The Defense is now a Walking MASH unit

[RobK]

The great thing about the game of football is that nobody is "owed" anything and nobody "deserves" anything. At the beginning of the season if I had been offered the opportunity we have (a playoff berth and rematch against Clemson on a neutral field...I actually prefer facing them with a month to prepare in the semi rather than a week in the final), I would have taken it in a heartbeat even with a banged-up defense. Even subtracting the injured players in a worst-case scenario, I would take our (remaining) players over theirs and I would take our coaching staff over theirs...especially with a month of prep time. I would rather have a fully healthy roster and I would prefer that we had looked a little better down the stretch of the season, but I'll take the opportunity in front of us.

 

[CajunCrimson]

Lots of Drinking spiked Egg Nog in Tidefansland today.....

 

[TheTideRolls]

We should be fine if offense can sustain drives and no injuries during game. Offense is biggest concern. There are no injuries there.

 

[Moro Creek]

My thought recently has been just how spoiled we have become under Saban. In Bryant's time Bama didn't dominate every game In the 60's SEC games were always wars with Tenn being a toss up game year after year. Tenn managed to dominate during the Doug Dickey era in the late 60's. Ga. Tech, Florida and Ga. were always very close games. I always remember that the 65 NC team managed to beat MSU 10-7 in Starkville on a long TD from Stapler to Homan. Does that sound similar to today?

As mentioned here earlier the SEC couldn't compete with the Big 8 when Neb, Okla., Colorado were fully integrated and had such great teams. Also Bryant never managed to beat Darrel Royal who owned Texas from a recruiting standpoint.

The point is even the mythical Bryant had up and downs with a number of coaches on near equal footing.

Stapler could hold those teams together back then.

 

[jabcmb]

I have come to realize that my reaction to good or bad Bama news is tempered by two events that occurred within one year of each other a while ago. As a Bama fan, I have never again been as “down” as after TN beat us 24-0 in 1970. I have never been as hopeful and excited as when we opened up in the wishbone against Southern Cal in 1971. Everything else is in between. Enjoy the ride, we’re gonna be OK.

 

[GrayTide]

 

[CajunCrimson]

Too many Klingers on this thread....

Not enough Hawkeyes....

And only one "Hot Lips" --- you know who you are.

 

[snake plissken]

I feel much better now hearing that Thompson is ok.

 

[ccc2259]

I am, but not going to the game this year. Heartbreak in Tampa last year was enough for me. I just don't have confidence in our OC or QB to carry our wounded D.

I understand the heartbreak..........but I'll be there yelling for you.

 

[snake plissken]

Sounds good...pull them through for us! RTR

 

[RT27]

This is epic meltdown thread LOL. When we win it all, I'll be sure to bump this one up and remind everyone. I'm kidding. Calm down everyone. We'll be fine. Thompson is okay.

I know we will be fine, but if we lose by a small margin I will personally always wonder what if. NO team can be the same with this many injuries. if we win it will be the best coaching job and player step up ever. I still think the injuries have hurt this team a lot. I am usually confident that Bama canbeat anyone, but this is like having one arm tied behind our back. It has totally changed how we play.

 

[Toddrn]

Even better than Gem Clip!! LOL

Stapler could hold those teams together back then.

 

[PA Tide Fan]

I'm not worried about our defense. Even with the loss of Moses we are still in better shape defensively than we were most of the season. If we lose I think it will be because our offense under performed, not our defense.

 

[RT27]

What we need is for them to transform into the old style Bama defense, SMASH unit hehe

 

[dvil doc]

Stapler could hold those teams together back then.

12 was the glue no doubt.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I must have missed the memo that turned Clemson’s defense into the 2011 Alabama D.

We have problems......uh, so do they.

 

[derek4tide]

I had to go back and check the thread name again. I thought it was the Debbie Downer thread. Have some faith in “your” team. Good lord people. smh

 

[UntouchableCrew]

I'm not worried about our defense. Even with the loss of Moses we are still in better shape defensively than we were most of the season. If we lose I think it will be because our offense under performed, not our defense.

Agreed. Clemson's D vs our O is a much "scarier" potential matchup than our D vs their O.

 

[TiderJack]

I must have missed the memo that turned Clemson’s defense into the 2011 Alabama D.

We have problems......uh, so do they.

Exactly. They gave up almost 500 yds and 31 pts to NC State. They were better defensively last year.

 

[teamplayer]

Well, we never have since, despite some here remembering "bad" years. The year before I arrived at Bama, 1956, we had the identical record. In 1955, our record was 0-10-0. I definitely didn't go to Bama for the football program...

Haha, I know I was looking at my step-dad's yearbook (I think it was called the Corolla but not sure because I never purchased one when I was at Bama) when I was in my early teens, and I expected to see Bama's football team dominating. I kept looking at the score for each game, and my jaw was nearly on the ground when there wasn't a single win to be found. I was shocked. I wondered what had happened, so I looked to see the coach's name- Ears Whitworth. I don't believe there are any statues of old Ears around. His complete and total failure led mama to make a call.