Kalen DeBoer took to the podium at Bryant-Denny Stadium after Alabama’s first scrimmage of fall camp, and he had one of the most significant comments to say about his team.
People enjoyed what he mentioned about the quarterbacks, running backs, growth on defense, and guys making plays, but the best thing he brought up was mental execution on the field. Coach DeBoer said the Crimson Tide had very few penalties in a game-like practice where the heat was a factor. Mental mistakes plagued in the last three years of Nick Saban’s coaching tenure.
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Alabama suffered a lot of penalties in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
The mistakes it had in 2022 cost the Tide in matchups against Tennessee and Louisiana State University on the road. DeBoer could only recall three penalties to the media from the scrimmage over the weekend.
“I thought we did a really good job out there,” DeBoer said on limiting penalties.
“I don’t know the number, but it was very few. Guys were playing ball and understanding the rhythm and tempo.”
Alabama’s best teams during the Saban era where those that did not beat themselves.
A low penalized Alabama team was one that would find itself competing for a national championship. DeBoer has these players executing at a high level, regardless of the heat providing some adversity. The Tide looks like it’s back to high execution and little mistakes on the field.
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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.
