Nick Saban talks freshmen impact, defense and quarterbacks post-practice
Alabama coach Nick Saban met with the media Wednesday for the first time since the Crimson Tide went full pads at fall camp and had several quality things to say about true freshmen Calvin Ridley and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
He also addressed injuries, the receiving corps, defensive personnel and ways Alabama is improving as a football team.
Saban briefly touched on the quarterback competition, but stopped short of naming a leader and said his coaching staff has yet to determine number of reps each player in the race will receive during Saturday’s scrimmage.
Saban’s goal for his defense this season? Give up fewer than 13 points per game.
“We leave them as they are, because they’re still our goals and our benchmarks,” Saban said. “In 2011, we gave up 8.2 points a game and we were first in the country. This last year, Ole Miss gave up 16 points a game, and they were first, and we were like top five. But we still want to give up 13 or less points a game.”
Here are several tidbits from Saban’s presser:
Saban said freshman CB Minkah Fitzpatrick has done a “really, really good job” and will contribute this year if he continues to progress
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) August 12, 2015
Coach Saban used one word to describe true freshman CB Minkah Fitzpatrick… Instinctive.
— Stephen M. Smith (@ESPN_Future) August 12, 2015
As an expert in translating Nick Saban….his comments about Minkah Fitzpatrick were quite telling. Translated: Saban likes Minkah. A lot.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) August 12, 2015
Saban says that Calvin Ridley could be elite. — Tide 99.1 (@Tide991fm) August 12, 2015
“We are trying to evaluate the younger players so we can determine if they can make a contribution to the team now and in the future”- Saban
— Alessandra Delrose (@Amdelrose) August 12, 2015
Saban says #Alabama needs to improve on: Turnovers, Explosive plays, and off the field on 3rd down on defense — Alessandra Delrose (@Amdelrose) August 12, 2015
Nick Saban said Reuben Foster, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Reggie Ragland are the three primary inside linebackers.
— Alex Scarborough (@AlexS_ESPN) August 12, 2015
“We have given all the quarterbacks some chance,” says Saban. pic.twitter.com/QySy4hw7Ny — Neal Posey (@NealPosey_Fox6) August 12, 2015
Saban also said coaches will evaluate the QB prior to Saturday’s scrimmage so they can properly manage the first-team and second-team reps.
— Alex Byington (@abyingtonTD) August 12, 2015
No news on the injury front for Alabama. Saban says WR Chris Black and CB Marlon Humphrey are still day-to-day. — Alex Scarborough (@AlexS_ESPN) August 12, 2015
Alabama freshman DE Anfernee Jennings did not pass a physical this summer because of a slipped disc in his back, Nick Saban said
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) August 12, 2015
Nick Saban says 8 of the explosive plays given up by Alabama last year came on QB scrambles. — Ben Jones (@BW_Jones) August 12, 2015
Saban: ArDarius Stewart has been the most consistent receiver. “He’s the next guy we need to sort of be the man” there.
— Christopher Walsh (@WritingWalsh) August 12, 2015