We Have A Major Problem That We Must Address

[Henryrolltide]

I'm going to throw this in. I normally can predict around 90% of our play calls. Hell, even my wife, who's really just a casual FB fan can. In the first half yesterday - I couldn't. Neither could Auburn. In the second half, we went into our protective shell offense and became almost totally predictable again. When we do that, it has a ripple effect. GM became uptight and started holding the ball too long. The backs and receivers became tentative. Worst of all, Auburn's confidence soared as they made plays on both sides of the ball. I see complaints of lack of toughness, but it's hard to play tough, when you're playing not lose. This is not a CJM problem. This problem lies squarely at the feet of the HC. Saban was criticized for it at previous stops. To be fair, this is true of many defensive minded HCs. I'd still rather have him than any other HC I can think of, but I'm not going to say that he's perfect. Last season, we were able to make that mold work, because our OL performed at a much higher level and MI and TR were at peak form for much of the year. Of course having starters on the bench late didn't help much last night, but the three major fails made us tighten down (and become more uptight) even more. Our best hope would have been to continue with the first half gameplan. We didn't do that...

Well sized up, Tide-HSV, Great Post!

 

[JD95]

We just simply don't know how to close the deal with a killer instinct.

^^^THIS!! With the exception of the latter half of the 1992 season, Alabama has generally lacked killer instinct since the 1970's.

 

[crimsonbleeder]

agreed on all points. When was the last time we have had a coach on the sidelines that gets the players fired up. Say what you will, but if you look at Aub through the year, those players were fired up beyond belief. We have NO fire on the sideline. Saban is like Stone Wall Jackson...just saying

Have you ever seen Coach Cochran???

I don't think that's the problem...

 

[Bamafan78]

Its hard to get the emotion, and fire back after going the distance. Its just human nature. Losing to Auburn should be just what the doctor ordered. What other inspiration will next years team need to kick butt than hear for 364 days they are not the superior team in the state? Plus they are going to have to hear about Auburn winning a championship too.

 

[crimsonbleeder]

Before the pitch forks, crosses and nails come out on CNS. Lets remember this about coaches. They come with strengths and weaknesses. Most defenses minded head coaches are more "wide open" with their defense and run a relatively conservative offense. On the opposite side of the spectrum most offensive minded coaches are more "wide open" with their offenses but have defenses that are subpar.

There is no perfect coach, other than Coach Bryant of course. Saban's "best teams" are those that are loaded on defense and run a conservative style offense. To be honest. The offenses he's run here at bama has been some of the most wide open offenses he's ever allowed any of his college teams run. He's loosened up a lot. So don't give up on him just yet from an offensive perspective. We might see a little more change next season. Look at it from a big picture perspective. We've lost 5 games since 2008 and won like 35. We're coming off a 14-0 BCS National Championship season and we still won 9 regular season games when many teams barely win 8 in the season after their championship year.

Great perspective, Buzz...I think he's smart enough to know he cannot be stubborn in philosophy---offensive or defensive---and is willing to change with the times. That separates him from Parcells, IMHO, and of course, we know one of his best friends is Belichick, and what we end up doing on offense and defense will VERY OFTEN mirror what BB and the Pats are doing.

I've been to several meetings with CNS, private and public. He wants this offense to be amazing. He wants EXPLOSIONS. He does not settle. We simply need more playmakers. Julio was all we had this year, and MI and TR were just plain dinged up all year, with a subpar (by SEC standards) offensive line. GMac has been fantastic, but he wants a QB that can throw a 70 yard bomb if necessary within 3 seconds. Phillip Sims and AJ can BOTH do that, and once they learn the system (and we all need to PRAY that JMac stays here---a complete offensive overhaul is NOT what we need) and they get a TALENTED and TRUSTED OL in front of them, with stellar receivers ACROSS THE BOARD to throw to, we will see a MIGHTY offense. We all know the defensive backfield is in good hands---IMHO the real "fixing" is needed on the DL. Not sure what happened there this year, but our "trench warfare" (including the OL) was lacking in preparation, mentality, coaching, motivation, AND talent this year.

We fix the coaching and personnel issues (and it is going to be somewhat difficult to do in one off season, IMHO, but it is going to require some major attention) on both lines, and the rest will take care of itself. We'll be back on top again and again...

 

[Lost in TN]

:BigA:I just want the Defense to learn how to substitute without penalties. If pee wee teams can figure out how to substitute, maybe we can. If we get beat because we are up against a team with more talent then ok. But when we beat ourselves, just totally not acceptable.

