It does look like the talent is on the way, no doubt. It’s much needed. Not one of those kids is signed and none of them are enrolled yet. Until the pilot sticks the landing, it’s not a good trip. No reason to believe the class will fall apart, but I’m old enough to remember when Dalvin Cook flipped and that was functionally the end of the Muschamp era.
I imagine that there were posts like yours on the Alabama board after Saban's first Bama team lost to Louisiana-Monroe in 2007.
Saban had a reputation and a NC at LSU to be given the benefit of the doubt. Napier has neither. As I said before, going 5-7 or 6-6 will be REALLY BAD OPTICS for Napier.
I just don't get that explanation. I know that was the explanation, but it doesn't hold water. If your mentality is that your defense can't stop the opposing teams offense, then every offensive possession becomes very valuable, and you can't afford to just give one away, especially knowing the opposing team gets the ball first to start the second half. You absolutely must score every time you get the ball just to have a chance in the game.
Of course I’m bothered by it, I just can’t tell whose more to blame…clearly you can. Who are are locked down cover corners? Maybe it’s because the CBs can’t be trusted to stick a guy and the safeties can’t reliably help. Even when the DBs have decent coverage, they routinely get Mossed for key plays (UT for 50 at the end of the half.) 3 and 22 vs Mizzou went for 27 b/c 22 inexplicably decided to blow up a blocker ahead of the play rather than make a play on the receiver running towards the sticks…i guess the coaches are teaching that? Plenty of missed tackles in the flats on those 3 and medium/longs. Which coach is to blame when Cox whiffs on half his opportunities for sacks or Dexter can’t bring down a RB? Other than 52, who has impressed at LB? Can anyone cover guys crossing or coming out of the backfield. NFL don’t lie. We’ll see how many guys who started today hear their names called in the next 2 drafts…..but yeah, talent everywhere
What’s Bamas problem tgat they gave up 52 to Tenn? Is it talent or coaching or are they lacking both?
Now add to that how many punts have we forced, how many 3rd down conversions given up, how many points given up, how much time possession. We certainly don't have the best players on D, but to be this horrendous is coaching plain and simple. Personally, I get tired of hearing "it's correctable". I'd settle for improvement. Now, I like BN, I was happy with the hire. I do believe he is building something special and love the effort in recruiting. But, bottom line is winning. I didn't expect a great season this year year, but at the very least I expected to see improvement. It's not there. BN seems to be an overly nice guy maybe too much but something is extremely rotten on D and I'm hoping changes will occur with the DC. Many are saying wait for new players next year, first they will be young and inexperienced and secondly if you have the same scheme we will get the same results. A similar season next year and the noise will grow louder. Being 4th or 5th in the east being passed over by UT and UK is unacceptable. BN gets a honey moon year this year being a first year coach. Next year, will be different if we're seeing similar results.
As much as I believe you are right, I think BN is too nice and to demote him would be admitting he made a mistake in his choice of DC. BN may very well keep Toney like DM kept TG, its a buddy system. I hope that is not the case. Another year like this year and fans won't show, and players won't come to be humiliated by bad play calling and schemes. We may be in a UT type wilderness for a long bit.
They have a have clock in sun belt conference games as well. This isn't something a head coach at power 5 school should have to learn. I am not saying fire Napier over it, but it was stupid and there is no excusing it. Tells the offense that he has no confidence in two minute drill and told the defense he had already given up on them.
I’m all about trusting our coaches and realize we need the talent. It’s true thought that Napier better either replace Toney or Toney better get the job done. 3rd and Toney becoming a long term thing would sink his career. I don’t think Mullen can ever recover from not making the changes necessary.