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In just three weeks, Bryant-Denny Stadium will be roaring with thousands of fans under the flashing red and white LED lights as the Crimson Tide takes the field for the first time in 2023.
Well, it technically won't be the first time. The team had three scrimmages in the spring capped by the A-Day game, Fan Day last weekend with an open practice and autographs after. And the first scrimmage of fall camp will take place this Saturday.
Alabama's opener against Middle Tennessee is set for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff, which should provide some relief from the heat. The players won't be as fortunate Saturday as the scrimmage will take place in the heat of the day.
But for head coach Nick Saban things like the heat and humidity are a good test to see where the team is mentally and physically as the season draws nearer.
"It's a great opportunity for us to be able to stay focused in these kinds of conditions especially toward the end of practice when guys are getting tired and Saturday's scrimmage will be no different," Saban said.
According to Saban, this week's scrimmage isn't about working on scheming a game plans, but instead fundamentals as the Crimson Tide continues to acclimate transfers and freshman that arrived over the summer and haven't had as long to learn the playbook and develop chemistry with teammates.
So, don't be expecting any of the position battles like quarterback or left tackle to be settled and named this weekend.
"We want to evaluate whether guys can block, tackle, execute what they're supposed to do; not so much try to game plan and experiment with things but just see how guys can play winning football, whatever position," Saban said. "That's something that I think is really, really important."
You can tell when a player has been in the program for a while and spent a lot of time around Saban because he then starts using similar verbiage to the head coach.
For senior wide receiver Jermaine Burton, one of the few upperclassmen at the position, Saturday is about execution and growth.
"We’re still in the midst of creating our identity, so at the end of the day we just look forward," Burton said. "We try to keep our tempo up, trying to just go 100 percent, focus on each play and execute each play because looking at plays ahead or skipping plays ahead or trying to just looking forward, it can make you fall off track. So, I feel like it’s us taking it slow, each play by play and making sure we can execute each play is just the main goal.”
On the defensive side of the ball, redshirt sophomore defensive back Terrion Arnold said that fall camp is all about competition. The defense will be going against the offense just like it does in practice, so he called the scrimmage, "just another practice."
New defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has been working on instilling a more disciplined mindset on defense, and that's something senior outside linebacker Chris Braswell wants to see from the outside linebacker group this weekend in Bryant-Denny.
"We just want to remain disciplined, stay on our sides of the ball, strike, pass-rush, and ultimately be a great outside linebacker and set the tone for the team.”
The scrimmage is not open to the public or media, but Saban will provide updates to the media Saturday afternoon after the scrimmage.
See also:
Former Alabama WR DeVonta Smith Skips Eagles Practice to Attend Henry Ruggs III's Sentencing Hearing
How Alabama is Working to Minimize Penalties at Practice
What Nick Saban Said After Wednesday's First Practice in Full Pads of Fall Camp