Penalties for improper substitution on defense.
False starts in the red zone.
Ole' phantom blocks in the red zone.
Fumbles in the red zone.
Dropped passes at the goal line.
Poor angles on long passes that should be interceptions, instead are tds.

What hurts so bad is that we did not get beat by a better team, better paid yes, we allowed an inferior team to stay in the game and find a way to win. In the end Winners win and losers lose. We will end up 9-4 or 10-3. A great record for some programs including Texas and Florida this year. But it is very important for us not to lose focus on what our standards are. We are not Kentucky or Ole Miss. Our expectations are just higher. That is why we pack 102,000 into Bryant Denny, pay our coach over 4,000,000 a year, pay our dc over 700,000, build state of the are facilities, and hold everyone accountable. We did not play a single team this year that had more talent than us. We played some good teams that played with more passion and executed better. In retrospect, this year will go down in the record books as a underachieving team that did help set the stage for a great run over the next several years.

If any of the barners try to rub yesterday in your face, remember no reasonable Aubbie would not want to switch places with us tomorrow. We are set up for a legendary run and they are hoping that they do not receive the death penalty. We actually may be hearing the sentence, "Remember when Auburn had a football team?"

 

[dvldog]

Its hard to balance "going vanilla or taking your foot off the pedal or letting the air out of the ball" with "make their butts quit". You can't do both. If you're gonna make their butts quit you have to be willing to keep the pedal down until they have to say uncle. We had that opportunity yesterday but did not take advantage of the situation. It could have been an epic win. Man I feel bad for the players. I know they must hurt this morning.

 

[REBELZED]

In retrospect, this year will go down in the record books as a underachieving team that did help set the stage for a great run over the next several years.

Sounds kinda like the 2007 team. I wouldn't mind us reeling off two more years like '08 and '09 in '11 and '12

 

[Bama7474]

Well sized up, Tide-HSV, Great Post!

Can't agree more here......We've become predictable and that is dangerous in this league.....seems to me coaching (with all respect to the HC and staff) loses the focus...and having a great leader on the field must be the focus in the future...Great game Auburn (as much as it pains me to say that!) Roll Tide!!!:BigA:

 

[TideMan09]

I'm going to throw this in. I normally can predict around 90% of our play calls. Hell, even my wife, who's really just a casual FB fan can. In the first half yesterday - I couldn't. Neither could Auburn. In the second half, we went into our protective shell offense and became almost totally predictable again. When we do that, it has a ripple effect. GM became uptight and started holding the ball too long. The backs and receivers became tentative. Worst of all, Auburn's confidence soared as they made plays on both sides of the ball. I see complaints of lack of toughness, but it's hard to play tough, when you're playing not lose. This is not a CJM problem. This problem lies squarely at the feet of the HC. Saban was criticized for it at previous stops. To be fair, this is true of many defensive minded HCs. I'd still rather have him than any other HC I can think of, but I'm not going to say that he's perfect. Last season, we were able to make that mold work, because our OL performed at a much higher level and MI and TR were at peak form for much of the year. Of course having starters on the bench late didn't help much last night, but the three major fails made us tighten down (and become more uptight) even more. Our best hope would have been to continue with the first half gameplan. We didn't do that...

I agree 100% Earle..I've said the same thing a few time this year & got flamed bigtime for saying it..But it's the absolute truth..

And you're also right when we get a big lead..Our coaching staff adjusts the offense to play not too lose..It cost us this game & nearly cost us the NC against Texas..We need to go for the jugular when we have a chance..

 

[TideEngineer08]

I'm going to throw this in. I normally can predict around 90% of our play calls. Hell, even my wife, who's really just a casual FB fan can. In the first half yesterday - I couldn't. Neither could Auburn. In the second half, we went into our protective shell offense and became almost totally predictable again. When we do that, it has a ripple effect. GM became uptight and started holding the ball too long. The backs and receivers became tentative. Worst of all, Auburn's confidence soared as they made plays on both sides of the ball. I see complaints of lack of toughness, but it's hard to play tough, when you're playing not lose. This is not a CJM problem. This problem lies squarely at the feet of the HC. Saban was criticized for it at previous stops. To be fair, this is true of many defensive minded HCs. I'd still rather have him than any other HC I can think of, but I'm not going to say that he's perfect. Last season, we were able to make that mold work, because our OL performed at a much higher level and MI and TR were at peak form for much of the year. Of course having starters on the bench late didn't help much last night, but the three major fails made us tighten down (and become more uptight) even more. Our best hope would have been to continue with the first half gameplan. We didn't do that...

