After Alabama football’s first scrimmage on Aug. 12, the first on-field topic Nick Saban brought up was tackling.

The Crimson Tide head coach wasn’t “disappointed,” he told reporters, it was the team’s third day in full pads after a handful of practices in shoulder pads only. Players just needed to adjust to “going fast.” It would be a focus in the week that followed, Saban said.

Fast forward to Aug. 23, and in recapping Alabama’s second preseason tune-up, Saban said the tackling hadn’t improved. He explained why:

“That goes back to how you practice. We don’t really ever, and have never practiced where you tackle people in practice. But you have to thump. So you get in position to tackle the guy, your near leg to your shoulder, you wrap the guy up so you’re always in position to tackle. If you do that consistently, you have to tackle people you’re gonna be in the right position. That’s something that we really emphasized with our players this week to try to improve the tackling.”

Whenever the defense has conceded explosive plays, Saban said, it’s been due to a mental error or missed tackle. Film review or practice reps can address the former, but the latter issue will need to be addressed in-game. UA’s first test will be against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 2 in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe said on Tuesday that the defense managed a few fumble recoveries and was able to “get to the ball” in the second scrimmage last Saturday. Overall, the unit is replacing more than half its starters from a year ago, most of which are in the secondary.

The biggest loss is edge linebacker Will Anderson Jr., but Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell have experience pressuring the pocket. Georgia transfer Trezmen Marshall, veteran Deontae Lawson and sophomore Jihaad Campbell figure to fill the interior linebacker spots.

On Wednesday, Saban also highlighted the depth at two positions. Tim Keenan has been playing “like a starter,” giving the Tide three quality defensive linemen (Jaheim Oatis and Eboigbe). And when asked about the versatility at defensive back, Saban said Malachi Moore, UAB transfer Jaylen Key, Earl Little and Terrion Arnold are getting reps at star.

“Defense has no limits to it this year,” Turner said. “From what I’ve seen every day at practice, the type of work we’re putting in, the unity as one, the togetherness we’re starting to have, the bond on and off the field. There’s no limit to how the defense can be good.”

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].