Alabama Football Stuff (injury updates, quotes, etc.) - October 20th

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Since he arrived at Alabama, it has been widely known that Jacob Coker possessed a cannon for an arm. But in the Crimson Tide's recent games, dating back the Ole Miss contest, Coker has revealed a second weapon in his arsenal.

Coker has morphed into a bit of a dual-threat at the quarterback position, using his legs to make plays, pick up first downs and even punish opposing defenders. In seven games, Coker has only amassed 103 yards on the ground, but that includes the yards he's lost on sacks. The senior has averaged five carries per game and has found the end zone twice.

In Alabama's SEC games, Coker absorbed some hard hits instead of sliding, which is customary for quarterbacks. Saturday against the Aggies, the 6-foot-5, 232-pound quarterback reeled off a couple of tough runs that ended with contact.

"He's a tough guy," Saban said. "What, do you want him to run out of bounds? Well, I'm just telling you, sometimes I wish he wouldn't take the hits, aight. But I kind of like the other team's reaction when he does that. Does it bother you when Derrick Henry does it? It doesn't bother me. I kind of like it when he runs over them.

"It's the personality of the player. Jake's a tough, competitive guy, he's a big, physical guy. He's getting better and better every week, aight. So I don't want to take his aggressiveness away because we're fearful something bad's gonna happen. I just don't coach that way."

But Saban isn't the only one that enjoys seeing Coker truck defenders. His defensive teammates like it, too.

"We love it," linebacker Reggie Ragland said. "Anytime he takes off out there, he takes the hits and gets back up. We call him a baby Roethlisberger. Anytime he does that, like, that gets guys on the team (hyped up) 'cause we'll be backed up, probably like third and 10, he takes off and then gets the first down. The guys on the sideline see that and its gets us all hyped up more and more, and the guys in the locker room love it since he started making plays like that. It helps us out."

Nicknames like that have floated around the Crimson Tide's locker room since Coker decided to unveil his hidden ability to run the football. When he spoke to reporters, he said one that stood out to him the most was "Vanilla Vick."

"I don't know, it is what it is," Coker said Monday afternoon to local reporters. "These guys are coming up with some pretty creative nicknames for me. ... It's getting out of hand."

Coker also pointed out he isn't the only player on the team that has embarrassed an opponent this season. Henry has done it on a series-by-series basis in his 152 attempts, 901 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns through seven games.

"I think everybody does get a little excited, but at the same time, when Derrick breaks off a long run and starts drilling people, it's the same attitude," Coker said. "It's always good to see guys that really just care about the team and do everything they can to get first downs, touchdowns, just win the game."

Coker quickly denied the crown for the most bulldozing runs on the team in favor of the 6-foot-3, 242-pound tailback.

"He's got me, that's for sure," Coker said of Henry. "That dude's an animal."

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