Yes, well said but a little self-serving in making it only about players. Yes, they work their butts off, don't get paid, are not professionals, and go to school. That's why fans support them so vigorously.Well said, I'd do well to keep this in mind when evaluating a team in the future.
People will discount it because of the source but could Not agree more with what Sabin says here
Ohio State doesn't even run Tressel ball, it's only a winning formula for teams with other worldly defenses or beating middling to poor B1G West teams.Saban is obviously an incredible coach. Ironically re: this video about toxic fans he is extremely critical of his players, self, and staff for poor performances. He is probably one of the most negative, bitchiest people to ever walk the sideline or at least up there with the other greats. Old school.
That said, he is also a coach that adapt to opponents and changing times. He isn’t afraid to pull starters, or change entire philosophies. Alabama has gone from old school “Tressel-ball” ( yes still relatively successful with best players in nation) to a more balanced prolific top 10 pass attack the last 4 years to better compete with other top programs. I suppose fans will argue about the wisdom of that and pine for the old days. I also suspect the fans that ridiculed other fans for asking for more passing are now singing the praises of the philosophy switch.
I wish we would have known this at the time those games were played! Sounds like a critical piece of information that could have informed our game plan. So frustrating to learn this stuff after the fact.Wait, so Illinois was trying to win that game too? As was Iowa?
I think you're conflating whatever criticism you have with Fleck with what Saban was getting at. There isn't much discontent directed at Nick Saban at Alabama.Yes, well said but a little self-serving in making it only about players. Yes, they work their butts off, don't get paid, are not professionals, and go to school. That's why fans support them so vigorously.
On the other hand, coaches are highly paid professionals from Fleck's $5 million per year to Saban's $11-13 million. Power 5 coordinators like Sanford make a million or so.
Sorry coaches, but if you are listening closely you will notice fan discontent is mostly directed at you, not amateur players. Fleck has made a fair number of game mistakes. Fans see that and know it.
Fleck and Sanford have run an offense that is not balanced enough to stretch defenses or keep them guessing. The Gopher offense is easier to defend against than many good teams. Sanford is slow, reluctant, or simply unable to make in-game adjustments to counter the defense.
For fans to want to see a good team be better and to see good coaches improve to excellent is not surprising.
I'm not a big fan of Tressel ball but you can beat good teams and win at a high level playing ball control offense. Wisconsin and Iowa have been doing it for years.Ohio State doesn't even run Tressel ball, it's only a winning formula for teams with other worldly defenses or beating middling to poor B1G West teams.
Don't disagree with your interpretation. Alabama fans probably don't have many gripes about Nick. And yes, I really was talking more about Minnesota. Fleck hasn't whined about some questioning the offense. He just deflects it which means either he is too stubborn to adjust or he has plans he is not ready to share.I think you're conflating whatever criticism you have with Fleck with what Saban was getting at. There isn't much discontent directed at Nick Saban at Alabama.
Nick Saban isn't getting a lot of heat from Bama fans, he's worshipped there. When Alabama does poorly, the fan base turns on the players because they know they have the best coach in the country.
Honestly, I think it's that he is doesn't trust his passing game at all. I do think there will be changes this offseason.Don't disagree with your interpretation. Alabama fans probably don't have many gripes about Nick. And yes, I really was talking more about Minnesota. Fleck hasn't whined about some questioning the offense. He just deflects it which means either he is too stubborn to adjust or he has plans he is not ready to share.
I lean toward the latter option because of the fantastic balanced attack he presided over in '19 and the good offense he developed at WM. I think he understands taking Tresseball to extremes not even envisioned by Tress himself is not the pathway to BIG and national prominence.
I agreeHonestly, I think it's that he is doesn't trust his passing game at all. I do think there will be changes this offseason.
In Fleck's defense, there were a couple of plays against Iowa that the right play was called and we just missed it. The missed throw to CAB and the missed throw at the end zone were egregious. We even had Brown-Stephens running wide open on that last drive and we just missed it. If we connect on those plays, we win in Iowa by at least a TD.
That said, if we have a QB who can't make those easy plays, that's on Fleck. He should have recruited the replacement or if it's OC related, he hired the OC.
FactsNick is dead on.
We have a toxic wasteland of people quick the criticize the team and the coaches who the players choose to play for.
That's like saying "No, I don't think you're an idiot. It's the guy you trust and believe in who is a fraud. No offense at you for being so dumb to believe in that fraud you work 7 days a week to support!"
Correct on the three missed throws. I would also opine that on the early first and goal from the four you pound it four downs. With our line that has to be a TD 95% of the time.Honestly, I think it's that he is doesn't trust his passing game at all. I do think there will be changes this offseason.
In Fleck's defense, there were a couple of plays against Iowa that the right play was called and we just missed it. The missed throw to CAB and the missed throw at the end zone were egregious. We even had Brown-Stephens running wide open on that last drive and we just missed it. If we connect on those plays, we win in Iowa by at least a TD.
That said, if we have a QB who can't make those easy plays, that's on Fleck. He should have recruited the replacement or if it's OC related, he hired the OC.
Nick is dead on.
We have a toxic wasteland of people quick the criticize the team and the coaches who the players choose to play for.
That's like saying "No, I don't think you're an idiot. It's the guy you trust and believe in who is a fraud. No offense at you for being so dumb to believe in that fraud you work 7 days a week to support!"
We don't care? You can speak for yourself but not others.Sometimes coaches and players make mistakes that lead to losses. Sometimes coaches and players make mistakes that lead to losses to teams they should beat. Alabama arguably should never lose a game until the CFP given their coaches, players. Minnesota shouldn’t lose to Eden Parairie, were they to play. Fair to get upset if they that goes sideways, I think.
I said it before, but Saban is insane about winning. He’s probably worse and over the top than 99% of the fans. Fair to argue we shouldn’t care about sports or sports teams. It is pretty silly, when we think about it. So we don’t.
We don't care? You can speak for yourself but not others.
Of course they were, but Bowling Green wasn’t, we all know that…. LolWait, so Illinois was trying to win that game too? As was Iowa?