Tide Fans -
Happy New Year, and Roll Tide! It wasn't pretty in the second half, but we got it done, and we escaped with a victory! I don't know what happened to the Alabama team that was playing lights out in the first quarter, but I want that team to show up ALL the time - not just one quarter! That first quarter was incredible, but sadly I could not fully enjoy it because I kept waiting for us to get back into our normal routine...and we did. How frustrating is it to see your team play like the New England Patriots at first, and then finish up like the Miami Dolphins. It is torture on the fans...to tease us with incredible play early on, and then just falling flat on your face. I know Coach Saban talks about "finishing", but they must not have been listening to him.
Anyway, enough bitching - we won and I am glad to finish the season out. This has been a stressful year being a Tide fan. Half of our games came down to the last play this year - we have all aged twice as much as we normally would in this 4 month period. I'm all for exciting games, but this was a ridiculous season as far as nail biters!!!
I predicted 7 wins for us this season, and we got them. We did not win and lose the games I thought we would, but either way we got 7 wins. This is not great, but we have something to build on now. I think next season we will be a little better, 8 maybe 9 wins - but we have a very tough road schedule. 2009 should be our breakout year - we will have an awesome home schedule, and we will be 3 years into "The Process". As I have said many times before...good things are coming!
Players I Love from this week:
- Matt Caddell (We will miss him!!!)
- Nikita Stover (Where has he been?? - Awesome catch, run, and flip into the end zone!)
- Wallace Gilberry - (Really going to miss him - if they all played like he does we would have won a few more games this year!!)
- Glenn Coffee (punishing runner)
- Roy Upchurch (Another punishing runner!)
As I wrap up another season of the Tide Weekly Analysis, I look forward to next year. I hope I will have some great things to rave about - and maybe just a few things to bitch about! ;)
Until next season, Roll Tide everyone...Roll Tide!
Jason
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tide Weekly Analysis - Week 12
Tide Fans -
I HATE Auburn. I don't even know where to start - I have been delaying this week's analysis because I was so irritated at first, and then it turned to depression over having nothing to say. So, after a few days to think about it I will give it my best shot. I can't stand the fact that we have lost to Auburn 6 times in a row - that kills me! Especially when I see pictures of their coach and their players holding up six fingers (I didn't think they could count, so I will have to give a shout out to the basic math skills of the Auburn football players). Nothing makes me more mad than seeing that little smug look on Tubberville's face. He single handily makes me hate Auburn more than I already did. I hope he stays at Auburn, so one day soon I can laugh in his face after a big Tide victory.
What makes the entire situation more irritating is that we should have won that game. Several times we should have taken the game over, but we just couldn't pull it off. Auburn was really not playing a very good game. Our defense was doing an adequate job, once again our offense just stunk it up big time. I mean we could not catch any passes - even the few that were right on target. I think the only person on offense who came to play that night was Glen Coffee. He was gutting it out for every yard he could get. DJ Hall might as well have been wearing a blue & orange jersey. I don't think Keith Brown even knew he was in the game. It was just an overall very lackluster performance for the offense - they did not have the look in their eyes like they were there to win. They were just simply going through the motions. Even Coach Saban looked like he was just there - not intensity at all.
I don't know for sure what is going on in Tuscaloosa with the team, but it appears as though they have just all given up. Saban needs to have a "Come to Jesus" meeting this Spring, or even sooner. I think it needs to go something like this:
Is there anyone in here that does not want to give their all to play on this football team? On this team we don't get to put on the Crimson jersey and half ass it - we play hard on every play, or we don't play at all. Am I clear on that??? If you are not willing to give 100% to this team, and this great University - then get out! Think of all the champions before you that wore that Crimson jersey. They earned those championships with blood, sweat and tears. They worked hard every day, and did what they needed to do to get better. If you are not willing to do what it takes to be a champion, then I don't want you on this team. Every single person on this team needs to give everything they have - if we all can agree to do this, then we will be a great team.
I'm sure it will be different than that, but do you see my point? I know our coach will get this program turned around, it is going to take time, and the full dedication of his players. I know people are tired of hearing about it taking time to change the program, but it does - there is no way around it. We are just going to have to stick it out, and in a few season we will see the results. Next year will be OK, but nothing huge - maybe 8 wins. I predict 2009 to be our breakout year - this is when things will start to happen!
I predicted us to have 7 wins this season, and we may still get that if we go to the Poulan Weedeater Bowl or something like that. Honestly I'm not sure I can stand to witness another sub par performance from The Tide - especially against the likes of a very sub par Big 12 or Big 10 team. I only want the bowl game so our young guys can get some practice - I seriously don't even care if any of the seniors (besides Wallace Gilberry) make it to the game. I would be ok with all new guys on the field who are busting their ass to play.
Bowl or no bowl, this season is over, and it is time to look to the future. There were some great moments this season, and some terrible ones. Through it all, I remain a loyal Tide fan - not even a terrible ending and six losses in a row to Auburn can effect that!
Until next time...Roll Tide!
