Saban wants players to tap internal energy
September 07, 2008
Monday’s story in the Eagle is about the offensive problems in Saturday’s uncomfortable 20-6 victory over Tulane.
Alabama coach Nick Saban got on a roll after the game about the team not playing to its capabilities. Here’s part of what he said.
“We won, it’s great to be 2-0, but certainly if we don’t make progress we’re not going to be the kind of football team I think we can be. And the goal we have is to play to our capabilities. If we can do that, we’ll succeed as coaches and we’ll be a better team.”
The coach was asked about the team apparently playing to its opponent.
“I’m a little frustrated that we can’t seem to get that the way we’d like to get it. It comes from trying to have an attitude, a desire, a determination, whatever you want to call it, to play to your capabilities, to be the best you can be. So you’re not very easily satisfied. We seem to be too easily satisfied. And always looking for, ‘Well, we played well, so do we still have to practice hard, do we still have to do all this stuff?’
“Well, doing all this stuff is what got you where you are. It’s why we play physical.”
Saban said it’s not a physical lack of effort.
“It’s a mindset, too,” he said. “The biggest lack of enthusiasm on that field tonight came from a lack of intensity, which comes from mental energy, which comes from your commitment, your desire, to do something. And we didn’t have the kind of mental energy that we need. And it’s not really emotional. It really is internal in terms of who you are.”
Alabama has shown us the dramatic range at which it can play. On the high end, Alabama can beat anyone on its schedule. Anyone.
On the low end, Alabama has one remaining opponent that, on paper, would not be as good as Tulane. That’s this week against Western Kentucky. Every other opponent will require better execution, greater effort and more passion than the Tide gave Saturday night.
