🏈 Word from practices/scrimmages is...

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Tenpenny has been looking very good at RB. Could make that RB depth chart a little interesting...

 

[doemasters]

should be fun to watch :icon_cheers:

 

[PhillyGirl]

Glad to hear it. Our offensive is gonna be exciting to watch!

 

[JoshB]

Saban didn't seem real thrilled with the o-line in any way, but he's been talking very positive about the backs.

 

[BAMA JAMMA]

Saban didn't seem real thrilled with the o-line in any way, but he's been talking very positive about the backs.

Yea I read that article on al.com. You'd swear by some in the comments of that article they think the sky was falling.......yet we haven't even played a game :shake:

i have no doubts in my mind there will be growing pains this season. Lots of young guys being plugged in so its going to take a few games to get the chemistry flowing.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

The safest bet in the world, is that on a day when a Poll comes out and ranks Alabama #1, Nick Saban is going to make sure the media (writers) are focusing on something that the team needs to improve on. i.e. Things are not as bad as they sound.

 

[TerryP]

Echoing what Porter said but in a different tone.

Back about two weeks ago (I think it was the fan day interview) Smart made a comment that the program doesn't make comparisons of itself versus other programs and teams but versus what has been accomplished at Bama since they've been there. IE: How are you grading out versus what this team did when they...?

---

EDIT: Happened to find the quote elsewhere: “We have a standard here at Alabama,” Smart said. “We don’t go by stats, we compare ourselves against the last five years. Last year wasn’t up to par or spectacular. We have a lot to do for this season.”

---

With that in mind, when Saban makes a comment about not being pleased with the movement the offensive line is getting, what's he comparing it with? What movement? Moving the DL or the speed they are getting to the back seven for that final cutoff block? Arie was getting beaten around the edge with a speed rush in scrimmage. Does that mean he's not pleased with the movement—Arie's feet in that case—the line is getting? Is it running or passing?

The problem lies in the point no one followed up on the statement with a question like "what movement?"

It's just another example of Saban saying something that carried A LOT of info but no one pursued the nugget no matter how BIG it was.

I've been through too many scrimmages with Saban, seen too many areas that made me worry and then realized...oh.

Who remembers what we were thinking at this time but back in 2009?

 

[Swamptick]

Do you think Saban would have elaborated had the issue been pressed?

 

[TerryP]

Do you think Saban would have elaborated had the issue been pressed?

Oh, HELL YES!

This past "Car Wash" with ESPN is another example of why I know he would have gone into more detail. You get him talking on the X's and O's and he's not only going to talk, but he's going to break it down minutely. It's how he's wired. Remember how he commented about how the ND defense put Manti in such a bad place on goal lines.

I can easily see him talking about difference in feet position and footwork when it comes to a tackle getting that outside step, etc. Easily see it!