http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/sports/040817/bama.shtml
Ryans defends collision after Croyle interception
By Gentry Estes
TUSCALOOSA It was only funny because Brodie Croyle got up.
Yellow jerseys mean hands-off, and linebacker DeMeco Ryans pled his case later after
plowing a gold-crested Croyle while returning an interception during the Alabama
football team's scrimmage Monday.
"I had my arm out," Ryans said smiling. "He just ran into it."
Ryans' play meant immediate whistles on his interception return and a scattering of
laughter in the stands at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Decatur native Juwan Garth picked Croyle up immediately, checking to see if the Tide's
starting quarterback, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery, was OK.
He was, and the Crimson Tide could chuckle about it later, even coach Mike Shula.
"We need to get (quarterbacks) coach (Dave) Rader work on tackling drills," Shula
joked, "because I know 20 years ago, we worked on tackling drills. ... The only way
you can handle that is don't throw interceptions."
Early injuries: While most of Alabama's squad began Monday's scrimmage, 11 of them
were busy running stadium steps in full pads.
In all, the Crimson Tide held 13 players out of action, including linebacker Freddie
Roach, who's still recovering from minor knee surgery that he underwent before the
start of preseason practice.
Starting safety Charlie Peprah also missed the scrimmage after spraining his hamstring
during Friday's practice.
"That's a little bit of a concern," Shula said. "We've got to get those guys back, and
most of them should be back fairly soon."
Carlos Andrews filled Peprah's spot on the first-team defense, while Simeon Castille
filled in as the fifth defensive back on long-yardage downs.
First-team defensive end Todd Bates left the scrimmage holding his shoulder. Shula
later described Bates' injury as a "stinger" that shouldn't cause much trouble.
Brother, where you bound?: Short-yardage tailback Tim Castille had room to run around
his younger brother, but he didn't.
Instead, the elder Castille plowed into Simeon Castille, a younger, smaller cornerback
on an island between his brother and the end zone. Simeon wound up on his back and Tim
scored for the third straight play during goal line drills.
In four goal line attempts between Alabama's first-string offense and second-string
defense, the offense scored on all four.
The Castille brothers' meeting prompted defensive coordinator Joe Kines to chastise
the other defenders: "Somebody get over here and help him!"
Special teams: Several different players saw opportunities during Alabama's special
teams drills Monday. Brandon Brooks, Tyrone Prothro and Matt Caddell all broke long
punt returns, but tailbacks Brandon McAway and Theo Townsend weren't as successful
fielding kickoffs.
On the plus side, freshman kicker Jamie Christensen boomed the day's first kickoff
inside the 5-yard-line, and punter Bo Freeland's second effort traveled 51 yards in
the air. Freeland added kicks of 41, 34 and 34 yards.
Place-kicker Brian Bostick attempted four field goals, connecting from 46 and 31
yards, but missing from 48 (wide right) and 49 yards (short).
Quotable: "The thing we did by design was throw it more." Shula on his gameplan for
Monday's scrimmage.
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