It's my view that was missed because most of the time you saw this exchange:
Member 1: Kicker missed, we need a kicker.
Member 2: Did you see the hold? Did you see the snap? The timing of that was off.
I know I've been pointing out putting the blame on the kicker has been off base and I'm pretty sure I've been beating that horse for a good five years or so. Inevitably, comments like the latter are often, or at least seem to be, ignored.
The game didn't go any other way than I expected. In the game thread I mentioned they had some weapons they were going to use and they felt they could against the young defense. Same with the middle of the OL.
It was going to be sloppy and that was forewarned. I'm really coming to the opinion perfection is expected from fans and it's unrealistic.
I'm sure you have, but if others would take a minute and look around they'd see no one is perfect at this point. It's week three and it seems like it's expected for the team to be clicking like it's week ten. JMO ...
You make some good points. When you look back to last year and think that Clemson almost, probably should have, lost to Syracuse... Then see how much better they were when we played... It shows how little some of those moments mean when if you can keep improving.
On the other hand I remember about that time last season, there were concerns about the Tide defense... LB's and Secondary. Miss communications and inability to tackle/cover up to what I would call "Saban Standards". Just comparing them to the other defenses, and where I come from defensive TALENT that we've seen take the field.
I think we are good in a lot of places. Talent wise I believe the OL has everything and more that it takes to be dominant. I knew it would take time because of the depth... That group will eventually do really well.
I feel great about the pass rushing talent. Jennings and Hall are legit 1st/2nd round talents. I'm hoping the staff starts rotating Allen in very soon because he can bring the same talent to the field, keeping them all fresh. On the DL I feel good.. Not great... But feel like Davis is the real deal, Dale is a budding star freshman, and some others are very capable. The possible loss of Ray is a huge disappointment but he I loved what I saw from Barrimore in the small sample and Eboigbe is back in the picture.
The issue I see right now... Which is what some of us saw last year... Is the in that LB and Secondary area. The LB's are super young and that will just be an issue that doesn't get settled until the end of the season. They will learn the hard way and hopefully come out better. But when I look at the secondary I see 2 guys that just aren't as talented, physically, as nearly any Saban DB I can recall. When it comes down to just physically making the play to beat someone to the ball, make a tough tackle, or keep up with an elite WR, it's Carter and Mayden that just don't look the part. On Carter's part the positive is that "he knows where to be".... But that isn't going to be good enough to cover Final 4 WR's. Mayden lacks a lot of experience but just looks behind... Physically and mentally. Just hoping he gets better or Battle takes over, soon.
When push comes to shove I think "most" Alabama fans are evaluating the team on that Final 4 standard. The truth is heck no this D isn't ready for an elite offense... But there is also a lot of time to improve. The improvement IS NOT a given though.... We learned that last year. Hoping we improve the way Clemson did, last year. RTR