Jason
I HATE Auburn. I don't even know where to start - I have been delaying this week's analysis because I was so irritated at first, and then it turned to depression over having nothing to say. So, after a few days to think about it I will give it my best shot. I can't stand the fact that we have lost to Auburn 6 times in a row - that kills me! Especially when I see pictures of their coach and their players holding up six fingers (I didn't think they could count, so I will have to give a shout out to the basic math skills of the Auburn football players). Nothing makes me more mad than seeing that little smug look on Tubberville's face. He single handily makes me hate Auburn more than I already did. I hope he stays at Auburn, so one day soon I can laugh in his face after a big Tide victory.
What makes the entire situation more irritating is that we should have won that game. Several times we should have taken the game over, but we just couldn't pull it off. Auburn was really not playing a very good game. Our defense was doing an adequate job, once again our offense just stunk it up big time. I mean we could not catch any passes - even the few that were right on target. I think the only person on offense who came to play that night was Glen Coffee. He was gutting it out for every yard he could get. DJ Hall might as well have been wearing a blue & orange jersey. I don't think Keith Brown even knew he was in the game. It was just an overall very lackluster performance for the offense - they did not have the look in their eyes like they were there to win. They were just simply going through the motions. Even Coach Saban looked like he was just there - not intensity at all.
I don't know for sure what is going on in Tuscaloosa with the team, but it appears as though they have just all given up. Saban needs to have a "Come to Jesus" meeting this Spring, or even sooner. I think it needs to go something like this:
Is there anyone in here that does not want to give their all to play on this football team? On this team we don't get to put on the Crimson jersey and half ass it - we play hard on every play, or we don't play at all. Am I clear on that??? If you are not willing to give 100% to this team, and this great University - then get out! Think of all the champions before you that wore that Crimson jersey. They earned those championships with blood, sweat and tears. They worked hard every day, and did what they needed to do to get better. If you are not willing to do what it takes to be a champion, then I don't want you on this team. Every single person on this team needs to give everything they have - if we all can agree to do this, then we will be a great team.
I'm sure it will be different than that, but do you see my point? I know our coach will get this program turned around, it is going to take time, and the full dedication of his players. I know people are tired of hearing about it taking time to change the program, but it does - there is no way around it. We are just going to have to stick it out, and in a few season we will see the results. Next year will be OK, but nothing huge - maybe 8 wins. I predict 2009 to be our breakout year - this is when things will start to happen!
I predicted us to have 7 wins this season, and we may still get that if we go to the Poulan Weedeater Bowl or something like that. Honestly I'm not sure I can stand to witness another sub par performance from The Tide - especially against the likes of a very sub par Big 12 or Big 10 team. I only want the bowl game so our young guys can get some practice - I seriously don't even care if any of the seniors (besides Wallace Gilberry) make it to the game. I would be ok with all new guys on the field who are busting their ass to play.
Bowl or no bowl, this season is over, and it is time to look to the future. There were some great moments this season, and some terrible ones. Through it all, I remain a loyal Tide fan - not even a terrible ending and six losses in a row to Auburn can effect that!
Until next time...Roll Tide!
Jason
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Tide Weekly Analysis - Week 11
Tide Fans -
I really don't know what to say. I know you are all just as shockedas I am, and I really just don't know what to say. I have askedmyself 100 times how that could have possibly happened, and I don'thave an answer. Who would have ever thought they would see the scoreLA-Monroe 21 Alabama 14?? I keep waiting to wake up from thisnightmare. We lost to a Sunbelt conference team - a conference wehave never lost a game to. We lost to probably the worst team Alabamahas ever lost to in it's entire football history. I will echo thewords of John Parker Wilson..."We're Embarrassed". That just aboutsums it up.
Yes, there were some terrible plays...yes there were some terriblecoaching calls, and yes our team played terrible.
I'm not going to waste my time blaming coaches, players etc... Whatgood is it going to do? Anything I say can't change that loss, so Ihave decided to just move on. I decided about 10 minutes beforechurch started, that I am going to move on. It is the only way I canreally cope with a loss like that.
I don't want to hear people talking about firing the coach, paying himtoo much, etc... If you talk like that, then you are not looking atthe big picture. It is very hard for a lot (actually the majority) ofAlabama fans to look at the big picture. The first time somethinggoes wrong, out come the nay sayers. I know I have my moments, butoverall I try to put my passion aside and be objective.
Yes, that loss totally sucked, but it is not the end of our program.It is going to take a few years for us to be where we need to be.Now, in a few years we lose to a team like LA-Monroe, then yes...Iwill be right at the front of the boo birds.
For now, I am just going to suck it up, as painful as it may be andsupport my team through thick and thin. I will always love The Tide,and losing to LA-Monroe does not change that at all.
If you think you feel bad after that loss, think about the players.
It is tough being a fan in times like this, but we have got tocontinue to look at the big picture. Next year will be tough also,but I am going to keep my head up because I know we will be back soon. We are all going to look back and probably laugh at this lossthinking...how in the hell did we lose to them?
