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A-Day 2013: Final Stats

Posted on April 20, 2013 by | Comments Off

Passing

AJ McCarron (White): 19-30, 223, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions.
Alec Morris (Crimson): 10-18, 141 yards, no TDs, no INTs
Blake Sims (Crimson): 5-10, 52 yards, no TDs, 2 INTs
Luke Del Rio (Crimson): 2-3, 38 yards, no TDs, no INTs
Parker McLeod (White): 1-2, 19 yards, no TDs, no INTs
Phillip Ely (White): 2-4, 8 yards, no TDs, no INTs
Cooper Bateman (Crimson): 1-3, 3 yards, no TDs, 2 INTs

Rushing

T.J. Yeldon (White): 15 carries, 69 yards, 1 touchdown
Kenyan Drake (Crimson): 8 carries, 33 yards
Trey Roberts (White/Crimson): 6 carries, 23 yards
Blake Sims: 3 carries, 7 yards
AJ McCarron: 2 carries, 3 yards
Cooper Bateman: 1 carry, 2 yards
Dee Hart: 2 carries, -1 yard

Receiving

Kenny Bell: 3 catches, 71 yards, 1 touchdown
DeAndrew White: 3 catches, 62 yards
T.J. Yeldon: 7 catches, 60 yards
Christion Jones: 3 catches, 55 yards
Chris Black: 3 catches, 51 yards
Raheem Falkins: 3 catches, 43 yards
Trey Roberts: 1 catch, 31 yards
Brian Vogler: 4 catches, 24 yards
O.J. Howard: 3 catches, 22 yards
Amari Cooper: 4 catches, 21 yards
Kenyan Drake: 4 catches, 18 yards

Defensive

C.J. Mosley (Crimson): 9 tackles, 0.5 for a loss, 1 fumble recovery
Tana Patrick (Crimson): 8 tackles, 1 forced fumble
HaHa Clinton-Dix (Crimson): 6 tackles, 1 pass break-up, 1 fumble recovery returned for 55 yards
Landon Collins (White): 5 tackles, 1 interception returned for 28 yards
Ed Stinson (Crimson): 5 tackles
OTHER NOTABLES
Dillon Lee (White): 4 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 2 pass break-ups
Deion Belue (Crimson): 4 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass break-ups
Nick Perry (White): 3 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 interceptions returned for 42 yards, 1 pass break-up
Vinnie Sunseri (Crimson): 3 tackles, 0.5 for a loss, 1 interception returned for 86 yards and a touchdown
Dalvin Tomlinson (White): 2 tackles, 1 sack/tackle for loss

Kicking

Cade Foster
– Field Goal: 1-1, 29 yards
– Extra Points: 2-2
– Kickoffs: 4 for 260 yards (65 yards per kick), 1 touchback

Adam Griffith
– Field Goal: 0-0
– Extra Points: 2-2
– Kickoffs: 2 for 130 yards (65 yards per kick), 1 touchback

Punting

Cody Mandell: 7 punts, 236 yards (33.7 per punt), long of 62, 3 inside the 20
Worth Gregory: 1 punt for 26 yards

Scoring Plays

12:05, 1st Quarter, White Team: AJ McCarron to Kenny Bell for 40 yards. 7-0 White.
7:09, 1st Quarter, White Team: Cade Foster 29 yard field goal. 10-0 White.
0:00, 2nd Quarter, Crimson Team: Vinnie Sunseri returns an interception for 86 yards and a touchdown. 10-7, White.
2:01, 4th Quarter, Crimson Team: HaHa Clinton-Dix returned a recovered fumble for 55 yards and a touchdown. 14-10 Crimson.
1:04, 4th Quarter, White Team: T.J. Yeldon runs for 7 yards. 17-14 White.

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Spring Football Practice Report: April 16, 2013

Posted on April 16, 2013 by | Comments Off

Alabama's defensive coordinator Kirby Smart observes as Reggie Ragland goes through a drill in Tuesday's practice. (Copyright photo by Brett Hudson)

Alabama’s defensive coordinator Kirby Smart observes as Reggie Ragland goes through a drill in Tuesday’s practice. (Copyright photo by Brett Hudson)

To start off the final week of spring practice before A-Day, the Crimson Tide practiced outdoors in full pads. This was also the first Tuesday practice of the spring schedule, as Alabama moved from its normal Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule to Tuesday-Thursday so the players are fresh for A-Day.

