Despite the dismissal of Jonathan Taylor from Alabama’s defensive front earlier this week, the Crimson Tide remain quite stout in that area.
Friday’s first scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium reflected that.
“The defensive front is probably the strength of our team right now, and they showed that today,” Tide coach Nick Saban said in a news conference. “They made it difficult to run, and they created a lot of negative plays with batted balls and pressure on the quarterbacks and those types of things.”
Alabama is overflowing with talent on the defensive front, with A’Shawn Robinson and Darren Lake at the tackle spot and with Jonathan Allen, Da’Shawn Hand, D.J. Pettway, Jarran Reed and Dalvin Tomlinson as the ends. Robinson had a tackle for loss and returned an interception for a touchdown in the scrimmage, while Tomlinson had four tackles and a fumble recovery.
Robinson had 49 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss last season for the Southeastern Conference champions. Allen had 33 tackles, 11.5 of them for loss.
“We’ve got a lot of athleticism, and a lot of positions are open,” Allen said. “Guys are hungry out there, so it’s going to be a battle to win your spot.”
Friday’s closed scrimmage included about 125 plays.
Junior tailback Derrick Henry had 11 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown for an offense that Saban said improved as the afternoon transpired. Freshman tailback Bo Scarbrough had 16 carries for 36 yards and two touchdowns but suffered a knee injury late in the practice.
Statistics for the quarterbacks were not provided, but Saban said each got between 30 and 40 snaps and performed well, including senior Jacob Coker.
“The biggest thing is he’s more comfortable with the system,” Saban said. “He’s playing with more confidence. The system that we’re running now is better suited for him in terms of what we’re putting on him to do.
“We’re playing him in the gun a little more, which is probably better suited for him.”
Raheem Falkins led the receivers with 88 yards on five catches, while ArDarius Stewart, Robert Foster and tight end O.J. Howard each eclipsed 50 yards receiving and had a touchdown.
Tide tidbits
Saban said that four offensive linemen — tackles Cam Robinson and Dominick Jackson, guard Ross Pierschbacher and center Ryan Kelly — have separated themselves. … Redshirt sophomore Cooper Bateman continues to get looks as a receiver, but Saban stressed that he has not moved from quarterback. … Senior inside linebacker Reggie Ragland was active, compiling five tackles, a tackle for loss, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. … Saban on freshman safety Ronnie Harrison: “For a new guy in the system, he’s done extremely well.” … Alabama returns to practice Monday afternoon.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.