The Good, the Bad, and the Obvious of the Iron Bowl....
It's Monday following a horrible weekend. Like most of you, it pains me to see the Tide lose. This loss was more painful than most. I think we learned some things about this year's team. There are things we'd like to forget but a lot of things to remember.
THE GOOD:
1. Mac Jones proved to me he's a winner and a keeper. We all wondered whether Jones could weather the offensive questions surrounding him. One bad pass for pick sick, and another one of those Auburn miracles for another pick six. Sure, those hurt but Jones led Alabama to 34 points. That should have been enough to win the football game or any football game. Overall, I give him an A. He performed far better than I thought he might.
2. Is Jaylen Waddle human, or is he some being from another dimension? Two outstanding touchdown grabs and two additional magnificent returns for touchdowns. And i thought David Palmer was great. I don't know what is beyond great but that's what Waddle is now.
3. Najee Harris was shredded the "so-called" great AU defensive line. He ran for 146 yards. He literally ran over, around, and through the Auburn Tigers. He was the running back we thought he should be. Harris played to an A+ level in my opinion.
4. Jerry Judy, Henry Ruggs, and Devonta Smith keep the passing game intact and wide-open. These are the four greatest receivers on one team in college football history. It has been a pleasure and honor to watch them. Judy and Ruggs are sure first round NFL picks. Smith might be. I hope that Smith and Waddle will play on the field together in Tuscaloosa next season. I give them an A.
5. The offensive line played great. It was shame they couldn't play defense as well. The kept the Tiger defensive line on the heels most of the day. A.
THE BAD
1. The penalties killed the Tide. They have all year. Is that coaching, lack of discipline, or something else. I would have loved to see Waddle get to return one more punt. I didn't understand why the Tide needed to substitute so many players for a punt. It wasn't the first time this season this happened. F
2. Tackling has been abysmal this season. It didn't seem to get better as the games progressed. Auburn had far too many lanes to run in during the game. Very un-Bama like. Tackling is coaching. Period. Perhaps the Tide needs some new coaches on the defensive side of the ball. What do you think? C-
3, Whenever we have a placekick or punt there is a feeling of dread wafting through the air. It is horrible. Bulavos improved during the season but missed the big one. our punter (Ty Perine) stabilized a bad situation. B
4. I thought Davis and Jennings had a good game. It was nice to finally see Davis live up to his hype. Barmore is getting better. And Xavier McKinney was stellar as always. I'd give them A
THE OBVIOUS
1. Alabama's need to play far too many freshman on the defensive line of the ball hurt the Tide and cost any chance to reach the playoffs.
2. You would think a premiere program could have two outstanding kickers. Perhaps Perine will be one and Will Reichard the other. Perhaps. I'd be looking for some walk-on players to find one. It is the same old same old each year it seems.
3. Someone to teach tackling. Just plain old tackling. You know just a fundamental part of the football. How did this happen
4. And it is clear that Auburn has to use trick plays and manipulate the rules to win. It is the only way to compete with the Tide and they know it. Here's a little treat.The AU win will save Gus Malzhan's job. I love that.
Post season game: word on the street is Bama vs. Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Some writers think it could be Bama at Memphis in the Cotton Bowl. I understand that Bama does not want to be part of the Hurts vs.Bama hype. That match up would be unfair to both Jalen and Alabama. It would be fun to see two teams score over a hundred each.
FINAL THOUGHT - Alabama football is well. This was a season where injuries and early departures hurt the Tide. All is well.
It's Monday following a horrible weekend. Like most of you, it pains me to see the Tide lose. This loss was more painful than most. I think we learned some things about this year's team. There are things we'd like to forget but a lot of things to remember.
THE GOOD:
1. Mac Jones proved to me he's a winner and a keeper. We all wondered whether Jones could weather the offensive questions surrounding him. One bad pass for pick sick, and another one of those Auburn miracles for another pick six. Sure, those hurt but Jones led Alabama to 34 points. That should have been enough to win the football game or any football game. Overall, I give him an A. He performed far better than I thought he might.
2. Is Jaylen Waddle human, or is he some being from another dimension? Two outstanding touchdown grabs and two additional magnificent returns for touchdowns. And i thought David Palmer was great. I don't know what is beyond great but that's what Waddle is now.
3. Najee Harris was shredded the "so-called" great AU defensive line. He ran for 146 yards. He literally ran over, around, and through the Auburn Tigers. He was the running back we thought he should be. Harris played to an A+ level in my opinion.
4. Jerry Judy, Henry Ruggs, and Devonta Smith keep the passing game intact and wide-open. These are the four greatest receivers on one team in college football history. It has been a pleasure and honor to watch them. Judy and Ruggs are sure first round NFL picks. Smith might be. I hope that Smith and Waddle will play on the field together in Tuscaloosa next season. I give them an A.
5. The offensive line played great. It was shame they couldn't play defense as well. The kept the Tiger defensive line on the heels most of the day. A.
THE BAD
1. The penalties killed the Tide. They have all year. Is that coaching, lack of discipline, or something else. I would have loved to see Waddle get to return one more punt. I didn't understand why the Tide needed to substitute so many players for a punt. It wasn't the first time this season this happened. F
2. Tackling has been abysmal this season. It didn't seem to get better as the games progressed. Auburn had far too many lanes to run in during the game. Very un-Bama like. Tackling is coaching. Period. Perhaps the Tide needs some new coaches on the defensive side of the ball. What do you think? C-
3, Whenever we have a placekick or punt there is a feeling of dread wafting through the air. It is horrible. Bulavos improved during the season but missed the big one. our punter (Ty Perine) stabilized a bad situation. B
4. I thought Davis and Jennings had a good game. It was nice to finally see Davis live up to his hype. Barmore is getting better. And Xavier McKinney was stellar as always. I'd give them A
THE OBVIOUS
1. Alabama's need to play far too many freshman on the defensive line of the ball hurt the Tide and cost any chance to reach the playoffs.
2. You would think a premiere program could have two outstanding kickers. Perhaps Perine will be one and Will Reichard the other. Perhaps. I'd be looking for some walk-on players to find one. It is the same old same old each year it seems.
3. Someone to teach tackling. Just plain old tackling. You know just a fundamental part of the football. How did this happen
4. And it is clear that Auburn has to use trick plays and manipulate the rules to win. It is the only way to compete with the Tide and they know it. Here's a little treat.The AU win will save Gus Malzhan's job. I love that.
Post season game: word on the street is Bama vs. Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Some writers think it could be Bama at Memphis in the Cotton Bowl. I understand that Bama does not want to be part of the Hurts vs.Bama hype. That match up would be unfair to both Jalen and Alabama. It would be fun to see two teams score over a hundred each.
FINAL THOUGHT - Alabama football is well. This was a season where injuries and early departures hurt the Tide. All is well.
