What I liked – and didn’t like – from Alabama on Kalen DeBoer’s A-Day debut | Toppmeyer

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Alabama’s defense will miss Nick Saban. Its offense might not.

That’s my 10-word takeaway after observing A-Day on a beautiful Saturday on Bryant-Denny Stadium, when 72,358 fans turned out to welcome new football coach Kalen DeBoer.

On the topic of defense, I noticed the absence of Caleb Downs, Dallas Turner, Chris Braswell and Kool-Aid McKinstry. Now, for the bright side: Quarterbacks Jalen Milroe and backup Ty Simpson took advantage of the defense throughout early possessions.

I hesitate to make much of a spring game, but this scrimmage showed how the combination of Milroe and DeBoer could elevate Alabama’s scoring. The Tide averaged 34 points last season, its lowest scoring output since 2009.

Alternatively, A-Day should serve as a call to defensive players entering the transfer portal: Help wanted at Alabama. That side of the ball wasn’t up to the standard Saban established.

Here’s my A-Day assessment:

What I liked from Alabama football on A-Day

1. The offense showed big-play ability. On the fourth play of the scrimmage, Milroe enjoyed a good snap and a comfortable pocket (imagine that happening last season) and delivered a 35-yard strike to Germie Bernard. Bernard caught the pass in front of Malachi Moore. That wasn’t even their best connection. Bernard burned freshman defensive back Zabien Brown on a corner route across the field, and Milroe threw a beauty to hit him in stride. Bernard was Washington’s No. 4 receiver last year. You wouldn’t know that from A-Day. He emerged as a go-to target.

2. Jam Miller makes case as bell-cow tailback. For two years, I’ve been itching to see more of Miller. He combines size and quickness, and he showcased his abilities in the final game of his freshman season, when he rushed for 44 yards on three carries in a bowl victory against Kansas State. But, Jase McClellan and Roydell…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/liked-didnt-alabama-kalen-deboers-092355103.html

Author : The Tuscaloosa News

Publish date : 2024-04-16 09:23:55

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