Alabama Crimson Tide Fall Football Practice Report: Scrimmage #2

[Updated stats marked bold with an asterisk *]

The Crimson Tide had their second scrimmage of fall in Bryant-Denny Stadium under a hot August sun. Afterwards, Coach Nick Saban addressed the media and a few filtered stats were released. If you are unfamiliar with The Process®, know that Nick Saban will let you see the stats HE wants you to see. However, we at RBR have an insider - whose identity we cannot divulge - who has passed along a few more unofficial stats. They will be noted below.

SABAN PRESS CONFERENCE

In general, Saban made positive comments about his team. He is encouraged by many aspects but there is always room to improve. Saban noted that some players made "significant improvement" but others have not. The defense was more physical and had "better tackling". He was pleased with the first team defense. The second team made some mental errors and gave up some "explosive plays". A few weeks ago Saban defines these plays as a run of 12 yards or longer and a pass of 16 yards or longer. He mentioned the defense played well "except down on the goal line" but it was unclear whether he meant the first team or second team.

STATS

(Stats include 11-on-11, situational drills, red area, goal line, 2-minute)*

PASSING - No stats released by the University.
Our source said that Jake Coker was unofficially around 13 of 17 with 1 long TD pass of 65 yards to Kenyan Drake. Word is he threw a pick to freshman Tony Brown.
Also unofficially, Blake Sims was in the vicinity of 12-15 with 1 TD but had a 60-yard pick-6 and threw another interception on the goal line.
[Remember this is unofficial and was not info released by the University. Put down the cactus and take with a grain of salt]

Saban stated that both Coker and Sims had equal number of reps with the first team. Both did good things but had inconsistencies. Blake is "probably playing a little faster" with "more rhythm" due to familiarity with the team. Coker is "feeling his way" and "made significant strides in practice this week." It is still an open competition. "Until someone clearly wins the job, we're not going to make (that) decision."

RUSHING
Tyren Jones: 12 carries, 44 yards, TD
Altee Tenpenny: 10-12, TD*
Lawrence Erekosima: 4-12 (This guy is a walk-on from Clinton, SC who suffered a turf toe injury. He will likely be out for awhile.)

RECEIVING
Kenyan Drake: 3 receptions, 77 yards, 65-yard TD
ArDarius Stewart: 3-68
Amari Cooper: 5-63, TD
Chris Black: 5-46, TD*
Cam Sims: 2-53 TD*

DEFENSE
Trey DePriest: 7 tackles, TFL
Dillon Lee: 6 tackles, sack
Jonathan Allen: 4 tackles, 2 sacks
Landon Collins: 4 tackles, sack, 2 pass breakups

SPECIAL TEAMS
According to Saban, kicker Adam Griffith was either 4-of-4 or 5-of-5 on field goals with all kicks in the 47 to 42 range. My insider reports that he hit at least one of 50 and one of 47 with no misses.

"We punted the ball effectively. The special teams part of it was good, so I was encouraged by the specialists and the progress that we've made on special teams."

INJURIES

As you probably noticed from the stats, linebacker Trey DePriest (knee) was back at practice and played well. Saban said "6 or 7 significant" players were held out of the scrimmage. Tight end Brian Vogler had an ankle sprain but will be ready to go for the next practice on Tuesday. Offensive lineman Leon Brown (foot), safety Geno Smith (knee), and cornerback Eddie Jackson (recovering from ACL) were also held out but will be back on Tuesday as well.

Offensive lineman Dominick Jackson (ankle) is still out with the plan to return "later in the week." A'Shawn Robinson (knee) is "getting better" and should return on Wednesday.

During the scrimmage Saturday, linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton sprained an ankle but kept playing. Wide receiver Amari Cooper bruised a knee but is fine. Defensive lineman Jarran Reed sprained a knee "a little bit" and will return on Tuesday. None of these injuries were serious.

Saban did not elaborate but quipped that defensive lineman Tim Williams is "not here". You may recall that he was put on suspension at the beginning of fall practice along with defensive linemen Brandon Ivory and Jarran Reed. This does not look encouraging towards his availability this fall.

VIP

A few recruits were in the house to watch practice including 4-star WR 2015 commit Daylon Charlot. Also watching was five-star UGA commitment Terry Godwin and 2016 Pleasant Grove running back Brandon Simmons.

Former All-Pro NFL cornerback Eric Thomas gave a motivational speech to the team Friday evening.

UP NEXT

Alabama will have the next two days off and will return to the practice field Tuesday at 3:30pm CT