The University of Alabama football team had its first scrimmage Saturday of fall camp.
Kalen DeBoer spoke to reporters at Bryant-Denny Stadium shortly after the seventh preseason practice. He was pleased with some of the explosive plays from the offense, but he also noted the pressure Alabama’s defense generated.
When it comes to the quarterbacks, there is an aspect he wants the group as a whole to improve in. DeBoer is huge on protecting the ball, so he wants more situations with guys throwing the ball away. He understands big plays are important, but he wants the quarterback position to protect itself too.
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“The plays that are there and you need to make that throw, I think they are doing that at a higher level,” DeBoer said about the Crimson Tide’s quarterback room.
“It is not just today, but throughout camp they are getting better at it. A lot it is trusting the guys around you that they are going to be where you anticipate them being at, especially in those moments when you are getting pressured. I still think there is a time or two where he can throw the ball away. I’m not just talking about Jalen, I am talking about all of them. It is across the board. It’s about keeping us out of those situations where it turns into a third and extra long, but that’s not happening a lot. But, it is one of those that kills a drive. When you get 11 or 12 of those a game, every one of those are important.”
DeBoer wants the quarterbacks to understand they don’t have to get everything in one play.
“We have a lot of plays that can get us first downs as long as it’s reasonable,” he said.
The Tide’s offensive players are excited about what they can do, but patience will be an important aspect.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
