Hello everyone,
Here are some observations from Nick Saban’s opening press conference for the game against Duke.
-- Saban opened by saying that every player on the team has to make a decision to the standard of excellence. He also said Alabama has an opportunity to create an identity for themselves as a team and each player has to ask themselves: How did I play and how did the guy next to me play?
Observations: As you know, Alabama is striving for not only a win against Duke but to be perfect in all facets of the game. While this team has incredible talent on both sides of the football, they have yet to win a game this season and the identity of the team is non-existent, but this is the time to set the stage, to make a statement if you will, to prove this Alabama team is as good as advertised. Saban knows hype does not win games and the quicker this team builds an identity, the quicker the momentum goes in their favor. The components are there, no question, the question is: can all the components (individuals) work together on the field to play perfectly as a team. We shall soon see.
-- Saban, as you imagine, gave a lot of positive praise to Duke football and to especially head Duke football coach David Cutcliffe.
Observations: Saban has respect for him as they’ve coached against each other a few times and Saban hit on the fact that Cutcliffe knows how to coach the quarterback position and actually said he’s the best quarterback coach in the country. Big statement by Saban, but then again Daniel Jones, Duke’s quarterback from a season ago was drafted No. 6 overall in the NFL draft. Saban knows about Quentin Harris, who will take over for quarterback at Duke. Harris started two games last season and has thrown for more than 500-yards with a 8/1 touchdown to interception ratio. Saban also said Duke returns 15 starters from a season ago, that is very impressive.
-- Nick Saban was asked about freshman kicker Will Reichard, and he said he’s been very consistent this fall camp.
Observations: We’ve heard all fall camp Will Reichard is the man at the kicker position and after last season’s special team's woes, this is great to hear how much confidence Saban has in the kicker, especially being the kicker is a freshman.
-- Saban was asked about the slash on the depth chart
Observations: There are a few “/“ on the depth chart which Alabama released on Monday. Jerome Ford and Keilan Robinson were each listed as the third back. Sources have told me Robinson is getting a lot of touches. Giles Amos and Cameron Latu were listed as the third tight end and this is not surprising as Amos has absolutely balled out this fall camp. He’s the tight end who just got put on a full scholarship. Emil Ekiyor and Even Neal are both listed as the team’s number one left guard.
This does not really matter, either way, both are going to play plenty in the opener and keeping each fresh is a thing of beauty. Shane Lee and Markail Benton were listed as the back up to Dylan Moses. Is Shane Lee that good or is Markail Benton just slipping? Maybe a bit of both. Patrick Surtain and Josh Jobe will each play corner and Surtain and Shyheim Carter are listed as the starter at the star position. Again, the more depth you have the better, it does not matter who is actually starting. The biggest slash question mark is Skyler DeLong and Will Reichard at punter. Who is going to punt for this team? That’s a very important question going into game one.
-- Saban noted freshman Justin Eboigbe is suffering from a foot injury
Observations: It looks like Eboigbe is questionable for Saturday’s game against Duke, which brings up a lot of questions regarding the defensive line. If Eboigbe is out, LaBryan Ray is not 100%, and Stephon Wynn is not 100%, who steps up in the trenches Saturday? Paging Phidarian Mathis…
-- Saban commented on Christian Harris who looks like he’ll get the start as a true freshman at linebacker next to Dylan Moses
Observations: These are Saban’s comments, “He’s a very aggressive player and has an ability to make plays, and we feel that he gives his the best chance to develop long term talent.” There is so much dive into here. The first thing is: We know Harris has balled out during both scrimmages, this came from Saban, which means he’s ready for live game action and has proven himself on the field. The long term talent remark from Saban is very interesting: Does this mean he does not feel Moody and Kaho are up to the task? Very interesting. I think we are all shocked Moody and Kaho have not been looked at to take over after Joshua McMillon went down.
Here are some observations from Nick Saban’s opening press conference for the game against Duke.
-- Saban opened by saying that every player on the team has to make a decision to the standard of excellence. He also said Alabama has an opportunity to create an identity for themselves as a team and each player has to ask themselves: How did I play and how did the guy next to me play?
Observations: As you know, Alabama is striving for not only a win against Duke but to be perfect in all facets of the game. While this team has incredible talent on both sides of the football, they have yet to win a game this season and the identity of the team is non-existent, but this is the time to set the stage, to make a statement if you will, to prove this Alabama team is as good as advertised. Saban knows hype does not win games and the quicker this team builds an identity, the quicker the momentum goes in their favor. The components are there, no question, the question is: can all the components (individuals) work together on the field to play perfectly as a team. We shall soon see.
-- Saban, as you imagine, gave a lot of positive praise to Duke football and to especially head Duke football coach David Cutcliffe.
Observations: Saban has respect for him as they’ve coached against each other a few times and Saban hit on the fact that Cutcliffe knows how to coach the quarterback position and actually said he’s the best quarterback coach in the country. Big statement by Saban, but then again Daniel Jones, Duke’s quarterback from a season ago was drafted No. 6 overall in the NFL draft. Saban knows about Quentin Harris, who will take over for quarterback at Duke. Harris started two games last season and has thrown for more than 500-yards with a 8/1 touchdown to interception ratio. Saban also said Duke returns 15 starters from a season ago, that is very impressive.
-- Nick Saban was asked about freshman kicker Will Reichard, and he said he’s been very consistent this fall camp.
Observations: We’ve heard all fall camp Will Reichard is the man at the kicker position and after last season’s special team's woes, this is great to hear how much confidence Saban has in the kicker, especially being the kicker is a freshman.
-- Saban was asked about the slash on the depth chart
Observations: There are a few “/“ on the depth chart which Alabama released on Monday. Jerome Ford and Keilan Robinson were each listed as the third back. Sources have told me Robinson is getting a lot of touches. Giles Amos and Cameron Latu were listed as the third tight end and this is not surprising as Amos has absolutely balled out this fall camp. He’s the tight end who just got put on a full scholarship. Emil Ekiyor and Even Neal are both listed as the team’s number one left guard.
This does not really matter, either way, both are going to play plenty in the opener and keeping each fresh is a thing of beauty. Shane Lee and Markail Benton were listed as the back up to Dylan Moses. Is Shane Lee that good or is Markail Benton just slipping? Maybe a bit of both. Patrick Surtain and Josh Jobe will each play corner and Surtain and Shyheim Carter are listed as the starter at the star position. Again, the more depth you have the better, it does not matter who is actually starting. The biggest slash question mark is Skyler DeLong and Will Reichard at punter. Who is going to punt for this team? That’s a very important question going into game one.
-- Saban noted freshman Justin Eboigbe is suffering from a foot injury
Observations: It looks like Eboigbe is questionable for Saturday’s game against Duke, which brings up a lot of questions regarding the defensive line. If Eboigbe is out, LaBryan Ray is not 100%, and Stephon Wynn is not 100%, who steps up in the trenches Saturday? Paging Phidarian Mathis…
-- Saban commented on Christian Harris who looks like he’ll get the start as a true freshman at linebacker next to Dylan Moses
Observations: These are Saban’s comments, “He’s a very aggressive player and has an ability to make plays, and we feel that he gives his the best chance to develop long term talent.” There is so much dive into here. The first thing is: We know Harris has balled out during both scrimmages, this came from Saban, which means he’s ready for live game action and has proven himself on the field. The long term talent remark from Saban is very interesting: Does this mean he does not feel Moody and Kaho are up to the task? Very interesting. I think we are all shocked Moody and Kaho have not been looked at to take over after Joshua McMillon went down.
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