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So............Cecil's article was weird
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:12 am
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:12 am
Saban always ready for next challenge
quote:
CECIL HURT: Saban always ready for next challenge
By Cecil Hurt - January 7, 2018
Nick Saban isn’t aiming for a place in history on Monday night. That has already been assured, regardless of how his 2017 team finishes its year against the Georgia Bulldogs. The Alabama coach, leading the Crimson Tide into an amazing sixth national championship game in nine years, is establishing a record that will stand far beyond the current playoff format. If he lifts the championship trophy Monday night, it will be the sixth time he has done so, the fifth at Alabama. The total would equal Paul “Bear” Bryant’s. The comparisons began long ago, although the only statement that can be made without debate is that Bryant dominated the poll era — when voters decided the national champion — and Saban has dominated the playoff era in both its two-team and four-team incarnation.
Georgia may win the game, of course. The teams are evenly matched, by design. The Bulldogs are healthy, having avoided Alabama’s hard luck, a run of significant injuries that has gone on for a year-and-a-half and sidelined such talents as Shaun Dion Hamilton (twice), Eddie Jackson, Bo Scarborough and now Anfernee Jennings, Lester Cotton and Dylan Moses. This seems like a charmed year for the Bulldogs with their close wins over Notre Dame and Oklahoma.
Despite all that, and perhaps on reputation alone, Alabama is the favorite. If the Crimson Tide wins, the victory will be treated as par for the course, not the extraordinary achievement it will be.
Getting to this point has been tougher for Alabama than people realize. We have reached a point where wins and even championships are greeted with a shrug.
Saban, in his pregame comments, showed that he knew it hasn’t been easy — but sounded philosophical about it.
“I think that I’m always looking for the next challenge,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s the way I was raised or whatever, that you’re kind of only as good as your last play, as your last game. I think everyone has heard me talk a lot about the fact that success is not a continuum, it’s momentary, and it’s human nature to get satisfied and get a little complacent when you have success.
“But in a competitive business like we are in, there’s always a next challenge, there’s always a next game, there’s always a better team to play. If you have that (complacent) mindset, you’re not going to be able to play with any consistency, and if you can’t play with consistency in performance, you’re not going to really have a lot of success long-term.
“You’re always ready for the next challenge, and you always understand that people are going to be a little bit satisfied, and you have to make sure that everyone is ready for the next challenge.”
At some point, the question will be whether Saban’s challenge is guiding the Alabama juggernaut year after year, or whether he will want to try something new, a challenge that doesn’t involve a constant struggle against complacency. The game against Georgia isn’t the time to confront that. Instead, Alabama has to face another challenger, to show that it learned from last year’s loss to Clemson. It has to show that manhandling the Tigers in a rematch was only part of proving that the failure, as Saban himself called it, was not wasted.
That will set up yet another rematch with complacency, a bridge that will have to be crossed once more if Alabama wins. But is there an alternative?
“I hate to lose,” Saban said again on Sunday. That should be enough of an answer.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:22 am to SummerOfGeorge
It only makes me pause because Cecil wrote it.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:24 am to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
It only makes me pause because Cecil wrote it.
The subject, nature, timing and author are all..................peculiar.
If this was written by anyone else I literally wouldn't think twice about it. But, like you said, because it is Cecil........
This post was edited on 1/8/18 at 11:26 am
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:24 am to CapstoneGrad06
Meh. Every team is new so there are always new challenges.
Our defensive injuries were a unique challenge this year. Who knows what next year will bring.
Our defensive injuries were a unique challenge this year. Who knows what next year will bring.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:25 am to SummerOfGeorge
Time to track Greg Byrne's movements after the game tonight. Does he drive straight to Clemson?
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:25 am to SummerOfGeorge
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm......... Sounds like a win could mean it's his last game as Bama coach.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:27 am to SummerOfGeorge
It could happen but at his age, I don't see him starting over somewhere else. Back to the NFL to prove he can do it, I suppose, but I doubt it will happen.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:27 am to angryslugs
Would explain the strange year in recruiting.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:28 am to SummerOfGeorge
quote:
That will set up yet another rematch with complacency, a bridge that will have to be crossed once more if Alabama wins. But is there an alternative?
“I hate to lose,” Saban said again on Sunday. That should be enough of an answer.
The point is, Saban is competitive and isn't looking to retire.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:30 am to SummerOfGeorge
There's nothing in that article suggesting Saban is considering moving on. Nothing.
This post was edited on 1/8/18 at 3:04 pm
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:30 am to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
It only makes me pause because Cecil wrote it.
This. Cecil is not some johnny come lately journalist who writes for attention. He knows things.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:30 am to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
Time to track Greg Byrne's movements after the game tonight. Does he drive straight to Clemson
Remember Franchione's last game at Alabama? Some folks say he basically threw that Auburn game so Alabama fans wouldn't be too p.oed when he split to hold that rope at Texas A&M.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:33 am to Huddie Leadbetter
quote:
Remember Franchione's last game at Alabama? Some folks say he basically threw that Auburn game so Alabama fans wouldn't be too p.oed when he split to hold that rope at Texas A&M.
Yes. I was sat through that game in the student section.
Heard all week that he was skipping meetings and practices. And they played like it versus a bad Auburn team.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:33 am to SummerOfGeorge
quote:
At some point, the question will be whether Saban’s challenge is guiding the Alabama juggernaut year after year, or whether he will want to try something new, a challenge that doesn’t involve a constant struggle against complacency.
This is what is curious. Again, I don't think that Cecil would mention this in his article if he was not hearing things from reliable folks. Otherwise, he'd be like the rest of the hundreds of sports journalists and pundits who begin the "Saban To ______" talk every post season.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:34 am to TiderNAL
quote:
At some point, the question will be whether Saban’s challenge is guiding the Alabama juggernaut year after year, or whether he will want to try something new, a challenge that doesn’t involve a constant struggle against complacency.
I think you guys are forgetting to emphasize this part.
Not saying nothing will happen, but I don't think the article is insinuating anything.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:34 am to SummerOfGeorge
I took the article as if he's up for new challenge of keeping the program on the top for years to come. He's not going anywhere anytime soon. I think Saban is more hunger than ever.
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:35 am to Huddie Leadbetter
quote:I think people realize how hard it has been which is why most are saying this is one of Saban's best coaching jobs.
Getting to this point has been tougher for Alabama than people realize
Posted on 1/8/18 at 11:37 am to Huddie Leadbetter
I doubt Dabo would have a problem taking over for 10 million, this roster, and Tua at QB.
If Coach is tired, it might not be the worst time. Kirby’s not going to let up. That’s for sure. And he’s 42 years old and at his alma mater. We’re looking at 20 years facing that.
If Coach is tired, it might not be the worst time. Kirby’s not going to let up. That’s for sure. And he’s 42 years old and at his alma mater. We’re looking at 20 years facing that.
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