Alabama head football coach Nick Saban said his team's first spring practice today was a "good start."

Footballs and numerous other things flew about the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility where the Tide had the first of 15 off-season practices. The workouts will culminate with the annual A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on April 21st. Each unit finished about 35 plays during the high-tempo workout in unusually warm temperatures.

Saban said it was like all first days with the players having a lot of anxiety and not really knowing what to expect. He said there was a lot of new drills and a lot of new teaching, but he was pleased overall.

Absent during the practice were the orange jerseys signaling an injured player, or the yellow worn by quarterbacks. Both groups wore black jerseys.

All spring workouts are closed to the public, but members of the media were allowed to watch part of Saturday's practice. The next workout will be Tuesday.