🏈 Saban says this team has a long way to go...should we believe him?

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Saban's overall impression of the team at this point in The Process, he indicated that the team has made some progress but is still lacking many of the qualities he wants to see them develop.

"We have a long way to do in terms of developing a team," said Saban. "The players have to understand why good teams win." He later added, when asked about the team's identity, that he likes the team but the leadership is a work in progress. According to Saban, the offense is currently a step ahead on the maturity and leadership front, but that can be expected with so many younger players contributing on defense.

RBR of SB Nation: Scrimmage Report.

 

[XXL TideFan]

I have a predilection towards taking Coach at his word.

 

[alabama mike]

IMO, I think almost all of us would agree that we have a long way to go. We have several questions that can only be answered in games.

 

[MissingRing]

I think the offense is in pretty good shape, despite the QB mysteries. I do think that we should take CNS at his word about the defense. Suspensions, injuries, lack of experienced depth at inside linebacker and corner - these are facts, not phantoms.

 

[TheChief]

Saban's exact quote, according to the article, is "we have a long way to do in developing a team". A long way to do indicates, to me at least, that this team is going to "DO" something. That may be big or small but it will be something done. Therefore, if we take Saban at his word then I guess this team is what it is. Aight? So, I believe him. A man says the team has to do something, it has to do something. Aight?

 

[TheChief]

develop.
"We have a long way to do in terms of developing a team," said Saban.

 

[MissingRing]

Nick Saban also said "The defense has to get better, period."

 

[psychojoe]

A certain amount of what he said is just coach speak. My thought is that the team is nowhere near as bad as you hear coaches saying this time of year, and also nowhere near as good as its fans think.. Since by its nature a college football team turns over 20-25% of its personnel every season you don't have the continuity of say an NFL team. Still, CNS has been a straight shooter with us, and no doubt there are areas that need improvement. That is why we practice for a month or so before we start our season.

 

[sean]

let me preface this by saying i am in NO WAY comparing Coach Saban with Coach Bryant. as a 'BAMA fan, you just don't do that.

with that said.....

i remember years ago when Coach Bryant would be asked about how the team looks in practice and he would always say something like, "I don't know about these boys. They just don't look like much." usually when he said that, that meant they were mean and hungry and about ready to rip some heads off. and it usually preceded a really good season (just 1 loss and a chance at the NC).

so i'm thinking that Coach Saban might.....MIGHT.....be doing something along the same lines. i could be wrong and he could be telling it like it is; which is his m.o. but maybe he's sandbagging a bit as well in hopes that the guys will hear him and work that much harder.

 

[TerryP]

A certain amount of what he said is just coach speak. My thought is that the team is nowhere near as bad as you hear coaches saying this time of year, and also nowhere near as good as its fans think.. Since by its nature a college football team turns over 20-25% of its personnel every season you don't have the continuity of say an NFL team. Still, CNS has been a straight shooter with us, and no doubt there are areas that need improvement. That is why we practice for a month or so before we start our season.

I looked at those numbers a few years ago. I was surprised at how closely the roster turnover percentages were to each other—NCAA vs NFL. The NFL averaged about a 20% roster turnover each season.

 

[TheChief]

You guys do know that my posts were supposed to be sort of joking, don't you? I'm pretty stupid, but I'm not that stupid.

 

[bama alum]

let me preface this by saying i am in NO WAY comparing Coach Saban with Coach Bryant. as a 'BAMA fan, you just don't do that.

with that said.....

i remember years ago when Coach Bryant would be asked about how the team looks in practice and he would always say something like, "I don't know about these boys. They just don't look like much." usually when he said that, that meant they were mean and hungry and about ready to rip some heads off. and it usually preceded a really good season (just 1 loss and a chance at the NC).

so i'm thinking that Coach Saban might.....MIGHT.....be doing something along the same lines. i could be wrong and he could be telling it like it is; which is his m.o. but maybe he's sandbagging a bit as well in hopes that the guys will hear him and work that much harder.

Completely agree

 

[TerryP]

You guys do know that my posts were supposed to be sort of joking, don't you? I'm pretty stupid, but I'm not that stupid.

Hence, the reason this was loaded... :sarc:

It tends to eliminate a lot, like :headscratch: which often leads to :bandhead:

 

[Wendielu]

let me preface this by saying i am in NO WAY comparing Coach Saban with Coach Bryant. as a 'BAMA fan, you just don't do that.

with that said.....

i remember years ago when Coach Bryant would be asked about how the team looks in practice and he would always say something like, "I don't know about these boys. They just don't look like much." usually when he said that, that meant they were mean and hungry and about ready to rip some heads off. and it usually preceded a really good season (just 1 loss and a chance at the NC).

so i'm thinking that Coach Saban might.....MIGHT.....be doing something along the same lines. i could be wrong and he could be telling it like it is; which is his m.o. but maybe he's sandbagging a bit as well in hopes that the guys will hear him and work that much harder.

Can I just go around quoting you and agreeing all day? How about forever?