I'm sure everyone thinks we are going to go down and get killed atAuburn. We may not win the game, but we will not go down there andjust lay down. I think our team will have something to prove afterthis week. I am sick of losing to Auburn, and I sure as hell hope wewin. I am not going to kill myself if we do lose, because I know weare going to have our way with them soon...payback for many years ofbeing Auburn's whipping boy. Like I said last week...our time iscoming!
I would like to end this with a quote from coach Saban.
"The only way I know to get it right is to fix the things that arewrong, improve our team, and give us the best chance to play well nextweek. I'm not going to quit."
I'm not going to quit either coach....Roll Tide!
Jason
I really don't know what to say. I know you are all just as shockedas I am, and I really just don't know what to say. I have askedmyself 100 times how that could have possibly happened, and I don'thave an answer. Who would have ever thought they would see the scoreLA-Monroe 21 Alabama 14?? I keep waiting to wake up from thisnightmare. We lost to a Sunbelt conference team - a conference wehave never lost a game to. We lost to probably the worst team Alabamahas ever lost to in it's entire football history. I will echo thewords of John Parker Wilson..."We're Embarrassed". That just aboutsums it up.
Yes, there were some terrible plays...yes there were some terriblecoaching calls, and yes our team played terrible.
I'm not going to waste my time blaming coaches, players etc... Whatgood is it going to do? Anything I say can't change that loss, so Ihave decided to just move on. I decided about 10 minutes beforechurch started, that I am going to move on. It is the only way I canreally cope with a loss like that.
I don't want to hear people talking about firing the coach, paying himtoo much, etc... If you talk like that, then you are not looking atthe big picture. It is very hard for a lot (actually the majority) ofAlabama fans to look at the big picture. The first time somethinggoes wrong, out come the nay sayers. I know I have my moments, butoverall I try to put my passion aside and be objective.
Yes, that loss totally sucked, but it is not the end of our program.It is going to take a few years for us to be where we need to be.Now, in a few years we lose to a team like LA-Monroe, then yes...Iwill be right at the front of the boo birds.
For now, I am just going to suck it up, as painful as it may be andsupport my team through thick and thin. I will always love The Tide,and losing to LA-Monroe does not change that at all.
If you think you feel bad after that loss, think about the players.
It is tough being a fan in times like this, but we have got tocontinue to look at the big picture. Next year will be tough also,but I am going to keep my head up because I know we will be back soon. We are all going to look back and probably laugh at this lossthinking...how in the hell did we lose to them?
I'm sure everyone thinks we are going to go down and get killed atAuburn. We may not win the game, but we will not go down there andjust lay down. I think our team will have something to prove afterthis week. I am sick of losing to Auburn, and I sure as hell hope wewin. I am not going to kill myself if we do lose, because I know weare going to have our way with them soon...payback for many years ofbeing Auburn's whipping boy. Like I said last week...our time iscoming!
I would like to end this with a quote from coach Saban.
"The only way I know to get it right is to fix the things that arewrong, improve our team, and give us the best chance to play well nextweek. I'm not going to quit."
I'm not going to quit either coach....Roll Tide!
Jason
Monday, October 22, 2007
Tide Weekly Analysis - Week 8
Tide Fans -
Roll Tide!!! I would like apologize for the delay in sending this week's analysis out. I just started a new job today, so I have been a little tied up!Do any of you still have a huge grin on your face? A huge grin brought on by the satisfaction of crushing one of your biggest rivals!! There is nothing better than taking Fat Phil and his banjo playing Volunteers to the woodshed! I am not sure I have enjoyed a game more than that one in Bryant-Denny…it is a game I will not soon forget. 2005 Florida was close, but this is sooo much sweeter to me personally, because I cannot stand UT. I was like a kid in a candy store in that last quarter - just knowing we were crushing them…the only question was by how much would we crush them. Coach Saban talks about dominating our opponent - Saturday we DOMINATED Tennessee!!!
The weather was perfect on Saturday, the atmosphere was incredible, and The Tide was almost perfect! For those of you who have not been to a game this year, then you have not witnessed the new entrance of the team into the stadium. I will do my best to describe the entrance, but you really need to see it for yourself! It starts with a powerful highlight video, and then the camera zooms into the locker room on a live shot. Saban comes around the corner with the team behind him…the crowd goes wild! He leads them down the tunnel and the team is all jumping and very fired up behind him. When they get out of the tunnel onto the field, Saban turns around and gets them all huddled up, and then they explode out on the field and of course the crowd goes wild again! I get chills just thinking about it! For this game it was even better - when they cut to the live shot of the locker room Saban and the team were already behind the doors they open, and you could see the Sabanator pacing back and forth like a caged tiger…it was awesome!!!! I knew it was going to be a good game after I saw this!!!
The Tide played the best they have all season in this game. Our offense moved the ball well, and JP had a career game - he and DJ Hall were unstoppable!! He was making plays like a true veteran QB on Saturday - things I have never seen JP do! Finding alternate receivers on busted plays, running the ball, and even pin point accurate passes!!! John Parker I am VERY proud of you!!! DJ Hall was a machine. Breaking the single game receiving record - that is huge! There were so many positives to take away from that game - it was just awesome! Keep in mind this was all done without 2 of our starters as well. I just hope we can keep this kind of play up…especially in 2 weeks! I think The Tide may be clicking now, and the offense has found their grove. Big shout out to the defense also - what a killer second half!! We pretty much shut down Erik "I'm from Oregon" Ainge, and the rest of their offense.
