Six practices down. Nine to go.

Alabama's approaching the midpoint of the 15-date spring football routine with the first scrimmage coming up Saturday. After watching those six practices, talking to players and Nick Saban, we've been able to make a few observations.

Let's take a look at a few as the Crimson Tide enters the third week of practice ahead of the April 22 A-Day game.

-- The most notable thing about this March/April is what isn't happening. For the first time since 2013, there isn't a high-profile quarterback competition. That means the offense can focus on building on what happened last fall instead of a round robin audition between quarterbacks with differing styles and skill sets. Jalen Hurts can take all of the first-team snaps that'll help build the chemistry and timing that may have suffered a bit last season. Saban and the offensive coaches will get a first preview in Saturday's scrimmage. He said he's looking to see how Hurts has improved decision making, pocket presence and reading defenses among other criteria.

-- Speaking of competitions, there seems to be fewer of the high-profile battles compared to previous years. The most intriguing position is in the offensive backfield. But running backs aren't like quarterbacks or left tackles. It can be done by committee. This should be more interesting in August when Bo Scarbrough and B.J. Emmons are healthy again.

"We feel one of the strengths of the team is the running back position," Saban said Monday, "having the three guys back from last year plus adding a few more that are out there right now that are showing good promise and potential. I think it's one of the strengths of our team and we'll have to find roles for some of those guys because they're some of our best players at that position."

-- You may have heard this before, but this could be a big year for Robert Foster. The top receiver in the 2013 recruiting class hasn't had the breakthrough moment just yet. He was close in 2015 before a major shoulder injury shut him down three games in. His role was limited last year with five total catches. The departure of ArDarius Stewart, O.J. Howard and Gehrig Dieter leaves the need for experience catching passes.

"I think (Foster is) playing better than he did a year ago and hopefully he will continue to improve and have a role on the team," Saban said. "I think we need for him to do that."

-- Speaking of the passing game, Saban has noted a few times they were focusing more on the passing with Hurts than his scrambling game. That shouldn't be a surprise given how the 2016 season ended and where the aerial game stood. There's no doubt the pack of running backs and his mobility will be a focal point of the offense next year, but without balance, it becomes a liability.

-- Early enrollee middle linebacker Dylan Moses doesn't look like a freshman. It's a matter of grasping the playbook at this point. Not much more to say there.

-- It'll also be interesting to see who steps up in Shaun Dion Hamilton's absence at middle linebacker this spring. He should be back from the ACL tear by August, but that still leaves the rest of spring and A-Day to develop depth. Rashaan Evans, the other middle linebacker, doesn't have much experience as a starter. Players like Keith Holcombe have paid their dues. It'll be interesting to see how they perform with an opportunity.

-- A position of interest would be safety. It lost Eddie Jackson to graduation. Minkah Fitzpatrick was a starter there to close the season, though he's back at cornerback. Ronnie Harrison figures to have his job back. It's a matter of who steps up next door. Jared Mayden is a name to remember. He's not out there right now as he recovers from hip surgery. Hootie Jones saw serious playing time last year while former top recruit Deionte Thompson could challenge as a third-year sophomore.

-- Still to be determined: the roles of JUCO lineman transfers Isaiah Buggs (defense) and Elliott Baker (offense). It's easier to work into a rotation or earn a role on a specialty package on defense while there aren't many substitutions for the offensive counterparts. Baker, a tackle, has to beat Matt Womack at this point. The redshirt sophomore has impressed Saban through six practices working at right tackle. Jonah Williams has the left tackle job.

-- We talk a lot about offense and defense, how about the special teams? More specifically, kickoff and punt return. We asked Saban about that Monday.

"I can't really say that we can evaluate it," Saban said. "We've had, I think, two days of kickoff return and two days of punt return at this point. Most of it has been fundamental stuff. I really can't really say somebody's ... I think we've got enough good guys to be able to do it extremely well. I just think we gotta develop them and help them understand what that role entails and I think we'll be probably better than we were a year ago."