Alabama Football: Players Ready for a Break, but Have Saban's Talk in Mind

The players may be finishing up the end of the semester and getting ready for a few weeks off before starting the summer workout sessions, but head coach Nick Saban is still big on many of their minds.

Why?

Twice a year, Saban takes the time to speak to each and every player, in a private one on one session, and talks to them about where he they stand in his eyes in the program.

Think of it as a job evaluation or a performance review from the boss. This is how the players see it, and it's a talk that makes most of them nervous.

You may have heard the stories about the automatic door on his office that ominously closes behind the person entering the room with a push of the button from Saban's desk.

"Even if you think you're doing everything right, you're nervous going in there." I was told this by former player, Terrance "Mount" Cody. Cody continued, "I thought I was doing fine, but he (Saban) pointed out that I still needed to lose weight, increase my stamina and work on my intensity."

"I went in hoping to lobby for more third down opportunities and never mentioned it because he had me so nervous," Cody summed up.

In the "talk" Saban may cover subjects such as your academic work, work ethic in practice and off season workouts and even personal issues.

He hopes to give advice that will help the players become better, both as young men and as football players.

Once Saban has finished his talk, usually just after the spring A Day game, the coach goes off to do his Crimson Caravan tour, and the players finish finals and take a few weeks off before the summer sessions and workouts begin.

With limited contact during this period, Saban wants to be sure the message he gives the players will make a lasting impression on them until fall, when he becomes front and center with them again.

I have a feeling they won't forget a single word.