Players I love from this week:
- JP Wilson (Best game ever!) - DJ Hall (Ditto)
- Kareem Jackson!!!!!! (Incredible game - got burned early, but redeemed himself big time!!!!!! - He is # 3 for those of you asking who Kareem Jackson is - he made 2 huge interceptions, and had several other big plays)
- Javier Arenas (I just hope they kick to him in the future - UT only did it once and they regretted that decision!)
Things we need to improve so I can sleep better:
- Nothing here this week - it was awesome!
Tip of the Week:
- Call a friend who cheers for UT and laugh at him (if you know any - if not let me know, I will give you some names!)
Tide Fans we have a HUGE game in 2 weeks, and one I think we can definitely win! LSU is good, but they are not unbeatable. If we play with the same intensity as we did this week - it will be a great game. Don't get me wrong, this is going to be the toughest game all year, but I think Saban may have a few things up his sleeve that we have not seen yet, and I know The Tide will be prepared for this match up!
Roll Tide!!! I would like apologize for the delay in sending this week's analysis out. I just started a new job today, so I have been a little tied up!Do any of you still have a huge grin on your face? A huge grin brought on by the satisfaction of crushing one of your biggest rivals!! There is nothing better than taking Fat Phil and his banjo playing Volunteers to the woodshed! I am not sure I have enjoyed a game more than that one in Bryant-Denny…it is a game I will not soon forget. 2005 Florida was close, but this is sooo much sweeter to me personally, because I cannot stand UT. I was like a kid in a candy store in that last quarter - just knowing we were crushing them…the only question was by how much would we crush them. Coach Saban talks about dominating our opponent - Saturday we DOMINATED Tennessee!!!
The weather was perfect on Saturday, the atmosphere was incredible, and The Tide was almost perfect! For those of you who have not been to a game this year, then you have not witnessed the new entrance of the team into the stadium. I will do my best to describe the entrance, but you really need to see it for yourself! It starts with a powerful highlight video, and then the camera zooms into the locker room on a live shot. Saban comes around the corner with the team behind him…the crowd goes wild! He leads them down the tunnel and the team is all jumping and very fired up behind him. When they get out of the tunnel onto the field, Saban turns around and gets them all huddled up, and then they explode out on the field and of course the crowd goes wild again! I get chills just thinking about it! For this game it was even better - when they cut to the live shot of the locker room Saban and the team were already behind the doors they open, and you could see the Sabanator pacing back and forth like a caged tiger…it was awesome!!!! I knew it was going to be a good game after I saw this!!!
The Tide played the best they have all season in this game. Our offense moved the ball well, and JP had a career game - he and DJ Hall were unstoppable!! He was making plays like a true veteran QB on Saturday - things I have never seen JP do! Finding alternate receivers on busted plays, running the ball, and even pin point accurate passes!!! John Parker I am VERY proud of you!!! DJ Hall was a machine. Breaking the single game receiving record - that is huge! There were so many positives to take away from that game - it was just awesome! Keep in mind this was all done without 2 of our starters as well. I just hope we can keep this kind of play up…especially in 2 weeks! I think The Tide may be clicking now, and the offense has found their grove. Big shout out to the defense also - what a killer second half!! We pretty much shut down Erik "I'm from Oregon" Ainge, and the rest of their offense.
Players I love from this week:
- JP Wilson (Best game ever!) - DJ Hall (Ditto)
- Kareem Jackson!!!!!! (Incredible game - got burned early, but redeemed himself big time!!!!!! - He is # 3 for those of you asking who Kareem Jackson is - he made 2 huge interceptions, and had several other big plays)
- Javier Arenas (I just hope they kick to him in the future - UT only did it once and they regretted that decision!)
Things we need to improve so I can sleep better:
- Nothing here this week - it was awesome!
Tip of the Week:
- Call a friend who cheers for UT and laugh at him (if you know any - if not let me know, I will give you some names!)
