🏈 Saban will be answering trivia and putting on ESPN First Take soon/ transcript from chat added...

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

:a:

 

[TerryP]

[h=6]Jeff (Washington)[/h]

Coach, how do you prepare for a new season, knowing that every year you're going to have to go up against the likes of Auburn, LSU, in your own division?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:20 PM)
[/h]

I think the thing we try to get our players to do is try to focus on the things that we control. WE don't control the other teams. But we control how we prepare, how we condition and the mental toughness that we need to play in the season with consistency. Staying focused on our team is the real key. In this day and age, it's hard to do, with all of the information out there.

[h=6]Goalline Stand (Birmingham)[/h]

Coach Saban. DeQuan Menzie had some setbacks last year with injuries. Can you tell me how talented is DeQuan Menzie is as a cornerback when healthy?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:21 PM)
[/h]

Last year, because he injured himself in the spring at junior college, he was cleared to practice in the fall, but he wasn't healthy enough to play at corner, we had him as a nickel. He came out of the spring as our most consistent CB. We hope his experience and knowledge will help him be a corner full time.

[h=6]Goalline Stand (Birmingham)[/h]

Coach Saban. The April Tornado brought a sense of humility to the area. Will there be some sort of sticker on the helmet or patch on Bama's uniform to keep that tragedy of loss in perspective?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:23 PM)
[/h]

As an institution, we've sort of adopted the little ribbon that's in the form of a bow to recognize the loss of life, community in honor of those who were affected by the tragedy. I think more importantly, we have to all work to continue to have the kind of spirit and positive energy that I've been proud of the people in our state to continue to do that. It will be a few years before we get Tuscaloosa back to what it once was.

[h=6]Tanner (TN)[/h]

Is Dreamland the best bbq in the southeast?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:23 PM)
[/h]

We've got a lot of great BBQ restaurants and that's one of them. Everybody has to make that choice.

[h=6]Greg (Louisville,Ky)[/h]

Hey Coach you have some good freshman coming in who do you think can come in and be that impact player we need on the Offensive and Defensive sides of the ball?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:25 PM)
[/h]

I think the biggest thing with freshmen when they come in is not their physical ability but their maturity. How can they stay focused on improving and how they can compete at the position, not being the star player, which is an unrealistic expectation freshmen have. Until you get into fall camp and you can see the competitive maturity, it's hard to predict which guys will have the opportunity. We have seen some guys this summer that have shown promise.

[h=6]Harry (Pa)[/h]

Hello Coach - You have lots of Bama fans here in Pa and we can't wait til you come up to take on penn state. This will be a great road game test for the young QB's on the team. Do you feel that kind of atmosphere will help the QB's grow going in to the SEC schedule?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:26 PM)
[/h]

I don't think there's any question about it. One of the reasons why we like to play one of the top teams in the country before the SEC play is it's a test for the entire team. If you have a challenging game early, it helps. Because QB is such an important position for us, the game management issues are such a challenge for a QB and will be for these guys.

[h=6]Kyle (St. Louis)[/h]

Hey coach, do you anticipate using a dual QB system in the fall?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:27 PM)
[/h]

I don't really anticipate that. We're sort of feeling like we need to let this thing play out and let the cream come to the top. See who plays with consistency and leadership. We don't anticipate playing two, but we don't rule out the possibility.

[h=6]devin (baton rouge)[/h]

coach saban, with all the distractions going on in college football, how do you keep your players focused and keep them from getting in trouble off the field or with boosters that could make them ineligible?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:29 PM)
[/h]

It's very challenging. There are a lot of temptations out there for players. There is so much media attention so that if anyone does anything at all, people will know. Our approach is to educate so players can anticipate what good and bad behavior will do and impact our future. How that will impact their ability to be successful. We try not to assume that they know. We want to set up the guidelines to keep their moral compass. When people understand the consequences they have a better chance to listen to the rules.

[h=6]Mr. Crimson (TN)[/h]

Coach, since Dee Hart tore his ACL will he be redshirted?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:30 PM)
[/h]

Chances of Dee Hart coming back this season, being a RB, knowing that he will be four months putting him in November before he'll even be cleared and be involved in football, it might be some more time before he gets hit, I would say it's a remote possibility that he could come back this year. Though he had a fantastic spring and has a bright future.

[h=6]Tony (Richmond, CA)[/h]

Coach I'm a diehard Raiders fan hear in the Bay Area. What makes Roland McClain so special, and will be a dominate force for the Raider Nation in the coming years.
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:31 PM)
[/h]

Rolando, first he has great size, he's athletic. He's one of the smartest players I've ever coached. He's instinctive, which is a key to being a LB. I think he has tremendous leadership qualities. He had as great an impact as any player on our championship team as anyone I've associated with. These are the guys that can turn around a team and an organization. If given the opportunity, he can help any team he's involved with.

[h=6]Kevin (Reno, NV)[/h]

Does Donte Hightower need to provide/and capable of providing the same leadership and dominance as Rolando McClain in order for the Tide to win another championship?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:33 PM)
[/h]

I think Donte, though a different personality, effects the team in a positive way. I think he's very well respected. He communicates well. I think it will be important to our team that he is that kind of a leader. Trent, William other guys are capable of that. Last year we had an immature team, not a lot of seniors. This year, we have more people in positions to provide that kind of leadership.

[h=6]david (Chattanooga)[/h]

Coach Saban, In your opinion how has the sec changed or evolved since you first came in the league? Roll Tide!
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:34 PM)
[/h]

I think that the quality of the league from top to bottom has continued to improve. Bigger stadiums, better TV packages, more exposure. The quality of ball has improved and with it, just about everything else in the league.

[h=6]Matt (IN)[/h]

Coach Saban, do you like to grill? Charcoal or gas?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:35 PM)
[/h]

I'm a gas guy. I'm for the most convenient way to get it done. If you asked my wife that question, she would blast me for not grilling out. She loves when I do, so she doesn't have to make a mess and all that stuff. I have become progressively worse at it as I've gotten older.

[h=6]James (Spartanburg, SC)[/h]

How big of a role will Jon Fulton have in the Tide secondary in 2011?
[h=6]Nick Saban (3:35 PM)
[/h]

Jon is a good player, unfortunately, we have all of our starters back from last year and three CBs who have started ahead of Jon. He's a great special teams player for us. If we lost a player, he would be our most effective guy to come in and play winning football.

[h=6]Nick Saban (3:37 PM)
[/h]

I would just like to thank all of our fans for the support they've given our community in the aftermath of the devastation. A lot of people have given to tornado relief. Taylor Swift has give 250,000 dollars. Kenny Chesney did a concert. People have given a lot of money. I know this is about football and the football season, but this is about people. I want to thank them all.