Yes - we can still win the National Title - in Recruiting.
This may turn into a bit of a lengthy combo of assessment, fuming and ranting.
First of all, congrats to the guys for continuing to fight back TWICE from multiple score deficits. With a little luck we would have won - but when you fumble the opening KO and another later, and Swag K makes a dumb decision to heave a ball up and blindly and gets rewarded with a 77 yard Manzielish TD - it pretty much means its not gonna be your night.
Kind of amazing we had the ball at the end with a shot to win.
But the truth is, our Program has lost its MOJO!
Ole Miss looked faster, hungrier, more confident, and got to the ball better on defense. Our team, loaded with top recruits from Championship classes, seemed less quick, less decisive, addled and confused at times.
I am, the day after, a walking double dichotomy of disappointed, confused, saddened, and a angry, prompting me to ask some questions...
WHY are our Coaches just offering lip service on philosophical changes, and then trotting out the same old same old? So much talk of "Re-establishing Identity" and last night we looked like Sybil out there.
This is an issue that starts at the top. IF the Head Coach wants a change, then make it happen. If Coach wants the ball run more - make it happen. It is DuBosian to make comments after games creating the idea that you wanted somethings done differently -tell the appropriate people what you want and to make it happen.
I thought LSU was in a bit of decline, but I credit Miles for one thing - he stuck with his philosophy and yesterday they looked extremely good. They are a load, and I believe a real threat to win The West and make the playoff, despite very limited QB play.
Right now, I feel our team is prone on a therapists couch, seeking clarity of who and what we are in a changing world, and we are making no progress...
WHY does the media and sometimes UA folks paint rosy pictures of improvement, but we never see it on the field?
Examples...
Mel Tucker is making a huge difference in the secondary - so far I am seeing the same old same old. Ole miss had guys attacking with good ball awareness, our guys are always trying to play catch up and hoping they can somehow get in the way of a pass they think is coming but have no idea from where the ball will arrive.
Bama will have an improved pass rush - think it is better somewhat this year, but I see other teams that are far more successful at affecting the QB. We hear how Evans and Williams are really good off the edge, but we never seem to use them.
The Offensive line will be nastier this year - Bought this after week one, not after seeing the last two weeks though. Our right side has been a liability, Kelly had a poor game, and even Cam Robinson looks like he has regressed.
JK Scott will set records - TOTALLY bought this going into the season. Not now. Scott looks like a shell of the freshman punter we had, and looks noticeably uncomfortable and with diminishing confidence.Then, AFTER the season starts, we then hear how JK did not have a good summer???
QB ____ is starting to take the job - We literally heard from those that cover the team, at some point this summer, that EVERY one of our 5 guys were looking really good and might be "the Guy". Every one, even the true freshman.
IF WE TRULY want to continue winning Championships, some things HAVE TO CHANGE.
Some ideas, since I know The Coaches and UA Officials all read this board...
Maybe, we need to make "recruiting ability" a bit less high on the staff priority list, and raise the priority of "teaching ability". I firmly believe we have the players to succeed at the highest levels, but somehow the transitioning of athletic ability and talent to play-making on the field is on the wane.
Maybe, we need to hire a guy to "Teach" special teams. I know the current guy is a long-timer with Coach Saban, but we are painfully bad on special teams. Probably cost us the game last night imo. We have not had a difference maker in the return game since Javy left, and Williams somehow has screwed up a guy I thought might just turn out to be in Ray Guy's class.
Maybe, our schemes and "systems" are so complicated it inhibits raw talent from seeing the field. Maybe, our schemes no longer really confuse the opponent, especially with the new quick throws and read option plays - but they DO confuse our own guys. I do not for a minute think the ole miss players are smarter than our guys, but last night they seemed, especially on defense, to play more freely and loose than our guys.
Maybe we need to change our approach in regards as to how we evaluate, recruit, and Coach Quarterbacks. The call to start Bateman last night was rather odd, in my opinion. The whole QB muddle huddle of this season has gotten ridiculous. At some point you have to make a decision and just try to ride with it. And next year looks like we will be going through this 'competition" all over again...
Coach Bryant was the greatest Coach of all time, and in large part because he was able to change as change was needed. This may be the greatest challenge for Coach Saban. Without willingness to change, and maybe make some tough decisions with staff, and start doing some things differently than maybe you ever have, I think we have peaked under Coach Saban's leadership.
I am getting a 1980-82 type feeling about The Program, and it is as uncomfortable and disconcerting as third degree jock itch.
There, I feel better now, as creating this was cathartic in an odd way.
