The atmospheric condition certainly didn't aid. A dreary, rainy backdrop provided no hope of an Alabama spring game turning national media attending to Tuscaloosa. All the same, in that location were boxes to exist checked for Crimson Tide fans who were all too ready to return judgment.

There was no national championship to exist won on a chilly intra-squad scrimmage on Saturday afternoon. However, this is traditionally 1 of the more significant steps that a team must have together. Spring is over. Coaches are express in how much they can engage with the players on a solar day-to-day basis. This is when Alabama will develop its collective graphic symbol or not.

Here are some particular aspects of Alabama's A-Day spring game I was looking at:

Any adventure Bryce Young doesn't continue ameliorate? No.

In his second year every bit a starting quarterback, Young looks far better this year than he did last spring. He'due south the perfect example of a role player that whatever coach would like to build around. Young can also throw from multiple angles subsequently multiple scrambles when his offensive line struggles. That's not the pattern but we've seen Young alter from a negative to a positive that unremarkably resulted in a change of momentum.

Young looked even more precise than he was last flavor — and that's saying something. He continues to grow more comfortable with a shaky pocket. Young completed fourteen-of-29 passes for 153 yards. His kickoff laissez passer? A completion to Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton.

Is Alabama's pass protection any improve than last yr? No

Things tin can certainly alter as injuries and affliction have been a factor for Alabama's offensive line, but, for now, Bama's offensive line looks like a potential liability. Caveat: The group you saw Sat won't exist the group that starts the season-opener. Yet, in that location would take been a baker's dozen of sacks if they were keeping count on Saturday. (Granted, everybody is going to have problems keeping Volition Anderson and Co. in check, but ….) It's certainly merely jump exercise and the starters could improve over the summer, only Bama looked disorganized upwards front end. Why?

Is Alabama being trendy with its RBs? Yeah

In a recent motility I've seen by SEC offenses in jump games this twelvemonth, running backs are catching more passes farther downward field. That's intriguing as defenses take gotten so much lighter. A bigger tailback could certainly win some battles on the 2d and third level. Alabama toyed with the concept on Sabbatum. Jahmyr Gibbs, who transferred from Georgi Tech, caught i pass downfield that seemed to surprise Alabama'due south defense. Fellow running back Trey Sanders also caught a mid-range pass on Saturday.

Of class, Gibbs also provided a highlight running the brawl, also. His 73-yard TD run helped him win offensive MVP honors.

Volition Will Anderson Jr. win the Heisman Bays this flavor? Yes

No, I'm not looking for credit when it happens nor practice I desire to jinx anyone. All the same, now some other opportunity for fans to realize just how good Anderson is. He deserves the Heisman. It doesn't affair if he plays defense popcorn vendor, Anderson should win the Heisman as long as he's healthy. Stats were hard to come past as plays were blown expressionless quickly, but Anderson certainly would accept had a huge bear upon on Saturday if immune.

Fortunately for Bryce Young, Anderson wasn't able to hit QBs and finish sacks Saturday.

"I remember this twelvemonth is gonna exist something special," Anderson told reporters afterward. "Yous guys talk almost the 2016 defense's laissez passer blitz, I feel like you guys are definitely getting prepare to run into that again because we have a lot of talented immature guys on the border and the D-line room."

Anderson isn't perfect, though. Apparently he nonetheless needs to better a bit on the rare occasions he drops into coverage.

"Somebody asked me the other day, 'What'southward Will'south weakness,'" Nick Saban told reporters subsequently the game. "I said, 'Well, he'south got to learn more about pass coverage considering he plays a position where every now and so he'southward supposed to drop.

"But you all are gurus of the game. Should we spend a lot of time on him dropping or let him rush? So his weakness is pass coverage, but he's also best on laissez passer defense when he sacks the quarterback."

Does Alabama still have aristocracy talent? Absolutely

Alabama may be pushed to the brink — or fifty-fifty defeated — more than they have been during its celebrated run. However, there is no question that this Tide squad has elite talent. It has go normal for teams to catch Bama, but for never too long. Clemson fabricated a potent run. Georgia may exist doing the same, but Alabama is in no downward tendency because of talent.

Alabama's main focus during this offseason has to be within the coaching offices. Alabama's offensive coaches will want to score as quickly every bit possible. Alabama's defensive coaches volition want more time to catch a break. Not just in Alabama, the next college football champion may well succeed past melding those two philosophies together.

That did not happen on Saturday.