Alabama football returned to Thomas-Drew Field for practice Tuesday, as it prepares for its home opener against Middle Tennessee State this weekend. Weather conditions were partly cloudy with a temperature of 86 degrees. TDAM contributor Ivan White and yours truly with observations.
Notes from Tuesday’s practice
- Jake Coker and Cooper Bateman received the majority of first-team reps during the second viewing period.
- Alec Morris joined the offensive linemen and running backs for hand-off drills in the second period.
- Redshirt freshman David Cornwell was sent to the scout-team, directing its offense against Alabama’s first-team nickel defense.
- True freshman quarterback Blake Barnett wasn’t seen in either viewing period.
- Wide receiver Robert Foster took one group of wideouts through drills, and was followed by Calvin Ridley, Daylon Charlot, Deionte Thompson and Parker Barrineau.
- Sophomore ArDarius Stewart headed the other group of receiver, followed by Chris Black, Cameron Sims, Richard Mullaney and Derek Kief.
- Tight ends O.J. Howard and Dakota Ball worked on the first-team offense line, during the first viewing period.
- Alabama’s offensive line (left to right): Cameron Robinson, Ross Pierschbacher, Ryan Kelly, Alphonse Taylor and Dominick Jackson.
- Sophomore linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton returned to practice, after missing Monday’s session (personal reasons).
Alabama’s first-team nickel pacakge
- CB Cyrus Jones
- CB Marlon Humphrey
- S Geno Matias-Smith
- S Eddie Jackson
- Star Minkah Fitzpatrick
- LB Reggie Ragland
- LB Reuben Foster
Alabama players in scout-team jerseys
- OLB Jamey Mosley (#49, representing MTSU’s junior DE Steven Rhodes)
- OLB Joshua McMillion (#49, representing MTSU’s junior DE Steven Rhodes)
- DL O.J. Smith (#92, representing MTSU’s defensive tackle Patrick McNeil)
Interesting observations
- Jake Coker and Cooper Bateman both had a mixture of accurate and slightly under thrown passes. Coker tends to move his feet, but then firmly plants them as he releases the ball. Bateman constantly keeps his feet moving, even throughout the pass. His mobility prones him to run first, but he has to key in on his reads.
- Wide receivers Robert Foster, Daylon Charlot, ArDarius Stewart and Calvin Ridley each adjusted to ball well on a few catches.
- Alabama’s tight ends worked on the sled, prior to participating in drills.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
Ivan L. White is a contributor for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ilwhite1.
