Lay Off the Coach and Players...Be True Fans!!!

[Gridiron_77]

I am getting sick and tired of coming on these boards every day and seeing all the so-called "die hard" Bama fans criticizing the players and Shula and his staff. I think people are forgetting that we are rebuilding from two years of probation and four coaches in four years. What really amazes me is that most of these people who are criticizing Alabama probably have no experience with football as a player or coach. It is a lot easier to coach from a recliner...try getting out there and doing it yourself.

Shula will be a great coach!!! This program will be great once again!!! Stop being the fair-weather fans Alabama is known for and start supporting the program through thick and thin!!!

Coach Bryant was the greatest coach in the history for football. But people, the man is dead. There will never be another Coach Bryant, period. Let's move past this reincarnation and start supporting the program we have; and let's support it and the coaches, players, and staff at all times, win or loss.

 

[RamJam]

Same ole, Same ole...

The media & all our "enemies" love it when we show this side of ourselves.

They say to potential players & to any coaches who have ALREADY said "NO" to coming here (which is just about every one in the country) they say: "See? They're not loyal to their coach, they are not only spoiled for having been such a winning tradition, they're spoiled brats. They run off coaches, they prevent coaches from coming & they do the same with potential recruits." I am NOT saying I agree with this - I am saying that by our public displays that we feed FODDER to these people who take such great delight in hoping that they can bring us down like this. I hope it doesn't work this time. I wish everyone would just BE QUIET publically & let Mike develop & let these freshmen develop. We'll be back within 2 years - I'm staying faithful on that. These guys need encouragement right now.

 

[sh4bama]

Reality

I am your typical Bama fan. I grew up watching the Bears teams win. What I saw last night was heartbreaking to me. Now to put the blame where it belongs.

Probation: Alabama was handed some of the harshest penalties ever by the NCAA. We are playing great freshmen but still freshmen. We have less talent on the field.

Coaching Changes: My God we have not had stability since the Bear. We have had Perkins, Curry, Stallings, Dubose, Franchonie, Price and Shula. Hell I may have missed one or two. The point being stability breeds success. It lets a program set a direction and maintain it.

Spoiled Fanbase: I think the fan base has added our problems, we jump ship, call for the coaches head, we add to our own misery. I listened to call in shows last night and a major topic was the players quitting... Did you see the fans pouring out of the stadium in the 3rd qtr? Who quit first? These are kids, maybe they thought if they (the fans) don't think we can win, we can't. I don't know.

I will be honest, I was angry last night.. I wanted to fire the whole coaching staff, take away all the scholarships, stop the expansion of BDS and burn all copies of "Sweet Home Alabama." Today the crimson color glasses are off.

What we have to do.

1) Take a dose reality. We have a rebuilding period to go through.

2) Get behind Shula. He may have to make changes to his staff, but these have to be his changes. I do believe Shula can be an outstanding coach, given the time and player talent. He has proven to be a good recruiter. Again stability is what is needed here.

3) Take another dose of reality.

Just the ramblings of a reality struck fan.

Entry: REALITY
Function: noun
Definition: existence
Synonyms: absoluteness, actuality, authenticity, being, bottom line, brass tacks, certainty, concrete, corpoREALITY, deed, entity, existence, facts, genuineness, materiality, matter, object, palpability, perceptibility, phenomenon, presence, real world, realism, realness, realness, sensibility, solidity, substance, substantiality, substantive, tangibility, truth, validity, verisimilitude, verity, what's what
Source: Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.0.5)
Copyright © 2004 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved



:biga:

 

[Bebes]

Can I get a glass of that Kool Aid you guys are drinking?

 

[davefrat]

Here We Go Again

with the "you're not a true fan if you don't think like i do" baloney.

 

[BamaAllTheWay]

What do you want Gridiron77? A "PollyAnna" web site? The sooner we face our problems, the sooner they can be corrected. Take Shula last night, I think the best move he made was benching Guillon after a horrible passing decision. I'm hoping Guillon will be sharper because of Shula's decision. The best thing Shula has going for him now is time. Let's hope the team makes the most of these next few weeks. Adjusting to an inexperienced QB is tough. Ask UT and LSU fans. They're wishing they had Clausen and Mauck after yesterday. Anyway, there's nothing wrong with Bama fans venting their frustrations and questioning our selection of Shula after last night. Hopefully, time will prove Shula was a good choice, but there's only a limited amount of time left.

Roll Tide!

