Did Nick Saban see improvement from Alabama's WRs in scrimmage No. 2?
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Last week, Nick Saban wasn’t pleased with Alabama’s wide receivers, or at least the number of drops the position group had, in the team’s first preseason scrimmage.
“If you’re a receiver, why do they call you a receiver?” Saban said last Saturday. “You’re supposed to be able to catch the ball, right? I mean, that’s what receiver means. So you should never drop a ball, and that’s something that we’ve gotta stay focused on.”
The first question the Crimson Tide head coach was asked after Alabama’s second scrimmage this week was about the receiving corps’ performance. Was it better than the previous week?
“I think our receivers have really improved,” Saban said. “I think they played faster. They’re playing with more confidence. I think we’ve had less drops, but obviously, the goal is you never want to have any drops. We’re going to continue to work on that.
“But I think they’ve made improvement. I think we’ve made improvement in the passing game. I think we’re more consistent in what we’re doing, and I think we’re more confident. I think that’s helpful for the quarterbacks, as well as the confidence of the receivers.”
Footballs still hit the new turf at Bryant-Denny Stadium but apparently not at the same rate as a week ago. Per sources in attendance, wideout Kobe Prentice was on the receiving end of Alabama’s first passing touchdown of the day, a pass thrown by quarterback Tyler Buchner. Not long after, freshman Dylan Lonergan connected with Kendrick Law for an 80-yard score.
Law was one of the top performers at the receiver position Saturday, and there were also some positive reports surrounding Malik Benson, the nation’s top JUCO transfer who has been with the team since the bowl game and Saban was asked about after the game-like practice.
“He’s done a nice job,” Saban said of Benson. “He’s a lot more confident, playing faster, catching the ball well. I think he’s a guy that can really make a contribution for us this year.”
Alabama will take Sunday and Monday off before returning to the field Tuesday, Aug. 22. It will practice five straight times before another break on Aug. 27 prior to the first game week.
Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!
Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up now for a year’s worth of premium access for $74.99! Or you can also gain monthly access for just $1! Get access to premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting content and also join thousands of Crimson Tide fans on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!