Tide Fans we have a HUGE game in 2 weeks, and one I think we can definitely win! LSU is good, but they are not unbeatable. If we play with the same intensity as we did this week - it will be a great game. Don't get me wrong, this is going to be the toughest game all year, but I think Saban may have a few things up his sleeve that we have not seen yet, and I know The Tide will be prepared for this match up!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Tide Weekly Analysis - Week 2
Tide Fans -
Greetings from sunny Tuscaloosa! I know I am supposed to talk about The Tide, but first I must give a shout out to Auburn for sucking. I know I was not the only one on this list who enjoyed trying to stay awake and watch the South Florida Bulls beat Auburn in overtime. "Vaya Toros!!" (Go Bulls) It sucks doesn't it Auburn?? Now you know how we felt while losing to Northern Illinois under Shula. Ok - on to better things! I will start by saying that I hate playing Vandy up in Nashville. Every time it is usually a squeaker of a game, no matter how good we are , or how bad Vandy is - it is always close in Nashville. Although I did go up to vandy with a little more "swagger" this week, I still got nervous right before the game. That nervousness was made worse by trying to get to my seat in lovely Vanderbilt Stadium! For those of you who have never had the opportunity to visit this little gem...don't bother. This could possibly be the worst designed stadium in the country. Getting in one of the 4 gates, is not the problem (believe it or not). It is trying to get to your section through one of the 2 tunnels that leads you in. Imagine 20,000 people in a funnel, trying to get down to a single file line - that is the best way I can describe it. It is kind of like when they are doing construction on a 4 lane highway, and they try to move all the traffic to one lane. I know Vandy does not normally have fan traffic issues, but this was ridiculous! After switching to a less crowded tunnel and squirming over 2 sections through a barrage of Tide fans we were in our seats! It was very powerful once seated, to notice that Vanderbilt stadium was filled to capacity with 75% of the crowd being Tide faithful, and to top it off we were in Crimson jerseys!! Immediately following kickoff Vandy went to the air using both of their 2 weapons - and it worked. I cannot describe the feeling in my stomach watching that play develop. I bet I felt like a lot of the Auburn fans did watching the South Florida receiver zip into the end zone in overtime! (Haaaaaaa...sorry just had to get one more jab in!) Thank God there was a flag...Thank GOD!!! We dodged a big bullet there, and then countered with an incredible punt return! Javier Arenas is soo fast, he literally had to wait for his blockers to catch up with him on that punt return. I love going in there and easily punching it in form the goal line like it was nothing - that is a nice change! A big shout out to # 29 this week!! With our dismal passing game, Terry Grant (man crush) took the burden, and got it done. I don't know what is wrong with JP Wilson, but he better fix it of #17 will be our starting QB real soon! I am only hoping he had a bad game, or something was bothering him with his arm, because his passing was miserable. The best way to describe the majority of his passes is like when you try to throw the frisbee on the beach, and it gets caught in the wind and goes straight up and just hovers there. He has got to put more zip on that ball, or there will be a myriad of interceptions as we get into our SEC schedule. I just hope to God this is not some new technique that Major Applewhite has taught him. I am very glad we have a good running game to rely on when the pass is not working (and it definitely was not working). Come on JP...I know you can do better than that!! One thing that is really cool - Terry grant did not even play in the second quarter, and he still got 170+ yards!! It is good to see that even when a player is making big plays, Saban is not scared to chew him out and sit him on the bench because of a missed assignment. I must say - I was glad to see # 29 return in the second half! Speaking of the half - if anyone reading this was there, how bad is Vandy's band??? I mean show a little effort! You have a full house for probably the first time ever in your marching band career, and you play (and march) like you had been out drinking all night. Then again, if I were in the Vandy band I probably would be out drinking all night! Note to Vandy: Please warn us before you blast off a bunch of unexpected fireworks! The band performance certainly didn't get any ones attention, but the small explosion at the end of the half certainly did - good Lord! Everyone in my section ducked as a reaction, as it all scared the sh*t out of us!! I was not pumped about our overall effort in this game, but I was pumped to get out of there with a win! Anytime you can get out of that game with a somewhat comfortable lead it is nice! I was irritated about the last TD we gave Vandy, and Saban obviously was too. I don't know if they showed him on TV while Vandy was driving, but Saban looked as if he had been shocked by his head set. He was livid!!!! A much different reaction than the good ol Shula hand on his face looking into the distance stare. I love seeing a coach get fired up, and we could actually hear his clapping from our seats - he was mad! We have a big test this week with Arkansas! As many of you know - this game usually determines how our season will go. We must stop the double threat of McFadden and Jones, or they will beat us. We stop, or at least slow them down, then we should win the game. If I were coaching, I would design our game plan around # 29, #10, and #38, and run it down their throat! With the passing game this past week - we can't afford to turn the ball over in this game! Run, Run, Run!!!
Players I love from this week:
- Javier Arenas!!!!!
- Terry Grant (could possibly make my list every week)
- Andre Smith (couple of big pancake blocks!)
- Rolondo McClain (still can't believe he is a freshman!)
- Mike McCoy (This guy is unreal!)
Things we need to improve so I can sleep better:
- Passing game (Please JP - bring back the magic!)
- Secondary (I know they contained Earl Bennett well, but still several holes
- I am very nervous about this area)
- Passing game (did I already mention that??)
