The Alabama football team worked for two hours in full gear in the morning session Friday, then came back with another two-hour session in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts in the evening workout.
“I subscribe to the church of what’s happening now,” Coach Nick Saban said earlier this week. “We have a lot of things to do and a lot of things to accomplish and every day and every play out there is another opportunity for us to teach and improve and that is what we are focusing on.”
Alabama will hold its first scrimmage of the preseason on Saturday and the main focus will be for the players to show what they have learned through the first 10 practices and apply it to game-type situations.
“As I have said before every time we scrimmage what we are looking for number one, without knowing exactly what we are going to emphasize in the scrimmage, although that has been preplanned, is to see who can compete on their own without a coach standing behind them and telling them what to do and getting them to do it; because that is maturity,” Saban said.
“That is important for guys to be able to compete in a game; taking it to the next level. Being able to go apply what you know and make good choices and decisions about how to apply and how to do it. That is the primary focus. When the coaches get off the field and let the players play, that is what we want to do.”
The Crimson Tide will enjoy its first off day of preseason camp on Sunday before returning for another two-a-day session on Monday. The team will practice at 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
All practices are closed to the public.
Alabama opens the 2007 season in three weeks, Saturday, September 1, against Western Carolina in Bryant-Denny Stadium.