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Decatur Daily - sports/alabama
BIRMINGHAM ā Surrounded by reporters outside the Old Overton Country Club an hour before his 12th annual Nickās Kids charity golf tournament, Nick Saban appeared relatively carefree.
Alabamaās football coach even joked about his a recent boating excursion gone awry, and openly admitted to taking daily baths in Lake Tuscaloosa ā an activity his wife, Terry, isnāt very fond of.
With preseason practice two months away, a relaxed Saban outright dismissed the suggestion Alabamaās starting quarterback competition between two-year incumbent Jalen Hurts and challenger Tua Tagovailoa could be difficult to decide.
āIt wonāt be difficult at all,ā Saban said last week, ābecause what weāre trying to do is give the guys an opportunity and thatās the fair thing for both of them, and thatās really what our goal is.ā
As has been the case in previous starting quarterback battles, Saban emphasized the importance of winning over Alabamaās locker room, with the inference being that the quarterback that has the most support among the players will ultimately start the season opener against Louisville.
āI think both players need to know that they need to win the team ā thatās what they need to do ā and the best way for them to do that is to stay focused on what they need to do,ā Saban added. āAnd anything that they do that brings attention to themselves probably erodes the opportunity for that to happen.ā
Sabanās last comment comes mere weeks after the Tagovailoa family entertained a small contingent of Birmingham-based media members in their native Hawaii, where Tagovailoa was honored with a āHometown Hero Paradeā on May 19 in his hometown of Ewa Beach.
It was during that media-blitz, when camera crews from AL.com and CBS 42 followed his every move for several days, that Tagovailoa raised eyebrows when he openly admitted he considered transferring as late as the week of the national championship game while speaking to a group of students at his former middle school.
āI wanted to leave the school,ā Tagovailoa said in mid-May, according to Hawaii News Now. āSo, I told myself if I didnāt play in the last game, which was the national championship game, I would transfer out. If I gave in, I donāt think I would have seen the end blessing of where I am now.ā
Tagovailoa replaced Hurts to start the second half with Alabama trailing 13-0 to Georgia and propelled the Tide to a comeback victory with 166 yards and three touchdowns.
Tagovailoa later clarified his comments were meant to express a message about perseverance and working through personal adversity, but that didnāt come until after his aforementioned quote spread like wildfire.
Meanwhile, Hurts has been relatively quiet this offseason, only recently being quoted while speaking to a group of high school quarterback prospects at the recent Elite 11 camp in California.
Even then, Hurts made it clear heās a team-first player through and through.
āNothing is ever about me,ā Hurts said, according to The Athleticās Bruce Feldman. āItās always about my team. I always try to put them first. I canāt do it on my own. Treat your teammates the right way.ā
Both Hurts and Tagovailoa were college counselors at last weekās Elite 11 quarterback camp, where the Crimson Tide duo reportedly opened eyes and turned heads with both and their words and impressive showings during workouts.
Itās because of the type of people they are, their connection with their teammates and their friendship ā not to mention the potential for either to transfer should the other win the job ā that will undoubtedly make Sabanās ultimate decision more difficult than simply picking the best quarterback during preseason practice.
Saban said patience is needed while it plays out.
āIād appreciate your help in just allowing it to happen,ā Saban continued. āBecause itās not going to happen any faster, youāre not going to make it happen faster. Itās going to be a process that we go through, and thatās the way itās going to be.ā
Alabama football: Saban downplays difficulty of QB decision
Alabamaās football coach even joked about his a recent boating excursion gone awry, and openly admitted to taking daily baths in Lake Tuscaloosa ā an activity his wife, Terry, isnāt very fond of.
With preseason practice two months away, a relaxed Saban outright dismissed the suggestion Alabamaās starting quarterback competition between two-year incumbent Jalen Hurts and challenger Tua Tagovailoa could be difficult to decide.
āIt wonāt be difficult at all,ā Saban said last week, ābecause what weāre trying to do is give the guys an opportunity and thatās the fair thing for both of them, and thatās really what our goal is.ā
As has been the case in previous starting quarterback battles, Saban emphasized the importance of winning over Alabamaās locker room, with the inference being that the quarterback that has the most support among the players will ultimately start the season opener against Louisville.
āI think both players need to know that they need to win the team ā thatās what they need to do ā and the best way for them to do that is to stay focused on what they need to do,ā Saban added. āAnd anything that they do that brings attention to themselves probably erodes the opportunity for that to happen.ā
Sabanās last comment comes mere weeks after the Tagovailoa family entertained a small contingent of Birmingham-based media members in their native Hawaii, where Tagovailoa was honored with a āHometown Hero Paradeā on May 19 in his hometown of Ewa Beach.
It was during that media-blitz, when camera crews from AL.com and CBS 42 followed his every move for several days, that Tagovailoa raised eyebrows when he openly admitted he considered transferring as late as the week of the national championship game while speaking to a group of students at his former middle school.
āI wanted to leave the school,ā Tagovailoa said in mid-May, according to Hawaii News Now. āSo, I told myself if I didnāt play in the last game, which was the national championship game, I would transfer out. If I gave in, I donāt think I would have seen the end blessing of where I am now.ā
Tagovailoa replaced Hurts to start the second half with Alabama trailing 13-0 to Georgia and propelled the Tide to a comeback victory with 166 yards and three touchdowns.
Tagovailoa later clarified his comments were meant to express a message about perseverance and working through personal adversity, but that didnāt come until after his aforementioned quote spread like wildfire.
Meanwhile, Hurts has been relatively quiet this offseason, only recently being quoted while speaking to a group of high school quarterback prospects at the recent Elite 11 camp in California.
Even then, Hurts made it clear heās a team-first player through and through.
āNothing is ever about me,ā Hurts said, according to The Athleticās Bruce Feldman. āItās always about my team. I always try to put them first. I canāt do it on my own. Treat your teammates the right way.ā
Both Hurts and Tagovailoa were college counselors at last weekās Elite 11 quarterback camp, where the Crimson Tide duo reportedly opened eyes and turned heads with both and their words and impressive showings during workouts.
Itās because of the type of people they are, their connection with their teammates and their friendship ā not to mention the potential for either to transfer should the other win the job ā that will undoubtedly make Sabanās ultimate decision more difficult than simply picking the best quarterback during preseason practice.
Saban said patience is needed while it plays out.
āIād appreciate your help in just allowing it to happen,ā Saban continued. āBecause itās not going to happen any faster, youāre not going to make it happen faster. Itās going to be a process that we go through, and thatās the way itās going to be.ā
Alabama football: Saban downplays difficulty of QB decision