- Crowd participation (We need to get loud this week in Bryant-Denny)
I look forward to an exciting game this weekend, and I do feel that this game will show us what we really have this season. We must have solid play by our defense (especially linebackers) to help stop that running threat that Arkansas brings. Note to defense: Please watch for the half back pass - they love this play, and execute it well! I for one plan to be eating some pig this weekend...I hope the Tide does too! Until next week...Roll Tide! Jason
Greetings from sunny Tuscaloosa! I know I am supposed to talk about The Tide, but first I must give a shout out to Auburn for sucking. I know I was not the only one on this list who enjoyed trying to stay awake and watch the South Florida Bulls beat Auburn in overtime. "Vaya Toros!!" (Go Bulls) It sucks doesn't it Auburn?? Now you know how we felt while losing to Northern Illinois under Shula. Ok - on to better things! I will start by saying that I hate playing Vandy up in Nashville. Every time it is usually a squeaker of a game, no matter how good we are , or how bad Vandy is - it is always close in Nashville. Although I did go up to vandy with a little more "swagger" this week, I still got nervous right before the game. That nervousness was made worse by trying to get to my seat in lovely Vanderbilt Stadium! For those of you who have never had the opportunity to visit this little gem...don't bother. This could possibly be the worst designed stadium in the country. Getting in one of the 4 gates, is not the problem (believe it or not). It is trying to get to your section through one of the 2 tunnels that leads you in. Imagine 20,000 people in a funnel, trying to get down to a single file line - that is the best way I can describe it. It is kind of like when they are doing construction on a 4 lane highway, and they try to move all the traffic to one lane. I know Vandy does not normally have fan traffic issues, but this was ridiculous! After switching to a less crowded tunnel and squirming over 2 sections through a barrage of Tide fans we were in our seats! It was very powerful once seated, to notice that Vanderbilt stadium was filled to capacity with 75% of the crowd being Tide faithful, and to top it off we were in Crimson jerseys!! Immediately following kickoff Vandy went to the air using both of their 2 weapons - and it worked. I cannot describe the feeling in my stomach watching that play develop. I bet I felt like a lot of the Auburn fans did watching the South Florida receiver zip into the end zone in overtime! (Haaaaaaa...sorry just had to get one more jab in!) Thank God there was a flag...Thank GOD!!! We dodged a big bullet there, and then countered with an incredible punt return! Javier Arenas is soo fast, he literally had to wait for his blockers to catch up with him on that punt return. I love going in there and easily punching it in form the goal line like it was nothing - that is a nice change! A big shout out to # 29 this week!! With our dismal passing game, Terry Grant (man crush) took the burden, and got it done. I don't know what is wrong with JP Wilson, but he better fix it of #17 will be our starting QB real soon! I am only hoping he had a bad game, or something was bothering him with his arm, because his passing was miserable. The best way to describe the majority of his passes is like when you try to throw the frisbee on the beach, and it gets caught in the wind and goes straight up and just hovers there. He has got to put more zip on that ball, or there will be a myriad of interceptions as we get into our SEC schedule. I just hope to God this is not some new technique that Major Applewhite has taught him. I am very glad we have a good running game to rely on when the pass is not working (and it definitely was not working). Come on JP...I know you can do better than that!! One thing that is really cool - Terry grant did not even play in the second quarter, and he still got 170+ yards!! It is good to see that even when a player is making big plays, Saban is not scared to chew him out and sit him on the bench because of a missed assignment. I must say - I was glad to see # 29 return in the second half! Speaking of the half - if anyone reading this was there, how bad is Vandy's band??? I mean show a little effort! You have a full house for probably the first time ever in your marching band career, and you play (and march) like you had been out drinking all night. Then again, if I were in the Vandy band I probably would be out drinking all night! Note to Vandy: Please warn us before you blast off a bunch of unexpected fireworks! The band performance certainly didn't get any ones attention, but the small explosion at the end of the half certainly did - good Lord! Everyone in my section ducked as a reaction, as it all scared the sh*t out of us!! I was not pumped about our overall effort in this game, but I was pumped to get out of there with a win! Anytime you can get out of that game with a somewhat comfortable lead it is nice! I was irritated about the last TD we gave Vandy, and Saban obviously was too. I don't know if they showed him on TV while Vandy was driving, but Saban looked as if he had been shocked by his head set. He was livid!!!! A much different reaction than the good ol Shula hand on his face looking into the distance stare. I love seeing a coach get fired up, and we could actually hear his clapping from our seats - he was mad! We have a big test this week with Arkansas! As many of you know - this game usually determines how our season will go. We must stop the double threat of McFadden and Jones, or they will beat us. We stop, or at least slow them down, then we should win the game. If I were coaching, I would design our game plan around # 29, #10, and #38, and run it down their throat! With the passing game this past week - we can't afford to turn the ball over in this game! Run, Run, Run!!!
Players I love from this week:
- Javier Arenas!!!!!
- Terry Grant (could possibly make my list every week)
- Andre Smith (couple of big pancake blocks!)
- Rolondo McClain (still can't believe he is a freshman!)
- Mike McCoy (This guy is unreal!)
Things we need to improve so I can sleep better:
- Passing game (Please JP - bring back the magic!)
- Secondary (I know they contained Earl Bennett well, but still several holes
- I am very nervous about this area)
- Passing game (did I already mention that??)
