Tide continues drills

The Alabama football team closed its first full week of spring practice Friday at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility, with its first scrimmage of the spring set for Saturday.

The Crimson Tide worked in shells (helmets and shoulder pads) with few if any changes to the position groupings, although one notable missing from practice was defensive lineman Brian Motley. The absence of the sophomore-to-be - who had been working with the second group at noseguard - was excused. Josh Chapman worked with the second group on the nose in Motley's absence.

Other notes from Friday's workout:

*** Offensive lineman Drew Davis worked with the first group at right tackle. Davis and Taylor Pharr have shared time with the first group throughout spring drills.

*** Brandon Fanney continued to work with the 'Jack' linebackers. Coach Nick Saban has said Fanney will likely spend time working at both the Jack and defensive end during spring drills. He opened the spring at end.

*** Defensive lineman Alfred McCullough continues to work at defensive end. The freshman from Athens, Ala., worked at noseguard during the fall, but has been at end each day since spring practice began. With Milton Talbert wearing a black non-contact jersey again, McCullough worked with the second group on Friday.

*** Along the offensive line, Evan Cardwell got some action with the second group at center on Friday. Cardwell played well as a reserve center last season when pressed into duty, but opened the spring at a guard spot. William Vlachos, who had been working at center in the spring, flopped with Cardwell and worked at right guard.

*** Several players worked on stationary bikes in black non-contact jerseys, including cornerback Tremayne Coger, defensive lineman Nick Gentry, and wide receiver Nikita Stover.

*** Among those in black jerseys who worked with their units during individual drills were Talbert, cornerback Lionel Mitchell, offensive lineman Patrick Crump and running back Glen Coffee.

*** True freshman wide receiver Chris Jackson looked impressive in individual drills as the Crimson Tide worked on some deep routes. Jackson (pictured) graduated from high school early, enrolled in January, and is gaining some college practice experience before his first season at UA.

*** The Crimson Tide's first scrimmage of the spring will be held at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed to the public.

*** Stay with BamaOnLine.com for video and photo accounts of Friday's workout, as well as complete coverage of Saturday's scrimmage and the Nick Saban news conference that will follow.