re: Alabama FB -- 2018 FALL CAMP Thread -- Garbage Dump Edition

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Those expecting a fiery public reaction from Nick Saban in regards to the recent comments made by Alabama junior quarterback Jalen Hurts will be sorely disappointed.

Following the Crimson Tide’s fifth preseason practice Wednesday, Saban was asked about Hurts’ strong statements regarding the quarterback battle and the coach’s remarks about his future at SEC Media Days. Saban said he spoke with the signal caller and team leaders.

And what Hurts said will not affect the current quarterback competition.

“My comments were every player has a right to express what he feels and what he thinks, and I think he has every right to do that with every coach or anybody in the organization that he has relationships with, which we certainly do quite often with all players at all positions,” Saban said. “But look, this is probably a lot more important to people outside this organization than it is to people inside. I don’t think this has any effect on our team. I talked to a lot of the team leaders. The players are focused on what they need to do.

“The rhetoric will not have anything to do with who’s the quarterback. That will obviously be decided on the field by how people execute, how they do their job. The same parameters that we talked about before in terms of who wins the team. And winning the team goes along with execution, leadership, players having confidence and belief, and that’s not really going to change. So, I don’t really have any more to say about it than that. I don’t think it’s anything that has affected our team one way or the other.”

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Alabama returned to the field Thursday, holding a preseason practice at night for the first time this year. The Crimson Tide was in full pads with the temperature 78 degrees and the skies clear.

Here are a few observations from limited period of access provided to the media:

-- During a pass rushing drill, redshirt senior outside linebacker Christian Miller offered some advice to freshman Eyabi Anoma about arm positioning.

-- Sophomore Chris Allen was seen working with the outside linebackers after he had been spotted with the inside linebackers earlier this week. The imminent arrival of Ale Kaho, who was released from his letter of intent with Washington before committing to Alabama, may have prompted the move. Ben Davis was also working with the outside linebackers and was at the back of the line during an early drill.

-- Both Ronnie Clark and Brian Robinson were spotted at H-Back in an I-formation look out of Pistol at the outset of practice.

-- Alabama appeared to be working various combinations in the secondary. In one group, Xavier McKinney was at safety, Trevon Diggs at cornerback and Shyheim Carter at Star. In another, Deionte Thompson was at safety, Saivion Smith at cornerback and Jared Mayden at Star.

-- The ESPN presence remains strong in Tuscaloosa. Seen on the sideline were ESPN host Maria Taylor and reporter Holly Rowe.

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