What Nick Saban said about Alabama's passing game after Scrimmage 1
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama held its first of two preseason scrimmages Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Following the 2-hour workout, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban provided his thoughts on the 3-player competition at quarterback during the game-like practice.
“Look, everybody got reps today at quarterback,” Saban said. “I’m not a stats guy, so we’re not interested in what their statistics were. We are gonna be interested when we watch the film in how did they execute? Did they throw the ball to the right place at the right time? Were they accurate in what they did? Did they take care of the ball so that we have a chance to play winning football at that position?
“And that’s what we’ll be evaluating. So if you ask me a question about it, that’s the answer I’m gonna give you.”
Three players are currently competing for Alabama’s starting quarterback position as the start of the 2023 season inches closer. Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner are the Tide’s three contenders behind center, and as Saban said, they all received reps with the first-team offense in the first of two fall scrimmages – the next scheduled one week from now on Aug. 19.
Alabama doesn’t release stats after its closed scrimmages, but in his opening statement, Saban said the Tide “still had drops at receiver.” That was an issue for Alabama’s wideouts last season and in the spring game and something veterans like Ja’Corey Brooks and Jermaine Burton said has been a point of emphasis for the group, which has gotten extra work after practice.
Asked specifically about Alabama’s receiver, Saban touched on the passing game as a whole.
“We made some good plays today, too,” Saban said. “I think we had some guys make really good catches. I think the quarterbacks made some really good throws at times. But what is the level of consistency? If you’re a receiver, why do they call you a receiver? You’re supposed to be able to catch the ball, right? I mean, that’s what receiver means. So you should never drop a ball, and that’s something that we’ve gotta stay focused on.”
Alabama will have Sunday, Aug. 13, off before resuming fall practice Monday, Aug. 14.
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