Wide receiver Chris Black (5, right) receiving a pass from quarterback Luke Del Rio (14, black jersey) while warming up for Saturday’s scrimmage. (Copyright photo by Brett Hudson)
Alabama head coach Nick Saban observing the open period of the spring scrimmage on Saturday. (Copyright photo by Brett Hudson)
Alabama running back Kenyan Drake strikes the Heisman pose while carrying the ball in the second spring scrimmage. (Photo courtesy of UA Athletics)
Linebacker Denzel Devall (left), defensive lineman Jeoffrey Pagan (middle) and defensive lineman Brandon ivory (right) at the second spring scrimmage. (Photo courtesy of UA Athletics)
Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron (10) drops back to pass behind the protection of Anthony Steen with head coach Nick Saban looking on. (Photo courtesy of UA Athletics)
Alabama’s HaHa Clinton-Dix (6) gets an interception against Auburn’s Sammie Coates (18). (Copyright photo by Gary Cosby Jr. of The Decatur Daily)
Like some of you probably did, I spent Sunday evening watching the replay of Alabama’s 49-0 win over Auburn.
It’s good to get a second viewing when I’m not worried about writing all the things for our print and online coverage. I see things I missed the first time.
Here are a few thoughts:
–Alabama is 2-7 against Auburn but the two wins have been so lopsided, they helped usher the Tigers’ coach out the door. Gene Chizik lost his job Sunday, and Tommy Tuberville was forced out in 2008 after a 36-0 loss capped a 5-7 season. Alabama coaches were gone, for one reason or another, after home losses to Auburn in 2000 (Mike DuBose), 2002 (Dennis Franchione) and 2006 (Mike Shula).
–Putting noseguard Jesse Williams at fullback in the goal-line package isn’t a gimmick, if anyone thinks that. When he blocks someone, the guy stays blocked. It seems Alabama assigns him one defender to block, and heaven help whomever he goes after.
–Sophomore backup defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan always looks good when he gets a chance to play. Williams pointed him out before the season on Twitter as a player to watch, and during the second half of the season, Pagan has justified that confidence and then some.
–Receiver Kevin Norwood (lower leg) looked as healthy as he has in a while.
–Eddie Lacy seems to run harder each game.
–In the past, even bad teams come into the Iron Bowl and show some fight just because it’s, well, the Iron Bowl. Auburn didn’t show any fight. None. And it’s painfully obvious on the replay.
–We have a short video for you of Williams walking off the field after Saturday’s game. He made a face for the benefit of a friend. The video is only six seconds long:
