Paul Finebaum knows Alabama can’t be a work in progress and perfect at the same time, so why did he say it?

Actually, he didn’t.

The SEC Network analyst, who joined me on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 on Thursday, hilariously explained how his “perfect” quote was taken out of context during a Thursday appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up.”

“What happened yesterday is I was on with (Mike) Greenberg,” he explained. “Something got in my throat, and I was having a hard time talking, so I got a drink of water. When they came back to me, I said, ‘Everything’s perfect now,’ and they thought I was talking about Alabama.”

As you can see, it is easy to see how the mistake could be made.

Finebaum said, “Nothing will make me feel better than talking about Bama being back.”

Then he said, “See? Everything is perfect again.”

The issue was the video circulating on social media doesn’t show Finebaum coughing, and his delivery was so polished there was no pause. Therefore, people assumed he was talking about Alabama when saying everything is perfect when, in fact, he was talking about his ability to talk.

Finebaum, who said Alabama is in good shape considering where it was four weeks ago, laughed at the idea of being taken out of context.

“By no means can you say they are a work in progress, and they are perfect at the same time,” he said. “I know that doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

He will, however, put a positive spin on Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide.

“I feel really good about Alabama, but I think some of it is we’re grading Alabama on the curve right now,” Finebaum explained. “This is no longer Alabama vs. perfection. This is Alabama vs. where we know they are. It’s a flawed team, but it’s still a very good team that can go a long way.”

Check out the full interview on WNSP.

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.