Veterans do well in Tide’s first scrimmage

TUSCALOOSA — This just in from Alabama’s first scrimmage: Rolando McClain is good.

So is Dont’a Hightower. And Julio Jones.

Crimson Tide veterans apparently welcomed a break from the monotony of spring practice and took their skills to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Wednesday.

“We had some guys that I thought played extremely well today,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “Ro had a really good scrimmage with lots of tackles, a couple of interceptions, a couple of sacks. We got some turnovers on defense — which was probably good — and, for the most part, both first units did fairly well.”

The Crimson Tide’s two-hour scrimmage went about 130 plays that covered straight up 11-on-11, down-and-distance plays, red zone, goal-line and two-minute drills.

Saban sounded mildly surprised with the results.

“It actually went a little better than I anticipated,” said Saban, who added his team might be “a little further along than what I even thought we might be.”

He quickly added, “We obviously have a lot of work to do for the rest of the spring.”

Quarterback Greg McElroy solidified his position as the front-runner to replace three-year starter John Parker Wilson. McElroy completed 22-of-33 passes for 214 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

“Greg McElroy did a really good job,” Saban said. “He showed that his experience and his knowledge and the confidence he played with was a real positive. He did a really good job in managing things and showing leadership out there. ... He threw a couple of touchdown passes and another long (potential) touchdown pass that was dropped.”

Star Jackson was 6-for-16 passing for 25 yards and one interception. Thomas Darrah was 10-for-20 for 81 yards and three interceptions.

Saban sounded a caution about the scrimmage statistics.

“Some guys play against the good guys and some guys play against the lesser competition,” the coach noted. “So I’m not real big on the stats, more on the execution of it. And I thought both first units did a nice job.”

Saban said one of the priorities early in the scrimmage was to evaluate the running game.

“I don’t think there’s any question the defense is going to be a little ahead,” Saban said. “But we have more experienced (defensive) players in more places, they understand what they’re doing and make less mistakes. They’re pretty confident in what they’re doing.”

The offensive line continues to be a work in progress. It must replace three starters, including All-Americans Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell. In addition, players have been changing positions routinely as the Tide hunts for some chemistry up front.

“I think we need to work probably more on the pass protection part of it,” Saban said. “That’s the area we need to continue to develop consistency.”

Four wide receivers caught at least three passes. Darius Hanks caught six passes for 34 yards. Marquis Maze had three catches for 59 yards. Jones had five receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. Mike McCoy caught three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.

“Julio has done a really good job,” Saban said of his rising sophomore wideout. “Hanks has been consistent all spring, Marquis Maze has made some big plays, made a big play in the two-minute today. He get on top of people and has some pretty good speed. Mike McCoy has been pretty steady.”

Tight end Colin Peek, a transfer from Georgia Tech who sat out last season, caught seven passes for 33 yards and two touchdowns.

Saban said he’s eager to see the film from Wednesday’s scrimmage, “seeing where are as a team and improving from there.”
Alabama’s second and final scrimmage before the April 18 A-Day Game comes next Friday, April 10.

The coach said he wants to “get more things in on both sides of the ball so we can look at different things the next time.”