What Saban Said To The Media On Monday
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| Alabama head coach Nick Saban addressing the press Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
It's bye week for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. Well, the players, but not the coaches. The coaches are already preparing the the matchup with the LSU Tigers coming up in just under two weeks. None of the coaches are working any harder than Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, as is expected.
The so-called bye week begins with a press briefing as well as a speaking engagement on Monday in Birmingham to the Birmingham Quarterback Club. Saban met with reporters to discuss last weeks game, the season overall, injuries and a look ahead.
Saban said that it's "probably a good time for us to have a little bit of a break," when speaking of the eight consecutive games the Crimson Tide has played, most of them away games for that matter, and the past four being like a murder's row. He said that the latest four games were tough "probably mentally and physically."
Now it's time to put the past behind, because Saban said they really can't afford to think about the past in any manner with a month like November coming up. (The Crimson Tide still has some tough contests coming up, the least of which is not the LSU Tigers, the next team Bama must face. Or, of course, the resurgent Auburn Tigers, hated in-state rivals, begin a run up the national polls with some eye-opening victories.)
Concerning replacing injured Eddie Jackson (broken leg), Saban said they still really haven't fully determined how the senior will be replaced in the lineup. Meetings are being held with coaches and players to discuss that very situation. He did say, however, that "Eddie will be fine," and the injury won't impact his career moving forward.
Saban addressed the non-offense touchdown streak that Bama currently has going. He said that turning turnovers into touchdowns is "something you probably don't expect." Saban mentioned that to be able to score a touchdown on turnovers in 10 straight games "illustrates the kind of play-makers we have."
Talking about the hit Alabama freshman linebacker Mack Wilson laid on Texas A&M's Speedy Noil on a kickoff this past week when Gary Danielson and Verne Lunquist kept calling for a targeting penalty, the coach had something to say about it. Saban said, "It was a great hit. I know some people made something about the fact that it was targeting. But it was not an unprotected player. The guy is running with the ball..." (In your face Gary and Verne.)
Saban continued,"We always tell our players that we want you to lower your target and see what you hit, even when you tackle, so we don't get into those situations but that wasn't a foul because it wasn't an unprotected player."
(Incidentally, Noil was examined on the sideline for signs of a concussion after the hit but was cleared and returned to the game.)
Concerning Tony Brown, back and playing after a suspension by the NCAA, Saban said the youngster "is doing fine." Coach said they have been using him at various slots since his return, such as corner, money and star in his secondary position on the defense. He said that Brown's role likely will increase now that Jackson is lost for the remainder of the season.
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Alabama-LSU Kickoff Set For CBS Broadcast
This will be the third consecutive University of Alabama football game to be aired by the network this season, and is scheduled to be a part of a Southeastern Conference doubleheader. The first game is the Arkansas Razorbacks facing the Florida Gators.
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UA Commit VanDarius Cowan Kicked Off H.S. Team
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| Photo Credit: 247Sports |
According to the Post report, Cowan was seen eating on the sidelines, talking to fans away from the bench area and paid little attention to the football game after the coach removed him from this past Thursday night's 12-10 loss.
Not only won't Cowan be playing football for his high school, it is reported that he also won't be allowed to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas scheduled for this next January 7th. However, according to USA Today, Cowan is appealing that ruling.
According to one of Cowan's Twitter tweets, he has talked with the Alabama football coaching staff and says his offer to play for the Crimson Tide still stands
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Crimson Tide Football Coaches Name 9 Outstanding Players
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| 2016 Alabama Football Coaching Staff Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide coaching staff today named nine players as Player of the Week for their outstanding performances in this past Saturday's 22-14 victory over the then-No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies. Bradley Bozeman, Damien Harris and Cam Robinson were honored on offense. For the defense it was Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster and Marlon Humphrey. Rounding out the group are Keith Holcombe, JK Scott, and Mack Wilson representing special teams.
Harris picked up 125 yards rushing, averaging 6.9 yards per carry on nine of 18 carries. Bozeman and Robinson were outstanding on the offensive line.
Allen was honored for the second week in a row, totaling six tackles with three solo stops. The big man, the senior accounted for his second defensive touchdown of the season with a 30-yard scoop-and-score fumble return in the third quarter. He also notched a sack and as well as a career-best four quarterback hurries giving him a team-high 10 for the season. Foster lead the Bama defense with 12 tackles, including eight solo stops, while assisting on a tackle for loss. Humphrey intercepted his second pass of the season, finishing the day with three tackles and a tackle for loss.
Holcombe and Wilson were outstanding on special teams, helping to limit the Aggies to just 2.5 punt return yards. Wilson recorded a couple of monstrous hits on kickoffs making the crowd and television crew gasp and shout in awe. Scott had two punts for 107 yards, his longest being a 60-yarder.
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Jonathan Allen Named SEC Defensive Player Of The Week
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
University of Alabama senior Jonathan Allen was yesterday named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in last Saturday.s Crimson Tide 33-14 victory over the then-No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies.
Allen came up huge all Saturday afternoon. He finished the day with one sack for a loss of eight yards, along with a career-high four quarterback hurries. He totaled six tackles on the day, three of which were solo stops, and added his second defensive score of the season in the process. The big man picked up an Aggie fumble returning it 30 yards for a score late in the third quarter giving the Bama boys a two score cushion.
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