Nick Saban's Points of Emphasis Between First and Second Scrimmage of Spring

Saban said there are three things that Alabama has been working on since its first scrimmage last Friday.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama Football will hold its second scrimmage of the spring on Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

On Wednesday, head coach Nick Saban said that there are three points of emphasis from the first scrimmage to now.

"Really getting the guys to sustain, to finish," Saban said. "Better effort to finish plays, better effort to maintain your intensity whether it's during the play, the next play or the 50th play. […] That also leads into mental errors. We've got to eliminate mental errors. Too many times guys aren't doing what they're supposed to do and it leads to negative plays. So we're constantly trying to teach guys cause and effect."

With mental errors comes penalties.

"It's been a big emphasis for us this spring to eliminate penalties," Saban said. "Whether it's jumping offsides, illegal motion — half of our penalties have been pre or post snap. They don't happen during the play. Those things can all be eliminated if we can have a little bit of discipline, a little bit of focus."

Saban has been very consistent in saying that he wants to see things cleaned up, but it's spring football — that's normal. He's also been very consistent in saying that he's pleased with the progress his team is making in his 17th season in Tuscaloosa.

"The last two days of practice I thought the intensity has been good, I think the spirit has been good," Saban said. "I like the spirit of the team."

Saturday will mark the second scrimmage of spring practice. Everything is leading up to the annual A-Day game on April 22 — a week from Saturday.

See Also:

Where Alabama Players Landed in FanNation's 2023 NFL Mock Draft

Report: Bryce Young Conducting Top-30 Visit with Houston Texans

2023 NFL Draft Profile: Alabama Linebacker Jaylen Moody