Contributed
(August 11, 2010)

TUSCALOOSA – The Alabama football team returned to the practice field this morning for the first of two workouts at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility on Tuesday with a two-hour session in full pads.

Tuesday marked the first two-a-day practice of fall camp. The Crimson Tide returned to the practice field later Tuesday evening for a two-hour session in shells. Tuesday’s practices were the sixth and seventh of the season for Alabama.

“It was good to get in pads for the first time (Monday),” head coach Nick Saban. “Today we went back with an emphasis of the things we did on day one and day two, so that the players could relearn it.

“Today is the first two-a-day and we continue to do a good job as a team of managing the circumstances that we’re in, basically the heat, which is pretty challenging right now, but the players of done a good job taking care of themselves rehydrating and resting.”

Alabama junior receiver Julio Jones received more accolades on Tuesday when the Biletnikoff Award announced its 2010 watch list. Jones led the Tide in receiving in 2009 with 596 yards on 43 receptions. His four touchdowns was also a team high.

It was also announced Tuesday that Alabama will be the focus of one of four regional cover for Sports Illustrated’s 2010 college football preview. Dont’a Hightower, Mark Barron and Marcell Dareus grace the Alabama cover as part of SI’s defensive theme.

It marks the eighth SI cover for the Crimson Tide since head coach Nick Saban arrived prior to the 2007 season and the fifth since the beginning of last season.

ESPNU and ESPN have also announced the schedule for its College Football Special: Alabama All-Access. Excerpts from the special will be featured on nightly half-hour prime-time shows on Monday, August 9 – Friday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. on ESPNU with a re-air each night at 11 p.m. also on ESPNU. The hour-long special will then debut on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. on ESPNU (with a re-air at 11 p.m.) and be followed on Thursday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. on ESPN. 

The Tide will return to the practice field tomorrow for a single practice at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) and work in full pads once again.