heart of a champion

a look back at the sec championship...
some things we should all remember

       Now that some time has passed since the SEC Championship game I thought it was time look back at some of things we viewed. This was Alabama football at its best. It was an afternoon where four raised fingers symbolised what Tide football is all about. I don't know how or where to rank this game in terms of great Alabama wins. It certainly deserves our attention because of all the moments where the Tide fought back like a champion.

1. The Team Leaders stepped up and made the difference. Barrett Jones played through a painful injury that required the use of crutches after the game. He could have quit during the game but didn't. Jesse Williams was double-teamed on almost every play. As if that wasn't bad enough he suffered a knee injury. With Williams out of the line Gurley ran with great success. . Williams iced his knee down and sucked it up, and when he returned the Dawgs were put on a leash. Eddie Lacy was hurt. His return to questionable. His injury has yet to be publicly disclosed, but Lacy trotted back on the field and along with T.J. Yeldon ran roughshod over the Georgia defense. He had over 180 yards before the game was over. A.J. McCarron was patient and bided his time. When the moment was right he used a play action pass to beat the Bulldogs.  Robert Lester kept the defensive backfield together when things got tough. He'll be missed.
2. New leaders emerged for Alabama. Amari Cooper isn't going to be at Alabama for more than three years, but he showed that freshmen can lead. He has become the prime target in the passing game.T.J. Yeldon is well... amazing. Before he is finished at the University, he is going to have an S on his jersey. When he was able to talk with the media since his freshman season was officially over, he deferred saying instead the night belonged to the seniors. Where does Saban find these guys?
3. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. The Tides ace in the hole is running the football. In an era of cheap thrills and non-existent defenses, the Tide is a throw back to old time football. Saban has shown the nation that Alabama can roll up their sleeves and go to work the old fashioned way. What 'Bama chooses to do on defense and offense is not really a trick  - it is in your face and be a real man football. Alabama is the Rock of college football.

      Do I think Alabama will be Notre Dame?  Does an Indian beat a drum?  You give Nick Saban 5 weeks to prepare for anyone you are probably beat. The pressure is on the Irish. The world is hoping Notre Dame beats us. How much better can it get than that for all of us Swamp Rats? I admire Georgia for the play. The better team  won. This could have been a blowout if Bama had eliminated some mistakes. Sometimes greatness is measured not when things are going well. Perhaps they are best measured when things are looking grim. I know that Notre Dame has the Golden Dome and Football Jesus. That dome is going to be torn down, and if Jesus makes an appearance it will be to heal the pain of the Irish players when Bama walks off the field.


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