My thoughts exactly. This is a philosophy problem, that starts at the top. How can he expect players to play for 60 minutes, if the scheme doesn't stay aggressive for 60 minutes? Going conservative with 8 minutes to go with a 3 td lead is understandable. Going conservative at halftime with a 17 point lead is inexcusable. I told my FIL before the game that my worst fear was us jumping out to a big lead early, and fading late. I had actually hoped for a close game throughout. My worst fears were realized.:frown:

Having said that, I still support CNS 100% and honestly do not want another coach besides him.

 

[Bamafan78]

:BigA:If any of the barners try to rub yesterday in your face, remember no reasonable Aubbie would not want to switch places with us tomorrow. We are set up for a legendary run and they are hoping that they do not receive the death penalty. We actually may be hearing the sentence, "Remember when Auburn had a football team?"

There is nothing more that I enjoy than watching Alabama beat Auburn, but you got to give the devil his due. Auburn beat 11 other teams before they played us. Alabama, and Auburn did what they have been doing all season yesterday. In Alabama's case thats not playing 4 quarters of football, and in Auburn's case thats knowing how to mount a comeback. Some of my Auburn friends were calling me at halftime congratulating me, and I told them its not over until its over. I knew they would fight back, they have been doing it all season, but I was hoping we would be able to hold them off enough to win. The fact of the matter Auburn wanted it worse, and I hope Alabama plays with that same fire next year!

Next year we will have the experienced o-line, and should beat the tar out of Auburn unless something crazy happens. There is going to be huge player turnover this season for them, and Malzahn has earned a chance to be a head coach in my opinion. I can't wait to see where this NCAA investigation goes too. So no I wouldn't swap places with them!

And you're also right when we get a big lead..Our coaching staff adjusts the offense to play not too lose..It cost us this game & nearly cost us the NC against Texas..We need to go for the jugular when we have a chance..

Especially when playing a team that has proven it won't wilt under pressure. I hate to say it, but playing this year's Auburn team no lead is comfortable!

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Remember last year (and this year) when everybody was talking about "The Process?"

We didn't do it.

We turned the ball over WAY TOO MUCH.

(Keep in mind we only had 10 turnovers in 13 games last year - and four of those were in one game vs South Carolina and 2 more were in the opener vs Va Tech)

We got penalized WAY TOO MUCH

(I watched the 1985 Iron Bowl this week. In the fourth quarter we got flagged for 12 men on the field on consecutive plays. That was absurd. We got flagged THREE TIMES for the same basic thing yesterday).

We got injured WAY TOO MUCH

(Last year our really big losses were Hightower and the injury to Deadrick that didn't keep him from playing....and Colin Peek missing a few games; we got paid back by the football gods in spades this year)

We got hyped WAY TOO MUCH

Keep in mind we were the greatest team of all-time on the morning of October 3. Today we are just another 3rd place team in the SEC West.


I think there's another issue that can't be measured: hunger. Remember that last year was Shula's last recruits. Guys like Javier Arenas, Roy Upchurch, PJ Fitzgerald, Cory Reamer, and Eryk Anders knew the difference between what it felt like to LOSE a bunch and what it felt like to WIN a bunch.

I'm not bashing them, but Mark Ingram (for example) does not have experience losing a bunch of games; Alabama lost more games in 2006 than Ingram has lost in his three-year college career. Or Richardson. Or Jones. Or Dareus. Or Hightower.

I think hunger is a big thing. It's a lot of why Auburn beat us yesterday.

 

[TideMan09]

Remember last year (and this year) when everybody was talking about "The Process?"

We didn't do it.

We turned the ball over WAY TOO MUCH.

(Keep in mind we only had 10 turnovers in 13 games last year - and four of those were in one game vs South Carolina and 2 more were in the opener vs Va Tech)

We got penalized WAY TOO MUCH

(I watched the 1985 Iron Bowl this week. In the fourth quarter we got flagged for 12 men on the field on consecutive plays. That was absurd. We got flagged THREE TIMES for the same basic thing yesterday).

We got injured WAY TOO MUCH

(Last year our really big losses were Hightower and the injury to Deadrick that didn't keep him from playing....and Colin Peek missing a few games; we got paid back by the football gods in spades this year)

We got hyped WAY TOO MUCH

Keep in mind we were the greatest team of all-time on the morning of October 3. Today we are just another 3rd place team in the SEC West.


I think there's another issue that can't be measured: hunger. Remember that last year was Shula's last recruits. Guys like Javier Arenas, Roy Upchurch, PJ Fitzgerald, Cory Reamer, and Eryk Anders knew the difference between what it felt like to LOSE a bunch and what it felt like to WIN a bunch.