- Crowd participation (We need to get loud this week in Bryant-Denny)
I look forward to an exciting game this weekend, and I do feel that this game will show us what we really have this season. We must have solid play by our defense (especially linebackers) to help stop that running threat that Arkansas brings. Note to defense: Please watch for the half back pass - they love this play, and execute it well! I for one plan to be eating some pig this weekend...I hope the Tide does too! Until next week...Roll Tide! Jason
Monday, September 3, 2007
Tide Weekly Analysis - Week 1
Tide Fans -
Roll Tide! I would like to start first by saying that we have played our first game under new head coach Nick Saban, and I still can't believe he is our coach - it is still awesomely weird to me! Is it just me, or is it still hard to believe he is actually our coach??
On to the game - Wow, what a way to start a season! I entered Bryant-Denny stadium with a confidence and calmness that I have not experienced in some years. The pre game beers helped, but it was almost as if I were walking into the stadium and it was 1994. I think a lot of it had to do with knowing we have a coach who is going to make sure the team is prepared. Gone are the days of the tight sphincter squeekers against Duke, Florida International, La. Monroe etc... Our performance this past Saturday was one of clean execution, swarming defense, and domination. Yes, it was Western Carolina, but you could truly see a difference on that field. It's almost as if Alabama has their swagger back. Yes, I said it - Alabama football officially has its swagger back!!! I love swagger, and I love the feeling that we can go out and play against anyone. Some of you may think I am pre-mature on the "swagger" talk, but I know you feel it too! A little bit of my swagger was taken away about 10 minutes into the game. Not because of how we were playing, but because an enormous bird decided to take a sh*t on me!!!!!!!!! Yes, as I sat there watching the Tide play, I felt a sharp pain on my left shoulder. I figured it was some drunk in the upper deck throwing ice, but much to my surprise (and disgust) I realized...I had been singled out in a group of 93,000 people and this bird decided to relieve himself on me. I know many of you are probably laughing right now, saying "no way", but yes - this really did happen!! I could not believe it either, but the proof was right there on my white shirt. Trying not to call attention to myself, I casually leaned over to my wife and said.."Hey, I just got sh*t on by a bird!" Which she replied..."WHAT????" It is at this point my mother, who was sitting on the other side of me said very loudly "What is that brown stuff all over your shirt??" Once again, trying not to draw attention to myself I explained what had happened. This information was of course relayed to my father who was sitting next to my mother. My father, trying to help out, poured water all over my shirt, and then my mother tried to wipe the excess off with a napkin. This not only made the "stain" even bigger, but now people in our section were starting to look at me. It is at this point where I wished I could just disappear - this truly was not happening to me - but it really was! Now with onlookers from several rows watching, my parents continued trying to get the bird sh*t off of my shirt. I finally said - "Screw it...I am going to go buy a new shirt" Many of you know there are souvenir stands inside the stadium that sell shirts, hats, etc... Many of you also know that they sell what my sister refers to as "non-graduate" type of t-shirts. The selection was slim...it was either a shirt that had some slogan on it like "Bear is looking down, and he still hates Tennessee", or some terrible busy logo shirt. I finally found what I considered the most conservative looking shirt, purchased it, and changed shirts immediately. Yes, it was crisp and new, and not normally the type of shirt I would wear, but it did not have bird sh*t on it - and that was more important then looking good to me at the time! With a new, sh*t free shirt I proceeded to watch The Tide dominate W. Carolina! Again, I know we were playing little more than a high school team, but you could just see a difference in how we played. One big difference is how well our receivers blocked down field. Even true freshman McCoy had several great blocks, allowing Terry Grant to do his thing. No delay of games, no lumbering out of the field looking worn out - everyone looked fresh. It was so nice to actually sit back and enjoy a game, instead of holding our breath in the final minutes. Roll Tide to that!!!!!!!!!!!! I look forward to an exciting season this year - a season that may actually be better than many of us thought. I am going to try and keep my hopes realistic, but I just have a good feeling about our "new" team. I can't wait to go up to Vandy next weekend and watch Terry Grant run like a mad man over their defense. Yes, just a few days ago I was dreading the trip to Nashville to play Vandy, but now - I feel very good about it. Back to Terry Grant...he is my official "man crush" this season! I think this kid is going to break records here at Alabama. His running style reminds me of good 'ol # 20...Sherman Williams. It is like he just glides across the field, and I love it!!!!
Players I love this week:
- TERRY GRANT (need I say more!)
- Mike McCoy (Awesome freshman receiver...Keith Brown may be keeping his seat warm this season
- Rolondo McClain (Another freshman talent - unbelievable game!)
- Glen Goffee (solid backup running effort - I think we are loaded back here!)
- Javier Arenas (run Javier...run like the wind!)
Things we need to improve on so I can sleep better:
- Nothing football related (at least not yet)
- Sound system in Bryant Denny - please crank it!!!!
- 4th quarter Green Day song that the band plays (you all know how I feel about this song - if not refer to last season)
- Better shirt selection at souvenir stand (just in case)
Tip of the week: (New this season!)
- If you look up into the sky at Bryant-Denny...keep your mouth shut!
Coach Saban has brought a new attitude to this team. This attitude is going to change our team, and I truly believe that they will "work to be a champion". I look forward to a fun season - we may not win them all, but I know that we are going to at least play hard, and leave it all on the field. For all of you dedicated Tide fans heading up to Nashville this weekend - take a little swagger with you...we deserve it! Until next week...Roll Tide!
