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Non flame thread: Alabama fans
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:06 pm
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:06 pm
Hello Alabama fans, congrats on the hire of a new coach. DeBoer has certainly done well at every stop in his career thus far, and seems to be a very good coach. A few questions on items that would be of concern to me if I was an Alabama fan, and if we could get some legitimate discussion that would be great! (I’m going to ignore the can he recruit question, because no one knows, and with the portal and NIL perhaps there are different paths to strong rosters these days anyway)
1. Any concerns about the defense? because they were mediocre at UW, and air raid teams usually have mediocre at best Ds
2 Can he win without somebody as good as Penix? The guy was on that tier right below the Burrows, Cams, etc for most of the season. Probably not reasonable to expect to hit that standard every year. It’s great to have that guy who makes the plays every time, but if you don’t have that guy those one score games start to go the other way
3. Any concerns about him managing a big program for the first time? This will be the first time he’s had to deal with layers of heavily invested boosters, media and fans in a state where there is no offseason. I can’t imagine he will be able to dictate to the money guys like Saban could, at least initially
Once again, these are the legitimate concerns I would have as an Alabama fan, not intended as a flame.
1. Any concerns about the defense? because they were mediocre at UW, and air raid teams usually have mediocre at best Ds
2 Can he win without somebody as good as Penix? The guy was on that tier right below the Burrows, Cams, etc for most of the season. Probably not reasonable to expect to hit that standard every year. It’s great to have that guy who makes the plays every time, but if you don’t have that guy those one score games start to go the other way
3. Any concerns about him managing a big program for the first time? This will be the first time he’s had to deal with layers of heavily invested boosters, media and fans in a state where there is no offseason. I can’t imagine he will be able to dictate to the money guys like Saban could, at least initially
Once again, these are the legitimate concerns I would have as an Alabama fan, not intended as a flame.
9
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:08 pm to Cocotheape
We’ll see. His track record is pretty good.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:08 pm to KingOfTheWorld
quote:FIFY
We’ll see. His track record is pretty thin.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:09 pm to Cocotheape
No way to know. On paper he's a great hire, but as they say, that's why they play the games. We will see how it plays out.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:09 pm to TheTideMustRoll
quote:FIFY
On paper he's a good hire
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:10 pm to Cocotheape
quote:
1. Any concerns about the defense? because they were mediocre at UW, and air raid teams usually have mediocre at best Ds
Depends on who he hires. His “Air Raid” offense had a RB rush for 1200 yards - 300 yards more than Bama’s leading rusher this year. Not super worried about that part of it.
quote:
2 Can he win without somebody as good as Penix?
We’ve got 2 guys on the roster who are better passers than Penix. Penix was pretty average last year, and very inconsistent this year. Whether they both stay is another question.
quote:
3. Any concerns about him managing a big program for the first time?
Roster management and recruiting are my two biggest concerns, but he’ll have a lot of help. This isn’t a conference you win big by having 3 star players with 5 star hearts.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:12 pm to Cocotheape
Washington is a big program. That is a funny concern. But just as funny Bama fans want to act like you can’t recruit top 25 classes at Washington.
This guy’s biggest upside is age. The biggest downside is the sample size is relatively small. Bama fans should be more anxious than anyone as this is a pivotal juncture in CFB & they have no clue what they’re getting here.
If they get lucky & he pans out, they’re set for a long time with unrivaled stability long as he doesn’t go pro. If he flops, absolute implosion in TTown & suddenly it’s a new postseason era and the program is living in Saban’s shadow.
This guy’s biggest upside is age. The biggest downside is the sample size is relatively small. Bama fans should be more anxious than anyone as this is a pivotal juncture in CFB & they have no clue what they’re getting here.
If they get lucky & he pans out, they’re set for a long time with unrivaled stability long as he doesn’t go pro. If he flops, absolute implosion in TTown & suddenly it’s a new postseason era and the program is living in Saban’s shadow.
This post was edited on 1/13/24 at 2:17 pm
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:14 pm to Tuscaloosa
quote:
We’ve got 2 guys on the roster who are better passers than Penix
Do tell
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:17 pm to AlterDWI
quote:
Do tell
Ty Simpson and Julian Sayan are both better arms, IMO. And both are athletic. We’ll see how they develop. QB is my smallest concern on the roster right now.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:17 pm to Tuscaloosa
quote:
1. Any concerns about the defense? because they were mediocre at UW, and air raid teams usually have mediocre at best Ds
Depends on who he hires. His “Air Raid” offense had a RB rush for 1200 yards - 300 yards more than Bama’s leading rusher this year. Not super worried about that part of it.
quote:
2 Can he win without somebody as good as Penix?
We’ve got 2 guys on the roster who are better passers than Penix. Penix was pretty average last year, and very inconsistent this year. Whether they both stay is another question.
quote:
3. Any concerns about him managing a big program for the first time?
Roster management and recruiting are my two biggest concerns, but he’ll have a lot of help. This isn’t a conference you win big by having 3 star players with 5 star hearts.
