re: ***Official Practice Thread***

Setting the scene

Alabama wore helmets, shoulder pads and shorts for its fourth practice of the week. It was occupying the back portion of the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields. The weather was bright and sunny with temperatures hovering in the low 90s.

What we saw

-- As we revealed in our headline, freshmen Luke Del Rio and Cooper Bateman have drawn the assignment of playing Johnny Manziel in practice over the next week or so. Each player sported No. 2 and worked with the other quarterbacks through early practice drills.

-- Here's something we found to be interesting. Freshman Parker McLeod, who was one of three playing the role of Logan Thomas in last week's practices, wore No. 16. That number belongs to Manziel's backup, Matt Joeckel. Joeckel played well during Saturday's first half as Manziel served his one-half suspension.

-- BamaOnline.com reported Wednesday that DE LaMichael Fanning was not at practice. He was back today and wearing his normal No. 44.

-- Before Alabama's quarterbacks threw passes, an assistant dipped the ball into a tub of water. This is something we don't see every day. Accuweather.com currently projects a 51 percent chance of rain and a high of 91 for Sept. 14 in College Station.

-- RB Kenyan Drake, who wore a scout team jersey during last week's practices, was in his normal No. 17 at today's practice. Altee Tenpenny, meanwhile, wore No. 21. That number belongs to Texas A&M RB Tra Carson.

-- Some popular scout team numbers: 95 (DL Julien Obioha), 8 (LB Steven Jenkins), 16 (LB Donnie Baggs), 83 (DL Alonzo Williams), 29 (Deshazor Everett), 31 (DB Howard Matthews) and 5 (DB Floyd Raven Sr.).

-- Former Alabama athletics director Hootie Ingram was in attendance for today's practice.

What's next?

Nick Saban and select players will meet with reporters after today's practice. Saban won't be on for the full hour, but we're told you can hear his voice on "Hey Coach" tonight at 7 p.m.