Videos: Alabama Crimson Tide Player Monday Interviews

Before Monday’s practice, a few Alabama Crimson Tide players were made available to the media for interviews. Check out the videos and the highlights from those interviews as the team starts to prepare for this weekend’s game against Florida Atlantic in Bryant Denny Stadium.

Cyrus Jones:

• When Jones made the switch to the side with West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White, he says he was ready for the challenge when it was appointed to him. Says White made great plays and Jones just wanted to see if he could stop him a couple of times.
• Thinks with the first game, you expect mistakes here and there but the defense just needs to move forward and get better as the weeks progress.
• Personal accolades are great but it’s all about the team. Feels great when you get recognized for doing something good (Jones was named a team player of the week) but it’s important to stay humble and just try to improve.
• When you’re a competitor, you don’t look at the team you are playing. Just want to live up to the standard that the team is known for playing.
• Everyone on the defense tries to keep each other on the same page.
• Not having Trey DePriest out there had an effect on the team since he knows the defense so well, just like a coach.
• West Virginia’s pace was quick at the beginning of the game but after the team got rid of the pre-game jitters, things settled down.

Arie Kouandjio:

• Watched the game film but will let the coaches judge on his play. Will focus on the things that he needs to improve on for next week.
• Thinks Blake Sims did a great job. Has some things that he can improve on and knows that Sims will work on those as well as the team.
• Kouandjio on his own game: Doesn’t think he will ever be there or be perfect so he wants to focus on the things he needs to do get better.
• Have to respect Florida Atlantic because any team at any time as the ability to get a win on you.

Jalston Fowler:

• Feels great to get the first game out of the way and was great to be back on the field with his teammates.
• Had a lot of fun just going out and blocking for his team.
• Blake Sims had a great first start. Kept his poise. He earned the start and he worked his butt off and listened to what AJ McCarron had to tell him and to Lane Kiffin.
• Has no worries about Sims if the pocket starts to break down. He has had the ability to escape pressure since high school.
• Asked if he enjoyed going no huddle, he laughs and said he was pretty tired. Coach told him after the game he was going to have to get in better shape. Gave that trademarked Fowler grin, too.
• Enjoyable later in the game when the running game got going. Fowler enjoyed putting people on there back and opening holes for the running backs to run through.