🏈 Next year

[UAgrad93]

I'm going to jump in on this about the play calling and beating ourselves. Kiffin called a poor game no "if's, ands or buts" about it. 13 carries for a 240 lb tailback and only 1 toss sweep with him is good? Calling a freaking 2nd and 2 sprint out pass to the right and taking an 8 yard sack is a good play selection? I played the "DAMN" game and have coached it for 13 years. I will actually be getting back into it this spring. You feed the Damn ball to Henry til either tOSU stops him or Henry is puking his damn guts up!! Then you give his ass an IV and feed him some more. The ball "ain't heavy!" You want to call a pass on 2nd and 2? Fine! You call play-action to freeze LBs to keep them from coming free off the edge.
This IS beating yourself! You don't give yourself a chance to win the game because you think it won't work because they WILL adjust. You MAKE the defense show that they can stop you. You don't change simply because you think they will. tOSU didn't change SHIT last night simply because he THOUGHT CKS would change. tOSU ran the same 8-10 plays ALL DAMN NIGHT!!
I'm proud of these guys and I think that they did overachieve. I have always been an optimist but I thought this bunch would possibly lose 2 games based on inexperience and any unforeseen injuries. When these guys found different ways to win, I believed they would eventually "hit on all cylinders" and bring home #16. I'll never apologize for thinking our bunch can win it all, even if Saban were to leave and the NCAA levy sanctions.

 

[silvermetalflake]

I'm going to jump in on this about the play calling and beating ourselves. Kiffin called a poor game no "if's, ands or buts" about it. 13 carries for a 240 lb tailback and only 1 toss sweep with him is good? Calling a freaking 2nd and 2 sprint out pass to the right and taking an 8 yard sack is a good play selection? I played the "DAMN" game and have coached it for 13 years. I will actually be getting back into it this spring. You feed the Damn ball to Henry til either tOSU stops him or Henry is puking his damn guts up!! Then you give his ass an IV and feed him some more. The ball "ain't heavy!" You want to call a pass on 2nd and 2? Fine! You call play-action to freeze LBs to keep them from coming free off the edge.
This IS beating yourself! You don't give yourself a chance to win the game because you think it won't work because they WILL adjust. You MAKE the defense show that they can stop you. You don't change simply because you think they will. tOSU didn't change SHIT last night simply because he THOUGHT CKS would change. tOSU ran the same 8-10 plays ALL DAMN NIGHT!!
I'm proud of these guys and I think that they did overachieve. I have always been an optimist but I thought this bunch would possibly lose 2 games based on inexperience and any unforeseen injuries. When these guys found different ways to win, I believed they would eventually "hit on all cylinders" and bring home #16. I'll never apologize for thinking our bunch can win it all, even if Saban were to leave and the NCAA levy sanctions.

I don't think anyone is asking you to apologize, are they?

 

[bamafan4ever]

Running Henry more would have set up the play action pass a lot better, which has been our big play this season. I agree, the offensive game plan was just plain weird for this game. On the other hand, our offense wasn't on the field when OSU kept getting run after big run. This loss, in the end, was a team effort.

 

['65 Cobra]

So back to Phillygirl's original question...

Our O-Line has not been the dominant force since Cristobal has been here as it was in years prior. He's a good recruiter, but it wouldn't hurt my feelings to see him replaced. Our O-line needs to be nasty and aggressive again as it once was.

On D, generally speaking, I know Saban has been preaching discipline and lane control and downplaying the need for sacks saying QB disruption is enough. I'm not so sure I agree with that anymore. Imagine how incredibly helpful it would have been all year, but also against OSU, if we had had a real sack machine that the offense had to worry about each and every play. I feel like the bend-don't-break philosophy along with the disciplined and controlled approach is actually holding back some of our best players. We should want guys to be aggressive and go balls out. Ultimately, the controlled approach is supposed to prevent the back-breaking big play. But that's exactly what killed us most this year - way too many successful big play by our opponents, especially in the passing game. Hey, Kirby and Nick, why not let those great athletes go a little more crazy out there? We lose some experience on the D this year, but I'm excited to see guys like Evans and Foster on the field next year.

