More of the same thoughts as most everyone here ...

About Game 1 ...

The win was not perfect but there was a lot to like.

The biggest thing I noticed was how much more physical we looked. The offensive line controlled the game for long stretches, the running game looked much better than it did last season and the defensive front was able to rotate players without much drop-off. ECU eventually just wore down as one might expect.

Keelon Russell had a solid first start but you could also see where he needs to improve. He held the ball too long at times, hesitated on some downfield throws, and needs to process things just a little faster. I guarantee he will do that over the season. Still, for a freshman with almost no experience, 256 passing yards, 86 rushing yards, no interceptions and a rushing touchdown is a pretty damn good place to start.

I really was encouraged by the running backs. Daniel Hill looked quicker and more decisive while Crowell showed flashes of being a really good RB, as expected by a lot of us.

Defensively the linebackers may have impressed me as much as the defensive line. Caleb Woodson looks like a hoss and our defense played faster and more aggressively overall. If not for a couple of gaffs, our defense holds them scoreless. Even against ECU, that's still hard for a defense to do against anyone these days.

Special teams were excellent too. Touchbacks on every kickoff. Solid field-goal kicking and a punter averaging 52 yards is exactly what you want. RCW was solid in punt returning.

The one area I’m still watching is receiving. RCW had some drops but were not a liability. He eventually had a much bigger day than I though initially but Alabama needs another consistent option at receiver to emerge.

Overall this looked like a more physical, deeper and better-coached Alabama team for the most part.

Kentucky will tell us a lot more, but this was all-in-all a very good start. I'm pleased.