SEC Media Days: A Quiet Day for Nick Saban
By Chris Hale
Wednesday was the day of SEC Media Days that Alabama fans were waiting on with Coach Nick Saban and the Tide players kicking off the day in the morning session.
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It was time for the defending College Football Playoff National Champions to take the stage at SEC Media Days. If you were looking for Coach Saban to lay down the law at the podium, it didn’t happen.
Saban made his opening statement and then took questions from the media. Not one person ask a question about the Cam Robinson and Laurence “Hootie” Jones situation and they also left off any questions concerning former Tide defensive line coach Bo Davis. There was a question about how does Lane Kiffin make Saban a better coach. That one was a head scratcher.
.@AlabamaFTBL at the #SECMD16 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/jWSznzgmFh
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) July 13, 2016
The crew as they appeared in Hoover. Looking sharp, men.
Nick Saban: "It's exciting to come here, it's exciting to see you." Thanks, coach. #SECMD16
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) July 13, 2016
Saban always tells the media it’s good to be at SEC Media Days. They even got a shout out at the end for everything they do.
Players report August 3 and practice begins on August 4, Saban says.
— TideSports.com (@TideSports) July 13, 2016
This might be the best tweet you see all day. Practice is in sight and getting closer every day.
Saban: I'm going to sit up here and very seriously talk about our team and everything I say about our team you've already written about.
— John Zenor (@jzenor) July 13, 2016
He certainly did that. I don’t think he really raised his voice the whole time.
Saban: "Somebody has to win that (QB) job, somebody has to win the team. That hasn’t necessarily happened yet."
— George Schroeder (@GeorgeSchroeder) July 13, 2016
If you are looking for quarterback news, that will wait to fall camp like normal.
Saban: "This is the first time we haven't had an experienced RB that's proven himself. ... We've always had one of those guys coming back."
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) July 13, 2016
They may not have in-game experience, but there are some beasts waiting to go.
Saban says the diversity of the 2015 personnel was "almost perfect" for what you need in college football today. Not sure they have that now
— TideSports.com (@TideSports) July 13, 2016
That may be a hint that it could be tough sledding against the hurry-up offenses.
Nick Saban asked about Ole Miss losses: "We're going to have to do a better job of eliminating big plays so they don't score so many points"
— TideSports.com (@TideSports) July 13, 2016
I would like to see a major reduction in third and long to make it easier for cardiac issues.
Saban on OJ Howard: "Improved as a blocker; fabulous receiver with great hands and speed to stretch the field." #SECMD16
— Maybe: Jane (@Because_Jane) July 13, 2016
Maybe this means there will be more O.J. Howard sightings this season.
Saban asked about depth of front seven last year: "I don't think we have that depth this year."
— Ben Jones (@BW_Jones) July 13, 2016
Saban said Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson and Rashaan Evans are going to have to be key players this fall in bigger roles. #SECMD16
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) July 13, 2016
must read: Bama Bucket List—25 Things All Crimson Tide Fans Must Do
We will have some more updates on Alabama at SEC Media Days.