The Future (calm down)

[bbesse]

I know that we're all extremely hungry to for a top-notch team but the truth is that there are tons, tons of factors that go into becoming a SEC champion, let alone a NC.

Couldn't agree more. If and when Bama wins the SECCG or NC, it will be due to a lot more than a head coach or recruits. If that were the case, the NC game would just be about who could pay the most for the best coach, and teams like South Carolina would be there. When a NC is won by Bama, it's won by the program, not the coach. Bama could fire Saban in the next few years (not saying it will happen) and they could hire someone else and win it all. Even Shula was in striking distance of a NC just 2 years ago.

As an LSU fan, I think a huge factor in all it is also luck. It is very underrated. Luck could have easily determined us being 11-0 at this point or 7-4. A single play in each game could have been the difference between Bama being 8-3 or 2-9.

 

[BJ4TIDE]

Again, it goes back to unrealistic expectations. If our fan base constantly has unrealistic expectations, we'll never be satisfied.

By the way, in a poll on who will win the Iron Bowl poll, 40.71% said Auburn and 8.85% aren't even going to watch it.

So, because 41% of the people who decided to take the poll say we can't win, that makes it so? What is your point here? Why is it soooo unrealistic to think we can beat Auburn? Please educate me.

 

[beardensdaman44]

Well not much to say, but i still have faith in my team no matter what the record is. Beat Auburn! Forget about the dang process for this week only. Cant we just beat Auburn?

 

[beardensdaman44]

So, because 41% of the people who decided to take the poll say we can't win, that makes it so? What is your point here? Why is it soooo unrealistic to think we can beat Auburn? Please educate me.

AGREED 200000000000000%


BEAT AUBURN.

 

[CrimsonNeck]

I wish every one would calm the heck down and take this "process" with baby steps. We are going to lose to Auburn... [Saban] The man is a winner and he'll do wonders for Alabama if we let him. Roll Tide

I agree w/everything you said ESPECIALLY the Saban sentiments. However, I take exception to the "going to lose to Auburn" stuff... Until the Fat Lady sings, until the Ramp Lady is Silent, Until the clock shows 0:00 remaining in the game - We Gotta a Good, GOOD chance of pulling enough elements together, of forcing enough mistakes from aubie & co., to win that game! My expectation will ALWAYS be that we WIN THAT game. Do you remember the 'Talent & W/L differential (in OUR favor) in the '02 Iron Bowl? Of course no one knew for sure that Fran had 'dropped the rope' in that one. Not suggesting TT is about to drop his rope, but please keep in mind that Auburn has had it's fair share of disappointing play out of key positions this season as well. Auburn IS BEATABLE by THIS Alabama Team! I for one am w/the 54%+ of respondents who think Bama can & WILL win this game & position itself into a better bowl position. I am not going to put up my white-flag no matter the outcome so eating crow is out of the question. BAMA WINS OUT!
:biga::biga::biga:

 

[bmcklv]

I agree with these comments, but do the "Textbook 5" fit into this category? I do not know all the details, but one detail I know for sure these 5 players let down their teammates and the coaches. Everyone is excited because they will be back for the AU game, we seem to overlook the qualities and values of the type players you say CNS wants if we can get them back for AU.

You're absolutely right, they did let their team down, and they were suspended four games for it. Isn't that enough punishment?, or do you think they should have been kicked off the team for doing something stupid? If players have shown a pattern of disobedience and disregard for the team rules, that's one thing, and they should be kicked off of the team; but as far as I know I don't remember these players having issues before, and a four game suspension seems fair to me for doing something dumb to help other students or girlfriends. I don't know many guys who haven't done something stupid for a girl; even if they knew better. Do you believe it should be a one strike rule where if you violate any of the team rules you should be kicked off the team? I have seen good players that refuse to conform to team rules relegated to specail teams duty or bench duty for pretty much the whole year. Players besides the textbook five that could have been huge help in the LSU and MSU games weren't inserted for the sake of a victory. I totally trust Coach Saban to do what is right; he has already shown it more than once this year.

 

[bbqman]

I heard a great quote from one of the afternoon hosts on the radio yesterday that puts a lot of this in perspective...

We are light years behind these programs and we're not going to catch up over night.

I would like to know what station you were listening to! I can't find a decent sports talk show in the H'ville and Decatur listening area.

 

[bmcklv]

You were not surprised that Bama lost to ULM?!?!?!?!?!? RTR... Beat the Barn.

I was stunned beyond words that Bama lost to ULM; and it was probably worse for those who saw it as it happened. I was only trying to say; that, if you look at the stats post-game, it's absolutely not surprising that they lost this game based on turn-overs alone. When a team gives the ball away 5-6 times and takes it away Zero times, the result is to be expected. Alabama couldn't hold on to the football in crucial situations, and the inevitable result happened. The coaches must accept some blame, and the players must accept some blame, and hopefully they all learn from it and it doesn't happen again.