Here’s the news.

– Injured cornerback John Fulton was off the exercise bike today, but not doing light running like he has before. Instead, he was alongside his fellow defensive backs on the practice field for drills. I did not notice Fulton doing any drills, but he seems to be getting closer to practicing. Linebacker Trey Depriest and wide receiver Kevin Norwood were still on the exercise bike.

– I was unable to spot running back Derrick Henry at practice today. That does not mean that he was without a doubt absent, but it is a possibility since he has just recently had surgery on his broken leg. Plus, I like to think my eyes are not bad to the point that I would miss a character like Henry walking around.

– The quarterback rotation is still hidden for the time being. Clearly, AJ McCarron is the front runner, but behind him remains a clouded mess. It appears that Blake Sims, Phillip Ely and Alec Morris are battling for the No. 2 spot behind McCarron while the freshmen: Cooper Bateman, Parker McLeod and Luke Del Rio are trying to separate themselves from the pack for the future.

– Former linebacker Nico Johnson was in town to observe practice. Johnson has recently been working out in hopes of being taken in next week’s NFL Draft.

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Stats from second spring football scrimmage

Posted on April 13, 2013 by | Comments Off

Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper catches a pass in the second spring scrimmage. (Photo courtesy of UA Athletics)

Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper catches a pass in the second spring scrimmage. (Photo courtesy of UA Athletics)

Here are the statistical leaders from the second spring scrimmage for the Alabama football team, the last one before the open A-Day scrimmage. You can click here to see video from the open warm-up period and here for a photo gallery from the event.

Passing

A.J. McCarron – 23 for 28, 319 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INT
Blake Sims – 10 for 15, 183 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

Rushing

T.J. Yeldon – 14 rushes, 101 yards, 2 TD
Derrick Henry – 17 rushes, 79 yards
Kenyan Drake – 12 rushes, 71 yards

Receiving
Chris Black – 10 catches, 113 yards
Amari Cooper – 6 catches, 108 yards, 4 TD
Christion Jones – 5 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD

Defense
HaSean “HaHa” Clinton-Dix – 6 tackles
Denzel Devall – 6 tackles, 1 sack
Ryan Anderson – 6 tackles
Deion Belue – 5 tackles, 1 sack
Vinnie Sunseri – 4 tackles, 1 PBU

Other notes

McCarron’s touchdown passes: 36 yards, 55, 18, 3 and 12.
Sims’ touchdown passes: 22 yards, 63 yards.
Alec Morris had one touchdown pass of 10 yards.
Parker McLeod had one touchdown pass of 23 yards.

Yeldon’s rushing touchdowns: 65 yards, 7.

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Practice Report: March 18, 2013

Posted on March 18, 2013 by | Comments Off

Freshman running back Derrick Henry running through drills in Monday's practice. (Copyright photo by Brett Hudson)

Freshman running back Derrick Henry running through drills in Monday’s practice. (Copyright photo by Brett Hudson)

Some strong (making field goal posts sway violently, strong) winds, followed by rain, forced the Alabama Crimson Tide inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility for its second spring practice. Here are the notes, with video posted at the bottom.

– Wide receiver Kevin Norwood and cornerback John Fulton were still held out of practice, but still found a way to compete thanks to a push-up contest sparked by strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran, who was working with them before and after the contest. Cochran won. Video is posted below.

– Offensive lineman Anthony Steen got reps at left guard, right guard and right tackle in practice, but most of his reps came at right guard alongside projected starting center Ryan Kelly. Also seen running with starters were Chad Lindsay, Austin Shepherd and Kellen Williams.

– Quarterback Blake Sims not only did not throw, but did not do much of anything in practice today. He didn’t seem to be experiencing excruciating pain, but regardless was not practicing.

– True freshman quarterback Cooper Bateman seems to be moving along quite nicely, working his way ahead of practice squad walk-on Edward Aldag, but still behind starter AJ McCarron and backups Phillip Ely and Alec Morris. This may not sound like much, but it is more than what the other two true freshman quarterbacks, Parker McLeod and Luke Del Rio, can say at this point.

– Wide receiver Christion Jones and running back Dee Hart were still working with the defensive backs, and from what I was able to see, it appears that Jones’ transition is going more smooth than Hart’s is.

