What happened? (Not a flame thread)

[TENNTIDE1]

Wow! I don't know what to say. CNS says every team has an identity, what people know you as. What is this team's identity? Youth? Lack of Leadership? Mental lapses? Hot and Cold? Too conservative when we get a lead? All of the above? None of the above?

I know all of our loses did come to teams that had bye weeks before they played us, but I'm not sure that is what cost us this game. I find it hard to believe that after a Championship season we are getting out coached and I don't believe that is the case. I hear CNS always talking about we need more "explosive" plays on offense, we need more consistency on both sides of the ball.

I promise you, if we think we are disappointed in losing this game, can you imagine what CNS is thinking. I'm sure he is livid.

I remember at the beginning of fall practice CNS stopped practice and reamed everyone out for lack of focus, even mentioning how LSU had practice shirts with a reference to UA on them with the script "A". He mentioned several teams that were gunning for us, LSU, UF and several others.

I also remember a video of practice on Crimson Tradition where CNS is very unhappy with practice and CJM tells CNS "I'm riding their a** and they won't respond." or words to that effect. What ever our problems are, we have had them all year.

These are just my observations as I have seen them this year. I still love this team and coaching staff. I would not trade any of them and I have confidence these issues will get resolved with more experience, coaching and leadership. You are not going to win a championship every year, but you do want to play to your potential.

 

[JW4Tide]

It hasn't been just running up the middle though. We had Georgia State out manned and couldn't punch it up the middle on several drives, especially inside the 5. It was hard for Ingram and Richardson to even make it to the edges this evening without a defender tripping them up before they got to the edges.The toss sweep didn't show much success either.Here's to hoping next year brings different results. Roll Tide!!

We haven't been able to run the ball against the better SEC teams all year. We haven't been able to stop the run either.

 

[bamanix]

we were great for 20 minutes. by the end of the first half, the game was changing. once again, while greg was lights out early, zip on the ball, not hesitating to make his throws. the off line was giving just enough time to get rid of the ball. we even ran the ball a few times, mostly mis direction plays. it was just a matter of time, before we fell back into our stagnant offense. the def line played good the whole game, but, as the second half wore on, cam was getting more and more time to pass. we did not blitz as much in the 4th quarter, maybe because on one big blitz with two def backs blitzing barron was burned with the bobbled pass for a touchdown. they were concentrating on milliners side of the field, and barron was trying to help as much as he could, but milliner is just not a physical corner, maybe next year he will be. we have a big job next year to improve this team.

 

[JTBama]

Wow! I don't know what to say. CNS says every team has an identity, what people know you as. What is this team's identity? Youth? Lack of Leadership? Mental lapses? Hot and Cold? Too conservative when we get a lead? All of the above? None of the above?

I know all of our loses did come to teams that had bye weeks before they played us, but I'm not sure that is what cost us this game. I find it hard to believe that after a Championship season we are getting out coached and I don't believe that is the case. I hear CNS always talking about we need more "explosive" plays on offense, we need more consistency on both sides of the ball.

I promise you, if we think we are disappointed in losing this game, can you imagine what CNS is thinking. I'm sure he is livid.

I remember at the beginning of fall practice CNS stopped practice and reamed everyone out for lack of focus, even mentioning how LSU had practice shirts with a reference to UA on them with the script "A". He mentioned several teams that were gunning for us, LSU, UF and several others.

I also remember a video of practice on Crimson Tradition where CNS is very unhappy with practice and CJM tells CNS "I'm riding their a** and they won't respond." or words to that effect. What ever our problems are, we have had them all year.

These are just my observations as I have seen them this year. I still love this team and coaching staff. I would not trade any of them and I have confidence these issues will get resolved with more experience, coaching and leadership. You are not going to win a championship every year, but you do want to play to your potential.

Well Said

 

[Lions]

I think Ingram should have been on the field more. TR didn't look 100% to me. He appeared to have trouble making his cuts and I never have liked him in the wildcat. The conservative play calling has been an issue for me all season. Don't take your foot off the gas when you have your opponent on the ropes. I knew when they scored that touchdown right after the half we were done. It was a well played, well coached 1st quarter and a half but after that the wheels came off. You learn from this, build on it, and move on. There is still a bowl game left to be played.