On offense, there is no question that Kiffin did not call a good game against OSU. He did, however, over the course of a year guide an offense to new levels of performance and numerous records. Having said that, when he was screwing up, he did so royally. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that it was only his first year. Next year, we should actually be working with a new QB that should have better QB'ing skills. Yes, Blake had a great year and I'm not taking anything away from that. But he also had some major league screw-ups in several ways. I also think that his limited throwing skill set, also limited Kiffin's portfolio of plays. Truth be told, Blake has a relatively weak arm, can't throw well across his body, gets tunnel vision, and is lured into INTs too often. He is also horrendous in clock management and feeling the right sense of urgency. We have some really good QBs that will be fighting for the job next year. I'm hoping one will emerge that will take our QB play to the next level. We will also have Ardarious, who I think is going to be an amazing weapon for us. And then there's Bo. I think Bo will also be an amazing weapon for us. Overall, we might actually be better next year, once the team gels.

Lastly, it's time to let go of the notion that other teams are going to lay down against us - they are just not intimidated anymore. OK, that fine. All that means is that we need to get aggressive and nasty again and start punching people in the mouth early and often. Make their arses quit!

 

[Rolltide24]

Has our bowl preparation taken a misstep? Mainly on the defensive side? Something to ponder. The past 2 bowl seasons, with weeks to prepare, we've given up 87 points, 965 yards to 2 newbie QBs. We've also turned the ball over 8 times and allowed 2 defensive TDs. But still, these are not Bama results we are accustomed to. Not back to back years. We don't have any excuses for this.

Also, we were favored by a combined 25 and lost be 21.

 

[psychojoe]

Looking at our OL since Cristobal has been here and comparing it to the last OL before he arrived is hardly a fair comparison. THE 2012 bunch had two first round draft picks in Warmack and Fluker, and a 3rd round pick in Barrett Jones. All three are starters on Sunday now. Jones and Warmack four year starters, Fluker a three year starter. The OL we fielded in 2013 1nd 2014 fell short of these guys in both talent and experience. They were not terrible OLs but they fell well short of the 2012 standard. This year we lose three starters in Arie K., Shepherd and Brown, returning only Kelly and Robinson. We are fortunate in that Grant Hill, Bozeman, Alphonse Taylor and Dominick Jackson all saw the field at times when it meant something. We alol have some promising redshirts, so the OL could be better in 2015, but I still don't expect it to reach the 2012 standard.

We have to find a blocking TE, as well as replace the top three WR, the H-back, and the top running back. There is a lot of talent around, but no proven playmakers. I love Blake, and will miss what he brought to the table, but I think we will be ok at quarterback.

Our safeties were good this year, but with Collins and Perry leaving we definitely need help here. The idea of starting Jabriel Washington and Geno Smith at safety is not exciting to me. Unless all our young corners stubbornly refuse to get better we will be fine there. I don't think Reggie leaves. Reed may, but there is still a lot of DL talent on hand.

Question marks abound, but that is what spring practice and the off season programs are for.

 

['65 Cobra]

Looking at our OL since Cristobal has been here and comparing it to the last OL before he arrived is hardly a fair comparison. THE 2012 bunch had two first round draft picks in Warmack and Fluker, and a 3rd round pick in Barrett Jones. All three are starters on Sunday now. Jones and Warmack four year starters, Fluker a three year starter. The OL we fielded in 2013 1nd 2014 fell short of these guys in both talent and experience. They were not terrible OLs but they fell well short of the 2012 standard. This year we lose three starters in Arie K., Shepherd and Brown, returning only Kelly and Robinson. We are fortunate in that Grant Hill, Bozeman, Alphonse Taylor and Dominick Jackson all saw the field at times when it meant something. We alol have some promising redshirts, so the OL could be better in 2015, but I still don't expect it to reach the 2012 standard.

We have to find a blocking TE, as well as replace the top three, the H-back, and the top running back. There is a lot of talent around, but no proven playmakers. I love Blake, and will miss what he brought to the table, but I think we will be ok at quarterback.

