Saban at the podium now...
Saban hopes that we all have had a great summer. "We have certainly had an eventful summer," speaking of his daughter getting married.
Saban isn't happy that NFL draft grades were delivered to juniors on Dec. 15. Said players played not to get hurt, ran out of bounds
Saban: We lost a great ambassador at the university in Kenny Stabler. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Saban: The good news is that there is no news (offseason trouble).
Saban: “The good news at this time of the year is there’s no news.” Says that means players are focused on the season.
Saban: Had a meeting with team yesterday to reiterate how well they're doing this summer -- a lot of positive energy around program.
Saban: “It’s going to be a challenge for our team to reestablish the identity we want to play with.”
Saban says he wants his team to be more physical and more relentless this season. Pretty much saying his team wasn't tough enough at times
Saban: We didn't finish the season the way we wanted.
Saban: "We gave up too many explosive plays on defense and gave up too many points. We need to improve in those areas."
Saban said defense struggled last year because of offense's turnovers and giving up too many explosive plays on defense. Bad combo
Saban: "Especially on offense, we're going to have a lot of new faces. We have some talented players. They don't have a lot of experience."
Saban: On offense, we're going to have a lot of new faces. How rapidly they come together will determine our success.
Saban said we need somebody to take the bull by the horns at quarterback and be assertive and play with confidence
Saban: “We need somebody to take the bull by the horns” at quarterback. “It’s not something we can force. We have to let it happen."
Saban acknowledges that Alabama is going to have a very good front 7 on defense.
Saban: “If we’re going to be a no-huddle team like we were last yr, we have to manage the season better. At end last yr, we ran out of gas."
Saban: Our schedule is very, very difficult.
Saban said kicker Adam Griffith (back) seems to be healthy again.
Saban talking about Alabama's difficult schedule: "In our league you have to look at it like there are 7-8 teams that can beat you"
Saban: I didn't agree with satellite camps, but I'm not really that upset about it.
Saban on confederate flag: Anytime we have a symbol that represents something mean-spirited, I'm not for having that symbol represent us.
Saban on loss of Jalston Fowler: We'll probably go back to tight ends in that role this season.
Saban says that they'll go back to two tight ends more this year. Singles out Ty Smith and O.J. Howard.
Saban asked if he regrets taking Jonathan Taylor. "We don't at all condone domestic violence or violence against women."
Saban says he doesn't condone domestic violence. "This is an emotional issue that's very, very complicated."
Saban: “I think we should be creating as many opportunities to try to solve this problem with young people male and female alike.”
Saban: “I don’t regret giving players opportunities. This is one we gave a player that didn’t work, but he didn’t really get due process"
Saban on Jonathan Taylor: I still do not regret giving a player a chance.
Saban: “It is what it is. He was at zero tolerance, therefore, we moved on. We don’t condone that kind of behavior."
Saban: I think Kenyan Drake has tremendous versatility as a player. He's a fantastic receiver. It's almost easy to create match-ups for him.
Saban said Kenyan Drake is a versatile player, calls him a fantastic receiver. Would be one of the team's top WRs if he played the position.
Saban: You play a lot of specialty defense in the NFL. Pace of play doesn’t allow you to do that in college now.
Saban: “You can’t recruit as many specialty players. You have to be able to match up in all circumstances which is more difficult.”
Saban on scoring in college football: "I don't think that trend is going to change anytime soon."
Saban: "I think the SEC is, still, top-to-bottom, one of the best leagues."
Saban: “Our team chemistry from SEC title game to playoff game was effected by something"
Saban on draft grade timing: “Our team chemistry from the SEC championship game to the playoff game was affected by something.”
Saban hopes that NFL draft grades get pushed back a bit. "It's my obligation to give him that information when I get that information."
Saban: "A rule that says you don't get information to players on draft status until they're (done competing) would be beneficial."
Saban says Jake Coker has done "an outstanding job for us." Says he's improved in all areas but needs to be more consistent
Saban mentions "consistency" as one of Jake Coker's issues. Said team is encouraged by what he's done. He's made "tremendous" progress
Saban says they don't use cost of attendance as a "recruiting tool" but "maybe it will have an impact in the future"
Nick Saban on the playoff, says it's "better for college football" and "better for fans."
Saban: “In SEC playing a team like Auburn, an SEC title game vs. very good team & then CFB Playoff game, your players have to be geared in"
Saban in the TV room...
Saban: "Kenyan Drake has shown us what a true scholar-athlete should be."
Saban on Drake's maturity: "going to graduate in 3.5 years. We're hopeful as a runner & receiver he'll be a tremendous playmaker."
Saban: "we set records last year on offense, but there was something we lost doing that. (Being able to physically dominate opponents).
Saban: "I'm apprehensive about giving up that quality (being team opponent doesn't want to play)."
Saban on Coker: "tough for Jake to make the transition a year ago. He's more confident now. Knows what's expected."
Saban on how he's changed as a coach: "I learn from the players all the time."
Saban: "you have to trust your players. I think that's something I've gotten better at."
Saban: "I learn from the players all the time. I think caring about the players is why I enjoy being a coach."
Saban: "the pressure for me comes from me."
Saban on relaxing: "I still love what I do. The time that I'm away, I manage better. I used to go on vacation and all I did was work."
Saban: "sometimes now I go on vacation now, and don't work all the time." (Change from previous years).