 

[slicric]

i agree with everything except losing to auburn.RTR.

 

[THE BAMA IRISHMAN]

The future is near and last week I saw a team breakdown that I personally did not expect. I am a patient man and know things will get better. There are players who under Shula did not get it. They are getting it now. If players want to play at the next level it can only happen if every player is hitting on all cylinders. Some ignore the message.

A good future will be a hard earned . :biga2: With the guidance of Coach Saban and solid recruits who expect hard work in order to win the Future is going to be fine.

 

[califbamafan]

I for one believe we will win 9-10 games next year. we will have quite a few of CNS recruits by then( even though they will be young). We will have gotten rid of some of the mal contents from CMS regime. The ones left from cms people will either get with CNS program or he will get rid of them. Our team will be much stonger and have a winning attitude put in them. The one thing we need to do is sign 1 more QB. That is probally one of our biggest weakness's. I have no problem with a freshman at qb. Okla. has done quite well with one. With a half way good qb this year we would have won at least 2 more games. if we can get this corrected we should do quite well next year. i think our future looks very bright.:BigA:

 

[deliveryman35]

I agree COMPLETELY with the original post in this thread. Our football program is like an old, 'fixer-upper' house that has suffered years of neglect but that, in order to be restored to its original grandeur and beauty from years gone by, you realize that it's going to take more than just a coat of new paint on the walls and cosmetic alterations. It has to be gutted and cleaned out--starting deep on the inside where perhaps not many if any people even knew problems existed and gradually extending to the whole exterior and furthest reaches of the home. Rotten wood and structure has to be ripped out and replaced with strong, sturdy material. Plumbing and electrical lines have to be upgraded and sometimes replaced altogether. Perhaps some old items and fixtures are left in place, but only the few that meet the new standards are allowed to remain. For any of you that have ever had to do this, you know it's hard and challenging work and not for the faint of heart. Likewise, this football team and program, top to bottom, has to be dealt with in much the same way, and I think Nick is just the kind of person that can get it done, if he's left alone and allowed to do his thing. The way I see it, the players on the roster right now that are due to return next year will either buy into Coach Saban's system, enthusiastically support it, and be a part of the solution, OR they will be part of the problem and probably not a member of this team for very much longer. Either way, with new recruits coming in, our future looks very good and I am very excited about the next few upcoming seasons.

 

[THE BAMA IRISHMAN]

I agree COMPLETELY with your post. Our football program is like an old, 'fixer-upper' house that has suffered years of neglect but that, in order to be restored to its original grandeur and beauty from years gone by, you realize that it's going to take more than just a coat of new paint on the walls and cosmetic alterations. It has to be gutted and cleaned out--starting deep on the inside where perhaps not many if any people even knew problems existed and gradually extending to the whole exterior and furthest reaches of the home. Rotten wood and structure has to be ripped out and replaced with strong, sturdy material. Plumbing and electrical lines have to be upgraded and sometimes replaced altogether. Perhaps some old items and fixtures are left in place, but only the few that meet the new standards are allowed to remain. For any of you that have ever had to do this, you know it's hard and challenging work and not for the faint of heart. Likewise, this football team and program, top to bottom, has to be dealt with in much the same way, and I think Nick is just the kind of person that can get it done, if he's left alone and allowed to do his thing. The way I see it, the players on the roster right now that are due to return next year will either buy into Coach Saban's system, enthusiastically support it, and be a part of the solution, OR they will be part of the problem and probably not a member of this team for very much longer. Either way, with new recruits coming in, our future looks very good and I am very excited about the next few upcoming seasons.

Oh Yes I am in agreement with Coach Saban and his way. If a player isn't responding, force his hand and see what kind of a person he is.

Coach Saban pretty much as said My Way or the The Highway. I agree totally. I could careless if a player is 5 plus stars. If that player is not a team player he is useless to Alabama Football. I too like what Coach Saban is doing. If a player isn't taking care of his business he is wasting everyone's time including the very people who think the world of him. His family. :BigA:

 

[Bamathrunthru]

After saturdays game CNS will begin the process of clipping the limbs from the tree for new growth. There will be left an ugly tree, but with a lot of watering, love and usual pruning this old tree will become a hearty an tall timber again. By the way he did give the tree almost a year to green up and rebound before he made this decision.
RTR DT_newy:

 

[SoldierForTide]

Saban was brought into a trainwreck and a team and fanbase plagued by Shularea.

Looking back, it seems Shula didn't even try to recruit to build a complete team. A couple good offensive players here and there, but that's about it. Another thing is that Shula seemed to limit the competition of players. For example, JPW had practically no threat of losing his starting job after Brodie graduated and that irks me. It is never good when a player gets to start by default. We need to build depth at every position and have practices be cut-throat, where any given player's job is on the line. It will happen with time, but I cringe to think things may get worse before they get any better.