What Nick Saban said Wednesday on the SEC Coaches Teleconference
By SDS Staff
Published:
Louisville no longer has Lamar Jackson, but don’t count Nick Saban as one who’s breathing a sigh of relief.
With Jackson now playing on Sundays, the Cardinals are moving on with Jawon Pass, and Saban had some things to say about him Wednesday on the SEC Coaches’ Teleconference.
- I think he’s an outstanding, talented player. He was very good in high school and is a great athlete. He’s a Cam Newton-type out there. When he played last year, he was impressive. … I’m sure that experience will help him.
Cam Newton-type? That’s high praise from Saban.
Pass has thrown for 238 yards and two TDs in limited time. But we all know Bobby Petrino puts together a dangerous offense, and having Pass step in for Jackson, it adds a new wrinkle of preparation for Saban.
Here are the other items of note Saban discussed on the teleconference:
On having so many new assistants:
- We have a lot more changes, a lot more new players than we typically do in the past — especially on defense. There’s more transition than normal but there’s a challenge for me to do the things we do but it’s a work in progress and we look forward to the challenge.
On game prep:
- Most of the time, it’s about what you are doing or not doing that has the outcome of that particular play.
On having young linebackers that need to rise to the occasion:
- I don’t know who you are referring to, but Mack and Dylan have experience in some games and their experience will help them. Their backups are guys that we are really working hard with to get them up to speed. … Sometimes, there’s no substitute for experience and knowledge.
On hiring Dan Enos:
- I’ve known Dan since he was a player at Michigan State. … He always did a good job at Arkansas when we played them. … He’s a smart guy. He’s done a great job, and we are excited to have him on his staff.
On saying Alabama needs to score more points, does that say anything about your expectations for the defense?
- We expect to play well on defense, I just think we have a really talented offensive team. That comment was more to challenge them. Our defense is full of talented guys that don’t have much experience, but the more they play, they will come together.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
