Hypothetical Nick Saban: Looking Ahead to 2009

Article written by rtr2006 of http://www.bamanation.net

Scene: Spring practice has ended for the Crimson Tide. There are rumblings about a few on-the-field positional battles, and a few off-the-field issues going on at The University of Alabama. A-day was deemed a success after some 83,000 fans showed up to watch the tide scrimmage.

[Nick Saban comes up to the microphone and the press conference begins]

Saban: Alright guys, we've had a great spring practice in terms of what we wanted to accomplish. We had the agenda for this spring's practice laid out some 300 days ago, and what we were looking for was execution in all that we do.

There were a number of positions up for grabs, and some new comers have stepped up and we're going to allow these battles to carry over for a little bit longer. I'd like to take a minute and commend our football staff for their hard work, and their help getting our players on par with what our overall goal is here at the University of Alabama.

On the field our guys are learning, and in the classroom our guys are learning. And we're able to do that because we have the finest facilities in the country, bar none. I'm sure you guys are going to bring up some of the battles at certain positions. The bottom line is that I'm willing to talk about the battle, but not about the specifics of the battle.

With that being said, I'll take any questions you guys may have.

Reporter One: Coach, we know that the QB position isn't a position where there has been a quarterback battle in quite some time, can you talk about the battle, and how that position's depth is shaking up.

Saban: Well let me correct you for a minute there. The truth is that since I've been here, there's been a QB battle each and every day. You may not have seen it, but we've seen it. The players who aren't starting are busting their a**es to try to get to that point where they are starting.

Greg and Star have been battling not just this spring, but last spring also, to get to that point where they could start for us. But they weren't there yet. This year, they're neck and neck for that position. It's been an extremely fun battle to watch, intense at times, but the guys have done a great job encouraging each other.

And that's what we're looking for here. We want the best possible players at every position, and when we get to spring practice, we want them to show us what they've got. There's been no decision on the starting quarterback yet because we haven't identified who that person is yet, we're looking at it.

Reporter Two: Coach, which one would you like to have start?

[Coach Saban rolls his eyes]

Saban: The one who gives us the best chance to win, next question.

Reporter Three: Coach what are some of the other key battles you watched this spring?

Saban: Obviously we had some guys on the offensive line that graduated, guys who had been here several years. Filling those holes has proved to be tough, because some of the guys out there don't have enough experience, but we've made some progress there. John Boswall, Drew Davis, Tyler Love, and Tayor Pharr have stepped up nicely.

Although we're yet to lock in a starting lineup, it will be a combination of the best players at the positions which allow us to maximize their strengths, and minimize their weaknesses.

Reporter Four: Nick what's the theme for this years spring practices? Last year you stressed the importance of finishing games. What's the message this year?

Saban: We still want our guys to finish the game, so we haven't backed off stressing how important that is. But we're expecting more this year. It's not ok to give your all most of the time. It's not ok?

We want guys who want to play every down like it's the last down they'll ever play. We want guys to jump up off the line and block their guy, or get around a guy and get to the quarterback. We want guys to stand behind the defensive line, looking for a run, and hitting someone up under their helmet. We want defense backs to get up on the line and jam their opponent.

You know some of you guys think I'm never happy, but the truth is that if we can put all of the minor pieces together and play a complete game like we're capable of, I'm extremely happy. You guys don't see it, but you ask those players, they know the difference between when I'm happy, and when I'm about to crawl up someone's a**.

Sorry, I got off on a tangent

[The room laughs.]

Saban: Finish the play, finish the game, finish the season. Speaking of finishing, thank you guys for your time. We're looking forward to a great season here at the University of Alabama. Thanks