Alabama Fall Practice: Initial Morning Session

The Alabama Crimson Tide football team will hit the field this afternoon as a “full team” and will continue to practice as one unit for the remainder of preseason camp.

However, Thursday the team was divided for a morning and evening practice session.

The morning session saw familiar faces like Greg McElroy, Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and many of the players ‘Bama coaches and fans expect to play a vital role in 2010.

Nevertheless, junior college transfer DeQuan Menzie (who has been mentioned numerous times this summer) took the field during the morning session with the veteran squad.

The fact Menzie was placed with the veterans during the morning practice session is nothing short of rare. Saban is not known for allowing newcomers to practice with the veterans during the first day of fall camp.

Menzie, who seems healthy after tearing his Achilles, has obviously impressed the Tide coaching staff throughout the offseason.

During the morning session, Dre Kirkpatrick, B.J. Scott, Phelon Jones and DeQuan Menzie spent time at the cornerback position. Many expect to see Kirkpatrick and Scott earn a starting spot in the Tide secondary.

The departure of Roy Upchurch has left many Tide fans guessing as to who will assume the third running back position for the 2010 season.

During the practice session with the veteran squad, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson took center stage. However, Demetrius Goode was the “chosen one” to be the third running back.

One can only “assume” at this early stage that Goode has the job as the third running back…and it will be his job to lose.

The Alabama receiving unit included Kenny Bell, Brandon Gibson and Kevin Norwood.

Tide fans may remember Gibson caught the game winning touchdown during the spring game in April.

At the quarterback position, AJ McCarron was the only player to take snaps other than Greg McElroy. McElroy, (barring injury) will once again be the starter…with McCarron waiting in the wings.

The safety position saw Mark Barron and Robert Lester take repetitions in the morning practice. Barron is the only returning starter from the 2009 Alabama secondary.

In the next article (coming soon) I’ll cover the evening session which saw several Tide freshmen make a big impact. New faces…new numbers…new talent!