Nick Saban stresses red zone improvement for Alabama

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama coach Nick Saban said the Crimson Tide’s list of improvement areas starts with the red zone — on both sides of the ball.

“LSU was 2-for-2 both times they got down there and we have not been as productive as we would like, in terms of scoring touchdowns in the red zone,” Saban said this week.

Offensively, Alabama ranks sixth in the SEC in the red zone overall, scoring on 34-of-39 trips inside an opponent’s 20-yard line. However, the Tide’s touchdown rate is 16-for-39 in the red zone. That 41 percent rate is 11th in the league, ahead of only Vanderbilt.

“I was very pleased with the way we played offense, but again, it’s finishing drives,” Saban said. “It’s sort of like shooting yourself in the foot. ... We get 12 guys in the huddle. That’s really not something that the other team is doing.”

Defensively, only Florida (15) has given up fewer red-zone opportunities than Alabama’s 16 chances. The Tide is fourth in the red zone overall, as opponents have scored on 12 of 16 trips inside the 20. Alabama has given up seven touchdowns in those 16 trips. That 44 percent rate is sixth in the league.

Saban said schematically there isn’t a problem, but the devil is in the details.

“I just think its consistency in performance, better communication, better execution and a little more discipline in what we’re doing,” the coach said. “I think those little things will help us get better results.”

Cody named a Lombardi finalist: Senior nose tackle Terrence Cody is one of four national finalists for the Lombardi Award, given each year to the nation’s top interior lineman or linebacker.

“It means a lot,” Cody said following Tuesday’s practice. “Not a lot of guys get picked for an award like this. I’m real happy to be in the top four. It’s a blessing. I’m really representing our team because you don’t get honors like this unless you have success as a team.”

The other finalists are defensive linemen. They include end Jerry Hughes of TCU, end Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma and tackle Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska.
Andre Smith was a finalist last season. Former Tide linebacker Cornelius Bennett is the only Alabama player to win the Lombardi Award.

Rain forces Tide inside: Alabama practiced for two hours in full pads Tuesday in the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility as the Tide prepares for Saturday’s road game at Mississippi State.

Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Ida forced the team inside.

“We’ve been having good practices this week,” right guard Barrett Jones said after Tuesday’s practice. “They bring a lot of looks at us, and that’s something we have really been working on this week.”

Julio heats up: Sophomore Julio Jones has become more than a decoy in the past two weeks.

Jones, a freshman All-American, gave Alabama the lead over LSU with a 73-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

But the sophomore from Foley caught a key first down on a later scoring drive that provided the clinching points.

In the last two games, against LSU and Tennessee, Jones has caught 11 passes for 156 yards.

“I’ve just been patient all year, and I knew I was going to get the ball sooner or later,” Jones said.

Saban said he never sensed Jones was pressing.

“I think that in Julio’s case, he was hurt and missed two games and probably came back and played in two games and wasn’t maybe 100 percent,” the coach said.

“I think sometimes y’all create expectations for guys that they can’t live up to. And I think it’s unfair. I really do. Guys are 18, 19 years old. They’re college students; they’re supposed to be going to college. They’re not pros; they’re not getting paid.”

Saban said he would tell any player not to get bogged down in expectations.

“It is probably difficult for them at times, but I think they have to understand that the most important thing is to focus on playing well, focus on the thing that’s going to help you play well and get all of the other stuff out of your head,” he said. “Become very result oriented and sometimes you lose focus on how to get the results. That’s really not the best way to get them.”

Dale County chapter fund-raiser: The Dale County chapter of the Alabama Alumni Association is sponsoring a Beat Auburn pep rally on Nov. 16 at the Perry Recreation Center in Ozark.

Kids of all ages can have their pictures taken with Big Al and the Alabama cheerleaders.

The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 7. Cost of the evening is $10 for adults and children 11 and older; $5 for children 6 to 10. Children 5 and under are free.

All Bama fans are welcome. Proceeds go to Alabama scholarships for Dale County students.

For information, call Annette at (334) 774-3501 or Ronald at (334) 774-9460.