Friday from the Murphy Athletic Complex . . .

* If Tiger fans had any concerns about coach Tommy West’s health 18 months after undergoing a triple heart-bypass surgery, Friday’s morning practice would have eliminated them. Working intensely with the special teams near the end of the practice, West showed a player the proper lane to take on kickoff coverage, hustling 20 or 30 yards in the mid-morning heat.
He didn’t seem to be out of breath and continued his instruction.
West’s hustle caught the attention of Memphis Flyer staffer Frank Murtaugh, who attended the practice and interview West afterward.

* Ask West about his most consistent, reliable defensive performers and he points to two: defensive end Josh Weaver, a high-energy sophomore from Marietta, Ga., and defensive back Brandon Patterson, a low-key senior from Germantown.

ALABAMA

Alabama coach Nick Saban is relatively happy with his team’s work ethic. “I don’t think I will ever be satisfied with where we are, but that’s not to say I am disappointed at all with where we are and the progress that we have made. They have worked extremely hard and it has been difficult, and part of it is because of circumstance, not because we created it.”. . .Saban also said that redshirt freshman defensive lineman Brian Motley (Autaugaville) suffered a hand injury that does not appear to be serious, and should not keep him out of action for more than a week. . .Alabama players love the karate classes that Saban had them take this summer as part of their workouts. He did the same thing when he coached LSU.

ARKANSAS

Defensive end Chris Wade returned to practice on Thursday after a concussion had sidelined him most of the week. Trainers held the senior out of live work, but he did get a lot of reps and fundamental time. . .Fullback Peyton Hillis was held out of practice again on Thursday with a tweaked hamstring. The senior is close to returning and anxious to get on the practice field. But the coaching staff wants to play it safe to make sure Hillis is around for the opener against Troy. . .H-back/tight end D.J. Williams earned praise from Hogs’ coach Houston Nutt. The freshman from Little Rock’s Central Arkansas Christian has picked up the slack with Hillis and Ben Cleveland out with injuries. “D.J. is a mature guy that is going to help our football team this year, you can book that,” Nutt said. “I am proud of what he has done so far. I think he is a key ingredient that can pick up the slack in both the passing game and the run game.” Cleveland was able to run some routes on Thursday, catching passes from offensive coordinator David Lee.
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Thursday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium . . .

* Impressive to see FedEx founder Fred Smith attending Thursday’s scrimmage and not letting the intense heat cut short his visit. Smith watched the 90-minute workout from the stands.

* True freshman Cam Baker is an elusive open-field runner, but draws the coaching staff’s ire when he fails to properly secure the ball. Baker returned kickoffs in the scrimmage and has been getting reps at receiver in practices.

* Not many teams in Conference USA will be able to match the U of M’s size and strength at receiver. Steven Black, Duke Calhoun, Maurice Jones and Carlos Singleton are big, fast, physical targets.