Nothing is perfect at this point in time in time at fall camp, and that certainly isn’t the expectation Nick Saban has for his team following its first scrimmage.
Saban acknowledged that he felt “OK” with where the team was at following its session in Bryant-Denny Stadium but did highlight some sloppy play.
As an entire unit, the offensive line still has ways to tighten up its play, but Saban did note that he saw improvement from the first group while the second group struggled.
“It really is hard to evaluate,” Saban said. “But I thought the first offensive line was improved. I thought the second offensive line struggled. Struggled in protection. Struggled to run the ball. But I was encouraged by the running backs and some of the plays that they were able to make, some of the runs they were able to run. So I would say, all-in-all, I thought the first line made some improvement, I thought the second line struggled a little bit at times.
“But I think every unit had its ups and downs, and I think that’s what I’m talking about when I’m talking about maintaining consistency.”
The Crimson Tide returned three starters from last season up front that includes center Darrian Dalcourt and guards Javion Cohen and Emil Ekiyor. The team also brought in new position coach Eric Wolford to amend some of the mistakes from a season ago where inconsistency plagued the line.
Alabama is currently holding competition at both the tackle spots, but Saban has liked what he’s seen from sophomore JC Latham and Vanderbilt transfer Tyler Steen.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
