Top stars shine for Tide in scrimmage

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama’s first scrimmage of training camp produced standout play from the usual suspects — Greg McElroy, Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Rolando McClain and Dont’a Hightower — and not a lot of surprises to Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.

“Obviously, the guys that have a little more experience, have some playing time behind them, have more confidence in what they’re doing, how to do it, why it’s important to do it that way, they usually have a better opportunity to be successful,” Saban said after the Crimson Tide’s 100-plus-play, two-hour session at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The scrimmage was closed to the media, but statistics released by the sports information department showed McElroy completed 17 of 29 passes for 188 yards and a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jones.

Jones caught six passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Ingram scored three touchdowns and gained 55 yards in 17 carries.

“I was really pleased with the way the first offense executed,” Saban said. “They moved the ball effectively and went down and missed a field goal the first drive; the second time, they went down and scored a touchdown.”

Despite the “first offense” reference, Saban reiterated his point that Alabama doesn’t have a depth chart — particularly when asked about the offensive line.

“We have five spots that are open,” Saban said. “I don’t know what five guys are going to end up playing in the offensive line. I really don’t. I don’t. So you can speculate any way you want but I don’t know. I’m telling you the God-awful truth. I don’t really know.”

The coach also credited the performance of Star Jackson, who is battling with Thomas Darrah and freshman AJ McCarron for the backup quarterback spot.

“I thought Star Jackson did a decent job today, showed some command and leadership in what he was doing,” Saban said. “Thomas Darrah did OK, AJ (McCarron) did OK.”

Statistically, Darrah was 5-for-11 for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson was 5-for-13 passing for 40 yards and an interception. McCarron was 6-for-14 for 21 yards and an interception.

“But AJ’s a younger guy and he’s playing with younger players. So it’s probably a little more difficult for him to be able to execute because of the players he’s playing with and against in terms of developing timing. All the quarterbacks got snaps with the ‘twos’ just so that we would be able to evaluate them, but AJ probably got the fewest since he’s the newest guy here.”

Saban said his first two units were able to execute fairly well.

“After that, we did not have the consistency in performance and ability to execute, sustain and play the way we want to play as a football team,” Saban said.

“Throughout the team ... we need more players to play with more consistency and be able to play winning football. Not only on offense and defense but also on special teams so that some of the guys that are starters won’t have to play as much on special teams.”

Alabama scrimmaged 25 to 30 plays of “normal” game-type football, but then moved into down-and-distance situations, goal-line, two-minute and third-down drills.

Terry Grant and freshman running back Trent Richardson each had a 3-yard touchdown run.

Saban said the first defense played well “after they got settled down.”

McClain was credited with eight tackles. Hightower was next with seven tackles, two for loss, one sack and one pass break-up. It was unclear if he was playing the jack linebacker or the will linebacker he played last season.

Defensive lineman Marcell Dareus made five tackles and was credited with two sacks. Eryk Anders had three sacks. Ali Sharrief made an interception.

Saban said he wasn’t surprised by anything Saturday. The newcomers have talent, he said, but they were pressing.

“When you have young players and you know they have a lot of ability you really want them to go out there and do well. Several guys were able to do that today and other guys had a little more anxiety and that probably affected their ability to go out there and play as well as they are capable of,” he said.