🏈 Which is the larger slap in the face?

[252BAMA]

Taking a knee, or going ahead and playing it out and scoring.

 

[mike2197r74]

It doesn't get any better than the victory formation!!!

 

[252BAMA]

It doesn't get any better than the victory formation!!!

Exactly. I would be a helluva lot more offended at that than if they just went ahead and tried to score.

 

[Bo]

I understand where you guys are coming from. Taking a knee when everybody knows you could score again might be considered a slap in the face at the time.

But it is still the class thing to do.

This time next year, nobody will really remember that Alabama took a knee at the end of the SECG against UF. If they would have tried to score there, it would be remembered and talked about over and over whether they made it or not.

 

[UAgrad93]

I would look at when the taking of the knee took place; at the end of the game or with about 3-4 minutes left. The latter would be the slap in the face where the former is truly classy.I think it is similar to go for it on fourth down rather than kicking a field goal is a classy move. You are already winning and don't need the points, no need to tack on more unless you are playing the Barn.

 

[psychojoe]

At the end of the game taking a knee, as we did Saturday, should be a gesture of respect to our opponent. Florida was due respect because of what they have accomplished, they had fought hard all game but on our last drive their defense was gassed and disheartened. What goes around comes around.

The situation kind of reminds me of a heavyweight fight from years back, Muhammed Ali, near the end of his great career, was fighting champion Larry Holmes. Ali's skills had dimmed because of his age and Holmes, in his prime, was all over him. The fight should have been stopped when it became apparent that Ali could no longer protect himself, but it was allowed to continue. Holmes could probably have killed Ali that night but he refused to, out of concern for Ali and respect for the great former champion. Eventually Ali couldn't answer the bell for the 11th round.

 

[rick4bama]

Coach Saban and Crews did the right thing. On the other hand would the other team coach done the same?

 

[bamagirlinBR]

Coach Saban showed his class not his ass on Saturday. Last year in the SECCG, even up 11 with 30 seconds left, #15 (I don't say his name so I won't type his name) was still trying to punch in a TD on 3rd or 4th down at the goalline, I don't know if anybody remembers that.

Besides, nothing was a more beautiful sight as when Greg McElroy took the knee in the victory formation!

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Between coaches, it didn't matter. Meyer already had his mad on for being embarrassed and denied the NC game. His meeting at midfield following the game was vintage Meyer. As a winner, he'll have a cup of coffee with you at midfield, but as a loser he'd be called for illegal motion since he wasn't set for a second. From a public perception, pushing for the score would have been viewed as more of a shot. We usually don't do that. The only exception that comes to mind was Greg's pass last year to Maze in the aubrun game. It wasn't designed, it was just there for the taking and he took it.

Saban operated throughout the second half, and particularly the fourth quarter, in the same manner he has all year long: get a lead, get their D tired, and keep the clock moving. I believe we threw four passes in the third quarter and just one in the fourth (on the failed PAT). When the game is in hand, Saban takes the least risk in terms of the potential for injury or turnovers. He doesn't go for the flash or style points. Once he got the last first down and could run it out with two more plays taking a knee, he did it.

Taking a knee is smart on a number of fronts, but the overriding issue is the injury potential. First, if Roy had taken a helmet to a knee or re-injured his neck, we'd be denied the two back set that has worked very well for us recently. Second, several of the FL players knew they were playing their last football and were taking shots, even on the kneeldowns. It's best to stand there, thank them for showing up and making the game official, and share that moment of watching the clock drain.

RTR,

Tim

 

[BamaUte]

Taking a knee is the bigger slap in the face. All that's left for the other guys is to digest how their team got their butts whipped.

If you try to score, they can get all bent out of shape and focus on that instead of the game.

This also applies to controversial post-game comments.

 

[kc]

Between coaches, it didn't matter. Meyer already had his mad on for being embarrassed and denied the NC game. His meeting at midfield following the game was vintage Meyer. As a winner, he'll have a cup of coffee with you at midfield, but as a loser he'd be called for illegal motion since he wasn't set for a second. From a public perception, pushing for the score would have been viewed as more of a shot. We usually don't do that. The only exception that comes to mind was Greg's pass last year to Maze in the aubrun game. It wasn't designed, it was just there for the taking and he took it.

Saban operated throughout the second half, and particularly the fourth quarter, in the same manner he has all year long: get a lead, get their D tired, and keep the clock moving. I believe we threw four passes in the third quarter and just one in the fourth (on the failed PAT). When the game is in hand, Saban takes the least risk in terms of the potential for injury or turnovers. He doesn't go for the flash or style points. Once he got the last first down and could run it out with two more plays taking a knee, he did it.

Taking a knee is smart on a number of fronts, but the overriding issue is the injury potential. First, if Roy had taken a helmet to a knee or re-injured his neck, we'd be denied the two back set that has worked very well for us recently. Second, several of the FL players knew they were playing their last football and were taking shots, even on the kneeldowns. It's best to stand there, thank them for showing up and making the game official, and share that moment of watching the clock drain.

RTR,

Tim

Spot on.

:a:

 

[BamaHeat]

Easily driving down near the end zone and then taking a knee is awesome!

 

[ElephantStomp]

Nothing is better than taking the victory formation knowing you have won a spot to play for the NC.

Cory