Alabama Football: 7 Pieces of Advice for Nick Saban at Alabama

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)   I have felt the brunt of Nick Saban giving you the eye and having a few choice words after I asked him a question he wasn't pleased to be asked.

It was both a time in my life that made me want to crawl under my chair in the press room, yet it was also a valued memory.

So, let me start by saying in case coach Saban reads this, no, I do not feel qualified to offer you advice, and this advice is exactly worth what you paid for it, nothing.

But in talking to fans, there are some tips out there that they wish you would consider.

So, in no particular order, here it is...

1) Learn to Smile a Little More

Coach, you are the best college coach in football today. You have one of the best pay plans and you're in the hunt for another national title.

So why can't you smile a little more?

My wife and the other ladies say it's a doozie when you do it. I can't remember—it's been so long.

2) Stop This Rotating QB Talk

Coach, we like our heroes. We want to have one QB be the guy in the white hat that slays the bad guys.

We want to keep the other two prepared, but only in mop-up duty.

We like consistency and stability. One quarterback can give us that.

Decide early and stick with your choice.

3) Can We Just Develop a Left Tackle and Not Move Barrett Jones?

At his best, Barrett Jones would be an adequate left tackle on the offensive line. He just lacks the size and reach that a real SEC left tackle should have.

But he's an all world guard.

Put him back at guard and develop one of those big 6'6'' monsters you've recruited into the left tackle they will someday become.

Just do it now.

4) Stretch the Field More This Year

Last year, Greg McElroy led the nation in bomb competition percentage, yet you often went for long periods without letting him turn one loose.

With speedy Maze and a host of young speedsters on the bench, why not turn your QB loose a little more this year?

It could only help the running game in the long run.

5) More Blitz Packages, Please!

Last year the Alabama team simply did not get the job done in the sack department. With the defensive secondary being so ready this year and able to cover almost anyone in a one-on-one basis, turn loose some more blitzes this year.

Throw in more safety blitzes and stunts, whatever it takes, but work on getting more sacks this year.

6) Why Not Throw in Some Dual Back Plays on Offense

Last year you had Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson and yet never had them line up in the backfield together.

Can you imagine the fear in the eyes of the defense you could have caused?

Well this year you have the chance for a re-do.

Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy are two guys who could pull that off. Plus, seeing these miss-a-tackle-and-they're-gone kind of runners in the backfield with teeth-rattling Jalston Fowler would be equally fun.

It would leave defenders wondering, "Are they going to run it past us or just right down our throat?" I believe that combination would freak out many a defensive coordinator and defensive team member.

Why not try it?

7) Put Coach Bobby Williams on Notice.

Javier Arenas and Leigh Tiffin did much to hide the fact that the special teams at Alabama haven't been very special for a while now.

The fact they finished 67th in the nation in the kicking game, have had way too many penalties on kick and punt returns and have given up way too much yardage to opponents in kickoff and punt returns (and shank way too many punts) should be more than enough to place coach Bobby Williams on notice that this is the year he picks it up or packs it up.

Yes, I know he's your old friend and he's coached for you at lots of stops, but can you ask yourself honestly if this is the best you can do for this team?

And That's It!

I may have to wear sunglasses and a hat and sit on the back row at the next press conference for writing this, but I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what advice you'd like to give coach Saban if you had the chance.

Larry Burton is a Syndicated Writer whose work appears on the Internet and in print. If you'd like to keep up with all his articles, follow him on Twitter and sign up as a fan on his Bio Page.

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