Final Scrimmage Shows Tide Ready To Play!

Great article on rivals detailing improvements & stats from the final scrimmage:

Notebook: Julio shows out

Chase Goodbread
BamaOnLine.com

If there was any doubt that Julio Jones and B.J. Scott would play a role in the Alabama offense this fall, there's a little bit less after Saturday.The freshman duo from the Mobile area combined for 10 receptions and 181 receiving yards in the final scrimmage of fall camp at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Media were not permitted to watch the scrimmage, but UA-released statistics show the freshman pair led team team in receptions with five each."We made some big plays on offense today," Saban said. "... We spread the ball around a little bit more today, a little more effective throwing it."Third-year sophomore Earl Alexander had four receptions, and freshman Chris Jackson and Mike McCoy had three each. Jones and Scott are battling a host of veterans in camp, most of whom lack significant game experience. The coaching staff's apparent liking for the two-tight end set - which Saban noted again on Saturday - makes the competition for playing time at receiver even tighter.McCoy, with 28 catches in 2007, is UA's returning statistical leader. Others competing for time include freshman Marquis Maze, senior Nikita Stover, Darius Hanks and Brandon Gibson. Senior Will Oakley - who missed camp with a foot injury - will join the team when fall classes begin.

DEPTH BUILDING - Saban noted improvement in some of UA's younger players - most notably the true freshmen - from the first camp scrimmage last week to this one."There was a huge difference in the young players from last week to this week, and I think that's going to be helpful to us from a depth standpoint," Saban said. "Donta Hightower played really well in the scrimmage, made a big improvenent, Jerrell Harris has improved, and the young receivers have improved."

JORDAN TO LB - Freshman Chris Jordan has been moved to linebacker from running back for the time being."We're in a little bit of a logjam at running back, and we're a little thin at linebacker, so we just talked to him yesterday about, you know - let's see how it goes at linebacker for a few days, we can always move you back to running back," Saban said. "You might be able to get on the field a little faster. If you rated the team from one to 95 he might be on the guys that fit into the top half of the team."The logjam at running back was relieved earlier in camp when Demetrius Goode was moved to the secondary.

ETC. - Saban said Cory Reamer played at the Sam (strongside) linebacker position in the scrimmage as an experiment, while Hightower played at the Will (weakside). Reamer has been at the Will spot for most of camp. ... Kicker Leigh Tiffin was held out of the scrimmage with a tired leg, which gave extra duty to freshman Corey Smith. ... Linebacker Charlie Higgenbotham's injury - which has kept him out of action since Friday - is a groin pull. ... Defensive end Brandon Deaderick was credited with four sacks, while linebacker Eryk Anders recorded a blocked field goal.

STATISTICAL LEADERS FROM SATURDAY'S SCRIMMAGE
PASSINGJohn Parker Wilson – 14 for 25, 255 yards, 0 Int., 2 TDs;
Greg McElroy – 19 for 38, 198 yards, 0 TDs, 0 Int.

RUSHING
Glen Coffee – 11 rush, 35 yards, 0 TDs;
Mark Ingram – 7 rush, 30 yards, 0 TDs;
Terry Grant – 6 rush, 13 yards, 0 TDs;
Roy Upchurch – 4 rush, 17 yards, 0 TDs.

RECEIVING
Julio Jones – 5 rec. 125 yards, 1 TD
B.J. Scott – 5 rec., 56 yards, 0 TDs
Earl Alexander – 4 rec., 44 yards, 0 TDs
Mike McCoy – 3 rec., 81 yards, 1 TD
Chris Jackson – 3 rec., 60 yards, 0 TDs
Terry Grant – 3 rec, 37 yards, 0 TDs

DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
Prince Hall (LB) – 8 tackles
Eryk Anders (LB) – 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 Blocked Field Goal
Brandon Deaderick (DL) – 5 tackles, 4 sacks
Brandon Fanney (DL) – 4 tackles, 2 sacks
Ali Sharrief (DB) – 5 tackles, 1 sack
Rolando McClain (LB) – 5 tackles
Rashad Johnson (DB) – 3 tackles, 1 Interception

Sounds pretty good to me ..... :)