Alabama Crimson Tide's Nick Saban pleased after first day of pads

Alabama’s top-ranked football team worked indoors for two hours Tuesday afternoon, the team’s first practice in full pads.

Coach Nick Saban was pleased with the mental intensity of his players as well as their attention to detail. Saban said the past two motivational speakers to visit with his team — former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and former New York Jets coach Herm Edwards — have been two of his favorites.

“I’m not disappointed in where our team is,” Saban said, “but we have a lot of guys who need to improve at certain positions. We’re working hard to do that.”

Saban described redshirt sophomore LaMichael Fanning as “a work in progress” at tight end after the 6-foot-7, 270-pounder from Hamilton, Ga., moved from the defensive line before the start of camp. Coaches have not decided whether Fanning’s move to offense will be permanent.

Senior walk-on receiver Tyler Bass of Birmingham suffered an ankle injury that required surgery and will be out the rest of the month and part of the season.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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