Alabama Football 2010: There Are No Questions, It's Time To See What They Can Do

The 2009 season is over. The accolades for the National Championship run are complete.

There was an additional small reward over the summer with the release of a movie that center staged Alabama's Football program and their new favorite citizen, Nick Saban.

But if you paid any attention to the ESPN series that put Coach Saban front and center of the educational process that takes place on the practice field, then you know that despite their young age, the talented players on defense for Alabama will be taught what they need to succeed.

Plain and simple, the time is ready to get it on!

Attrition occurs every year during the fall camp. New talent percolates to the forefront and players who were patient, worked hard as a scout team player, ate the right things, and camped in the weight room during the off-season have seen the extra effort pay off.

For players like DeQuan Menzie, Damien Square, Dont'a Hightower, and a few others coming off critical injuries, it's time to enjoy the success of rehabilitation.

It's time to feel the peacefulness that comes from enduring the extremes on the emotional roller coaster. Highs and lows are put aside for the even tempo of a life back to normal and the confidence that comes from knowing that your coach has listed you as a starter.

No real surprises in the starting lineup and depth chart for the Crimson Tide.

What is amazing is that at nearly every position, this coaching staff has developed a depth of talent that reaches three or four men at every position. This is the first year in two decades that any coach can claim that type of success with the roster.

And what Saban said about "talent," he was quick to remind others of the meaning. He stated: "Talent is what you are capable of doing, your motivation is what you do (compels you to take action), and your attitude reflects how you do it."

He went on to say, "Regardless of talent, that's just part of the equation, what a persons motivation and commitment is, and what their attitude is at the time the demands are made on them will determine more how they perform on a consistent basis."

He added: "And that won't be determined by one game. It's a long season, a tough mountain to climb, and that is what we have to look forward to in this season."

Mark Ingram and Wesley Neighbors are out for this season opener. There is still no decision on the role for Marcell Dareus in the opener, but plan B is already being put into place if there is no answer by game time.

The NCAA is stalled on their decision for Marcell Dareus and many other players awaiting their review and outcome of the "agent-gate" episode that occurred in South Florida last summer. Not just Dareus, but many other athletes around the Southeast and East Coast await the outcome of that investigation.

Regarding players like Mark Ingram, who show exemplary character and integrity, Saban was quick to say, "Mark had a great camp, and because of his character, he has set out a great example for our younger players to observe in terms of his work ethic, his demeanor and how he manages his situations, striving to be better."

Saban added, "What's really unfortunate is that Mark, near the end of camp, was playing better than he had played all of last year and I am sure that he will get back to that level of competition and performance when his recovery is complete and we get him back on the field."

On the impact for coaches, Saban said of Ingram, "It sure makes it a whole lot easier when you have good players that are good guys. It makes a big difference for the team."

DeQuan Menzie is not in the type of condition that others are on the team because of the way he had to participate in rehabilitation during the spring and fall.

He was not able to run freely until the last two or three week. Saban added, "He is a very good special teams player but we won't play him on special team because of his current conditioning. We expect to see progress as the season moves forward."

On William Vlachos, Saban is impressed with his intelligence and his willingness to compete on every play.

Saban commented, "He is smart, He is strong and plays with really good leverage. He makes all the line calls, prepares for his assignments every week, he is confident and makes good adjustments."

Saban couldn't say enough, "He missed time in the spring because of his foot injury and did not skip a beat when he came back. His knowledge, strength, his power, in all those areas, he has gotten a little bit better. You are talking about a guy who has pride in performance, he tries to do everything he does the right way."

"When you talk about talent motivation and attitude, there is no question about this guy's motivation and attitude and how he goes about doing what he does and how he gets the result that he gets."

On a follow up question from the media on how he influences the line, Saban went on to talk of Vlachos but included accolades for Barrett Jones, "William and Barrett can pull from a good fund of game knowledge and experience. They make it a lot easier for the other guys to play."

Saban went on to recognize their contributions to the offensive line play, "I know that Barrett makes it easier for the right tackle and William makes it a lot better for the entire left side of our line. When it's a difficult preparation because you don't know what you're gonna see (in the case of San Jose State) these guys can read the defenses and recognize those things and make game time adjustments. That is when it's probably most important."

In the last press conference of the year, Saban seemed confident in his team.

It's a long way 'til the first week in December, but his team is prepared and they are ready to take the field. Mark Ingram and Wes Neighbors will be on the sidelines supporting their teammates.

It's leadership like that, says Saban, that will make a difference for this team during the next 14 weeks.