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Coach Saban Addresses The Media
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban addressed the media Wednesday night concerning this Saturday's match up between the 13th-ranked Crimson Tide and the No. 8/6 Georgia Bulldogs.
Saban spoke of the work the team has been putting in this week getting ready to face the highest ranked team they've met so far this season. He said the players are working very hard this week.
Concerning quarterback Jake Coker, who will be the starter, Saban said, "I think the key thing with Jake is to play with the right passion and energy and not get affected by external factors, and just focus on that he has to do on that particular play...make the right reads. He's very capable of making all the plays he needs to make, so it comes down to mindset and focus."
In earlier games, and even in earlier practices this season, Coker seemed a little hesitant. He also had a tendency to pre-plan the target to whom he'd be throwing the ball and follow that player instead of allowing coverage and availability of the receivers dictate the throws. Many times that comes about from insecurity issues. But concerning Coker's confidence at this point, Saban said, "I think Jake is getting more and more confident."
Concerning six dropped passes that should have been caught in last week's win over ULM, Saban said holding onto passes had to improve. With starting wide receiver Robert Foster out with a season-ending injury against Ole Miss, perhaps something else may be needed. He mentioned that cornerback Cyrus Jones may be a possibility, that using him at wide receiver is "something that we've discussed and certainly...probably have to consider in the future."
It will be important for Coker to make better decisions this week on ball placement. The tendency to throw behind receivers has been improving, but could be devastating against a defense like Georgia's. Saban said, "They've been a very aggressive secondary." Receivers will have to run good routes and hold onto the ball when it gets to them.
Saban complimented some of the Georgia offensive players, saying that wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell was a really good player, and that running back Sony Michel was a multi-dimensional threat can could not only run but could be split out wide and make plays as a receiver.
And a bit of good news on the injury-front in that Saban says no new injuries have occurred since Monday.
All-in-all Saban said this week's contest with the Bulldogs would be a challenge and a test for Alabama, but that he believes in this team.
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Tide Works On Game Plan For 'Dogs
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Wednesday afternoon was another two-hour practice day for the University of Alabama football team. Bama worked out in full pads yesterday on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.
The 13th-ranked Crimson Tide travels to Athens, Georgia for a game with the 8th/6th team in the country, the Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs possess both an offense and defense that will try the Tide. Offensively Bama will have to cut out the interceptions and fumbles in order to put the needed points on the board. The Tide offensive line will have to keep the Georgia defense out of the backfield in order for the quarterback to have time to make the necessary decisions and execute the plays.
Quarterbacks were working to improve on roll-outs during part of practice yesterday. Also seen during the viewing period was work on some deep throws.
Practicing for their third consecutive day following injuries were defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (shoulder injury) and safety Jabriel Washington (knee injury). Both will be needed this week and thus far are a go.
Quarterbacks were working to improve on roll-outs during part of practice yesterday. Also seen during the viewing period was work on some deep throws.
Practicing for their third consecutive day following injuries were defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (shoulder injury) and safety Jabriel Washington (knee injury). Both will be needed this week and thus far are a go.
Alabama and Georgia meet this Saturday in Sanford Stadium, with an air time of 2:30 pm CT on CBS and a kickoff scheduled for 2:39 pm. Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce will be making the call.
This will be the 67th meeting between the two national powers, but Alabama holding a 37-25-4 series advantage, as well as a 14-10 advantage in Athens. The Tide's most recent win over the 'Dogs was the SEC championship game in 2012, which Bama won 32-28 before going on to win the National Championship.
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2016 UA Football Commitments
This is the complete list of the 18 University of Alabama football commitments for 2016 class as of September 30, 2015.
- T.J. Simmons, WR (6' 2", 185 lbs), Clay-Chalkville High School, Pinson, Ala.*
- Deonte Brown, OL (6' 3", 330 lbs), Austin High, Decatur, Ala.*
- Riley Cole, LB (6' 3", 210lbs), Oneonta High Schol, Oneonta, Ala.*
- Quinnen Williams, DL (6' 4", 265 lbs), Wenonah High School, Birmingham, Ala.*
- Shawn Jennings S (6'2", 218 lbs.), Dadeville High School, Dadeville, Ala.*
- Chris Owens, OL (6' 3", 312 lbs), Lamar High, Arlington, Texas
- Raekwon Davis, DT (6' 7", 315 lbs), Meridian High, Meridian, Miss.
- Jonah Williams, OL (6' 5", 283 lbs), Folsom High, Folsom, Calif.
- Brendan Scales, TE (6' 4", 230 lbs), Lafayette, Ballwin, Mo.
- Joshua Perry, DB (6' 3", 190 lbs), Amite High, Amite, La.
- Kendell Jones, DT (6' 4", 360 lbs), Shoemaker High, Killeen, Texas
- Charles Baldwin, OL (6' 5", 305 lbs), ASA College, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Jalen Hurts, QB (6' 2", 208lbs), Channelview High, Channelview, Texas
- Jaquan Yulee, LB (6' 0", 252 lbs), Indian River High, Chesapeake, Va.
- Eddy Pineiro, K (6' 1", 180 lbs), ASA College, Miami, Fla.
- Miller Forristall, TE (6' 5", 220lbs), Cartersville High School, Cartersville, Ga.
- Khalid Kareem, DE (6' 4", 260 lbs), Harrison High School, Farmington, Mich.
- B.J. Emmons, RB (5' 10", 232 lbs), Freedom High School, Morganton, N.C.
*In-state commitments
