Da 'Fins said:This is a good point. The real key to practicing is teaching/learning. You do need a degree of hitting and pad work to get used to the physicality of the game, but that can easily come in 2-3 weeks.
The main thing is to get them functioning as units (OL, QB-WR's; RB/OL; defense as a whole; etc). That's very much a mental part. If they can be focused and efficient - as Saban seems to be good at - I think they will avoid a lot of that fatigue.
Definitely. And you hear Saban talk a whole lot about "teaching" period. So we should feel safe in expecting such changes IMO.
This guy knows what he's doing. He's got a lot of things figured out that many other NFL coaches don't. You just get the impression that this guy has considered "everything" when it comes to different aspects of the game and his football team.
Saving players (wear and tear)
Unpredictability
Aggression
Preparedness
Adjustment
These are things we're not used to seeing around here. And yet they are absolute staples in the Saban handbook. Not since Shula have we had a coach with this kind of reputation as a teacher and coach. Plus, this guy is a helluva motivator and talent evaluator.
We're really high this guy right now, partially due to the ineptitude we just got finished with. Things could certainly change once the team starts losing games in the fall (and we will, it's a transition year). But Saban has the long-term in mind. He's set on building a team that contends year in and year out. So it's going to take a year or two to build that foundation. But I've got confidence in this guy. A whole lot of it. I can't wait for this thing to get rolling. :)