Tide takes the practice field

TUSCALOOSA | With the temperature gauge spiking triple digits — steamy enough to melt asphalt and send people scurrying for air-conditioned solace — the hottest story in college football took the field this afternoon.

University of Alabama coach Nick Saban, under what is fast becoming a trademark crimson-banded straw hat, led his Crimson Tide football team through the first workouts of the fall beginning this afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility.

The Tide’s “varsity” — Sabanese for the returning players — caught the brunt of the August heat with a 3 p.m. practice. Alabama freshmen will get a slight heat break, working out under the lights beginning at 7:30 p.m.

With no availability to Saban, his coaches or players, the first day of fall practice offered no insight to Saban’s team or strategy. Both remained mysterious, and will likely remain so throughout the fall.

Assembled media got 20 minutes inside the fence to gather as much as possible — a glimpse at linemen crunching against metal blocking contraptions beside sweatshirt-clad defensive line coach Bo Davis, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele barking technique at linebackers, and quarterback John Parker Wilson fluttering passes to receivers under the watchful eye of offensive coordinator Major Applewhite.

Although a peek is all reporters got out of Friday’s workouts — and no availability from Saban at all — the entire Crimson Tide Nation can watch the team Sunday at Bryant-Denny Stadium when UA holds a two-hour open practice at 2:30 p.m. Gates open an hour beforehand, and the Tide will hold a Fan Day autograph session at 4:45 p.m.

The Tide continues workouts at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and will practice every day until an off day Aug. 12. Only 29 days remain until the season opener Sept. 1 against Western Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

We will have complete coverage of practice each day — including practice video, press conference audio and video, instant notebooks, Cecil Hurt columns and daily features — at www.tidesports.com and in The Tuscaloosa News.

Reach David Wasson at david.wasson@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.