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Alabama coach Nick Saban held his first fall camp press conference on Sunday morning, after the first two days of training at Tuscaloosa.
Here is what he said:
– Saban said the current team has “a lot to prove” and any team must win with more than talent. “To be successful, there must be a strong level of commitment from everyone in the organization. Saban again noted that there were “a lot of new faces, especially on offense” and they had to “take one step at a time.”
– Saban recalled Bobby Bowden’s death, saying it “saddens all college football.” Saban said he was “one of the all-time great ambassadors” for the game. “He set an exceptional example for everyone in our profession,” he added.
– Saban spoke about Alex Rodriguez’s speech to the team on Friday night, saying the former baseball star “did a great job” discussing the 2009 New York Yankees Championship and their less successful 2010 season . “They weren’t able to repeat even though in his mind they had a better team,” Saban relayed.
–Saban said LaBryan Ray has a “fairly significant groin injury” which he sustained late in the summer. He is expected to keep him outside for a few weeks.
– Asked about Trey Sanders and Malachi Moore, Saban said the two participate in training on a daily basis. Sanders is on the verge of a 100% return, Saban said, after his car crash last year, but full contact practices will be another step. Regarding Moore’s back injury, Saban said his own experience is that these injuries can suddenly reoccur.
– Asked what “goalie caps” players wear in practice, Saban said there is scientific evidence that soft-shell helmet coverings can reduce head injuries. Saban added that they haven’t had full contact practices yet, so their impact on his team is not yet known.
–Saban said the former head coaches he hired have performed well and their high-level experience hasn’t stopped them from learning how Alabama does things.
– Saban said that Bill O’Brien has “done a very good job” and is a “good teacher”.
– Saban said Brian Robinson has always been a hard worker, hard worker, and has persistence. “He’s never had the opportunity to be the man, so to speak, for the running back until now,” Saban said. “He certainly deserves this opportunity [this year] and I think he’s enjoying it right now.
–Saban said Will Anderson is a selfless player who avoids negatively impacting the defense while pushing the passer. “I love working with this guy,” added Saban.
– Saban said that Evan Neal is tall and athletic, but he is also a perfectionist. “He also has some good intangibles,” Saban said. “He spent a lot of time putting his body back in place. He was even taller than he is now. Now he can take it better. Saban thinks the left tackle is a natural position for him and he did well after switching from the right tackle.
– Saban said he always tried to emulate Bobby Bowden’s class he showed his organization. “There are probably not a lot of people in this profession that I have more respect than Coach Bowden,” he said.
– Asked about Jahleel Billingsley, Saban said the junior tight end can be a positive contributor to the team, but must also adhere to the principles and values of the team and be a good teammate. “We are certainly trying to help him do it. I hope he will be back with us in a few days. We will see how it all unfolds.
Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on twitter @mikerodak.
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