Why Alabama Just Can't Win....
Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I didn't write this. Though it does make some good points, the grammar and punctuation are pretty poor.
I waited to post this....but here goes.
I am as aggravated and pissed off as anyone else that bleeds Crimson
Tide football.
But what do you? I'll tell you what is wrong first and how to respond
last.
When the NCAA hit Bama with probation in 2002 b/c of the Means saga,
they killed us for 6-8 years. Slice it anyway you want to, but they did
and here is why...
First, we lost 25 scholarships; we had players that didn't want to come
to Bama to play b/c Bama couldn't play for anything. We lost Caddy and
other recruits that would have worn crimson had it not been for
probation. Then we hired a Fraud for a coach that left the team w/o
saying goodbye and never recruited really good quality players while
here. He had a handful, but not like we needed and were use to getting.
More importantly, Fraud left us w/o any OL and very few offensive
playmakers. Then came the Price debacle. Enough said. Then Mike Shula
was hired to manage the program through the tough times. He had never
been a HC and ALL of his coaching experience was NFL-related. He ran the
U of A like an NFL program. He instilled no discipline and never taught
these guys that are here now how to win, especially when behind in the
4th qtr. He never, I do mean NEVER had control of the football team or
program. Coach Kines was the glue, truth is told. Shula never recruited
defensive players. He did get us some quality offensive players, but
they had too much Shu-lade and it's hard to teach old dogs new tricks. I
am grateful that Mike ran a clean program and brought us through to the
Saban era, but he never was HC material. Especially for an Alabama
program use to being on top.
Then we go out and hire a proven, meticulous, organized, NC-winning
coach in Saban. Many, of the Bama football fans, anointed him as the
Savior.
He also tried to keep expectations to a minimum. He is a rebuilder.
Always has been and will continue to be until he straightens out the U
of A program.
Coach Saban gets hired and has around 30 days to recruit and salvage a
2006 class of recruits. I think he did damn well myself, considering.
He looks for leaders on the team to help him start a foundation but he
can't count on them. Why?
First, Look at all the players, just this year, which has had to be
suspended:
DJ Hall - starter
Antoine Caldwell - starter
Glenn Coffee - started some
Keith Brown - starter
Prince Hall - started some
Carlos Rogers - started some
Marlon Davis - starter
Marquis Johnson - started some
Simeon Castille - starter, also arrested (twice)
Brandon Deaderick - contributor, also arrested
Roy Upchurch - contributor, also arrested
Brandon Fanney - played sparingly, also arrested
This list is the guys that Saban has helped b/c they failed pee test
and they need a father figure and he wants them to succeed as human
beings in this world and get their education. The man cares about these
kids as people in the world and not just players.
Jimmy Johns
Roy Upchurch
Will Oakley
Remember last year, Shula suspended seven players: Jimmy Johns, Juwan
"ice cream" Simpson who was arrested over the summer of 2006 on drug and
gun charges, Lionel Mitchell, D.J. Hall and an undisclosed player were
suspended for the Hawaii game and Kyle Tatum and another undisclosed
player sat against Vandy.
Remember Juwan's cockiness, JPW's slapping a GA?
So, you can see by the above suspensions that some of the suspended are
the not only the better players that Bama has, but there are alot of
starters in that bunch. Some are seniors now. Is that great leadership
by example or what? How can anyone run a business, a team or any kind of
group that is trying to succeed with that kind of thuggery and defiant
behavior? You can't.
You also have a QB that is forced to be played due to no other QB is
better. Barnes transfers; GMac has said he hinted he wants to transfer.
Fanuzzi gets hurt. This same QB has had discipline problems as well at
the Capstone. He literally did what he wanted to under Shula. Fast
forward to 2007 season, JPW has gf issues. He catches his gf in the sack
with one of his old Hoover buddies right before the UGA game. His mind
on the game? No. He was still talking about how he is so hurt by what
she had done to him during the MSU game. Btw, he is seeing a sports
psychologist. His game has deteriorated mentally and physically. So much
so, those other players don't think he can get the job done anymore and
they are frustrated. They've lost confidence in JPW, but there is noone
else to turn to. Saban is putting the best 22 we have on the field every
week. Sadly, only 3-4 of those guys is a player that would start for
other SEC schools. We have 22 graduating seniors and another 20-30
players that are more so N. Alabama, Samford, Jax State talent level
players. That is a FACT folk. Just b/c a kid has on an Alabama uniform
and plays RIGHT NOW doesn't mean he is D-1 caliber. Saban has stated
many many times that he is doing the best he can, with what he has to
work with. BAMA FANS WON'T LISTEN. There will be attrition, non-renewal
of scholarships, players asked to transfer, and players that will just
quit football after this season is over. It will be like 1958 de ja vu.
Go back to CNS' initial PC when he was introduced. He stated that while
he respected the U of A and Coach Bryant, he wanted to start a new era
with new traditions. Did he not? How many people on these boards, call
in shows and on the streets are still saying, "well if Coach Bryant were
alive" or "Coach Stallings" never would have?
