Started By
Message

Is the phrase "Reload, Not Rebuild" a thing of the past?

Posted on 2/2/25 at 8:50 pm
Posted by TTsTowel
RIP Bow9den/Coastie
Member since Feb 2010
92235 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 8:50 pm
Some of the Blue Blood programs across the years used to use the phrase "Reload, Not Rebuild" for many years during successful tenures. Their fans did, at least.

Is that phrase just...dead now?

It seems like, regardless of program, each and every program has to rebuild their team due to graduation and transfers. Teams are having to replace more players than ever before and it seems like more of a "rebuild" than "reload" kind of scenario every season.

One of the things that made Alabama so scary while Nick Saban was there was him stacking talent, on top of talent, on top of talent. Guys that might not start until their senior seasons were still super talented and had been in the system, making it easier for them to transition. Someone like Reuben Foster, Levi Wallace, etc

Now, those same fans seem to be OK with not only Nick Saban's recruits transferring out, but also other talented recruits acquired by Kalen Deboer during his first recruiting class simply because they haven't made an impact yet. Point being, those are the same guys that used to be the "reload" guys. In terms of star value, Alabama has taken a bigger roster (talent) hit from the portal/NIL era than anyone in the history of the sport. It's not their fault, it's just something new and replacing Nick Saban is impossible.

Thoughts?

I'll kindly go frick myself on the way out, as someone will likely mention.
Posted by Soonerd78
Member since Sep 2024
1560 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 9:01 pm to
unless your qb is coming back.........
Posted by Dallaswho
Texas
Member since Dec 2023
2453 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 9:09 pm to
It costs $500k/yr to get a 5-star to ride the bench now. Y’all were doing it for a dodge charger, a mediocre job for a family member, and beer money. Those days are over.
Posted by TTsTowel
RIP Bow9den/Coastie
Member since Feb 2010
92235 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 9:41 pm to
Buddy, I’m not an Alabama fan.
Posted by 3down10
Member since Sep 2014
30660 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 9:45 pm to
Alabama hasn't dropped off in terms of bringing talent in, and that includes transfers in/out. Recruiting services and such still have Alabama in the top3, and #1 in overall talent.

Development dropped with the NIL. And that is across the board, not just Alabama. Alabama didn't just have talent, they had developed talent, and that's what an elite player is.

It's the reason Saban retired. Not because of NIL or not being able to bring in talent, but because the players are already getting paid and no longer care about getting developed to get paid in the NFL one day.

Especially true when it comes to the QB room. Counting 2020 we've had 4 OC. Sark, BoB, Rees, Shelton and now Grubb will make the 5th going into next year. With decent QB play Alabama is likely undefeated in the regular season last year.
This post was edited on 2/2/25 at 9:47 pm
Posted by SidewalkTiger
Midwest, USA
Member since Dec 2019
61031 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 9:49 pm to
quote:

With decent QB play Alabama is likely undefeated in the regular season last year.

Milroe was fairly "decent", Bama fans are just spoiled.

Sure, he lost you some games but he also won you some games that a higher floor lower ceiling guy probably doesn't.

At any rate, your staff determined he was the best option apparently and he wasn't total trash.

Posted by RockyRococco
Jacksonville FL
Member since Aug 2021
1593 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 10:15 pm to
No. look at what tOSU just did. they simply paid players to stay. this retarded game of musical chairs will be over soon. at the beginning the schools felt "we recruited you, how dare you start a bidding war" but now they'll pony up. from what i can surmise, a lot of programs say get lost then loser when a player says hey coach I'm leaving to make 200k at this place. then the schools , after that guy leaves, go spend 200k to get a player from a different school. it's asinine
Posted by TrueLefty
St. Louis County
Member since Oct 2017
16873 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 10:19 pm to
quote:

No. look at what tOSU just did. they simply paid players to stay. this retarded game of musical chairs will be over soon. at the beginning the schools felt "we recruited you, how dare you start a bidding war" but now they'll pony up. from what i can surmise, a lot of programs say get lost then loser when a player says hey coach I'm leaving to make 200k at this place. then the schools , after that guy leaves, go spend 200k to get a player from a different school. it's asinine

OSU did get Kansas State starting quarterback. That was one huge key get from transfer player and another one was Ole Miss starting running back.
Posted by StansberryRules
Member since Aug 2024
2691 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 10:20 pm to
Rosters are too volatile to build a program anymore.