I'm not bashing them, but Mark Ingram (for example) does not have experience losing a bunch of games; Alabama lost more games in 2006 than Ingram has lost in his three-year college career. Or Richardson. Or Jones. Or Dareus. Or Hightower.

I think hunger is a big thing. It's a lot of why Auburn beat us yesterday.

Great point..Bet Coach Saban will use these losses to motivate our Boys in the off-season..

 

[ontopp]

I don't think it matters if your a defensive minded Coach or offensive minded , First of all you must be able to adapt to young players on defense or offense. In college ball you have to take some chances if situations call for it. You can't be afraid to pull a starter for a player who may not have as much experience unless you know hes prone to beating you,throw in a half back pass or something if your up against a young defense.

I thought we had the game won we went up 3 TDs cause our defensive Coaches would take more chances for big plays,and we would also score at least two more TDs, The anology this QB won't beat us don't work all the time, I never seen einstein play football. I think all good game coaches adjust to situations, especially if there Team needs a boost.:BigA:

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Well unfortunately it is a very common and traceable pattern in football. Though you have your exceptions most defensive minded coaches do not run a wide open, no holds barred offense and vice versa. Most offensive minded coaches struggle with fielding good defenses.

I think improvement of the offensive line will solve a lot of our concerns. Because the OL is where success or failure begins in a game. It won't solve all the issues but will definitely allow us to do what Saban likes to do and thats run the ball.

]I don't think it matters if your a defensive minded Coach or offensive minded ,[/B] First of all you must be able to adapt to young players on defense or offense. In college ball you have to take some chances if situations call for it. You can't be afraid to pull a starter for a player who may not have as much experience unless you know hes prone to beating you,throw in a half back pass or something if your up against a young defense.

I thought we had the game won we went up 3 TDs cause our defensive Coaches would take more chances for big plays,and we would also score at least two more TDs, The anology this QB won't beat us don't work all the time, I never seen einstein play football. I think all good game coaches adjust to situations, especially if there Team needs a boost.:BigA:

 

[Bamafan78]

I think there's another issue that can't be measured: hunger. Remember that last year was Shula's last recruits. Guys like Javier Arenas, Roy Upchurch, PJ Fitzgerald, Cory Reamer, and Eryk Anders knew the difference between what it felt like to LOSE a bunch and what it felt like to WIN a bunch.

I'm not bashing them, but Mark Ingram (for example) does not have experience losing a bunch of games; Alabama lost more games in 2006 than Ingram has lost in his three-year college career. Or Richardson. Or Jones. Or Dareus. Or Hightower.

I think hunger is a big thing. It's a lot of why Auburn beat us yesterday.

I agree. No question Auburn's seniors are the difference makers for them, and they have experienced the sting of defeat numerous times. Seems like I remember Saban saying during training camp that a lot of our players hadn't got to experience defeat, and he hoped that it wouldn't take losing for them to wake up. Nothing is as humbling as getting your butt kicked.

Lets face it the 07 season helped motivate the 08 team, and not finishing against Florida, and Utah helped motivate the 09 team to go the distance.

 

[gladIam4UA]

Our best hope would have been to continue with the first half gameplan. We didn't do that...

We've seen this over and over and talked about it over and over. So what's the issue? Saban too stubborn to change? Too arrogant to?

 

[gladIam4UA]

Lets face it the 07 season helped motivate the 08 team, and not finishing against Florida, and Utah helped motivate the 09 team to go the distance.

It's a shame losses are required to motivate. I don't think it has to be that way, but then I've never coached 19-year-olds.

 

[BamaEarl]

Patterns. You show an interesting pattern. I think yesterday was the culmination of multiple patterns, which lead to an atomic bomb going off in BDS yesterday.

First one is, as has been brought up many times, our propensity to fire out to a big lead and then hang on for the unconvincing win.

The second one is that we're merely the last victim of the aubs, who have done this to a bunch of teams this year. Clemson dominated them almost as bad as we did in the first half, only to helplessly watch the barn storm back and punish them in the 2nd half. Then, the very next week against USCe, the same thing early in the game - only to end with the barn crushing them in the 2nd half. UGA fired out of the gates to a 21-7 lead in the first half - again, the barn pounded them mercilessly in the 2nd half.

Arky was one team who kept firing back at them through the 3rd quarter, but then they put up 28pts, unanswered, in the final 10-12 minutes of that game and it wasn't even close by the end.

So ultimately, it would appear that yesterday was the perfect storm. A combination of two extremes coming together, which lead to the worst blown lead in the history of our great program. As elated as I was yesterday with the score at 24-0, I could not help but think back to the barn doing this to all those other teams this year - but continued to remind myself that, unlike those games, this one was in BDS.....


It hurts. It really hurts.