By Hunter Ford

Nick Saban says he will play both Jake Coker and Blake Sims at quarterback this week against Florida Atlantic, but he doesn’t feel obligated to map out his strategy with the media.

When he met the press Monday, Saban said he was still formulating a plan to play both quarterbacks.

“But when I figure it out, I’m probably not going to tell you (the media),” he said.  “And I don’t know that it’s that important, to be honest with you.”

In his Wednesday morning SEC coaches teleconference, Saban elaborated a little on the importance of playing both signal callers.

“First of all, we still have a competition at the position, so it gives us an opportunity to evaluate how guys play in a game,” Saban said.  “We already know how Blake Sims played, and I thought he played fairly well.”

Sims completed 24 of 33 passes for 250 yards, one interception and no touchdowns.  He also had a long pass which was dropped by an open receiver.  Coker took the game’s final snaps, handing off to run out the clock.

Saban said it is important to have a capable second option at quarterback, no matter who starts.

“Regardless of how the whole quarterback situation works out long term, you always want to have another guy that’s ready to go in the game if something happens to the first guy, whoever that might be,” Saban said.

Cornerback Eddie Jackson should be able to play Saturday, although Saban said he doesn’t want to push him to hard.

“He (Jackson) has done well.  I feel like we’ll play him some in the game, some kind of way, trying to ease him into what he has to do to become a player at his position, which I think he is totally capable of,” Saban said.

Linebacker Trey DePreist will be available to play Saturday.  Saban said DePreist’s absence in the West Virginia game caused “a little confusion” for the defense in attempting to deal with the Mountaineer’s version of the hurry-up-no huddle attack.

The Crimson Tide will play all of its September games at Bryant-Denny Stadium.  After Florida Atlantic, Alabama will face Southern Miss on September 13, and the Florida Gators on September 20.  Alabama plays its first road game at Ole Miss on October 4.

 

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