 

[Crimson Missy]

Hard to be humble, but the only comment I have to make is...i just wish CMS would show some emotion..one way or the other. I'm over it...Go BAMA, we have to get ready for those Wildcats!!!! Roll Tide!!!!

 

[Gridiron_77]

What do you want Gridiron77? A "PollyAnna" web site? The sooner we face our problems, the sooner they can be corrected. Take Shula last night, I think the best move he made was benching Guillon after a horrible passing decision. I'm hoping Guillon will be sharper because of Shula's decision. The best thing Shula has going for him now is time. Let's hope the team makes the most of these next few weeks. Adjusting to an inexperienced QB is tough. Ask UT and LSU fans. They're wishing they had Clausen and Mauck after yesterday. Anyway, there's nothing wrong with Bama fans venting their frustrations and questioning our selection of Shula after last night. Hopefully, time will prove Shula was a good choice, but there's only a limited amount of time left.

Roll Tide!

BamaAllTheWay, I agree we need to look at our situation. However, there is a difference in seeing what we can do to improve and bashing our coaches and players from the start. Be supportive. The basis of alot of people's problems is two-fold - ignorance to the game of football and thinking that Shula, and any coach for that matter, should be Bear Bryant reincarnated.

We are still rebuilding. I mean, firing a coach after two years - one year not even being able to train his team? That is ridiculous.

Peole, Rome was not built in a day. Neither were the great Alabama teams. It takes time. Longer than two years!!!

 

[Rolling Tide]

I am getting sick and tired of coming on these boards every day and seeing all the so-called "die hard" Bama fans criticizing the players and Shula and his staff. I think people are forgetting that we are rebuilding from two years of probation and four coaches in four years. What really amazes me is that most of these people who are criticizing Alabama probably have no experience with football as a player or coach. It is a lot easier to coach from a recliner...try getting out there and doing it yourself.

Shula will be a great coach!!! This program will be great once again!!! Stop being the fair-weather fans Alabama is known for and start supporting the program through thick and thin!!!

Coach Bryant was the greatest coach in the history for football. But people, the man is dead. There will never be another Coach Bryant, period. Let's move past this reincarnation and start supporting the program we have; and let's support it and the coaches, players, and staff at all times, win or loss.

Here we go again!!! Your not a fan if you complain about losing....

My daddy can beat up your daddy....

 

[Bama Lee]

All I ask is that some of you put some thought behind what you post (both sides). It is embarrasing to come on here (after a loss) and read some the emotional tirades. Tidefans presents an image to the outside world about who we are as 'Bama Fans'.

 

[RobK]

So this is the message I'm getting:

1. We should accept and embrace losing. Since we used to be on NCAA probation and our fans are spoiled rotten, we are only getting what we deserve.

2. We have no right to question or criticize what we (and a fair number of football experts/pundits) would brand as inept coaching decisions, dumb penalties on the field, poor play, etc., until the coaching staff has been around for six or seven years, at minimum.

3. Passion (i.e. celebrating a win or venting after a loss) is no longer welcome. We should be the most content team with a 1-2 record in the entire SEC.

I would not advocate calling for a coach's head right now; that defies common sense. However, I WOULD agree with the people that say that things will have to get better than they have been recently for this this staff to stay over the long-term. Does that make me a bad fan?

RTR :biga:

 

[Ramah Jamah]

Coach Bryant was the greatest coach in the history for football. But people, the man is dead.

Agree and at least you have the courtesy, unlike some on this board, to refer to him as Coach Bryant.

There will never be another Coach Bryant, period. Let's move past this reincarnation and start supporting the program we have; and let's support it and the coaches, players, and staff at all times, win or loss.

Dammit, Gridiron we get enough of this crap from other school's fans, we don't need it from our own. Who on this board compared Coach Shula to Coach Bryant? Point to the post. Everyone on here supports the program, if we didn't care we wouldn't be here. Have you ever criticized a loved one? Did your criticism indicate that you do not support them?

 

[RamJam]

Good points Rob...
I think most of us are anxioius, disappointed, embarrassed, yada, yada.....makes it hard not to misinterpret what other fans are trying to convey sometimes, though.

To attempt to answer your points, Rob, please consider this:

1. NO - We're ALL equally disappointed.

2. I don't think anyone sees the wrong with constructive criticism , but hopefully that it can be presented so that it doesn't seem DISLOYAL to outsiders who delight in trying to make us look like "bad-fans" - this only furthers their attempts in preventing us from landing good recruits or good coaches (or even running off good coaches). No kidding.