 

[russtang]

I wonder how much our problem is lack of strength/conditioning?

We have been beaten in the trenches by most SEC teams. We cant 'finish' games. We are just not a 'physical' team.

I think back to a game early this year (maybe ARK ?) where DH talked about the team being out of shape and they were running extra spints after practice to get ready.

I think maybe a lack of leadership in the offseason carried over to this season?

 

[J.E.B. Stuart]

This is the most embarrassing Bama loss I've watched in my 30 years of life. I can stomach getting beat when the other team is better. I can also understand losing if we just totally sucked. But this defeat, it makes no sense. You dominate your way to a 24-0 lead and then proceed to give the game away? We quit. Plain and simple. I love my team, but I'm not gonna sit here and blow rainbows up their butts and praise them after a game like this. And dont even try to blame injuries either.

I have been watching Alabama football for 50 years. My brother has been a Bama fan for over 62 years of his long life. Neither of us can recall in all those years an Alabama football team blowing a 24-0 lead. Has it happened? I don't know the largest lead blowing, but this has to be right up there. But, I cannot recall it. AU is going to gloat this one for a year so you might as well get used too it. What really gets me is that Alabama has all these great coaches and AU's coaches are not compared with Bama's yet Bama's get out coached. AU adjusted at half time. Alabama did not. Seems they just sat back and watched. The coaches did not make any changes in the 2d half that changed any of AU's Mo. The surprise was blowing a 24-0 lead. I thought AU would win this game, but not like this. A most disappointing loss that I can ever remember. Bama has got blow out of some games in my life time. The Nebraska game way way back in the 1970s, the Louisville game back in the 1990s. But not like this, and too AU. Very very disappointing.

 

[h2o]

Coach Chizik said it best in his post game interview. He said his team knows how to win. He's right. We seem to just simply don't know how to win.

 

[crimsonbleeder]

please dont take this as a flame but it's simple. players didnt execute. Barron gave up 2 big plays that led to TD's, Richardson dropped a TD pass where we only get 3 points.. Ingram loses a fumble. execution dropped off by a mile in the 2nd half. and it's sad because our front 7 played absolutely lights out

Agreed. Total lack of focus. It's happened in all 3 losses this year. Get a comfortable lead, let up just a bit, and it bites you in the arse against great teams. Sometimes it bites you quickly, a la the USCe game, and you can never really recover, and sometimes it bites late, as in the LSU and Aub games, but the lack of focus and intensity it takes from EVERY player at EVERY position was missing at all 3 games.

Coaches at Auburn, LSU, and USCe did a fantastic job getting their team's intensity to "peak" when it mattered. ours didn't. I can fathom how that happens on the road, but when it happens at home, against the #2 team in the country, with such a huge lead, and with some of our best players playing their last game in BDS, I find it inexcusable. I love CNS, but there's a motivation and focus issue with this team and, to a lesser extent, an issue with some critical position coaches that must be evaluated, corrected, and/or even replaced in some cases. The OL and DL are the main positions that really bothers me. They have underperformed all year long. I don't understand the breakdowns, but you DO NOT WIN in the SEC without have penultimate blocking and pass rushing.

I trust that CNS will make the tough decisions. We can't afford not to.

 

[J.E.B. Stuart]

The Anniston Star reported in an on line article that Bama officials said this was the biggest blown lead by an Alabama football team in over 50 years. Did not cite what that lead or game was back then.

 

[Leeroy]

I wonder how much our problem is lack of strength/conditioning?

We have been beaten in the trenches by most SEC teams. We cant 'finish' games. We are just not a 'physical' team.

I think back to a game early this year (maybe ARK ?) where DH talked about the team being out of shape and they were running extra spints after practice to get ready.

I think maybe a lack of leadership in the offseason carried over to this season?

Sad to say, but there is truth in this. Especially in our OL/DL. When you are tired you make mistakes. Another factor, we have no quickness in the OL/DL. We're a half step slow here, half step slow there.

