Why is DeMeco Ryans on Special Teams?

[Love the Ping]

Ryans plays on special teams for the same reason that many of our other starters play on special teams. It's a third of the game and is as important as offense or defense. To question why he is in the game that late in a blowout is legitimate, even though I disagree with you. But to question why he is on special teams at all shows a lack of knowledge of the game of football.

 

[PANABAMA]

I should have worded my post differently.I know why he is on special teams but it seems some other young fire-breather could have been in there late. I would like to know how many of our starters play on special teams. If it's more than a few,we are thinner than I thought. As for my football knowledge,some of the players I coached and some of the officials in my organization probably share your doubts! rtr...

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Well...

what have you left us to say? You are not coaching Bama...

 

[Crimson Surfer]

I will give you a good example in my opinion without calling out an individual player. A "young firebreather" that was playing his heart out and trying to do the best he could to help win made a critical mistake. In this game it was not the difference between winning and losing but it very well could be in another game. This true freshman on Special Teams was called for a 'questionable" block behind the back on the Prothro punt return for a TD. Freshman are going to make mistakes just like everybody but a little more often because of lack of experience. I would like to see solid special teams play even late in the game. If you let a team get a quick score on special teams it can turn turn the game around in a hurry.

I will let Bama explain there reasoning better than I did. I know this article is primarily about Prothro but it is also about leaving the starters in the game.

Coaches defend decision to leave Prothro in game

Tide offensive coordinator David Rader seemed incensed the question was even asked.

"What do you do? Do you take him out at 7-3 because we know that they're only going to score three?" Rader asked rhetorically.

"We're out there to win the ballgame and we take our best players to win the ballgame. ... We didn't feel like the game was iced.

"I read all the time a lot of things about how powerful (they are) and their offense can get back in the game. If we worry about guys getting hurt, OK, then we're going to bite our nails all day long."

 

[bamahuey1]

As they entered the fourth quarter that cool and overcast afternoon at Doak Campbell Stadium, Florida center David Swain and his teammates weren't thinking about holding on against Florida State.

Ahead 31-3, they smelled a rout.

During the final quarter, the unthinkable happened.

Florida's offense went south and its defense went in the tank. Florida State, suddenly energized as if the first three quarters never happened, mounted an electrifying comeback the likes of which may never be witnessed again. The resulting 31-31 tie will live forever in Florida-Florida State lore as the Choke at Doak.

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/11/17/Sports/Choke_at_Doak_still_a.shtml

 

[Crimson-Blitz]

"Why is DeMeco Ryans on Special Teams?"

Because he is a great special teams player.

 

[POWERLINEMAN42]

Cause Ryans is a tackling machine?

Amen, and I say keep him on special teams

 

[mikeua69]

Typical of some Bama fans... We just took the number 5 team in the nation to the woodshed, but some feel the need to find something to complain about.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Typical of some Bama fans... We just took the number 5 team in the nation to the woodshed, but some feel the need to find something to complain about.

Indeed.

 

[cooleddie]

Just off the top of my head, I think I can recall at least 3 - 4 plays on special teams in which the returner got away from the first 3-4 guys down there in coverage...and guess who was there to stop that kick returner from getting further down the field - #35. Heck, after seeing how many stops that he did make on special teams, I would be upset if he were not out there.

 

[PANABAMA]

To those of you who bothered to give an answer to my question,thanks. I hadn't noticed that DR was on special teams until the FL game when he seemed to be in on every tackle. With around 3min left we punted and there he was making another tackle.I can't think of a better time to let one of the youngsters fly down the field.I fully support any moves made by CMS.I'm sure he and anyone on his staff knows more about football than I and even perhaps some of you.The response to this thread is the reason many of the" old time"posters are no longer here.ROLL TIDE ANYWAY !
P.S.
Sorry if I miisspelled a word or forgot a comma.

 

[alatider]

Coach Radar "hit the nail on the head" Saturday night when asked as to why Prothro was still in the game in the 4th quarter - "because these kids came here to play". He went on to state that Bama plays to win with the best players that they have.
Ryans is a quality player who deserves to play (and not sit on the bench), as are many others.

 

[Tide & Titans]

Uh, you have to tackle punt returners too. We were also playing Florida and Demeco made a big play. Are you really second guessing this???