RECAP: Alabama Offense Struggles in Annual A-Day Game
TUSCALOOSA– As the sun finally began to peak through the grey and muggy clouds, things started looking up for Jake Coker and the Alabama offense. Then in the blink of an eye just as the sun would fade, Maurice Smith was in the right place at the right time during Alabama’s traditional “A-Day” game to pick off Coker and return the ball to house for an easy touchdown.
As traditional throughout the world of college, A-Day is one of the most important days for the Crimson Tide and the Alabama faithful.While the White team was victorious over the Crimson team 27-14, issues still linger in locker room. whether the performance of a player was good or bad, it was an evaluation before the start of summer training.
“I look at the spring to see where your team is at.” head coach Nick Saban said. “It’s like a midterm in school, it’s important but it’s not the final.
With key losses to both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, today was the day for players to step up and prove they were worth a starting bid next season. While some succeed, others have tons of work to do before opening up against Wisconsin on September 5th.
“I was very pleased at how our young receivers (Robert Foster and Ardarius Stewart) played today,” Saban said. “Right now we don’t have a lot of depth at that position.”
Stewart finished the day with eight receptions for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Foster finished the day with six receptions for 125 yards including a 35 yard completion which would lead to a touchdown the next play. With the losses of all three starting receivers (Amari Cooper, DeAndrew White and Christon Jones), Stewart and Foster have given hope to fans to be nice replacements this upcoming season.
“We don’t Amari (Cooper) and DeAndrew White anymore so these guys gotta step up and make plays,” running back Derrick Henry said. “I think they did an excellent job today.
Once again it seems like fans will be waiting another several months to find out who will be leading the helm at quarterback this season. While Jake Coker may have had the best stats overall, no player truly shined bright enough to replace the hero of last season Blake Sims.
Coker, who led the White team to victory, had glimpses in the first half to be the future heir to the Crimson Tide throne, going 10-16 with a touchdown. In the second half however, things began to head south for him quickly. Coker finished the day with a completion percentage of 50 and 183 yards through the air.
“He’s really stepped into a leadership role,” center Ryan Kelly said. “he’s been around guys know that he can trust and be friends with, it helps him a lot.”
While Coker may be the front runner to take over, four other men had their chance to improve their stock and all were unsuccessful. While red shirt freshman David Cornwell has had a strong spring performance, today was not his day, completing only 50 percent of his passes for 110 yards and two interceptions.
A combined six interceptions were thrown in this game, including the Smith 51 yard touchdown return. While it is only a scrimmage, there were enough issues to make the crimson tide faithful question the future of the quarterback. Coach Saban on the other wasn’t too worried by the performances of his staff.
“There should be no great conclusion on what happened today,” Saban said. “We’re please in what we saw in some of they guys…I was proud of the first offense today.”
The defense looked particularly strong even without the six interception. While key starters such as Cyrus Jones, Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson and A’Shawn Robinson never stepped onto the field, to did allow future starter to show their success. Outside linebackers Rashaan Evans and Christan Miller led the White defense in sacks with a pair each while Ruben Foster collected seven solo tackles for the Crimson team.
“In this defense you have no choice but to improve,” linebacker Reggie Ragland said. “You have to be studying and be willing to ask questions to get better.”
Foster and Shaun Dion-Hamilton have split time this off-season as inside linebacker next to returning starter Reggie Ragland. While Foster tripled Hamilton in tackles today, his job security is still an issue at this point. Time will tell how defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will use both these players come September.
“Both are athletic and know how to cover and make plays,” Ragland said. “I love them guys…they’re learning each and every day just trying to get better.”
Alabama has look strong over the years on both offense and defense, but a performance like this could cost them a win or two.
