Re-posting because of the confusion...
-Ricky looks like he never missed a day. Fresh legs, spring in his step, cutting
pretty instinctively, catching all swing passes thrown his way.
-Boston is putting in an effort out there. No dogging, made two nice diving
catches on out patterns that I saw. Wasn't able to come up with the deep
ones, but some of those were underthrown, others featured good plays by
the DB. Still looks huge, probably about 230, 235. No limp whatsoever.
-The intensity and hustle is there with all the position groups, but it is
disciplined and controlled intensity for the most part. Just one scuffle that
I caught, Jeno James against someone I didn't catch.
- Saban is active, and he is extremely hands-on. Spent a lot of the early
portion of practice with the secondary, constantly teaching technique,
even doing some backpedalling himself. After Reggie Howard got beat a
a couple of times (including one very nice adjustment on a deep throw by
Wes Welker), he was spending some one-on-one time with him off to the
side.
- Seau did not participate. Zach did and was very active, made a couple of
would-be tackles behind the line during drills that I caught.
- Booker, unlike what was reported in another thread about evening practice,
most definitely did practice, and was the most consistent of the top 3 WR.
Made several nice catches, including a beauty of a one-hander in a battle
against the CB.
- In the "way down the depth chart" department, #16 Maurice Mann seemed
to turn in some nice catches. On the defensive side of the ball, #49 Jack
Hunt (safety) also had good coverage several times and helped break up at
least one pass in tandem with Tony Bua during drills.
- The best way to describe the QBs in the evening was inconsistent when it
came to completion percentage. Their throws were all fairly strong,
although Frerotte did have more flutterers than anyone else. Lots of outlet
passes. Heath Evans, of all people, had quite a few short receptions
today.
- Travis Minor looked particularly fluid and quick, almost juking David Bowens
out of his jockstrap during one bounce outside in 11-on-11.
- Autograph granters at the end of practice (from what I saw) were Damien
McIntosh (he was 1st), A.J. Feeley, Rosenfels, #95 DT Josh Shaw, #2 S
Abram Elam, and.....Nick Saban himself. He spent a good 15-20 minutes by
the fence signing everything he could.