Started By
Message
Some perspective on Saban's coaching decisions
Posted on 12/2/13 at 8:53 pm
Posted on 12/2/13 at 8:53 pm
Let me start off by saying I pretty much agreed with every decision Saban made on Saturday:
(1) I agreed with going for it on 4th down and short because of the way field goals were going all night.
(2) I agreed with kicking a field goal at the end of the game. I didn't like our chances in overtime considering the way the kicking game was going and how Auburn was running the ball; so why not give it a shot to end it before then. Hell, I even agreed with putting Griffith in. Absolutely no pressure on him, just a chance to be a hero, and nobody could blame him if he missed from 57. The only mistake here was putting in some coverage guys, but hindsight is 20/20.
So personally, I don't really feel like Saban screwed up. But even if you said he DID screw up, he's earned the right to live and die by those types of decisions by winning 3/4, etc. Nobody's perfect; we all are still learning everyday, even someone as old as Saban, so don't expect another FG return for a touchdown to lose a game in his career
(1) I agreed with going for it on 4th down and short because of the way field goals were going all night.
(2) I agreed with kicking a field goal at the end of the game. I didn't like our chances in overtime considering the way the kicking game was going and how Auburn was running the ball; so why not give it a shot to end it before then. Hell, I even agreed with putting Griffith in. Absolutely no pressure on him, just a chance to be a hero, and nobody could blame him if he missed from 57. The only mistake here was putting in some coverage guys, but hindsight is 20/20.
So personally, I don't really feel like Saban screwed up. But even if you said he DID screw up, he's earned the right to live and die by those types of decisions by winning 3/4, etc. Nobody's perfect; we all are still learning everyday, even someone as old as Saban, so don't expect another FG return for a touchdown to lose a game in his career
7
Posted on 12/2/13 at 8:54 pm to bodask42
Nama Board
Posted on 12/2/13 at 8:55 pm to NBamaAlum
frick. I leave it.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 8:55 pm to NBamaAlum
That one too.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 8:57 pm to bodask42
quote:You and I disagree. Two score separation is always the answer.
(1) I agreed with going for it on 4th down and short because of the way field goals were going all night.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 8:57 pm to bodask42
Foster was sucking, but at least he has the leg to get the ball to the uprights. The fact that the ball fell 3 yards short is the reason Bama lost. There were a ton of factors up to that point that could have swayed the game either way, but at that moment it was the game and if you're going to try to kick a 57 yard field goal, you might want to have a kicker that can get it there at least. I would assume the earlier block played a factor here, but there is only one way to make it....you have to drive it low and hope it gets over the line. That coaching decision lost them the game no matter how you slice it. Even if it was the right move logically or in football sense......they lost because of the kick. That's not debatable.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 8:58 pm to bodask42
I think going for it on 4th instead of kicking a FG was a mistake, but trying that 57 yarder, I didn't disagree with. I think that has a higher probability of happening, even by a slim margin, than a hail mary.
The problem was the bama players on the field didn't do their jobs and Auburn did. The bama players were clearly caught off guard by the return, and that falls on coaching and being prepared.
The problem was the bama players on the field didn't do their jobs and Auburn did. The bama players were clearly caught off guard by the return, and that falls on coaching and being prepared.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:00 pm to kage
Agreed, the fourth down play is the only one debatable. But field goal confidence was an all time low.
The 57 yard field goal was the best chance to win. Saban knows his personnel.
The 57 yard field goal was the best chance to win. Saban knows his personnel.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:02 pm to bodask42
Why not send in super Frosh in for the chip shot. I mean if you think he can hit a 57
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:04 pm to kage
quote:
I think going for it on 4th instead of kicking a FG was a mistake, but trying that 57 yarder, I didn't disagree with.
I agree with this. When they went for it on 4th down we all said, "What is Saban doing? Kick the chip shot, give Foster a chance to redeem himself and salt the game away."
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:07 pm to UltimaParadox
Going for it on 4th wasn't a mistake, but the playcall was.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:08 pm to bodask42
no doubt #1 was not kicking a 30 yard FG on 4 th down.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:11 pm to Diamondawg
I would have kicked the FG on 4th down to make it a 2 score game. He was overdue to make one.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:11 pm to East Coast Band
Foster had just shanked one from around the same range. Give him another shot and he does the same thing, and people would be saying exactly the opposite: "Running game was going well, why not pick up the easy first down on 4th and short? Why would you put the game on the foot of someone who was clearly shook all night?"
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:16 pm to bodask42
quote:Yep. 20/20 and all that..
Foster had just shanked one from around the same range. Give him another shot and he does the same thing, and people would be saying exactly the opposite: "Running game was going well, why not pick up the easy first down on 4th and short? Why would you put the game on the foot of someone who was clearly shook all night?"
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:21 pm to bodask42
quote:
(2) I agreed with kicking a field goal at the end of the game. I didn't like our chances in overtime considering the way the kicking game was going and how Auburn was running the ball; so why not give it a shot to end it before then. Hell, I even agreed with putting Griffith in. Absolutely no pressure on him, just a chance to be a hero, and nobody could blame him if he missed from 57. The only mistake here was putting in some coverage guys, but hindsight is 20/20.
Throw a Hail Mary. McCarron could get it there, and if it gets picked you have WRs near the ball to stop the run back.
Or kick a FG with a bunch of guys who are either unaware or too damn slow to catch the runback because they are no where near the runner when he begins his return.
This post was edited on 12/2/13 at 9:22 pm
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:22 pm to BamaDude06
Going for it on 4th down was arrogant. He was on the 13 yard line - that's 10yds longer than an extra point. Thinking he could stop the run in a base defense was also arrogant. The fact some of you Bammers still think you could / should play in the title game is arrogant.
Feel free to replace arrogant with stupid.
Feel free to replace arrogant with stupid.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:23 pm to JuiceTerry
let me tell you one thing about Saban that any knowledgable LSU fan will tell you, he has a way of losing a game or two every year that he shouldn't lose...
2013 was the exception to the rule...
2013 was the exception to the rule...
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:33 pm to vl100butch
quote:
let me tell you one thing about Saban that any knowledgable LSU fan will tell you, he has a way of losing a game or two every year that he shouldn't lose...
As a Bama fan, I can tell you that doesn't bother me in the least. Technically, with talent stacked the way it is and according to Vegas, Bama SHOULDN'T lose a game, period. But we know no one is going undefeated every year.
No he is not infallible, and may make a controversial decision that could swing the game one way or another, but I think all of that is well worth the risk.
Posted on 12/2/13 at 9:37 pm to bodask42
Saban blew it
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News