Oh, and the ribs yesterday were PRIMO! :cheers2: on TideFans.com
This may turn into a bit of a lengthy combo of assessment, fuming and ranting.
First of all, congrats to the guys for continuing to fight back TWICE from multiple score deficits. With a little luck we would have won - but when you fumble the opening KO and another later, and Swag K makes a dumb decision to heave a ball up and blindly and gets rewarded with a 77 yard Manzielish TD - it pretty much means its not gonna be your night.
Kind of amazing we had the ball at the end with a shot to win.
But the truth is, our Program has lost its MOJO!
Ole Miss looked faster, hungrier, more confident, and got to the ball better on defense. Our team, loaded with top recruits from Championship classes, seemed less quick, less decisive, addled and confused at times.
I am, the day after, a walking double dichotomy of disappointed, confused, saddened, and a angry, prompting me to ask some questions...
WHY are our Coaches just offering lip service on philosophical changes, and then trotting out the same old same old? So much talk of "Re-establishing Identity" and last night we looked like Sybil out there.
This is an issue that starts at the top. IF the Head Coach wants a change, then make it happen. If Coach wants the ball run more - make it happen. It is DuBosian to make comments after games creating the idea that you wanted somethings done differently -tell the appropriate people what you want and to make it happen.
I thought LSU was in a bit of decline, but I credit Miles for one thing - he stuck with his philosophy and yesterday they looked extremely good. They are a load, and I believe a real threat to win The West and make the playoff, despite very limited QB play.
Right now, I feel our team is prone on a therapists couch, seeking clarity of who and what we are in a changing world, and we are making no progress...
WHY does the media and sometimes UA folks paint rosy pictures of improvement, but we never see it on the field?
Examples...
Mel Tucker is making a huge difference in the secondary - so far I am seeing the same old same old. Ole miss had guys attacking with good ball awareness, our guys are always trying to play catch up and hoping they can somehow get in the way of a pass they think is coming but have no idea from where the ball will arrive.
Bama will have an improved pass rush - think it is better somewhat this year, but I see other teams that are far more successful at affecting the QB. We hear how Evans and Williams are really good off the edge, but we never seem to use them.
The Offensive line will be nastier this year - Bought this after week one, not after seeing the last two weeks though. Our right side has been a liability, Kelly had a poor game, and even Cam Robinson looks like he has regressed.
JK Scott will set records - TOTALLY bought this going into the season. Not now. Scott looks like a shell of the freshman punter we had, and looks noticeably uncomfortable and with diminishing confidence.Then, AFTER the season starts, we then hear how JK did not have a good summer???
QB ____ is starting to take the job - We literally heard from those that cover the team, at some point this summer, that EVERY one of our 5 guys were looking really good and might be "the Guy". Every one, even the true freshman.
IF WE TRULY want to continue winning Championships, some things HAVE TO CHANGE.
Some ideas, since I know The Coaches and UA Officials all read this board...
Maybe, we need to make "recruiting ability" a bit less high on the staff priority list, and raise the priority of "teaching ability". I firmly believe we have the players to succeed at the highest levels, but somehow the transitioning of athletic ability and talent to play-making on the field is on the wane.
Maybe, we need to hire a guy to "Teach" special teams. I know the current guy is a long-timer with Coach Saban, but we are painfully bad on special teams. Probably cost us the game last night imo. We have not had a difference maker in the return game since Javy left, and Williams somehow has screwed up a guy I thought might just turn out to be in Ray Guy's class.
Maybe, our schemes and "systems" are so complicated it inhibits raw talent from seeing the field. Maybe, our schemes no longer really confuse the opponent, especially with the new quick throws and read option plays - but they DO confuse our own guys. I do not for a minute think the ole miss players are smarter than our guys, but last night they seemed, especially on defense, to play more freely and loose than our guys.
Maybe we need to change our approach in regards as to how we evaluate, recruit, and Coach Quarterbacks. The call to start Bateman last night was rather odd, in my opinion. The whole QB muddle huddle of this season has gotten ridiculous. At some point you have to make a decision and just try to ride with it. And next year looks like we will be going through this 'competition" all over again...
Coach Bryant was the greatest Coach of all time, and in large part because he was able to change as change was needed. This may be the greatest challenge for Coach Saban. Without willingness to change, and maybe make some tough decisions with staff, and start doing some things differently than maybe you ever have, I think we have peaked under Coach Saban's leadership.
I am getting a 1980-82 type feeling about The Program, and it is as uncomfortable and disconcerting as third degree jock itch.
There, I feel better now, as creating this was cathartic in an odd way.
Oh, and the ribs yesterday were PRIMO! :cheers2: on TideFans.com
