What is 'Bama's Team Identity After Spring Practice?

There were signs this spring of a potentially dominant defense, one that with nine returning starters could eclipse last year's feats. But Alabama's hard-nosed, physical offensive approach that won so many games last year was lacking with a rebuilt offensive line and relatively inexperienced backfield.

If Alabama can't run like it wants, McElroy will be forced to try to win games with his arm, something that John Parker Wilson wasn't asked to do last year until the Florida and Utah games — the season's lone defeats.

But with depth and talent level improving for the third consecutive year under Saban, the Crimson Tide has time to find itself before September.

Tide's mission accomplished? Alabama has frontrunner at QB, but other questions still remain after spring