DE / ATH Robert Nkemdiche decommits from Clemson

[TiderJack]

I think it's still "I prefer Bama but my brother is at OM."

This is what their mom said also. I hope Jam is right but my thought is we don't get him.

 

[bamajag600]

Well while one site yesterday had him with a top 5 (Bama, Ole Miss, LSU, UGA, and Clemson); another site reports that he said he's down to two. Ole Miss and LSU. But it's not over till it's over.

 

[rgw]

He's probably going to Ole Miss. Not too concerned with him at this point...we have more viable options of actually committing to worry about.

 

[M2J]

I expect him to go to Ole Miss. Pretty obvious.

He'll have a successful career anywhere he goes. Most likely. But, he should know that a DE of his caliber combined with Bama would be a game changer. Even for a program that's going to play for its 3rd NC in 4 years, and should go into the following season as the favorite again. A DE like him, joining our defense and being coached by Saban, could be a historic level defense, and it would just make his job so much easier.

It's one thing to be a great player on either an up and coming team or losing team....and Ole Miss has an equal shot right now at being either one of those. But to do it center stage, in games that consistently mean something if not everything to the college football world,is something different...something special... look at Teo (Who may not even be the level player as some of these guys), Clowney, Jarvis Jones doing work for teams that are in title hunts.

 

[KrAzY3]

I think the Clowney comparison is a really good one. I understand why Clowney went to South Carolina, although I have to question some of the things he said. But, consider what he lost. Clowney would be playing for a national championship, he would have a chance to be championship game MVP. He'd have the best coaches available and while it might not ultimately improve his draft stock (you can't really go higher than #1), he's lost out something significant. I mean who wouldn't want to play for championships?

Robert, I can understand his going to Ole Miss, I can even understand if he goes someplace to play with friends. But, to me why repeat the mistake? At Alabama he can do everything Clowney is doing, but on a larger stage. I don't think even LSU would give him the same chances. I could understand if it was a playing time issue or something, but he can be a different maker at Alabama from day one. He can play alongside AJ, Yeldon, Cooper, and Mosley. Honestly, I have trouble understanding why someone would turn that chance down.

 

[CajunCrimson]

I think the Clowney comparison is a really good one. I understand why Clowney went to South Carolina, although I have to question some of the things he said. But, consider what he lost. Clowney would be playing for a national championship, he would have a chance to be championship game MVP. He'd have the best coaches available and while it might not ultimately improve his draft stock (you can't really go higher than #1), he's lost out something significant. I mean who wouldn't want to play for championships?

Robert, I can understand his going to Ole Miss, I can even understand if he goes someplace to play with friends. But, to me why repeat the mistake? At Alabama he can do everything Clowney is doing, but on a larger stage. I don't think even LSU would give him the same chances. I could understand if it was a playing time issue or something, but he can be a different maker at Alabama from day one. He can play alongside AJ, Yeldon, Cooper, and Mosley. Honestly, I have trouble understanding why someone would turn that chance down.

Because one place will be harder and more restrictive. Big fish little pond...at Bama you are a big fish in an ocean of fishes

 

[MOAN]

Because one place will be harder and more restrictive. Big fish little pond...at Bama you are a big fish in an ocean of fishes

If he comes to Bama though it will be harder for opposing teams to double team him because of all the other talent Bama has that needs double teamed as well. Can't put more than 11 on the field. Also with more talent and our coaches propensity to play lots of players, the pounding the kid would get at Ole Miss would be reduced probably significantly. It may mean less stats but also less of the bad stuff too and that can mean a lot for a kid with a probable long future in the NFL.

Go to a school and be coached by the best in the business, win a few rings, come out in the best shape of your life and get paid millions for the beating! Sounds like a great plan to me, wish I had his youth and talent!

 

[KrAzY3]

Because one place will be harder and more restrictive. Big fish little pond...at Bama you are a big fish in an ocean of fishes

He fills a void though. I mean we can talk about Clowney and I get that it might have been harder, but only in that it could make him a better player. I heard Clowney wants to win the Heisman. Well, he really chose the wrong school didn't he?

I just don't get a kid who pretty much has a national championship stamped on his LOI not going that route. I get it if you're worried about playing time, but with these guys that's not the issue, especially considering Alabama could really use this type of player.

 

[BigEasyTider]

I just don't get a kid who pretty much has a national championship stamped on his LOI not going that route.

Perhaps not, but you're just looking at it from entirely the wrong perspective. It may be hard for some people to process, but the fact is that a lot of kids really don't get swayed too much by the national championship gambit -- especially considering it is never a guaranteed outcome regardless of where you sign.

It's as simple as this: Lots of kids out there just want to play at a quality program, win a good number of games, have some fun along the way, and head off for the NFL in three years. The prospects of a national championship just isn't that high of a consideration. And to kids like that, there is no real difference in between going to, say, an Alabama or an LSU, as opposed to a South Carolina or Michigan State.

 

[TiderJack]

Perhaps not, but you're just looking at it from entirely the wrong perspective. It may be hard for some people to process, but the fact is that a lot of kids really don't get swayed too much by the national championship gambit -- especially considering it is never a guaranteed outcome regardless of where you sign.

It's as simple as this: Lots of kids out there just want to play at a quality program, win a good number of games, have some fun along the way, and head off for the NFL in three years. The prospects of a national championship just isn't that high of a consideration. And to kids like that, there is no real difference in between going to, say, an Alabama or an LSU, as opposed to a South Carolina or Michigan State.

But thank goodness a lot of 4 and 5 star players do. I would say most of the players that sign with Bama said winning championships was a major deciding factor. I know there are other reasons but to say "that is looking at it from entirely the wrong prespective" is inaccurate.

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

Perhaps not, but you're just looking at it from entirely the wrong perspective. It may be hard for some people to process, but the fact is that a lot of kids really don't get swayed too much by the national championship gambit -- especially considering it is never a guaranteed outcome regardless of where you sign.

It's as simple as this: Lots of kids out there just want to play at a quality program, win a good number of games, have some fun along the way, and head off for the NFL in three years. The prospects of a national championship just isn't that high of a consideration. And to kids like that, there is no real difference in between going to, say, an Alabama or an LSU, as opposed to a South Carolina or Michigan State.

I'd agree especially since facilities quality, overall quality of program and NFL prep tend to be the biggest recruiting tools. though winning consistently has a certain appeal as well, maybe not necessarily winning titles.

 

[WMack4Bama]

What LSU has working in its favor with Robert right now: Montgomery & Mingo (and Bennie Logan) are gone. He can step right in and play right away. And the way Chavis likes to let them get after it and use their athleticism rather than play the disciplined gap assignment that our guys play, is probably what's attractive to him.

There's more than one way to skin a cat. LSU's style is to get upfield, attack the backfield, and get tackles for loss. Our method is stay disciplined, stay at home, and get tackles for no gain. They both have obviously proven to be effective over the long haul.

The downside to each one can be personified in two plays: for LSU's style, the screen pass to Yeldon for the TD to win the game. For us, Manziel's fumble, fumble recovery and subsequent scramble and TD pass. Had LSU's DEs played more disciplined, Yeldon is tackled for a minimal gain. Had our d-line been more in attack mode, Manziel is tackled for a loss right after the bobbled handling of the ball.

Pros & cons for both. I think Nkemdiche's style is more suited for using his raw athleticism to overtake his opponents. I'd love to have him here, obviously. I just think (trying to think like he's thinking) he's better suited for another system.

 

[peariver]

What LSU has working in its favor with Robert right now: Montgomery & Mingo (and Bennie Logan) are gone. He can step right in and play right away. And the way Chavis likes to let them get after it and use their athleticism rather than play the disciplined gap assignment that our guys play, is probably what's attractive to him.

There's more than one way to skin a cat. LSU's style is to get upfield, attack the backfield, and get tackles for loss. Our method is stay disciplined, stay at home, and get tackles for no gain. They both have obviously proven to be effective over the long haul.

The downside to each one can be personified in two plays: for LSU's style, the screen pass to Yeldon for the TD to win the game. For us, Manziel's fumble, fumble recovery and subsequent scramble and TD pass. Had LSU's DEs played more disciplined, Yeldon is tackled for a minimal gain. Had our d-line been more in attack mode, Manziel is tackled for a loss right after the bobbled handling of the ball.

Pros & cons for both. I think Nkemdiche's style is more suited for using his raw athleticism to overtake his opponents. I'd love to have him here, obviously. I just think (trying to think like he's thinking) he's better suited for another system.

