Alabama reaches midpoint of preseason football camp

photo Alabama coach Nick Saban looks over his practice schedule as he walks among the players during the Crimson Tide's workout Tuesday in Tuscaloosa.

Today is hump day.

It's also hump week in Alabama's preseason preparation, according to eighth-year Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban. Alabama held a two-hour practice in full pads Tuesday afternoon, its 14th of 28 workouts before the Aug. 30 opener against West Virginia in the Georgia Dome.

"This is always a tough week," Saban said. "In the first week, people are always excited to start football. There is the first scrimmage and all that, and this is hump week. It's really important that we get a lot of things covered this week and that we improve a lot this week."

Tuesday was the first time Saban had spoken to reporters since immediately after Saturday's scrimmage. He said the video showed an "inconsistency in performance" and that striving for that consistency should be the goal of everyone in the program.

"Content people are not the kind of people we want on our team or in our organization," he said. "We want competitive people who want to compete every day."

Two formerly suspended defensive linemen, Brandon Ivory and Jarran Reed, are back in full pads after going through the NCAA's mandatory five-day acclimation period. They have not, however, reclaimed the first-team roles they had this spring.

"They're on the third team, so they've got to work their way up," Saban said. "I don't think it's really fair to the guys who have been out there for 14 days practicing. They've got to beat those guys out. They're not entitled to anything.

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

"They're working hard and getting plenty of work, but from a behavioral standpoint, they've done a good job and I'm pleased with them."

Alabama will scrimmage a second time Saturday and then will take Sunday and Monday off.

Jackson still mending

Sophomore cornerback Eddie Jackson tore his ACL while scrimmaging on April 5. Two days later, Saban expressed confidence that the 6-foot, 188-pounder from Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., would make a full recovery and would play this year.

Jackson, who started four games last season and tallied 19 tackles, did not participate last weekend in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

"He probably could have scrimmaged but did not, and that was our choice," Saban said. "He's been doing a good job in practice, but I don't think that's a position you can play if you're not 100 percent. He's certainly making progress and can do everything in practice, but I don't think he's ready to go out there and scrimmage football yet."

Tide tidbits

Junior offensive lineman Dominick Jackson and junior defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson will be out for another week due to injuries. ... Saban said it is not uncommon for veteran defensive backs to know multiple positions in the secondary but that freshmen, such as Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey, are being taught just one role.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

Upcoming Events