Oh, that OL/DL we faced yesterday, believes in juice. And I don't mean the kind with vitamin C. It's the stuff that can make avarage men do amazing things. Pay for play ain't the only thing they have returned to.





Roll Tide

 

[gamersfuel]

the lack of strength and conditioning argument is ridiculous..thats just people trying to find an easy excuse for our loss. i can give you lack of emotion and intensity but not strength and conditioning. if we execute, that game is over by halftime. thats called brain over brawn and we had about 10 brain farts

 

[BamaBuff24]

I said before we lost 9 defense starters, 9dbs, and probably the best LB that ever played for Alabama. A nose tackle that warrent a double team every time. Even CPB didn't win every game and that is when they didn't have any limits on scholarships. These kids played hard yesterday and all year. If you want see a team that quit this year go to Austin. We are making excuses. Like I said before we needed 30 points to beat Auburn, we had our chances and didn't make it. Auburn played a great second half and beat us period. Don't tell me our players quit. CU, MD, MI, BJ, JJ, and others played through injuries during the year. And these Coaches are the same ones that were here last year. Let's don't act like the forum at al.com, talking about losers.

Thanks to the Seniors and Juniors, who might be leaving, for a good year and a great last year! Roll Tide To You!

 

[Leeroy]

the lack of strength and conditioning argument is ridiculous..thats just people trying to find an easy excuse for our loss. i can give you lack of emotion and intensity but not strength and conditioning. if we execute, that game is over by halftime. thats called brain over brawn and we had about 10 brain farts

Not so. Strength and conditioning plays a very big part. Lack of conditioning leads to fatigue. When you are fatigued your strength is down. What follows is mental breakdowns, loss of focus. In other words, you make mistakes you would not normally make. Like driving while tired, its hard to focus on the task at hand.

I'm not saying that is whole problem, but it is certainly a factor.



Roll Tide

 

[tideronthehooch]

please dont take this as a flame but it's simple. players didnt execute. Barron gave up 2 big plays that led to TD's, Richardson dropped a TD pass where we only get 3 points.. Ingram loses a fumble. execution dropped off by a mile in the 2nd half. and it's sad because our front 7 played absolutely lights out

Could not agree more. Players CHOKED.

 

[gamersfuel]

Not so. Strength and conditioning plays a very big part. Lack of conditioning leads to fatigue. When you are fatigued your strength is down. What follows is mental breakdowns, loss of focus. In other words, you make mistakes you would not normally make. Like driving while tired, its hard to focus on the task at hand.

I'm not saying that is whole problem, but it is certainly a factor.



Roll Tide

fwiw, i wasnt saying it plays no part. I'm saying we are a well conditioned and one of the strongest overall teams in all of football. strength and conditioning didnt contribute to those dropped passes, fumbles, and blown coverages. our strength is the reason Cam Newton got nothing when he ran teh ball and even when he did, he didnt try to run over our players like other teams. he ducked his head to prevent from getting popped which is a direct result of the size/strength of our team

 

[Bamafan78]

Its about finishing...finish sets, finish runs, finish drills, finish practice, finish plays, finish drives, finish games! In the finishing comes the winning.

 

[MVKTR2]

What happened?

1-Lack of leadership - this game & all season. It's the BIG reason Bama lost 3 and not 0 or 1.
2-Alabama's best players fumbled & dropped a 40+ point lead and thus the game away.
3-3 Seniors in the 2 deep - 4 in the 3 deep (see #1).
4-Offensive creativity simply isn't there. Coach's philosophy is to line up and beat a team with better players executing at a better level than the opposition. However this team offensively has needed one of 2 things all year and hasn't had it. 1-offensive creativity &/or 2-more power running, you're better off leaning on the opposition for 3 running downs and punting it rather than playing soft pass blocking for 2 or 3 downs then punting.

A side note to #4 is the simple truth is that defenses catch up to offenses, period. Everyone in this league knows what our trap plays look like pre or/and when the ball snaps. Everyone knows essentially most of what Bama runs now & in what situations it's run. Think of how Coach Spurrier's offense wasn't so special in his later years at UF no matter how good the players were.

Thank God it's only a game folks!

Schlante & Roll Tide,
Phillip