Nick Saban cites ânegative rat poison,â calls JC Latham saying Alabama disrespected âtrueâ
Nick Saban said Wednesday that offensive lineman JC Latham’s statements regarding the Alabama Crimson Tide being disrespected are “true,” but also takes responsibility.
Saban, not long after speaking at SEC media days in Nashville, joined the SEC Network where Paul Finebaum asked Saban his reaction to his player’s comment earlier in the morning.
“I think it’s true,” Saban replied. “We lost the national championship game two years ago. We didn’t make the playoffs last year. I didn’t think our team sort of played in certain portions of games to end games – on the road at Tennessee and LSU – like we needed to be able to have a chance to be successful. It’s disappointing, and I take responsibility for that.”
The Alabama coach did point out things like goals and expectations can be used as forms of motivation, coining the phrase “negative rat poison.”
“I do think sometimes expectations affect players in a negative way in terms of creating some complacency, which is a challenge to overcome,” he explained. “Sometimes when you get a little ‘negative rat poison’ I call it. It actually creates a little hunger and makes players want to prove something.
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“So, hopefully, that scenario of proving something helps motivates us throughout the season.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Latham held nothing back when talking about the upcoming season.
“Disrespectful,” Latham said. “I don’t appreciate that at all understanding that … I know this group. We’re going to win it all. We’re going to national championship, undefeated, Joe Moore (Award) and I want that Outland (Award) so it’s just every day is set in stone and everybody in the group, we’ve got leaders and a great spirit to the team so we know we are capable of doing it and know we’re capable of being great.”
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.