🏈 Y/N? In a lot of ways, Alabama’s biggest recruiting obstacle is part of its own fan base.

[Max]

 

[Tidestalker]

That's also someone expecting perfection which simply isn't realistic.

While I don't think it's original to him, Paul Finebaum has a better grasp on things that most fans when he says, "Alabama fans judge the team versus perfection whereas other teams judge their own versus Alabama." (sic)

As I've always contended there's never anything wrong with critique. There is a fundamental lack of understanding that rears its head with "this player shouldn't be on the field" and "this coach needs to be fired."

This really isn't difficult to see and admit. Think back to '10 with Mac's second interception against Auburn; it was easy to see the tight end missed his chip block which threw the play off. However, there's a lack of understanding which will happen every time when fans don't know the play call or assignment. I've pointed to this, casually, the last week or so. I see a lot mention how the interior 'backers have had problems hitting the correct gap with little to no attention place on whether the defensive line hit their correct gap. If one blames the former when the fault lies with the latter it's a lack of understanding what's going on.

Now THAT's a thread for Our Lives.

IMO - I think there's a difference between calling out the players by name and the coaches by name. I think you've (@TerryP ) done a really good job of on this site of walking that line of giving general critiques vs personalizing those issues. Something I've tried to improve at, and in general I think this site is pretty good about. I think the idea of saying "X player" might be a better option as opposed to "Y Player" stinks, is generally a better look.

But when it comes to evaluating coaching, I just don't see any issues with it as long as it's related to football. Like I said previously, pressure is a privilege. These adults chose the scrutiny that comes with the comfortable salary... And I really believe the passion of the fans is what ultimately provides that privilege and comfort, and that the "fanatical" mentality is what makes Alabama and big time programs special. There are some drawbacks to fanatical behavior that makes Alabama what it is, it's not an excuse it's just reality.

 

[TerryP]

But when it comes to evaluating coaching, I just don't see any issues with it as long as it's related to football.

On that note:

Is a coach on the sidelines "judgeable" based on their personality? Is it a legitimate critique of their abilities to point to a laid back personna versus one that's spitting at the mouth incessantly?

That's all on the individual fan. Never the less, it leaves me scratching my head because of the dichotomy: it's all depending on which team we're talking about.

Think about the praise heaped on Kevin Steele's defense and then find a guy that's as animated as Steele. But Golding needs ...

We all look at the game and team differently...at least I hope we all do. At times I wonder how much opinions are influenced by a blurb or two read or heard during the weekends.

I know opinions can be largely shaped on less than 20% of the games.

 

[Tidestalker]

On that note:

Is a coach on the sidelines "judgeable" based on their personality?

Well... I guess that depends on whether or not the team is winning or losing....

 

[BamaFan334]

That's also someone expecting perfection which simply isn't realistic.

While I don't think it's original to him, Paul Finebaum has a better grasp on things that most fans when he says, "Alabama fans judge the team versus perfection whereas other teams judge their own versus Alabama." (sic)

As I've always contended there's never anything wrong with critique. There is a fundamental lack of understanding that rears its head with "this player shouldn't be on the field" and "this coach needs to be fired."

This really isn't difficult to see and admit. Think back to '10 with Mac's second interception against Auburn; it was easy to see the tight end missed his chip block which threw the play off. However, there's a lack of understanding which will happen every time when fans don't know the play call or assignment. I've pointed to this, casually, the last week or so. I see a lot mention how the interior 'backers have had problems hitting the correct gap with little to no attention place on whether the defensive line hit their correct gap. If one blames the former when the fault lies with the latter it's a lack of understanding what's going on.

Now THAT's a thread for Our Lives.

It's unrealistic to expect a coordinator making $1.5M a year at the most elite program in the country to do a better job than he is currently doing? Trust me, the product is far from perfection and I am not one expecting us to only allow 10 points a game and under 300 total yards. The Ole Miss game was amazing. Why hasn't that been replicated at all the last couple of years? Let's be honest, the offense supported the defense last year as we never had to worry about who we let score because we could score more. I don't think I am seeing someone do less with more in the country. Feel free to correct me. If guys are missing gaps, whose fault is that? If guys aren't playing to their ability, whose fault is that to keep trotting them out there? When a sorry quarterback that didn't look D-1 quality against two other SEC opponents, but looked like a Heisman caliber player against us beats us, whose fault is that? It all rolls up to the top coach on defense and then the overall head coach. I'm not a blind Saban follower like some, but I do agree with a lot of what he says and does. His clock management, not a huge fan of. Him not utilizing his timeouts a lot of the time, not a fan of. I was not a big fan of him not playing many Freshmen, but he changed that dating back to the Tua Championship when he started trusting talent over seniority. That being said, he may see something in Golding that a lot of us aren't seeing, but I can promise you it's not showing in the product. Ultimately the players make the plays, but someone has to answer to those players. I'm not expecting perfection, because that is impossible. Even Saban makes mistakes and has off days. What I do expect is our elite talent to play to a level where we don't look down right pathetic against a team we should destroy or "make quit". We get beat playing good ball, so be it. We get beat playing like garbage, not a fan of.

