Nick Saban spoke to the reporters Sunday as the team held its Media Day inside the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility. Here’s a transcript of what he had to say as well as my take on what it means.
Opening statement (part one)
“Obviously, the No. 1 purpose of fall camp practice is to create good habits. Obviously, bad habits have a cost. Good habits have a price, but you’ve got to pay the price for these good habits up front, which is obviously what you do when fall camp comes along. This is a time when you have to sort of embrace the grind.
“We’ve got some players who have been blessed with talent, but it only comes to fruition if you can embrace the grind and can’t view the circumstances not as an obstacle but an opportunity to focus in difficult circumstances and difficult situations so that this will be an advantage to you to be able to sustain, you know, in the future.
“I think the acclimation process that we go through right now for players is probably a real positive, you know, for the players. Couple of days in helmets, a couple of days in shells and then you put pads on. So it’s good transition for players. I think it’s been good practice for us so far. I see progress in every practice. There’s obviously a lot of areas that we need to improve on.
“There’s individual players who have new opportunities to contribute to the team in various ways and we want them to develop the kind of habits that are going to allow them to play winning football on a consistent basis so they can get the results that they’d like to get.”
Tony’s take: I’m going to butt in right here because I found this part interesting. Last week, Saban spoke about how attention to detail during practice can help players prepare for crunch moments in games. I can see his line about habits becoming a mantra for his players as he continues to hammer home the importance of handling the little things throughout camp. Alabama has plenty of talent on its roster, but as we’ve seen throughout the past, that will only take a team so far.
Opening statement (part two)
“I’m pleased with the staff, new leadership, whether it’s Kevin Steele or Tommy on offense. Those guys have both done a good job. I think players have responded very well to them so far. There’s a lot of teaching, there’s a lot of installation. This is the most condensed period probably of how much do we throw at players to learn in a short period of time, as any time during the season. But this also gives them the foundation that they need to make the adaptations and adjustments that they need to make throughout the season. So far the attitude has been good and players have been good and we just want to be able to sustain that, which I think is the biggest challenge in fall camp.”
Tony’s take: It’s Media Day, and Saban wanted to take some time out of his opening statement to speak about the staff. Without addressing either coordinator by name, he seems pretty pleased with Kevn Steele and Tommy Rees. This is a challenging time for coaches and players as there is a lot of new info that needs to be distributed and taken in. However, it seems like Alabama is handling things pretty well so far during camp.
On Alabama’s guest speakers during camp
“Well, we try to get the best speakers that we possibly can that address issues that we’re facing in college football as well as people who can help create a mindset that’s going to help you be more consistent so that you can get the results that you want relative to the commitments that you make. So and I think we have a really good blend of all those types of people. You guys know what the issues are. If you look at the players that are suspended for whether it’s gambling, drugs and alcohol, whatever. So those are all things that we’re trying to educate our players on relative to consequences of good and bad behavior, cause and effect, because we don’t want anybody to suffer negative consequences that might impact and affect their brand.
“And that all goes to the choices and decisions that they make. And if we can impact those through education with good speakers, that’s the goal of what we try to do throughout the year. Butit’s the same thing, it’s more condensed in fall camp.”
Tony’s take: As is the case every preseason, Alabama has a host of speakers lined up to discuss key topics with his players. Saban uses these guests as a way to get different messages to the team. Oftentimes the speakers are people the players can relate to whether they be former players or just individuals with a unique perspective on a topic.
On Chris Braswell
“Chris Braswell has made an impact when he’s had the opportunity to play. Now he’s got the opportunity to be a full-time starter. He’s a mature player, he’s gotten bigger and stronger. He’s a good pass rusher. So, we expect him to do well this season and have a great year. We want to do everything we can to help him do that.”
Tony’s take: No surprise here, but Chris Braswell will likely be stepping into a full-time starting role. The senior edge rusher played a part in Alabama’s “cheetah package” last season, recording four tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks to go with six quarterback hurries. He’ll need to take his game to another level as he’ll look to help fill the void left behind by Will Anderson Jr.
On the left tackle position
“Well, I think you mentioned it, you know, how are they competing? What’s their maturity level relative to, they have ability. How can they sustain the grind of not making mental errors, staying focused on the things that they need to do to improve, whether it’s fundamental technique or knowledge of assignment. And that’s what we want to continue to focus on. I think both those guys have ability.”
Tony’s take: Alabama has continued to keep junior J.C. Latham at right tackle while using redshirt freshman Elijah Pritchett and true freshman Kadyn Proctor at left tackle. While the two young linemen are capable of handling blindside blocking duties, there might be some growing pains throughout camp. This is something to keep an eye on throughout camp.
On the returning quarterbacks sticking around despite adding Tyler Buchner
“Well, I think that they all have an opportunity to compete for the job, but, you know, this job that you all talk about at quarterback, you know, I told our quarterbacks, you know, fall camp is not the beginning of the end. You got an opportunity to separate yourself you can play with consistency and play winning football at the position, but that competition goes on and on and on and we need all our quarterbacks to continue to improve and continue to compete, compete far beyond even the time that we name a starter.
“I mean, we’ve had circumstances around here where quarterbacks have changed during the course of the year. You know what they are, you understand the history of what’s happened with this place. So that’s going to be the way this situation is. Somebody needs to separate themselves and then all the (inaudible) need to continue to compete so they improve so that if they do get an opportunity to play, they’re going to be ready to play and play well.”
Tony’s take: It’s commendable that neither Jalen Milroe nor Ty Simpson elected to transfer after Alabama added Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner in late April. However, it’s worth pointing out that all three quarterbacks still have a relatively equal chance of winning the starting job this fall.
