Nick Saban Wants to Reach 'Level of Consistency' Between Quarterbacks and Receivers

The Alabama head coach saw too many drops from the wide receivers during the Crimson Tide's first fall scrimmage Saturday.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It's no secret that Alabama will be breaking in a new player at quarterback with Bryce Young off to the NFL. However, who that starting quarterback is going to be, is being guarded like a secret

One fall scrimmage in the books, and Alabama head coach Nick Saban doesn't seem to be any closer to naming a guy. 

Earlier in fall camp, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees mentioned that all five scholarship quarterbacks have been getting reps at practice, and Saban said they all got reps during Saturday's scrimmage.

"I’m not a stats guy, so we’re not interested in what their statistics were," Saban said after the scrimmage. "We are going to 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? Are 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.”

Overall, it's challenging for Saban to at scrimmages if a good play for the offense means it was actually a good play, or if it just means that it was a poor play by the defense and vice versa. 

One issue that plagued Alabama on offense last season was drops at receiver. This week, senior wide receiver Jermaine Burton said each player has to take initiative on his own outside of practice to get in reps to reduce drops. 

"Staying after practice, doing whatever it takes," Burton said Thursday. "Getting on the jugs machine. Doing drills with the weighted two-pound ball. A lot of Stuff like that. Mainly repetition of it. Catching, catching, catching. You’re not going to get all the catches you need in practice. It’s up to you to stay after practice and get the good amount of catches you need."

According to Saban, it was a problem for the Alabama receivers Saturday. However, it wasn't all bad news at the position as the receivers and quarterbacks continue to work on developing chemistry. 

"They made some good plays today, too," Saban said.  "I think that we had some guys make some really good catches. I think quarterbacks made some really good throws at times. But what is the level of consistency?

“I mean, if you're a receiver, why do they call you a receiver? You’re supposed to be able to catch the ball, right? That’s what receiver means. So you should never drop the ball, and that’s something we’ve got to stay focused on.”

Saban has already made it clear that whoever starts at quarterback week one won't necessarily be the quarterback all season, but the offense has three weeks to keep building that chemistry at practice before the team opens the season against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 2. 

See also:

What Both Sides of the Ball Have Seen from Alabama QB Competition

Scenes from Alabama Football's Friday Practice

How Alabama is Working to Minimize Penalties at Practice