Jason
Roll Tide! I would like to start first by saying that we have played our first game under new head coach Nick Saban, and I still can't believe he is our coach - it is still awesomely weird to me! Is it just me, or is it still hard to believe he is actually our coach??
On to the game - Wow, what a way to start a season! I entered Bryant-Denny stadium with a confidence and calmness that I have not experienced in some years. The pre game beers helped, but it was almost as if I were walking into the stadium and it was 1994. I think a lot of it had to do with knowing we have a coach who is going to make sure the team is prepared. Gone are the days of the tight sphincter squeekers against Duke, Florida International, La. Monroe etc... Our performance this past Saturday was one of clean execution, swarming defense, and domination. Yes, it was Western Carolina, but you could truly see a difference on that field. It's almost as if Alabama has their swagger back. Yes, I said it - Alabama football officially has its swagger back!!! I love swagger, and I love the feeling that we can go out and play against anyone. Some of you may think I am pre-mature on the "swagger" talk, but I know you feel it too! A little bit of my swagger was taken away about 10 minutes into the game. Not because of how we were playing, but because an enormous bird decided to take a sh*t on me!!!!!!!!! Yes, as I sat there watching the Tide play, I felt a sharp pain on my left shoulder. I figured it was some drunk in the upper deck throwing ice, but much to my surprise (and disgust) I realized...I had been singled out in a group of 93,000 people and this bird decided to relieve himself on me. I know many of you are probably laughing right now, saying "no way", but yes - this really did happen!! I could not believe it either, but the proof was right there on my white shirt. Trying not to call attention to myself, I casually leaned over to my wife and said.."Hey, I just got sh*t on by a bird!" Which she replied..."WHAT????" It is at this point my mother, who was sitting on the other side of me said very loudly "What is that brown stuff all over your shirt??" Once again, trying not to draw attention to myself I explained what had happened. This information was of course relayed to my father who was sitting next to my mother. My father, trying to help out, poured water all over my shirt, and then my mother tried to wipe the excess off with a napkin. This not only made the "stain" even bigger, but now people in our section were starting to look at me. It is at this point where I wished I could just disappear - this truly was not happening to me - but it really was! Now with onlookers from several rows watching, my parents continued trying to get the bird sh*t off of my shirt. I finally said - "Screw it...I am going to go buy a new shirt" Many of you know there are souvenir stands inside the stadium that sell shirts, hats, etc... Many of you also know that they sell what my sister refers to as "non-graduate" type of t-shirts. The selection was slim...it was either a shirt that had some slogan on it like "Bear is looking down, and he still hates Tennessee", or some terrible busy logo shirt. I finally found what I considered the most conservative looking shirt, purchased it, and changed shirts immediately. Yes, it was crisp and new, and not normally the type of shirt I would wear, but it did not have bird sh*t on it - and that was more important then looking good to me at the time! With a new, sh*t free shirt I proceeded to watch The Tide dominate W. Carolina! Again, I know we were playing little more than a high school team, but you could just see a difference in how we played. One big difference is how well our receivers blocked down field. Even true freshman McCoy had several great blocks, allowing Terry Grant to do his thing. No delay of games, no lumbering out of the field looking worn out - everyone looked fresh. It was so nice to actually sit back and enjoy a game, instead of holding our breath in the final minutes. Roll Tide to that!!!!!!!!!!!! I look forward to an exciting season this year - a season that may actually be better than many of us thought. I am going to try and keep my hopes realistic, but I just have a good feeling about our "new" team. I can't wait to go up to Vandy next weekend and watch Terry Grant run like a mad man over their defense. Yes, just a few days ago I was dreading the trip to Nashville to play Vandy, but now - I feel very good about it. Back to Terry Grant...he is my official "man crush" this season! I think this kid is going to break records here at Alabama. His running style reminds me of good 'ol # 20...Sherman Williams. It is like he just glides across the field, and I love it!!!!
Players I love this week:
- TERRY GRANT (need I say more!)
- Mike McCoy (Awesome freshman receiver...Keith Brown may be keeping his seat warm this season
- Rolondo McClain (Another freshman talent - unbelievable game!)
- Glen Goffee (solid backup running effort - I think we are loaded back here!)
- Javier Arenas (run Javier...run like the wind!)
Things we need to improve on so I can sleep better:
- Nothing football related (at least not yet)
- Sound system in Bryant Denny - please crank it!!!!
- 4th quarter Green Day song that the band plays (you all know how I feel about this song - if not refer to last season)
- Better shirt selection at souvenir stand (just in case)
Tip of the week: (New this season!)
- If you look up into the sky at Bryant-Denny...keep your mouth shut!
Coach Saban has brought a new attitude to this team. This attitude is going to change our team, and I truly believe that they will "work to be a champion". I look forward to a fun season - we may not win them all, but I know that we are going to at least play hard, and leave it all on the field. For all of you dedicated Tide fans heading up to Nashville this weekend - take a little swagger with you...we deserve it! Until next week...Roll Tide!
Jason
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