 

[TerryP]

I'm not a blind Saban follower like some, but I do agree with a lot of what he says and does.

As proven through what you've seen me say in the past, neither am I.

If guys are missing gaps, whose fault is that?

Execution is a good place to start, no?

And, as stated, I'm skeptical of what's going on with Roach and the defensive line's development. It's not limited to just that with Roach which I've mentioned as well.

If guys aren't playing to their ability, whose fault is that to keep trotting them out there?

If you're not getting at least the same production out of younger guys are you suggesting sacrifice experience for the chance a younger kid will play better?

But, like seeing the middle open in Saban's defense, this is something we've seen for 15 years now. Saban, and therefore his staff, prefer experienced guys when all's equal.

When a sorry quarterback that didn't look D-1 quality against two other SEC opponents, but looked like a Heisman caliber player against us beats us, whose fault is that?

The guy had a HELL of a night. It happens. It's no different that a defensive back getting beaten. Players make plays. Good for the kid, right? A lifetime memory he has there.

Are you not assuming that equal time was spent preparing for those other two teams? Jimbo, through his QB, called a hell of a game. And, to be clear, I still don't consider him to be in the upper echelons of collegiate coaching.

 

[BamaFan334]

As proven through what you've seen me say in the past, neither am I.

Execution is a good place to start, no?

And, as stated, I'm skeptical of what's going on with Roach and the defensive line's development. It's not limited to just that with Roach which I've mentioned as well.

If you're not getting at least the same production out of younger guys are you suggesting sacrifice experience for the chance a younger kid will play better?

But, like seeing the middle open in Saban's defense, this is something we've seen for 15 years now. Saban, and therefore his staff, prefer experienced guys when all's equal.

The guy had a HELL of a night. It happens. It's no different that a defensive back getting beaten. Players make plays. Good for the kid, right? A lifetime memory he has there.

Are you not assuming that equal time was spent preparing for those other two teams? Jimbo, through his QB, called a hell of a game. And, to be clear, I still don't consider him to be in the upper echelons of collegiate coaching.

How do I say this without being rude and mean... if a guy has experience and cannot tote the load, I would much prefer an inexperienced guy to gain that valuable knowledge. Do I want to lose with a veteran team or an inexperienced team? It looks much better losing like we did with an inexperienced team rather than, what, 75% of our experience returning. Atleast then there is a reason for missed gaps and assignments. Other than that, Maturity and experience should outweigh those mistakes week in week out, if that is in fact the problem. I respect every guy on that sideline as they work their butts off for themselves, their families, and us. But I'd rather see Kool-Aid out there than watching Jobe or Armor-Davis get beat over and over again. I'd rather see Brooks, Hall, Holden, Story, and any other new guy get a shot when Metchie, Bolden, Billingsly can't catch the ball and aren't as crisp as we've seen in the past. We bring in elite talent, use it. Kill or be killed, next man up, iron sharpens iron is all we hear from the culture, so I don't see why we aren't trying new guys when others aren't popping.

As far as Roach, he has to answer to Golding I'm thinking. So if he is an issue, what is Golding doing to fix that? I know this stuff starts at the bottom, but everything always rises to the top and someone has to answer for what happens under their watch.

Yes, good for Calzada, but boy did it make us look terrible. It's not like we faced a superior foe that took it to us. He did have a heck of a nught, and those are going to be had at times. We weren't on upset alert or expected to lose as an 18 point favorite. We made him better than he was.

 

[TerryP]

Is a coach on the sidelines "judgeable" based on their personality? Is it a legitimate critique of their abilities to point to a laid back personna versus one that's spitting at the mouth incessantly?

 

[bama alum]

@TerryP , You are correct about the keyboard warriors out there; I guess I'm as guilty as some, but booing in the stadium is something else.