The University of Alabama has a football team of ruthless competitors, and Nick Saban is here for it.
Coach Saban spoke highly of this group following the A-Day game.
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He was pleased with the team during spring practice and anticipates players putting everything together. Saban addressed reporters after the final scrimmage of the spring and shared several things about this team. He loves the ‘spirit’ of this unit.
“I like the energy of this team,” Saban said.
Saban saw the Alabama defense make physical tackles, get pressure in the middle, shoot gaps, create stops behind the line of scrimmage, and force turnovers. He also saw the Crimson Tide’s offensive line create lanes for running backs and quarterbacks to use their athleticism. Saban enjoys the toughness that Kevin Steele, Tommy Rees, Eric Wolford, Freddie Roach, and other assistants on the coaching staff have brought. The seven-time national champion is excited about what this team can do.
“I like this team’s toughness,” he said.
“I think they are physical, they play hard. We do not have a bunch of guys that are soft or looking for an easy way. They try to please the coaches. They try to play with intensity. I think we have better practice habits than we’ve had in the past. I think that mentality gets developed in the defensive line, offensive line, and on special teams. I think we have some guys that are trying to step up and do that.”
Alabama has veteran players and young guys that want to return to the standard of opponents fearing the Tide.
A-Day was a great start, but Tide fans hope the intensity goes into preseason camp.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
