[Goose]

The old Saban would have had the fire to make sure his center could snap the ball and never would have tolerated all the flaws of this year’s team. 

You are correct. However, the "old" Saban operated in a system where he had a second string composed of 4 and 5 start athletes. They were stuck there. They couldn't leave. If the first string guy had "flaws" a second string replacement that was also all world was available. Lots easier to fix things when you have the horses. Today, lots of those second stringers jump in the portal. They aren't willing to "wait their turn" and they don't have to. Yes, this affects Saban a lot. He is used to a world where he always has better personnel than the opponents and that only a very few schools can compete with his guys. Not as true today.

[Goose]

The old Saban would have had the fire to make sure his center could snap the ball and never would have tolerated all the flaws of this year’s team. 

You are correct. However, the "old" Saban operated in a system where he had a second string composed of 4 and 5 start athletes. They were stuck there. They couldn't leave. If the first string guy had "flaws" a second string replacement that was also all world was available. Lots easier to fix things when you have the horses. Today, lots of those second stringers jump in the portal. They aren't willing to "wait their turn" and they don't have to. Yes, this affects Saban a lot. He is used to a world where he always has better personnel than the opponents and that only a very few schools can compete with his guys. Not as true today.