A-Day a chance for young guys to shine

TUSCALOOSA — University of Alabama center Antoine Caldwell doesn’t have to win a job at today’s A-Day game.

Neither does tackle Andre Smith. Or safety Rashad Johnson. Or, gulp, John Parker Wilson.

While those guys can just about enjoy the day, dueling only for steak or wieners, there is more on the line for less established Tide players.

Caldwell said the A-Day game is a great opportunity for those players.

“That’s their time to shine, show the coaches that in a game-like situation, they can still think on the field and make plays,” Caldwell said.

Here are several to watch in today’s 2 p.m. A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Drew Davis
Saban said the 6-foot-6 junior from Evergreen would start at right tackle, the only new face along the offensive line, although some have changed positions.

“We don’t have a first-team right tackle right now, but (Drew) Davis is going to go with the first team in this scrimmage,” the coach said of Davis’ battle with Taylor Pharr for the job. “He’s done a nice job this spring, and has really made probably as much improvement as anybody on our team this entire offseason. He’s gotten bigger, he’s gotten stronger. He’s improved physically, as well as improved dramatically as a football player over the spring, and we’re very pleased with the progress he’s made.”

His teammates have noticed the improvement.

“He’s worked real hard. He’s one of the hardest working guys we’ve got on this team,” Caldwell said. “Coach (Joe) Pendry has actually taken some time to sit down with Drew in the meetings, going over stuff with him. Drew is soaking it in real well.

“I can’t credit him enough for how hard he’s worked. He’s always one of the guys that’s first in meetings, last to leave.”

Brandon Deaderick credits Davis, too.

“Drew’s really improved,” the pass rusher said. “Last year, when he was on scout team, I was wondering why he wasn’t playing. He’s a good player — a good run-blocker and he’s gotten a lot better on his pass blocking.”

Brandon Deaderick
The defensive lineman has earned praise from his defensive teammates and offensive opponents, too.

“Saturday’s real important for me,” said the 6-foot-4, 270-pound junior who gets first shot at replacing Wallace Gilberry. “It shows who can sustain, and who can focus with all the people out there. It’s more game-like, the speed’s going to be faster. ... It’s like a job interview.”

Josh Chapman
Another defensive lineman, the 6-1, 300-pounder from Hoover has earned praise from the senior Caldwell.

“Josh Chapman is a beast,” Caldwell said. “He’s good. He’s real good.”

Chapman is a second-team lineman, which means he and Caldwell will be teammates today.

The format calls for the first team offense and second defense against the second-team offense and first team defense.

“I told (Chapman) outside, we’re planning on getting a medium well steak when it’s all said and done. I’m looking forward to that,” Caldwell said.

Justin Woodall
The junior safety from Oxford, Miss., spent much of last season feeling his way through Saban’s defensive system. As his comfort level has grown, he’s begun to flash some of the potential Tide fans hoped he brought to Tuscaloosa.

“The biggest thing is, he wasn’t very confident, like a lot of players in ‘what do you really expect me to do.’ ” Saban said. “Knowledge, experience, understanding. I think once players get to that point, they start playing faster, playing with more confidence.

“He has good ball skills and plays the deep part of the field well. He’s got good size and he’s done a nice job this spring. He did a nice job in bowl practice last year and I think he just matured and got a lot more confident in what he was doing.”

He had more confidence in his fastball than the defense. Woodall was a top baseball prospect whose outlook may have been brighter on the mound than the secondary.

He considered playing baseball, too, and said he had Saban’s blessing.

“But the fourth quarter deal, doing that, then doing three hours of practice out there, I don’t think I would have made it for real … and class.”

Free admission: Game time is set for 2 p.m. The gates will open at noon. The university said all gates will be in use. Last year, officials had to open gates individually as the crowd of 92,148 filled up the stadium. Admission is free.

Injuries: Players sidelined with nagging injuries this spring will remain out of action today.
Running back Glen Coffee, and receiver Nikita Stover head that list, which includes defensive linemen Brian Motley and Milton Talbert.

Coger leaves: Sophomore defensive back Tremayne Coger has left the Alabama football team.

Saban said Thursday night after practice the 5-10 sophomore from Columbia, Tenn., won’t return.

“(He) left the team voluntarily,” Saban said. “The last time I talked to him he said that he had some personal issues that he wanted to deal with and he was not able to continue this spring.

“That’s all I know about it. We really hate any player not to finish. It’s one of those things you always talk about finishing — I try to get players to finish spring practice, finish the semester, and let’s talk about it later. But these young guys sometimes have things that are problems for them to deal with. We try to support them and help them every way we can. We certainly support him and help him any way that we could as well.”