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It's here. Real life football practices are starting today.
So what should you be expecting?
Alabama kicks off the first of 20 practice day today. The veterans will take to the field this morning at 9:30 a.m., and the young bloods will practice tonight at 7:30 p.m. We will update you on any news/observations from the morning practice on this thread. Also, Coach Saban will hold a press conference this afternoon. We will have a write up about the conference as soon as the video is made available.
As always the first few practices are in "shells", and the first full pads practice will be held on Tuesday.
Wide receiver
Contenders: Kevin Norwood, Sr. (6-2, 195); Kenny Bell, Sr. (6-1, 180); Christion Jones, Jr. (5-11, 185); DeAndrew White, Jr. (6-0, 190); Chris Black, RS-Fr. (5-11, 182); Raheem Falkins, Fr. (6-4, 203); Robert Foster, Fr. (6-3, 187); ArDarius Stewart, Fr. (6-0, 190).
Need to know: Sophomore Amari Cooper is the star, but who will join him as the top targets for quarterback AJ McCarron? Norwood has a big-game reputation. Bell, White and Black are coming off injuries. Falkins, an early enrollee, and Foster are too good to sit, but there's only one football. Look for Black to break out and White to pick up where he left off before he was hurt in the fifth game. Also note that McCarron raved about Falkins at SEC Media Days.
I'm getting pretty high on Falkins. It's going to be crazy difficult for him to supplant those ahead of him on the depth chart, but if he gets a shot, he could do some great things.
"We start practice (today). We’re obviously very excited about the opportunities that this team has, for what they can choose to accomplish this season by what they do today and how they do it. We really haven’t done anything yet, but we have a lot of opportunity. How we take advantage of those is certainly the challenge that we all have amongst ourselves to help each other do that."
If Saban is excited, I am happy.
They said it: "Last year, it was in the back of our heads that we had to set a standard, and I think we did. This year, we have to reset that standard with different guys. It's a tough road, but I think we can do it." - Alabama offensive guard Anthony Steen
Yes, Anthony. Yes, you can.
** Update **
Alabama practice report: LaMichael Fanning's new position, injured players return and more | AL.com
Media viewing period for the morning practice has concluded. Big takeaways:
- Lamichael Fanning is practicing with the tight ends
- Pretty much every injured player was out there today and looking healthy (see article above for list). Really, the only major injury that I'm aware of that wasn't addressed was Derrick Henry, and we'll hear how he looks when he practices with the freshmen tonight.
- Cyrus Jones is practicing cornerback with the veterans
- Dee Hart is practicing with the running backs