– Tight end/H-Back Brian Vogler seems to be leading the rotation at that position. The distribution of players between the H-Back and tight end position could have an impact on depth chart decisions, however.

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Countdown to Spring Football: Quarterbacks Preview

Posted on March 7, 2013 by | Comments Off

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has an unbreakable grip on the starting job for the 2013 season. (AP photo)

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has an unbreakable grip on the starting job for the 2013 season. (AP photo)

Daily Bama Blog correspondent Brett Hudson, like he did for the BCS National Championship Game against Notre Dame, will count you down to the beginning of spring practice with another series. Each day, Brett will break down a different position group going into spring practice until the beginning of practice on March 16. Here is the schedule.
Today: Quarterbacks
Tomorrow: Running backs
Saturday: Wide receivers
Sunday: Tight ends/H-Backs
Monday: Offensive Line
Tuesday: Defensive Line
Wednesday: Linebackers/Pro Day
March 14: Cornerbacks
March 15: Safeties
March 16: Opening day of spring practice

Anything dealing with the Crimson Tide’s quarterback situation has to start with AJ McCarron: you know, the one that has quarterbacked Alabama to two straight national championships in as many seasons as the starting quarterback and is dating a model featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, sometimes wearing his jersey.

McCarron, who did a great interview with Dan Patrick on coming back for his senior season, comes back to the Tide after a 2,933-yard season with 30 touchdowns and only three interceptions on 211-314 passing. McCarron, who was once called the most underrated quarterback in the country, will not enter the spring that way, as he stands in a three-way battle with Georgia’s Aaron Murray and Texas A&M’s Johny Manziel for the Southeastern Conference’s best quarterback.

Behind McCarron is where spring football could answer many questions. Alabama has six quarterbacks outside of McCarron, five of them on scholarship, that are vying for just two depth chart spots.

Phillip Ely and Blake Sims are the only other players to attempt a pass for the Tide other than McCarron during the 2012 season. Sims was 5-10 for 77 yards, but also brought a dual-threat look when he was entered, shown by his 70 rushing yards on eight carries against Western Carolina. Ely, who reportedly considered transferring, threw one touchdown pass on 3-4 passing for 42 yards.

Alabama also has Alec Morris, who redshirted last season and will now come in as a redshirt freshman. Morris will be one of three freshmen on scholarship at the quarterback position, joined by new recruits Cooper Bateman and Parker McLeod. Bateman and McLeod stepping willingly into such fierce competition was featured more in-depth here.

The Crimson Tide will also have a welcomed walk-on, Luke Del Rio. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because he is the son of former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach and current defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos Jack Del Rio. Luke turned down scholarships from schools such as Oklahoma State to walk-on at Alabama.

Breakdown: Six players vying for three depth chart spots. One redshirt senior (McCarron), one redshirt junior (Sims), one redshirt sophomore (Ely), one redshirt freshman (Morris) and three true freshmen (Bateman, McLeod, Del Rio).

Prediction: McCarron will be the assumed starter and will not lose that position to anything but an injury. Behind McCarron will either be Ely or Morris, as Sims could turn into a spot man used for added offensive versatility. While Bateman and McLeod seem set for redshirt seasons in 2013, the lack of a promising future for playing time will surely push one to transfer away.

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Alabama’s scout-team Irish imitators

Posted on December 28, 2012 by | Comments Off
Alabama quarterback Blake Sims, left, and teammate Ryan Kelly celebrate Sims' fourth-quarter touchdown against Arkansas. (AP photo by April L. Brown)

Alabama quarterback Blake Sims, left, and teammate Ryan Kelly celebrate Sims’ fourth-quarter touchdown against Arkansas. (AP photo by April L. Brown)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — When Alabama’s starting defense works against the scout-team offense, backup quarterback Blake Sims is playing the part of Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson.

Sims is a running quarterback, as Golson is.

“He’s given us a good look,” Alabama linebacker Nico Johnson said. “He gave us a good look for Texas A&M week (playing Johnny Manziel) and he does a great job. He’s been doing it for the last couple years and he really makes us understand how important it is bc he breaks us down a lot by scrambling and throwing the ball some.”

