Tiffin warranted respect well before Saturday. He may rival John Parker Wilson as the most maligned Alabama record holder. His current FG rate of 20 for 23 (87%) trails only Philip Doyle's incredible 22 for 25 Junior season (Doyle was just 19 for 31 as a Sophomore, and an exceptional 24 of 29 as a senior). One statistic lost in history is that Van Tiffin was unimpressive in 1985, statistically, connecting on just 17 of his 26 attempts. If you hit the one everyone remembers, all is forgiven.
What makes Leigh Tiffin's misses memorable is that they come in bunches. Despite kicking in forty games, one half of his 26 FG misses have occurred over just six games. Regardless, barring injury he'll be the most prolific kicker and scorer in Bama history. Tiffin trails Doyle by just two points in all-time kicking points, 339 to 337, and is just a bit more short of Doyle's overall points record of 345 (Doyle had a TD). Currently, Tiffin's career FG percentage trails only Doyle (74.3% to 73.7%) among the top six career performers.
Record setting performances are not always recognized while they are taking place. Fans can be so fickle, particularly in regard to kickers and QB's.
Both Tiffins are Alabama greats.
RTR,
Tim
