re: ***Official Practice Thread***

BOL guys say its nothing to be worried about, but Cooper was limited during the media viewing session today. He had his hand wrapped and seemed to have a limp....

quote:

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•Members of the news media were allowed to observed two periods, which is customary. The tone seemed quite businesslike. The coaches were subdued, including head coach Nick Saban.

•Star sophomore running back T.J. Yeldon is practicing with his left hand taped. It looks as if he might have injured his thumb.

•One player (other than quarterbacks) is wearing a black non-contact jersey. He’s walk-on wide receiver Jeremy Watson. The senior from Tuscaloosa County High School was not listed on the original 105-man roster, but he’s on the roster in the media guide, as is his brother Jared, also a senior wide receiver.

•Unlike Monday, senior Deion Belue (left hamstring) is active in drills with other cornerbacks.

•Junior Jeoffrey Pagan (left knee) looked to be participating in all drills with the defensive lineman. That’s progress from Monday, when he worked in some drills and observed some others.

•Despite looking uncomfortable with wrapping around his left hand, freshman Reuben Foster’s left hand still is heavily wrapped, but he’s participating fully in drills with other inside linebackers.

•Sophomore Dillon Lee is practicing with the inside linebackers. In previous practices this month, we have seen him working with the outside linebackers.

•Redshirt freshman Ryan Anderson continues to work with the outside linebackers.

•Sophomore Cyrus Jones looks like a natural at cornerback. He was a wide receiver as a freshman but was moved to defense in the spring. He’s a player to watch going into the Aug. 31 season opener against Virginia Tech at Atlanta.

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Interesting comment on Cyrus Jones.

LINK

Everyone has been raving about Cyrus, and him making the switch back in the spring has only accelerated his learning curve. He may be pushing for 1st team reps a couple of weeks into the season.

Will VT bring enough guys to field a starting 22?

Pictures from today's practice. Reuben Foster looks good....


Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland (18), Alabama linebacker Tana Patrick (11), Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster (2) and Alabama linebacker Tyler Owens (34)


Amari Cooper


Derrick Henry

More pictures

what do you make to the thumb..sprain or a break

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The Alabama football team has finished its first practice in full pads of the 2013 preseason camp. For the first time this month, the Crimson Tide worked indoors Tuesday.

Coach Nick Saban just held his post-practice press conference.

Here are some highlights. ...

-- He says the first day is pads and remembers when he was a player, no matter how well conditioned you are in the summer, it's a test.

-- Practice was "really good."

-- Speakers the past two days were exceptional: Herm Edwards and Ray Lewis. They spoke about being a man, building trust and respect, focusing on little things like being on time.

-- "The devil is in the details," Saban says.

-- He's not disappointed where the team is so far, though he says "a lot of guys need to do a lot of improving at certain positions."

-- Wide receiver Tyler Bass is out for the rest of the preseason camp after having ankle surgery. The injury was similar to the one freshman RB Derrick Henry suffered late in the spring.

-- The LaMichael Fanning experiment at tight end will continue. The former defensive end is "showing some ability" but needs to learn what to do so he can "play with confidence and play fast."

-- Center Ryan Kelly is "tenacious and tough. He's done a really good job."

-- He compares players listening to speakers more than coaches to children tuning out their parents but listening to other adults.

-- Offensive line coach Mario Cristobal's energy and enthusiasm has been a big addition to the staff.

If they can stay focused and not feel entitled, the sky is the limit. Im glad that Dee, Jalston, White and Bell are back from injuries and looking good; look forward to seeing Fowler at H back.

Saban's been pleased with practice so far, and usually he'll look for anything to bitch about so he can fight off complacency.

I don't know if this makes me happy or worried.