On defense, true freshman linebacker Reggie Ragland is playing the part of Notre Dame All-American Manti Te’o. Ragland is 6-foot-2 and 247 pounds. He appeared in 10 games this year and made eight tackles. Te’o is 6-2 and 255 pounds with 103 tackles.

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Saban talks about QB rotation

Posted on September 12, 2012 by | Comments Off

Sophomore Blake Sims and redshirt freshman Phillip Ely are in a stiff competiton for the backup quarterback job, and Sims appears to be winning. Ely was No. 2 behind starter AJ McCarron after preseason camp.

However, Sims — a converted running back — got the ball for the last few minutes of Alabama’s 35-0 win Saturday over Western Kentucky. McCarron had played every snap until then.

Saban said it was a matter of Sims deserving the chance. Both have gotten equal chances lately to earn the backup slot.

“We do have a competition, and Blake has been making a lot of progress and doing a good job,” Saban said Wednesday morning.

After practice Wednesday evening, Saban talked in more detail about the race between Sims and Ely.

“We’re trying to bring both guys along, equally, to see who kind of comes to the top, he said. “Both of those guys have a completely different skill set, and really kind of compliment each other. So we’re trying to use those guys who have a little more maturity, knowledge and experience.”

True freshman Alec Morris is running behind Sims and Ely.

“We’re really pleased and satisfied with Alec’s progress,” Saban said. “He’s probably just not quite ready and the other two guys are a little further head so we’re going to continue to work those guys equally. Both of those guys will have an opportunity to play in the game if that opportunity presents itself.”

As for McCarron playing as much as he did against Western Kentucky, Saban said, “With about eight or nine minutes we were ahead 28-0 and not playing really well. I was just trying to put together a good drive.”

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Sims helps Tide by doing ‘The Chicken’

Posted on August 30, 2012 by | Comments Off

Alabama quarterback Blake Sims drew praise from teammate Trey DePriest for his work this week as the scout-team quarterback.

Sims’ job is to imitate Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, who is a running and passing threat, as Sims is.

“Blake’s done real well,” DePriest said. “Blake’s known for his little shifty moves and he’s already quick, so he’s done real well in practice.”

DePriest added that Sims is the best guy Alabama has for the job.

“We call him ‘The Chicken’ when he puts that move on,” DePriest said. “He calls it ‘The Chicken.’ ”

Do you know why?

“I don’t,” he said, laughing. “I never really got that concept.”

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Tide gives Blake Sims a big job this week

Posted on August 28, 2012 by | Comments Off

In practice, Alabama has used sophomore Blake Sims to play Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson on the scout-team offense.

Sims was a running back last year, gaining 107 yards on 22 carries, but Alabama has shifted him to quarterback this year. With his ability to run and pass, he seems like the perfect guy on Alabama’s roster to immitate Robinson, the Wolverines’ dual-threat quarterback.

So this week, his job is to trade in his No. 6 for Robinson’s No. 16 and give Alabama’s starting defense a sense of what the Michigan star does.

“He’s giving a real good picture,” Alabama linebacker Nico Johnson said. “That’s what’s going to help us out in the game.”

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A few scrimmage nuggets

Posted on August 21, 2010 by | Comments Off

Nick Saban just ran through some of the highlights from this afternoon’s closed scrimmage. Here are the highlights:

  • Today’s action was much more “game like” as opposed to last Saturday’s that was more “situational.” The first 50 or so plays were just as they would have been in a game.
  • On the injury front: Josh Chapman bruised a thigh and Trent Richardson bruised a shoulder. Nether were too serious, Saban said.
  • DeQuan Menzie was back out there after getting hurt a week ago. Saban said the JUCO cornerback transfer “held up OK today.”
  • DeMarcus Milliner and Blake Sims were both still on the sidelines today. Sims was wearing a walking boot on his right foot (see photo here).
  • There was more focus placed on the running game this week as opposed to last when it was an air assault.
  • Kicking game was much improved. Cade Foster was 3-for-4 with his only miss being at 52-yarder. Saban said he came back and made one from that distance with room to spare. Jeremy Shelley, the more short-range kicker, went 4-for-4, according to stats kept by UA media relations. More stats to come.
  • The team gets two days off before returning to practice Tuesday. Since starting practice Aug. 5, the only off-day came last Sunday. That schedule, Saban said, is all part of the master plan.

More to come. Hang in there.

— Michael Casagrande

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