BamaCentral's Instant Analysis: Alabama Football  Open Practice

What stood out during the Crimson Tide's open practice on Saturday?
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The Alabama Crimson Tide took to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday for its only practice open to the public in fall camp. The team worked for two hours in triple digit temperatures and then welcomed "Yea Alabama" subscribers onto the new playing surface for autograph opportunities.

Head coach Nick Saban said on Thursday that he's waiting on one of the quarterbacks to "grab the bull by its horns" in the quarterback competition. It was easy to understand Saban's illustration after seeing Saturday's action as all three quarterbacks had significant highs and lows.

The inconsistencies under center seemed to trickle into the wide receiving room as the Tide still has an issue with dropped passes. 

It wasn't all negative for the Alabama offense on Saturday as the Crimson Tide offensive line appeared to embody the physicality that Eric Wolford has been working to establish. 

The Crimson Tide will lean on that offensive line and a stable of running backs in the early part of the season to establish a running game and take pressure off the passing game. 

The Alabama defense unquestionably won the day for those keeping score at home. Inside linebacker Deontae Lawson was lined up all over the second level and utilized throughout the day as an additional rusher. Lawson's speed through the middle may give Alabama the dominant linebacker that it's been looking for. 

The Crimson Tide secondary should also be commended for its strong play on Saturday as Terrion Arnold, Kool-Aid McKinstry and the defensive backs blanketed the receivers and contested catches all afternoon long.

It was just one practice and Alabama will have many more before kicking off against MTSU on September 2 for things to change and fall into place. The Alabama coordinators meet with the media on Sunday for their only media availability of the season as fall camp rolls on.

See Also: 

Live Updates: Alabama Football Open Practice

Could Deontae Lawson Become the Next Great Alabama Middle Linebacker?

Alabama Fall Camp Discussion on The Joe Gaither Show | Episode 53: Aug. 4, 2023


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Joe Gaither
JOE GAITHER

My name is Joe Gaither, I am a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., and a 2018 graduate of the University of Alabama. I have a strong passion for sports and giving a voice to the underserved. Feel free to email me at joegaither6@icloud.com for tips, story ideas or comments.