3. I don't think there's a Bama fan on the earth who doesn't have passion - that is the MAIN thing we all have in common. It goes back to the presentation on venting, though versus pure out old destructive criticism & doing it publically. Just makes a bad matter worse.

Rob, you are SO not a "bad-fan". I don't think anyone is asking anyone else to consider being unrealistic or overly casual about any disappointment - but only trying to suggest thinking how they PUBLICALLY express it. (for ALL the reasons)

I think we're all pretty good folks in general & we're not BAD fans - & yanno what else? We're gonna rise above all this... :biggrin:

 

[RobK]

I think we're all pretty good folks in general & we're not BAD fans - & yanno what else? We're gonna rise above all this... :biggrin:

I agree wholeheartedly. We just need to block out the first 48 hours after a loss and dismiss all that's said as pure venting. I think on this board, most of the discussion for the first three or four days after a loss are responses to venting messages posted shortly after the games and responses to messages critical of those venters. By the time everyone speaks their mind, it's time for the next game.

I always whine around and complain for a day or two after a loss. Then (by about Tuesday morning) I start anticipating the next game, restoring my faith in the players and coaches, and talking up the Tide's chances for a win on Saturday to anyone that will listen. I always take down my car flag on Sundays (those things wear out really quick, especially if you drive much on the highways), but it'll be back up by Thursday. Let's go out and remind Kentucky that they are a basketball school!

RTR!!! :biga:

 

[Mussofan22]

I think I'm a fairly typical Alabama fan, having grown up and being a fan since the early '60's. So I'm going to give you my point of view.

1. I don't believe anybody could have been any more furious than me after Saturday's game. The QB play and play-calling were horrific! But I have no control over any of it, and it's still my Alabama football team. I will continue to support this team and coaching staff!

2. I don't understand how losing one player (QB Brodie Croyle) can be so critical to a team's psyche, but obviously it has been. Remember what happened in 1984 when Kerry Goode went down in the Boston College game. It seemed like all the air had been released collectively from the players. But I have no control over any of it, and it's still my Alabama football team. I will continue to support this team and coaching staff!

3. I don't like what I'm seeing with our program, because it was basically the hand we were dealt by the two-faced, dictatorial NCAA and a bunch of lying coaches and Tennessee boosters. But I have no control over any of it, and it's still my Alabama football team. I will continue to support this team and coaching staff.

Look...nobody wants to win any more than I do. I cannot tell you how my guts were ripped out this past Saturday. It hurts to see Alabama play like that. The sooner we all realize that none of us are in control here, and the tough decisions are Mike Shula's and Mal Moore's and Dr. Witt's, the better off we'll all be. Roll Tide!!!

 

[RamJam]

Musso!!!!!

AWESOME post!

 

[1BamaNita]

Great post Musso! I'll be right there with you supporting the coaches and team.

I won't say anyone who's non-supportive isn't a "true" fan, just that they sure don't express it like I prefer.

 

[Ramah Jamah]

Great post Musso! I'll be right there with you supporting the coaches and team.

I won't say anyone who's non-supportive isn't a "true" fan, just that they sure don't express it like I prefer.

Fair enough. I may not post like some of you like, but if I didn't care I wouldn't post at all. Nothing would make me happier than at the end of the season you all jump on me about being so negative about the losses if we end up with a winning team.

 

[crimsonaudio]

with the "you're not a true fan if you don't think like i do" baloney.

Amen.

There's a difference in supporting team/staff and refusing to admit they could be capable of bad decsions...

 

[Capstoner]

So this is the message I'm getting:

1. We should accept and embrace losing. Since we used to be on NCAA probation and our fans are spoiled rotten, we are only getting what we deserve.

2. We have no right to question or criticize what we (and a fair number of football experts/pundits) would brand as inept coaching decisions, dumb penalties on the field, poor play, etc., until the coaching staff has been around for six or seven years, at minimum.

3. Passion (i.e. celebrating a win or venting after a loss) is no longer welcome. We should be the most content team with a 1-2 record in the entire SEC.

I would not advocate calling for a coach's head right now; that defies common sense. However, I WOULD agree with the people that say that things will have to get better than they have been recently for this this staff to stay over the long-term. Does that make me a bad fan?

RTR :biga:

You forgot that nobody who watches college football can question the infinite genius and superior brain functions that allow coaches to understand how the game works on a grand scale which is 1000 times more than any layperson could fathom. Running the ball late is the best way to make a comeback and you would know that if you were a coach and not a lowlife layperson who only watches.