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The Tuscaloosa News
Alabama football's physical second scrimmage results in "jobs won and lost"
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama football's physical second scrimmage results in "jobs won and lost"
The Alabama football defense made the Crimson Tide 's second and final fall scrimmage especially physical on Saturday, and it didn't happen by chance.
It's been widely spoken of by both coaches and players; coach Kalen DeBoer called it the most intense scrimmage of the entire offseason, A-Day included, while defensive coordinator Kane Wommack couldn't recall a more hard-hitting scrimmage in his career.
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But there was nothing random about it. Playing time was at stake, with the Crimson Tide still a bit unsettled at multiple defensive positions, and players weren't about to let their final scrimmage chance to impress pass without delivering the kind of hits that leave an impression.
"A scrimmage is the closest simulation we can give you to exactly what game day's going to be like. So jobs are won and lost in those situations," Wommack said. "There's a different level of intensity in that moment. There's not quite as many reps overall. You're just getting more game-style reps. And I thought our guys rose to the level from a physicality standpoint."
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Wommack didn't mention any battles specifically, but there's uncertainty remaining at only so many positions. Transfer LT Overton and Jah'Marien Latham continue to duel for action at the Bandit position, a defensive end spot that will be counted on heavily in pass rush situations. The outside linebacker and cornerback positions could still have some sorting out as well, largely because there's limited returning experience in both areas. Veteran defensive lineman Tim Smith said adrenaline can run especially high in younger players in the final scrimmage before the onset of the season.
"For a lot of young guys, that may have been the case," Smith said. "I'm not sure. But that's usually how it tends to go (with them)."
Some big hits were delivered by veterans as well, particularly in the secondary. It no doubt made for some Sunday-morning bruises, but also served notice that the time to establish game-level intensity, with Western Kentucky less than two weeks away from visiting for the Crimson Tide's home opener, has arrived.
"I saw a gear from our players, another gear, another level of intensity that I had not seen yet," Wommack added.
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Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football's physical scrimmage results in "jobs won and lost"
