Former 4-star recruit Justin Eboigbe, a freshman defensive lineman, is trying to get back on the field following a foot injury that’s kept him out for about a week.
One of the top backups at defensive end, Eboigbe has missed time recently with a foot injury that’s required a walking boot. Following the big win over Duke, the Crimson Tide are gearing up for the home opener against New Mexico State.
On the weekly SEC media teleconference, Alabama coach Saban discussed defensive line depth, coaching turnover and how the offense has evolved despite seemingly ever-changing offensive coordinators:
- On DL depth at Alabama: Justin was a guy that was in the two-deep and we hope will come back in a week or two. We have young players we are developing, so that we can have the type of depth we need for the season.
- On evolving his Alabama offense: I think the game has changed, the game has evolved. In defending this stuff, you see the issues and you try and implement these things. Our team right now, lends itself to that type of team… if we didn’t have those type of players, we may not be there right now but it lends itself to the game changing and us changing.
- On offseason turnover: Well, when I was an assistant, it seems like everytime we changed the offensive coordinator, there was a dramatic change. Here, regardless of who the offensive coordinator is, we try to keep it the same for everyone in the building. Then we adapt to the players we have. We evolve over time instead of making changed due to having a new offensive coordinator.
- On increasing fan engagement for home games: I don’t really worry about stuff like that, I am trying to get the team ready for the game. We have people for that but I think that’s an issue with college football.
- On his wide receivers and their ability to run after the catch: I think it’s, I always tell the players to take what the defense gives you. We don’t have to force the ball down the field with the players we have.
- On his defense’s performance vs. Duke: We went into the game, and I think this is typical of fans, that you evaluate pass rush by sacks and that does nothing in determining pass rush… we wanted them to throw it from the pocket, and we forced that.. we are always trying to improve pass rush and affect pass rush and will need to do that this week.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
