TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama football team continued its spring practice schedule Saturday with a two-hour workout in full pads at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility in front of an estimated 1,200 coaches from around the region who are attending the 2012 Alabama Coaching Clinic.
It was the second day in full pads for the 2012 Crimson Tide, who held workout No. 5 of the 15-practice spring schedule. Alabama will take today off before returning to work on Monday afternoon. Spring practice concludes at 2 p.m. April 14, with the A-Day Game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. CSS will broadcast A-Day live.
The Crimson Tide defense returns four starters on the defensive side of the football from last year’s team that led the nation in all of the major defensive categories. Senior Robert Lester is the only defensive back to return and he is impressed with the young talent the Tide has on defense.
“I’ve been impressed with the young guys (in the secondary),” Lester said. I’m anxious to see them get started, put the pads on, see what they know and how they compete.”
Lester is beginning his fifth year in the Alabama program – his third as a starter – and is looking provide whatever the 2012 Alabama squad needs to be successful.
“(I’m ready to step up and be a leader) and there are other guys that can also step up and be leaders. It is all about what the team needs and if leadership is something that they need, I won’t think twice about stepping into that position.”
More than 1,400 high school coaches from around the region are wrapping up the 2012 Alabama Coaching Clinic with a talk from Lou Holtz Saturday afternoon. Super Bowl Champion Bill Parcells also spoke to the clinic on Friday night, marking the first coaching clinic he has appeared at in 25 years.
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