Tide Tidbits - September 8, 2008

Inconsistent play frustrates Saban
It's not like Alabama played a horrible game, at least not by recent standards. Then again, that's what Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban is trying to change. "I'm a little frustrated," Saban said. "We seem to be too easily satisfied. And always looking for, 'Well, we played well, so do we still have to practice hard, do we still have to do all this stuff?' Well, doing all this stuff is what got you where you are."

Grant forgotten man on UA offense
The sophomore tailback, who set freshman records for rushing yards and touchdowns in 2007 as the starting tailback, was left out of the game plan in the opening week because the strategy was to run straight at the Clemson defense. On Saturday against Tulane, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Grant's omission was the result of a lethargic offense that forced the coaching staff to abandon the game plan.

NCAA Football, Week 2
Q is for Quizzical. Alabama followed up its hypetacular erasure of Clemson with ... a whimper. John Parker Wilson didn’t even pass for 100 yards, and the Tide didn’t score an offensive TD until the third quarter and was outgained by Tulane while only gaining 11 first downs. This would be troubling if Nick Saban hadn’t planned it this way to stifle meteoric expectations, which he totally did. All part of the plan, Tide fans.

Alabama coach Nick Saban still searching for consistency during tenure in Tuscaloosa
When Nick Saban was brought to Tuscaloosa, it was hoped — indeed, assumed by many — that he would give Alabama the kind of consistency it once took for granted under Bear Bryant and Gene Stallings. Teams led by Bryant and Stallings typically beat those they were supposed to beat.

Special teams save Tide in uninspiring home opener
It's hard to tell which moment left the sellout crowd of 92,138 at Bryant-Denny Stadium more breathless Saturday night. The 13 seconds it took Javier Arenas to navigate 87 yards for Alabama's first touchdown against Tulane, or the 180 seconds he spent flat on his back in the third quarter after being knocked silly by the Green Wave's Jordan Ellis.

Roll Tide!