Nick Saban is already in mid-season form as it concerns his disdain for the press, which is currently trying to get a feel for the team’s quarterback competition between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa.
Making things a bit more complicated, during the first spring practice for the Alabama football program, Tagovailoa suffered an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand, which is certainly a cause for concern. After all, this is a player many expect to take over as the starter in 2018 based on how he came into the national title game and sparked a huge comeback win for the Crimson Tide.
So, naturally, Saban was asked about this situation, and how Tagovailoa’s injury could effect it.
“I know that every time I stand up here, you all are going to try to make something out of it that it isn’t,” Saban said, per Cecil Hurt of Tide Sports. “It’s two good players that both can contribute to our team and we are going to give them both an opportunity to do that. They’ve been great with each other, they’ve been great for each other. They’ve both shown leadership to our team. They’re both important to our team.
“I know y’all want me to make something up that really isn’t there so you can make a big deal out of this, but it’s a competition just like it is at every other position.”
Never change, coach.
Thankfully, there’s some good news being reported for Alabama fans, Tagovailoa and the program as a whole.
“I talked to some people over there. There was concern initially; I know there was some swelling,” ESPN’s Chris Low said during an appearance on WJOX 94.5 FM radio program The Roundtable. “The latest information I have is he is going to be out for part of the spring, but they do expect him back before the spring is over. So, we’ll see, I know he was getting checked out today. Sometimes, that can be a fluid situation. I don’t think it’s one of those situations where he could miss, now things can change, the entire spring. We’ll see how it all plays out.”
For now, Jalen Hurts will obviously benefit from the added reps he’ll receive as the starting quarterback while Tagovailoa remains out of commission.
But assuming the news about Tagovailoa continues to be positive, we should get to see a legitimate competition for this ever-important position throughout the summer. Which should only lead to more questions from the media, prompting more fiery responses from Saban.