Let’s make our own depth chart

So just to start out, there is no depth chart for Alabama’s football team at this point in preseason practice.

At least, that is the point that first-year head coach Nick Saban is trying to hammer home to reporters, fans and the team. And there are a lot of reasons for this.

Saban is trying to dull down expectations.

He is aware that Alabama is coming off a regression-filled 6-7 season, and to think that a national championship is possible would be a little unrealistic.

Also, he is trying to keep opposing teams from knowing his moves.

Maybe this is a little paranoia creeping in, but it’s understandable with the pressure that comes with the $4 million-a-year contract.

And lastly, he is trying to keep players away from the hype.

Saban keeps re-iterating the point that releasing a depth chart can only get into a player’s head.

But looking at the Crimson Tide after almost two weeks of preseason practice, some trends are starting to unfold, and the group is creating a core personality.

For starters, the heat has helped with that, as temperatures have hovered near the 100-degree range since players reported Aug. 2.

The players say it has ushered in a mentality of helping each other. Also, they’ve achieved a level of bonding.

Along with the heat, Saban has said that he likes competition for positions, and there seems to be a good amount of that.

Despite the lack of depth chart, certain players are sticking out, practicing with certain units during these two weeks:

? One reporter joked recently that freshman linebacker Rolando McClain of Decatur is “looking bigger and bigger every day.” It’s tough to say this analysis is wrong.

When McClain left Decatur at the beginning of June he looked like the kind of player who could benefit from the help of collegiate strength and conditioning programs. So far, it has paid dividends as McClain has done drills with what appears to be the first team.

? According to Saban, the defensive line is “thin,” but is it really? Defensive tackle Byron Walton, a West Morgan product, seeing his career end because of illness did not help matters, but before preseason practice it was apparent that a lot of this “thinness” depended on the play of the freshmen.

While it’s tough to say how they will look in game situations, both Athens High grad Alfred McCullough and fellow freshman defensive tackle Josh Chapman have gotten rave reviews from their older teammates.

Both are big bodies who are being forced to learn and step in quickly.

? At running back, Jimmy Johns headed into the off-season as the natural choice to replace the graduated Kenneth Darby as a starter.

But Saban moved Johns to fullback, and now Terry Grant appears to have taken the lead role as a featured tailback. On Tuesday, Saban once again praised Grant and his play.

With Roy Upchurch now being cleared by doctors for contact, Saban will have his pick of who to use as a complement to Grant. He has a choice among Upchurch, Glen Coffee and possibly Johns, if he is moved back to his old position.

? Cornerback Eric Gray appears to be 100 percent. The West Morgan High graduate has battled hamstring injuries since he came to Alabama. And every time reporters walk onto the practice field, there is a small question about whether Gray will be there.

So far, Gray’s hamstring hasn’t been an issue during the preseason. While he is in tough competition with Lionel Mitchell and Marquis Johnson to be starting at cornerback, the fact that Gray is finally healthy at least gives him a shot.

? The most interesting storyline of Alabama football, though, continues to be Saban.

Who knows where his “process” is? As has been the case all preseason, we will find out Sept. 1 against Western Carolina.