Every program seems to be one class away from being great or being terrible year after year.
Posted by 3down10
Member since Sep 2014
30660 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 10:29 pm to
quote:

he lost you some games



Good, now shut up.
Posted by BamaRoo
Shitlingthorpe, UK
Member since Jul 2009
3767 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 10:48 pm to
quote:

Development dropped with the NIL. And that is across the board

And we're only seeing the beginning of this fall off. Inevitable
someone else will see a diminished quality in this world
of college hobo players following the ever greater dollar down the
road after a year or two at here and there ----- the NFL.
Posted by SidewalkTiger
Midwest, USA
Member since Dec 2019
61031 posts
Posted on 2/2/25 at 11:52 pm to
quote:

Good, now shut up.


It's hilarious to watch you crimson crybabies pretend a quarterback with a top 15 QBR wasn't "decent."

It's even funnier when some pretend there was a better option on the bench because, "reasons".

Delusional behavior.


Posted by OccamsStubble
Member since Aug 2019
7450 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 6:16 am to
New Skool is “repurchase”
Posted by bamabaseballsec
Member since Dec 2020
2672 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 6:33 am to
Who knows anymore, I feel like a lot of changes are headed to the sport(not just realignment). Schools aren’t happy, coaches aren’t happy, and a lot of fans aren’t happy. The only ones currently who appear happy are players and media conglomerates selling ads. It sounds bold as hell now, but how long before we are drafting “student” athletes. We are already at the point where there are only four conferences that can realistically compete in the current iteration of cfb(you could really argue only two and a half). They’re going to separate and when that happens who knows what this shite show will look like. But I promise you every program that can afford to pay big money will separate. Too much money is going to the players and not into the school(athletics facilities arm races were all the rage ten years ago). You couldn’t get through game day without someone mentioning Clemson or Oregon facilities. They are going to wrangle things in and cap players.
Posted by MtVernon
Member since Jul 2024
6450 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 6:53 am to
quote:

Is that phrase just...dead now?



No - it's applicability is just migrating over to the money schools instead of the cheater schools.
Posted by HenryV
Member since Jan 2024
245 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 7:59 am to
Your assessment is correct--well stated.
Posted by jangalang
Member since Dec 2014
44972 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 8:07 am to
To answer the OP's question. Yes

quote:

Rosters are too volatile to build a program anymore.


This post was edited on 2/3/25 at 8:08 am
Posted by Monsusta
#1 Rant User 2023-24
Member since Oct 2023
2815 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 8:27 am to
Aggy has a tradition where they 'Reload' at football games.




Posted by 3down10
Member since Sep 2014
30660 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 12:11 pm to
quote:


It's hilarious to watch you crimson crybabies pretend a quarterback with a top 15 QBR wasn't "decent."

It's even funnier when some pretend there was a better option on the bench because, "reasons".

Delusional behavior.


If we were able to play LSU every week he would have been awesome.

Unfortunately we had to play decent defenses instead and he was exposed.

He lost games, period.
Posted by SidewalkTiger
Midwest, USA
Member since Dec 2019
61031 posts
Posted on 2/3/25 at 12:26 pm to
quote:

If we were able to play LSU every week he would have been awesome.

Unfortunately we had to play decent defenses instead and he was exposed.

He lost games, period.


And he was still decent, probably even above average.

It's ridiculous that you spoiled crybabies try to pretend this dude was Payton Thorne or something.
Page 1 2
Jump to page
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow SECRant for SEC Football News
Follow us on X and Facebook to get the latest updates on SEC Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitter