Tide checks progress in scrimmage

By Michael Casagrande, Decatur Daily

TUSCALOOSA -- Through 10 days and 12 practices, the Alabama football team prepared.

For most of the past week, it installed plays.

So by Saturday, it was ready to see how far it came.

With more than 92,000 empty seats as witnesses, the Crimson Tide lined up for the first of two closed August scrimmages to do some early evaluating in Bryant-Denny Stadium. A loose structure allowed the team to run 25-30 plays under regular circumstances before working on specialized scenarios such as goal-line situations.

Afterwards, coach Nick Saban said he was generally pleased with the progress after nearly two hours yielded close to 150 total plays.

The coach said the first two teams on offense and defense performed at a high level, but the drop off after that was noticeable.

Impressive drives came out of both of the first two drives that resulted in a missed field goal and touchdown.

"From a quarterback standpoint, Greg McElroy really showed poise, did a nice job out there and moved the team effectively," Saban said. Players were not made available to reporters afterwards.

The junior starter completed 17 of his 29 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown and no interceptions according to statistics released by Alabama media relations. Sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones was a favorite target as last season's leader receiver pulled in a team-high six passes for 100 yards including a 34-yard touchdown connection from McElroy.

Statistically, Jones was followed by Darius Hanks (four catches for 37 yards) and freshman Kevin Norwood (three catches for 60 yards including a 44-yard touchdown reception from Thomas Darrah).

Third-down situations were not a bright spot for the offense although he was pleased with their play in the open field, in the red zone and near the goal line.

Although Saban said the stats weren't the best indicator, he was fine with the way his running backs performed. Mark Ingram had three touchdowns among his 17 rushes and 55 yards -- both team-highs. After Ingram, five running backs carried the ball with freshman Eddie Lacy's 22 yards on three carries representing the second highest total.

When looking at the numbers for freshmen AJ McCarron and Trent Richardson, Saban said to consider the fact that both played with the other inexperienced players. The rookie quarterback McCarron completed 6-of-14 passes for 40 yards and an interception while the running back carried five times for 18 yards and a touchdown.

"Trent Richardson is really a good running back, but he didn't really play with the first team today," Saban said. "I'm sure if he did, he would have played better. AJ McCarron has showed some potential as a young quarterback. If we would have played him with the best receivers we have, he probably would have had a better chance to show some efficiency and effectiveness."

Decatur High product Rolando McClain led the defenders with eight tackles while fellow linebacker Dont'a Hightower made an impact in the backfield. The sophomore made seven tackles, two for loss including a sack, and broke up a pass.

Eryk Anders had three sacks among his four tackles and Marcell Dareus contributed five tackles and two sacks.

Putting pressure on the quarterback has been a point of emphasis this offseason. The goal, Saban said, reaches far beyond sack totals. Moving the pocket, deflecting and speeding up passes made the coach's wish list.

"We have nine goals on defense of things that we want to accomplish and none of them say anything about sacks," Saban said. "Passing efficiency and affecting the quarterback is one. But sacks are not the only way you affect the quarterback."

Moving forward following the first scrimmage, the Tide will get today as its first off day since opening practice. Then one final two-a-day is scheduled for Monday before classes begin Wednesday.

The second and final planned scrimmage is set for Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

"I think the most important thing is how these young guys develop from this week to next week," Saban said. "There is a lot of anxiety, going out there for the first time today. But how they develop between this week and next week will determine a lot in how much they'll be able to contribute to this year's team."