Alabama held its second scrimmage of the spring Saturday, which marked the team’s 12th practice since spring practice began March 19.
The Tide will practice again Tuesday and Thursday before wrapping up the spring schedule with its “A-Day” game next Saturday. The noon scrimmage could be watched by a crowd as large as 50,000 in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Here is what coach Nick Saban said about Saturday’s second scrimmage, which was closed to both fans and reporters:
-- On the offense’s performance Saturday, Saban said they ran the ball better and made explosive plays but also had some negative plays.
-- Like last week’s scrimmage, Saban said the first team defense was “pretty good” but added of the second group, “[it] made a lot of mental errors and gave up plays. I don’t think the tackling was as good this week as it was a week ago. So we’ve got a lot to work on.”
-- Saban said this past week has “challenged the players to play with better effort, better toughness, finish plays better, be more responsible to be able to do their job. Obviously some older, more experienced guys know how to do that. But we have a lot more guys that need to learn how to do it on a more consistent basis. But I did see improvement in all those areas.”
-- Offensive tackle Evan Neal left the scrimmage with an injury that Saban did not disclose. There were no further details about Neal, a rising junior who could be Alabama’s best lineman this season.
-- Starting guard Emil Ekiyor remained out and has been out of practice all spring because of injury recovery. Saban added that rising sophomore offensive lineman Javion Cohen has a bone spur and is expected back at practice Tuesday.
-- Because of the injuries, Saban said it has been hard to evaluate the offensive line. Without Neal and Ekiyor, the group has an experienced center in Chris Owens but largely inexperienced players outside of him. “I think we’re mixing and matching with guys in and out, which makes it more difficult [to play together]” Saban said. “I think we want the young guys to sort of settle into one spot. I think that would be helpful, which we did this week.” Saban specifically mentioned five-star freshmen tackles JC Latham and Tommy Brockermeyer in benefitting from that.
-- Saban the pass rush is challenging the offensive line, which he thinks is good. “I think if we got everybody back on the offensive line and we got everybody healthy, I think we would have a pretty good group. But with the guys that are out being out, and moving guys around, I think that really kind of -- I wish it wasn’t that way, but we have to manage the situation and the circumstance that we’re in.” Saban said the experience at different positions will benefit players in the long run.
-- Saban said rising sophomore quarterback Bryce Young “played well again” after giving him high marks after the first scrimmage last week. Saban added freshman quarterback Jalen Milroe “showed a lot of improvement” from last week. He did not mention Paul Tyson.
-- Saban spoke more in depth about Young, saying he has improved in having presence on the field this spring.
-- With John Metchie out this spring because of injury, Alabama has been working with a much less experienced group of wide receivers than the past few seasons. “We’re just going to have to figure out what we can do with this team,” Saban said Saturday. “Some of the receivers did a little better job this week. We just keep on working with these guys and see if we can get more guys to play winning football.”
-- Specific to the running game, Saban said rising sophomore running back Roydell Williams had the most yards Saturday. “But I don’t know what that means,” he continued. “Depends on who you’re running against, sometimes, and who the offensive line is and the opportunities that you get.” Saban said fifth-year senior Brian Robinson has “had a really good spring” and he’s “really pleased with all the other running backs. I don’t think that’s an issue on our team right now. If those guys can stay healthy, I think that’s a strength for us.” Behind Robinson, Alabama has a pair of sophomores in Jase McClellan and Williams who got on the field last season, plus Trey Sanders, who continues to recover from last year’s car accident. Five-star recruit Camar Wheaton arrives this summer.
-- Saban said tight end Cameron Latu has “had a really good spring so far, shown a lot of maturity, made a lot of plays. Very athletic guy. A good ‘C’ area blocker. He’s got a much better command of the offense. He’s much more confident. He’s really a good receiver. He’s got good hands. We’re really pleased with the progress that he’s made.”
-- Saban said fifth-year senior defensive lineman LaBryan Ray has “done a great job” but the team has “monitored his situation” after a lingering elbow injury limited his playing time last year. Saban said they will listen to Ray’s feedback about his elbow but he has not asked for a break.
-- At punter, Saban said Charlie Scott had probably his best day Saturday. He had been injured earlier in the offseason. Ty Perine “continues to have a great leg” but needed to be more consistent and has done that, Saban added.
Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.