Alabama’s quarterback competition is far too close to call. In fact, as Saban pointed out, the battle might wage on into the season even after a starter is named.
On junior defensive back DeVonta Smith
“You know DeVonta is a really good athlete. He’s a hard worker. He’s got bigger and stronger. He’s got really good speed. He’s been a very good special teams player for us in the past. I think his knowledge and experience is starting to sort of come to fruition in the secondary. He’s very conscientious of not making the mental errors that have been a little bit of an Achilles heel in the past, so we’re very pleased with the progress that he’s making.”
Tony’s take: One of the surprises from Saturday’s open practice was seeing DeVonta Smith take reps with the first-team defense. The junior defensive back played primarily on special teams last year, failing to record any stats over 10 games.
Despite not having much in-game experience on defense, Smith’s knowledge of Alabama’s setup could prove helpful as the Tide brought in several new defensive backs this offseason.
On the wide receiver unit
“Do you have a specific guy that you’d like to ask about? Some good, some OK, some need to improve. Some have experience, some need to gain experience. I think they’re all working hard but I do think attention to detail is probably one of the biggest things, route-running, timing in the passing game that they all need to focus on. So you asked a general question, as a whole group nobody’s disappointed and I think we have guys that have talent there and if we can get them to play to that level, I think we’ll have a chance to have some guys who can make plays at that position.”
Tony’s take: Snarky Saban is back. The head coach wasn’t having it when asked a broad question and snapped back at a reporter for not being more specific.
It’s not surprising to hear that Alabama’s receiving corps is a bit of a mixed bag at the moment, but all indications are that the Tide will have plenty of weapons for its quarterbacks to work with this fall.
On practicing in front of fans during Fan Day
“Well, I think that Fan Day has always been something that is a good thing for fans. For them to be able to see a practice as well as spending some time around players and coaches to get autographs and things like that which I think are important. To condense that time for them is also good for us, so that we can stay focused on really what we are trying to accomplish and what we’re trying to do. But it was great, I enjoy it. I get to meet a lot of people and makes you realize to some degree how important Alabama football and Alabama athletics are to a lot of our fans.”
Tony’s take: Alabama love its fans.
Sidenote: I don’t love questions like this
On if there’s more leniency for mistakes early on in camp
“A mistake is a mistake. What did I say? Bad habits have a price, and they cost you. Now is the time to develop good habits. You’re never going to play perfect. Every player is going to make mistakes. We want to minimize those mistakes, and the degree of those mistakes relative to how it impacts and affects the outcome of the game. I think we’re trying to get guys to stay focused on the process, rather than on that particular play, that particular moment, so they have the best chance to not to make a mistake that’s very disruptive, whether it’s offense defense, giving up a big play, making a big play. Everybody has a responsibility and an obligation. As soon as one of us makes a mistake, it impacts everybody on the team. I don’t know that that’s ever something that – you used the word forgive – you try to learn from those mistakes, so that you can improve in the future. They’re all opportunities, teaching moments, whatever you want to call it. You never want to give up a failing. You never want to tolerate mistakes, but you also want to learn from the ones you make.”
Tony’s take: I told you! The “bad habits have a price” line is here to stay. Of course, Alabama is going to be a bit more lenient with mistakes early in camp. However, it’s not like players are taken out and shot when they screw up later on. The big thing Saban wants to see from his team is a heightened focus and an emphasis on doing things the right way. Mistakes are going to happen, but as long as players continue to grow from them, Saban isn’t going to lose his cool… at least not too much.
On spreading the ball around in the backfield
“Everybody has to show how they can be used in a positive way. That’s a position where guys have been really good special teams players. If they can contribute on special teams, as well as, we’ve had as many as three guys have a strong input into how they’ve been able to impact the team at one time. That’s a position where we can do it. Hopefully, we’ll be able to stay healthy at that position, but there’s a competition. And the best guys are going to get the most opportunities and those guys all can contribute in a positive way.”
Tony’s take: Last week, Saban said he has four really good options at running back in Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams, Jam Miller and Justice Haynes. Summer enrolee Richard Young figures to join that list as well once he gets better acclimated with the team.
That’s a lot of mouths to feed when it comes to distributing carries this fall. Reading between the lines here, it looks like Saban is looking to go three-deep when it comes to his primary rotation. I expect McClellan to get the starting role while Williams, Miller and Haynes fight for the other two spots. Injuries will also likely play a role, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see all four backs get plenty of action this fall.
It’s also likely one of Alabama’s backs will land a role as a kick returner. That could help keep whoever is left out of the rotation happy while also providing another playmaker on special teams.
On Eli Drinkwitz's criticism about conference realignment
“I did not hear what anybody’s comment was. There is a lot of traditions that we’ve had for a long time in college football, and I think we’re in a time of evolution for whatever reason. Some of those traditions are going to get pushed by the wayside. It’s sad, whether it’s good bad or indifferent for college football. You have to define what is good and bad for college football. One thing I’d hope we’d keep in mind in all the choices and decisions we make relative to what we do in college athletics is the student-athlete. They’re here to get an education. We try to help them develop careers on and off the field. And hopefully, the choices and decisions we make in college athletics in the future will impact them in a positive way. I hope we can keep that as a priority in terms of whatever we decide to do in the future with college football and college athletics.”
Tony’s take: Saban didn’t take advantage of this opportunity to provide a strong take on conference realignment. Still, the head coach has a point. With college football losing so much of its identity recently, it’s important to remember that its players are still students. That seems to get lost in all the money that is being thrown around recently.