Good analysis but there is a possibility that our system will change slightly to adapt to the faster paced offenses which have given us problems recently.

 

[Rolltide_PA]

didn't really need anymore tests in the SEC West but if Ole Miss land both Lawson and Nkemdiche on dline that will be an imposing duo. Who'd have thought Miss would be this deep in the running for the nation's top 2 players? impressive

 

[KrAzY3]

Perhaps not, but you're just looking at it from entirely the wrong perspective. It may be hard for some people to process, but the fact is that a lot of kids really don't get swayed too much by the national championship gambit -- especially considering it is never a guaranteed outcome regardless of where you sign.

Wouldn't it be more truthful to say they are looking at it from the wrong perspective? I know when I played a sport, it was to win. I believe Alabama is the only place right now that winning a championship becomes likely. Even LSU, as good as they are, and as important as a player like Robert would be, is not likely to win a championship in the next three years. This is a team that narrowly escaped Ole Miss and Arkansas and lost to Clemson, which isn't a good final three games. They have a drug problem, they have 14 seniors, I think the only place to go and know that sort of thing is likely is Alabama.

As to the style of play, I don't believe for one second that Alabama would hold back a guy like Robert. They might make him more NFL ready, they might make him more disciplined, but Alabama went hard after Clowney and they are going hard after Robert because they can use that sort of a player. It's absurd to think Alabama would have a weapon like that and not use it. Of course they would, and it would be an integral part of their game plan. I can go further though. The thing about Clowney that really surprised me was the notion that he wants to win a Heisman. In 2009 an Alabama player won, in 2010, a player that beat Alabama won, in 2011 an Alabama player was a finalist and in 2012 an player that beat Alabama won (in a match-up that likely determined the winner). If Clowney had chosen Alabama, he could have had his defining moment in the A&M game. Imagine his blowing up a play in the backfield, sacking Johnny Football. The stage would have been the second highest rated game thus far. Clowney would have a game against Notre Dame coming up, a chance to solidify his status as a legit Heisman candidate. Instead, he's in South Carolina where he'll never get as much attention.

I guess the argument that Alabama wouldn't use a Robert or a Clowney is basically the same to say Alabama wouldn't use an Amari Cooper. I mean they're not really a passing team right? All the true freshman does is 896 yards and 9 TDs and that's with an injury that made him miss time.

You come to Alabama if you want to win. Awards, championships, etc... you don't go there if that's not what you care about. I get it if you're afraid you might not get playing time, but with some of these guys that's a non-issue. If I was practically guaranteed a starting job as a true freshman at Alabama, it's hard to imagine what could compel me to choose otherwise.

 

[peariver]

Instead, he's in South Carolina where he'll never get as much attention.

Yep, playing in a bowl game that was aired at the same time as a Georgia/Michigan game, meaning half of the viewing audience missed his hit on the Michigan running back. Sure they have you-tubed or watched highlights of the hit but that is nothing like watching a player an entire game.

 

[bamamc1]

Yep, playing in a bowl game that was aired at the same time as a Georgia/Michigan game, meaning half of the viewing audience missed his hit on the Michigan running back. Sure they have you-tubed or watched highlights of the hit but that is nothing like watching a player an entire game.

We need to use the Coach Bryant analogy on all these guys: "If you come here you will have the chance to win an SEC title and a National Championship. If you don't come here, we will still have a chance to win an SEC title and a National Championship."

 

[JBama_in_PCOLA]

Yep, playing in a bowl game that was aired at the same time as a Georgia/Michigan game, meaning half of the viewing audience missed his hit on the Michigan running back. Sure they have you-tubed or watched highlights of the hit but that is nothing like watching a player an entire game.

I missed it myself. Great hit, but I'm sure a lot of people missed it like you said.

 

[MemphisBamaDude]

I agree that while we have run a certain style of defense that may fit the talents of certain players over others, if we have a chance to get a dominant player, we should get him. We can all agree that after the A&M game, a few minor tweaks need to be made to account for high tempo offenses and mobile, accurate QBs like Manziel. If we can get Nkemdiche and he has his mind right, go get em.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Wouldn't it be more truthful to say they are looking at it from the wrong perspective?

Not really. It's their lives, their choices, their criterias for making the decisions. It doesn't automatically make them weak, misguided or wrong-headed if they choose another school. Maybe they want to play with a brother and help build something special. Sounds like a legitimate reason to me.