Our safeties were good this year, but with Collins and Perry leaving we definitely need help here. The idea of starting Jabriel Washington and Geno Smith at safety is not exciting to me. Unless all our young corners stubbornly refuse to get better we will be fine there. I don't think Reggie leaves. Reed may, but there is still a lot of DL talent on hand.

Question marks abound, but that is what spring practice and the off season programs are for.

Your point on the O-line is true, but we've replaced starters on the O-Line and shuffled guys many, many times since Saban has been here. Did you consider that the likes of Jones and Warmack, and espcecially Fluker are NFL players now because of the coaching?? We still have had 4 and 5 star guys both on the line and joining the line the last two years. It's the personality of the line as a whole that's the major difference; they are just plain softer the last two years in my opinion and it coincides with Cristobal's arrival. Just look at CK who played with a mean streak his first two years starting and then last year (2013 season) was softer and lazier. The right coach can indeed make a difference.

 

[psychojoe]

Your point on the O-line is true, but we've replaced starters on the O-Line and shuffled guys many, many times since Saban has been here. Did you consider that the likes of Jones and Warmack, and espcecially Fluker are NFL players now because of the coaching?? We still have had 4 and 5 star guys both on the line and joining the line the last two years. It's the personality of the line as a whole that's the major difference; they are just plain softer the last two years in my opinion and it coincides with Cristobal's arrival. Just look at CK who played with a mean streak his first two years starting and then last year (2013 season) was softer and lazier. The right coach can indeed make a difference.

Even taking the talent out of the equation, coming into the 2012 season we had two three year starters, a two year starter and a one year starter. In 2013 we had a pair of two year starters. In 2014 we had three one year starters and two brand new starters. Yes, coaching is a factor, but no amount of coaching is going to put Austin Shepherd at the same level as D. J. Fluker.

 

[rammerjammer]

I have said that Cristobal was the common denominator as well. Yes with first round talent (Fluker, Warmack, and Jones) it will indeed make the OL coaches job a lot easier. HOWEVER Joe Pendry had a mauling OL from 2008 until his retirement in 2010. Granted the 2007 team was a growing process for everyone involved, but we saw marked improvement over the previous regime. (that sort of goes without saying). The 2008 team OL was awesome. I truly believe they were the reason Glenn Coffee was drafted and had an NFL career until he decided to join the army and go airborne...........All of that to say this. Joe Pendry took O lines very similar to the one we had this year and they were bull dozers. We should still be able to do that. The only first round talent Pendry had was Andre Smith, followed James Carpenter.

Right now according to Phil Savage, the only first round guy on the OL is Cam Robinson. He said that Shepard and Koundjio will play in the NFL, but will be late 2nd round and later. Realistically 3rd round guys.

 

[TerryP]

How many times did we see backups in the game this season? And, when we did, did you see a drop off in production?

How did Arie do this season? How did Cam do?

Or, how's this...when Cam got hurt against Auburn and we saw the RT switch the LT (not an easy transition in the least) how did that work out?

That's coaching, my friends. Pure and simple coaching.

 

[bamafan4ever]

How many times did we see backups in the game this season? And, when we did, did you see a drop off in production?

How did Arie do this season? How did Cam do?

Or, how's this...when Cam got hurt against Auburn and we saw the RT switch the LT (not an easy transition in the least) how did that work out?

That's coaching, my friends. Pure and simple coaching.

Not to mention when Kelly was hurt against Ole Miss and missed a couple of games. People didn't even want Bradley Bozeman to come out of the lineup when Kelly was healthy again.

 

[Bamalee1]

If folks Christian Jones is still around i would like to see Coach Saban and special teams coach teach them to respect the ball better. On Fair catches , on runs off of punts , kickoffs , and interceptions --Hold on to the ball after the play is over (respect the ball) and give it to the ref with no issues, (also might even help you with a call from the refs on close calls) but mainly just respect and hold on to the ball longer

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I liked Stoutland as an OL coach, but it is clear now that he missed on a lot of evaluations in recruiting. Pendry was really good at it. Cristobal seems to be doing well, and word is, the staff is pleased with the younger group and those about to come in. With what he's had though, Cristobal has done a really good job. I'd bet he ends up a HC again though within the next 2 years.