Josh Jacobs reveals the Nick Saban move that continues to help Alabama’s NFL players

The Green Bay Packers they were one of the better teams in the NFC during the 2024 season. Green Bay finished the regular season with an 11-6 record but finished third in the NFC North division standings. The Packers had the hard luck that the Lions won 15 games and the Vikings won 14 games in the same season.

Now the Packers are getting ready for a key Wild Card playoff matchup against the Eagles. Packers running back Josh Jacobs praised his former college coach for preparing him for the spotlight.

Jacobs praised Saban for demanding that from Alabama’s players attend speech and interpersonal communication classes as freshmen. Jacobs believes that helped him and other Alabama players learn how to talk to the media.

“What people don’t know is that Saban made every freshman give a speech, so we could talk to the media, we had to go to that class,” Jacobs said Thursday, via Packers writer Wes Hodkiewicz. “That was something he pushed every freshman to do.” He also taught us, (whether it’s wins or losses, you still have to be professional and handle things a certain way.”

Jacobs clearly thinks that was a smart thing for Saban to demand of his players. Professional athletes and even college athletes in Alabama have to do a lot of interviews. That’s why it’s smart to develop solid communication skills right away in college.

Jacobs also expressed that he is trying his best to make the interviews go well for both parties.

“I think that probably stuck with me the longest.” You have work too, so I try to make it easier for everyone,” Jacobs concluded.

The Packers are preparing for a big Wild Card matchup against the Eagles

The Packers will have to be playoff warriors for the second year in a row.

The seventh-seeded Packers will meet the No. 2-seeded Eagles on Sunday in a game with a long injury report for both teams.

Green Bay recently lost VR Christian Watson for the season after a brutal injury. They also have a ton of players on both sides of the ball that get hit. This includes KB Jordan Love, who is dealing with a right elbow injury. Love was a full participant in practice on Thursdaywhich bodes well for his availability this weekend.

Philadelphia also has some significant injuries of its own. QB Jalen Hurts missed multiple games while in concussion protocoland his backup Kenny Pickett is dealing with rib injuries. Like Love, Hurts was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.

The Packers are likely coming up with a defensive plan to shut down Eagles RB Saquon Barkley. The Eagles are much less of a threat if Barkley is unable to hit the easy yards on the ground.

Philadelphia isn’t a slouch running through football, but could struggle if Hurts continues to be stuck on Sunday.

Eagles vs. Packers kicks off Sunday at 4:30 PM ET in Philadelphia.