šŸˆ CNS on the receivers from last season.

If I remember correctly, did we have bunch of players on the team over the years who doesn't always practice well, but perform well when the game starts?
Not addressing our players specifically. Bo Jackson in his 30 for 30 talked about he didn't see the need to kill himself week in and week out in practice when he knew the plays and knew his blocking assignments. I think Pat Dye let him have a lot of leeway in this category. I can see where guys have this mindset.

It is Saban's ship and he runs it as he sees fit, and it is hard to argue with results. Saban has a lot of NFL influence in the way he coaches and does things. That can sometimes not be the best. Similar to the argument for/against the way he works holders/place kickers.

@Justneedme81 I guess pandering may have not been the best term, but looking at these athletes. Between social media, recruiting services and being a star athlete in HS. There is a lot of perks that come with all of that. I went to HS in the late 80's and I saw it with our stud athletes on the football team. I didn't see cheating per-se', but these guys got special treatment to make sure they were eligible come Friday night.

I think all of the things I mentioned, Transfer portal making it easy for kids that "Don't get their way", to take their toys and go home along with the NIL that inflates said egos, and the "pandering". I remember Meyer saying at Florida he had to "un recruit" kids once you get them signed because they are now on an even playing field with all the talent around them, it is a reality check. I think it is getting harder and harder for these athletes to come to grips with that reality check. I'm no longer the big fish in a small pond. I'm just another fish in a huge ass lake. It is more than just football and athletes. It is society as a whole, it not being responsible for your own actions and everyone getting a trophy. Saban said a few years ago that the maturity level between incoming freshmen and the 4th year senior is a big gap. He said from the time he started coaching till now, that gap has widened dramatically and is one of the bigger issues he faces with helping/teaching players about perseverance, etc.
 
This is not shaping up well for other teams. We are going to be a monster next year. Whoever is on this team come fall is going to be on a rail toward domination. He's not leaving any room, and I'm loving the challenge he's giving the team.

On the flip side - and it's always there - is that a little bit of me is wondering if he's putting all of his cards on the table for this season...could it be his last?
I agree with the first of your postulations but I sure hope you’re wrong about the second! I’ve been hoping for some time that Saban would spend time training up his replacement. In the past I used Stoops and Riley as my example but Riley sort of blew that out of my lexicon with him dumping Oklahoma for USC so abruptly. I don’t blame OU fans for being pissed … I would be that for sure. And I know it’s a business … but that’s a big part of the problem too. I liked it much more when the college game was about amateur football and the NFL was the business. Yeah, yeah, I know I’m old and out of step. Of course, that’s an ugly march any way you look at it.
 
I’m all for this! CNS laying it out there for future players as well. You have to put in the work everyday in preparation for the possibility that you actually get your number called. Be ready when it is!!
 
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