Nick Saban discusses first half of A-Day scrimmage

Alabama’s annual A-Day spring game featured a surprising first half score as the white team, featuring the first-team defense, led 16-0 against the crimson team and the first-team offense. With the only touchdown coming on a pass to Christian Leary, Nick Saban offered his early thoughts on the spring game production from both sides of the ball.

During his halftime interview, Nick Saban spoke at length about the surprising score in the first half of the spring game and what leads to this result.

“The second offense has done a nice job,” said Saban. “The first defense has really good rushers, so with two starters out on the offensive line, they’re having trouble giving Bryce (Young) time. When he’s had time, he’s very done well. That has been the difference in the game so far.”

Saban went on to discuss what he would like to see the rest of the way on Saturday, as more players get their chance to shine in front of the crowd at A-Day.

“I’d like to see a little more consistency in the performance,” said Saban. “Not so many negative plays, not have turnovers, not get sacked and be able to execute a little bit better.”

Nick Saban on quarterbacks

Alabama head coach Nick Saban was hesitant to boast about his confidence in the Crimson Tide’s offensive abilities ahead of the annual A-Day spring game festivities this Saturday, noting their lack of experience as a point of frustration this offseason.

“For us offensively, it’s been a little bit of a work in progress,” Saban admitted. “I think we had five starters back from last year after the four guys went off for the draft, but we had three of those starters that weren’t participating in spring ball due to previous injuries. We had a lot of young players get a lot of opportunities and that was a good thing.”

Thankfully for Saban, Alabama brings in a multitude of blue-chip prospects each recruiting cycle, so the talent is always there, it’s the experience that isn’t, which is why Saban is excited for this season’s annual A-Day spring scrimmage.

“I think it’s going to be great for their development,” Saban said about the spring showcase. “It was always not an ideal situation, in terms of getting the kind of execution that you want in the spring with having that many inexperienced players involved.”

Saban said Bryce Young in particular has been the leader Alabama has needed to guide them through the spring as they look to wash the bad taste of losing the national title game out of their mouth and start fresh heading into summer workouts.