🏈 Saban has guarded praise for his team after closed workout

[TerryP]

IF you haven't watched the press conference from Saturday's scrimmage, take a few minutes and do so.

There's one statement CNS made that really jumped out at me. Step was the first one to point it out on the phone yesterday—after his comment I went back and watched it again just to get the true context.

Here's the quote:

"The first defense played pretty well after they got settled down," Saban said. "I was really pleased with the way the first offense executed. I thought we ran the ball, even though statistically it probably won't look like any runner was outstanding. We had a lot of efficiency when we did run the ball, which I think is a good sign.

"I think the biggest thing from this scrimmage that I would take from it is our first two units executed fairly well in what they did. After that, we did not have the consistency in performance and ability to execute, sustain and play the way we want to play as a football team."

His complaint/criticism here is how the third string performed—the 3's!

Here's the rest of the article.

 

[planomateo]

Good call out.

I also like that he spoke about a few of the freshmen and said that if they were playing with better units, they would have done better (AJ and Trent where the two he called out).

 

[usn92]

Actually, this should not come as much of a surprise to us. At the end of Spring coach told his players, "We have a chance to be an outstanding team." Since that point his main message has been about motivation and intangibles. At Media Days Saban seemed relaxed and not too concerned about any one position. In fact he has repeatedly said, "No one player can make our team great, but one can harm it." IMO Saban knows if these guys have the right approach and finish then any and every possible goal for 2009 is attainable.

 

[eshad]

IF you haven't watched the press conference from Saturday's scrimmage, take a few minutes and do so.

There's one statement CNS made that really jumped out at me. Step was the first one to point it out on the phone yesterday—after his comment I went back and watched it again just to get the true context.

Here's the quote:



His complaint/criticism here is how the third string performed—the 3's!

Here's the rest of the article.

My only question would be, by "first two units", is he referring to the first offense and first defense which he mentioned (together makes the "first two units"), or is he referring to the first two units on each side of the ball, i.e., first and second offense, and first and second defense, which would be four units. Not sure.

Terry, I hope you are correct though, it has been a few years since we were set with the 2-deeps on each side of the ball.

 

['65 Cobra]

My only question would be, by "first two units", is he referring to the first offense and first defense which he mentioned (together makes the "first two units"), or is he referring to the first two units on each side of the ball, i.e., first and second offense, and first and second defense, which would be four units. Not sure.

Terry, I hope you are correct though, it has been a few years since we were set with the 2-deeps on each side of the ball.

That's exactly what I was thinking when I watched it - "which does he mean?" Hopefully he meant first and second string on both sides.

 

[TerryP]

Actually, this should not come as much of a surprise to us. At the end of Spring coach told his players, "We have a chance to be an outstanding team." Since that point his main message has been about motivation and intangibles. At Media Days Saban seemed relaxed and not too concerned about any one position. In fact he has repeatedly said, "No one player can make our team great, but one can harm it." IMO Saban knows if these guys have the right approach and finish then any and every possible goal for 2009 is attainable.

It's not the content that came as a bit of a shock to me. It was how open he was about the talent in one breath but going right back the other direction in another question.

My only question would be, by "first two units", is he referring to the first offense and first defense which he mentioned (together makes the "first two units"), or is he referring to the first two units on each side of the ball, i.e., first and second offense, and first and second defense, which would be four units. Not sure.

Terry, I hope you are correct though, it has been a few years since we were set with the 2-deeps on each side of the ball.

I took it to mean the 1's and the 2's based on his comments and we needed some help with the 3's progress.

It makes perfect sense. We know how talented and deep we are on defense. And, it's my opinion that we have that kind of talent on offense right now as well.

Just as an example, some feel the RG to be the only real decision left on the offensive line. I'm in that camp. But, I don't see it as the failure for a player to step up I see it as very little difference in what that group brings. It's not about finding a guy, but finding a group that works the best together.

I said at the end of last season the OL wasn't a great concern of mine—it was merely a case of having a few questions answered but minor questions at that. Nothing has changed when it comes to that opinion.

 

[usn92]

It's not the content that came as a bit of a shock to me. It was how open he was about the talent in one breath but going right back the other direction in another question.



I took it to mean the 1's and the 2's based on his comments and we needed some help with the 3's progress.

It makes perfect sense. We know how talented and deep we are on defense. And, it's my opinion that we have that kind of talent on offense right now as well.

Just as an example, some feel the RG to be the only real decision left on the offensive line. I'm in that camp. But, I don't see it as the failure for a player to step up I see it as very little difference in what that group brings. It's not about finding a guy, but finding a group that works the best together.

I said at the end of last season the OL wasn't a great concern of mine—it was merely a case of having a few questions answered but minor questions at that. Nothing has changed when it comes to that opinion.

To me that's a message to the team, The talent is here, but we must perform and FINISH.