Several comments..... (OK, several long comments)
1st, these guys spend a lot of time "hanging around". I guess they're young and don't get bothered by such, but there sure is wasted time traveling (and their time is nothing compared to the administrators, trainers, etc...). Even when the airplane is ready, the buses are ready, the hotel rooms are pre-assigned, the meals are ready, etc... it's still quite the time taker. Granted if you and I tried to do what the team did the other day it would have taken us 3 times longer.
2nd, many of the players were taking tests on the flight there. It's amazing what you can do with technology. The ones that weren't taking tests were watching TV or sleeping. Does every player take a written test? One of the players came running back on the airplane after everyone else was off and was stressed to the limit that he had lost his. Poor thing! We helped him find it, but I guess he would have faced some unhappy coaches had he not.
Interesting the way the seating broke down. Usually only seniors sit up in FC, yet this time GMac and Rolando were up there. I guess those two are givens to sit up there. I don't know that the FC seating stays the same every game. Mal Moore and some other coaches and wives were up there too. BTW, Coach and Mrs. Saban never sit up front.
Some of the coaches are more talkative than others; some of the players as well. I really don't think much about all that. They are busy and have a job to do. That's kind of life in general anyway. Bless their hearts, but some of our players have no social skills and some can charm a door. They certainly did me (feel free to guess who :lol: ).Again, kind of like real life as well.
They were happy with the win I guess, but they know they have a long way to go. I would have told you based on my time with them that they were focused for Kentucky, but what do I know? I really don't think it had anything to do with lack of preparation mentally or emotionally. One thing I didn't care for - several of the players were down in the lobby Friday night. They were about to head to meetings, so for all I know they were just chilling for a few mins. on their way there. They weren't asking for autographs, yet let's just say they were available. Supposedly the Hyatt was so public and the players were pretty exposed. I don't really get that, but I was told some hotels go out of their way to make sure the players don't have a chance to interact with fans and such (private elevators, private access to dining halls, etc...). I can see how this could have been an issue.
Andre Smith was there hanging out with the team like he hadn't missed a beat (with the guys that is). I thought it was neat that he was there. I also wondered if he ever wonders "what if". Things haven't exactly gone rosey for him since the end of 2008, and yes I know all about the money.
My room overlooked the front of the hotel. When I woke up Sat. a.m. the buses were already out front and some loading was taking place (8:30). They didn't all pull away to head toward stadium until 2 hours before kick. I guess I don't know what they do on away games because I was thinking 2 hours before kick is kind of late. Maybe it had to do with being the early game as well. ????
Last thoughts, Cody is scared to death to fly. I wanted Cory Reamer up front. I ran into your favorite cheerleader, '66.
And yes I did give Coach Saban the oatmeal creme pies after the win.:td: He thanked me and got my address to send the kids something. I'm glad he came to Alabama.
1st, these guys spend a lot of time "hanging around". I guess they're young and don't get bothered by such, but there sure is wasted time traveling (and their time is nothing compared to the administrators, trainers, etc...). Even when the airplane is ready, the buses are ready, the hotel rooms are pre-assigned, the meals are ready, etc... it's still quite the time taker. Granted if you and I tried to do what the team did the other day it would have taken us 3 times longer.
2nd, many of the players were taking tests on the flight there. It's amazing what you can do with technology. The ones that weren't taking tests were watching TV or sleeping. Does every player take a written test? One of the players came running back on the airplane after everyone else was off and was stressed to the limit that he had lost his. Poor thing! We helped him find it, but I guess he would have faced some unhappy coaches had he not.
Interesting the way the seating broke down. Usually only seniors sit up in FC, yet this time GMac and Rolando were up there. I guess those two are givens to sit up there. I don't know that the FC seating stays the same every game. Mal Moore and some other coaches and wives were up there too. BTW, Coach and Mrs. Saban never sit up front.
Some of the coaches are more talkative than others; some of the players as well. I really don't think much about all that. They are busy and have a job to do. That's kind of life in general anyway. Bless their hearts, but some of our players have no social skills and some can charm a door. They certainly did me (feel free to guess who :lol: ).Again, kind of like real life as well.
They were happy with the win I guess, but they know they have a long way to go. I would have told you based on my time with them that they were focused for Kentucky, but what do I know? I really don't think it had anything to do with lack of preparation mentally or emotionally. One thing I didn't care for - several of the players were down in the lobby Friday night. They were about to head to meetings, so for all I know they were just chilling for a few mins. on their way there. They weren't asking for autographs, yet let's just say they were available. Supposedly the Hyatt was so public and the players were pretty exposed. I don't really get that, but I was told some hotels go out of their way to make sure the players don't have a chance to interact with fans and such (private elevators, private access to dining halls, etc...). I can see how this could have been an issue.
Andre Smith was there hanging out with the team like he hadn't missed a beat (with the guys that is). I thought it was neat that he was there. I also wondered if he ever wonders "what if". Things haven't exactly gone rosey for him since the end of 2008, and yes I know all about the money.
My room overlooked the front of the hotel. When I woke up Sat. a.m. the buses were already out front and some loading was taking place (8:30). They didn't all pull away to head toward stadium until 2 hours before kick. I guess I don't know what they do on away games because I was thinking 2 hours before kick is kind of late. Maybe it had to do with being the early game as well. ????
Last thoughts, Cody is scared to death to fly. I wanted Cory Reamer up front. I ran into your favorite cheerleader, '66.
And yes I did give Coach Saban the oatmeal creme pies after the win.:td: He thanked me and got my address to send the kids something. I'm glad he came to Alabama.
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