CNS tried to tell everyone "Bama fans expectations were not realistic
several times:
Exhibits below
The day he was hired.
After the Arkansas win (especially), b/c the talk of undefeated and
SECC.
EVERY Monday at his presser.
Each "Nick Saban" Show
When the Textbook 5 got suspended.
Every time the media asks him about "so and so" and "why aren't they
playing" type questions.
Saban has tried to temper enthusiasm when we win and temper depression
when we lose. BAMA FANS DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT. They are like the
"microwave generation". They expect a NC and SECC NOW! That is why Saban
has used the term "Process"
I haven't posted on the ULM loss, but I will say that there is
dissension amongst the players.
Group A is doing exactly what CNS and staff wants. They workout hard,
study film, represent the U of A very well and wants to win and plays
hard.
As for Group B, they are ready to get the heck outta town, but want the
free education. They don't like to work hard, workout, study film or
anything that it takes to be a winner. They want to party, say they are
football players, get women and screw off. They don't care if they win
or lose. Never had discipline instilled into them and don't care if they
get it.
Group A has been on Group B to change and put their hearts into it and
win, but Group B has become defiant and is more or less rebelling b/c
they don't like anyone (coaches or players) tell them what they need to
do or what to do period.
This loss is not on the coaches... CNS and staff are doing the best
they can do with what they have and they told the team all week not to
overlook ULM. He reminded them of App St and Michigan. He did all he
could verbally to light that fire and play with heart and pride. They
still were lifeless and played flat. Some players were partying after
the game late Saturday night on the strip. The have no remorse on
quitting on the other players or the staff. They are "I" people and you
can't change that.
That is part of the reality of what you have right now.
This is a reality folks. You can rationalize all you want that we
should win and win EVERY game b/c we are ALABAMA. You can "keyboard
coach" and bitch and moan, but think about what I stated above and look
at our losses.
#7 UGA by 3 in OT
FSU by 7
#1 LSU by 7
MSU by 5
ULM by 7 (only loss that is inexcusable)
We are competing with teams that have NOT been on probation, that have
had top 20 or better recruiting classes since 2000, that have had a full
compliment of players since 2000. Teams we lost to have had ZERO staff
OVERHAULS. Same HC's since 2004. We have been out depth in every game
and still take these teams down to the wire. Look at ND, FSU, aTm,
Nebraska, Texas, Michigan, Penn State, Miami....have they went through
what we did? NO! What are their excuses?
So as you can see, the 6-5 record this year is really not far off in
reality, as people would want to believe.
You can't have 19 suspensions from key players in the last 2 years that
stems from a less than adequate previous HC and expect ANY leadership.
There are no leaders and there are many players with bad character that
make horrible life decisions. You can't have guys that didn't show up
for workouts last year and now bitch cause they have to. You can't have
some players giving 110% while others don't give 50%.
Coach Saban is preaching the "PROCESS". You can both grow with new
players and coaches starting today and get on the path back to good
competitive football that produces championships or you can bitch and
moan and complain. As a Bama fan and lifelong supporter, I will be with
my alma mater through thick and thin. I believe we have a great coach,
great human being for what he does and what he has had to put up with,
and a great bunch of young players coming up, Ro McClain, Kareem
Jackson, Leigh Tiffin, Rashard Johnson, etc to build a foundation for
winning with.
The "Process" is as much about getting Saban's players in and Shula's
out as much as anything.
The "Process" is about the TRUE Bama fans listening to Saban and quit
trying to coach for him from the stand, the TV, or the keyboard.
The "Process" is about staying positive.
The "Process" is about getting current players stronger and adapted to
Saban's system.
The "Process" is about recruiting 4 and 5 star players that are good
students with great character.
The "Process" is about standing behind this staff and understanding
where we have been and where we are going.
The "Process" is about having patience and having a vision. The vision
that Coach Saban has for U of A.
The "Process" is not an overnight fix. It is not a band-aid. It is a
cure.
2008 will have some rough times b/c players will be YOUNG, YOUNG,
YOUNG! And BIG games are away next year.
As for 2009, watch out SEC and watch out NCAA football nation.
As for the Auburn game this weekend, I believe we CAN win it,
especially getting the 5 players back. The real question is "Are the
players that are in Group B going to give it all they can to help Group
A players out and do they want to beat the Barners bad enough?" Auburn
is more talented on defense than Bama and their offense is less talented
in skill areas. I say it is a toss up at this point. I know Bama will
play hard but will it be enough against their more talented team?
Saturday we'll know.
I know we are suffering right now and it's hard to accept these facts,
but post after post complaining will not help. The loss is over and it
is only as devastating as you want to make it out to be. It can be
catastrophic and derail you being a fan of the "Process" or you can move
past it and look to better times. My advice, Let the "Process" work.
I've been a Bama fan since 1972 and trust me ... IT HURTS! But it is
the reality of where we are in 2007!