All of this, plus as it relates to #3, he himself said in the press conference that he and Saban will talk on a daily basis. Part of Saban's role no doubt is to help him transition. The guy is humble enough and secure enough in his own skin to embrace Saban as a new mentor, and that was very obvious in his press conference.
Another thing is the loyalty between him and his staff. Chuck Morell, his co-DC, as De Boer has said, has been part of every win he's had as a head coach. Grubb, the OC, according to reports was offered the OC job by Saban last year. Lots of us used to look at Venables at Clemson and envy the loyalty Dabo's staff had to him, especially when we had lots of turnover every year. I for one am happy to see him bring his whole staff. And no, I have zero concerns about recruiting. Those guys are going to get right out into all the high schools and win over those coaches.
This post was edited on 1/13/24 at 4:33 pm
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:19 pm to Cocotheape
All 3 of your questions are legitimate. But if all 3 of those questions had already been addressed with elite results, he’s probably not leaving such a great situation to take over for Saban at Alabama. Coaches with no question marks don’t leave for other programs.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:27 pm to BamaGradinTn
quote:
Another thing is the loyalty between him and his staff. Chuck Morell, his co-DC, as De Boer has said, has been part of every win he's had as a head coach. Grubb, the OC, according to reports was offered the OC job by Saban last year. Lots of us used to look at Venables at Clemson and envy the loyalty Dab's staff had to him, expecially when we had lots of turnover every year. I for one am happy to see him bring his whole staff.
I have the same feelings. The biggest difference in Alabama the last 4 years vs prior is the absurd coordinator turnover. Having a guy like Kirby Smart there for a decade was invaluable. Id love to see that same level of loyalty (both ways) on this staff. Sure coaches will leave, but have them loyal and well paid enough that they leave for dream jobs. Continuity of staff will play a big role in success in the portal era.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:36 pm to Tuscaloosa
quote:List them. Then do a side by side comparison of their college stats so we can all see where your opinion was formulated from
We’ve got 2 guys on the roster who are better passers than Penix.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:38 pm to ChexMix
quote:
List them.
He already did you illiterate, melting frick.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:40 pm to Cocotheape
I was curious how Deboer's staff had recruited in comparison with Washington historically as a lot of Washington fans seem to be trashing that part.
For reference, DeBoer was hired on 11/29/21 by Washington so 2022 is his transitional class.
Per 247 Composite-
2014: #38
2015: #26
2016: #29
2017: #22
2018: #16
2019: #15
2020: #16
2021: #30
2022: #95
2023: #26
2024: #41
For reference, DeBoer was hired on 11/29/21 by Washington so 2022 is his transitional class.
Per 247 Composite-
2014: #38
2015: #26
2016: #29
2017: #22
2018: #16
2019: #15
2020: #16
2021: #30
2022: #95
2023: #26
2024: #41
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:45 pm to Cocotheape
1 - defense has been much more difficult in today’s game. I don’t think it has as much to do with the offense he runs as the rules of the game promoting offense. Who he hires as DC will tell us a lot about how that will look.
2 - He has, before Penix went to Washington I doubt you’d heard his name.
3 - Washington is a good program, but any of the better SEC programs is a different dynamic, and Bama worse than most when it comes to boosters getting in the way. Nick told them pointedly to sit down, shut up and write the checks. They didn’t like that, so only time will tell if DeBoer can make that stick too.
2 - He has, before Penix went to Washington I doubt you’d heard his name.
3 - Washington is a good program, but any of the better SEC programs is a different dynamic, and Bama worse than most when it comes to boosters getting in the way. Nick told them pointedly to sit down, shut up and write the checks. They didn’t like that, so only time will tell if DeBoer can make that stick too.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:53 pm to llfshoals
quote:
2 - He has, before Penix went to Washington I doubt you’d heard his name.
Fun fact: Saints fans will recognize DeBoer's Fresno State quarterback, Jake Haener. In an ironic twist, Haener actually transferred to Fresno State from Washington.
Jaylen Henderson, who started some games for A&M this year, also played for DeBoer as a backup at Fresno.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 2:57 pm to SidewalkTiger
quote:Dude looks to be an amazing recruiter. Im sure he will slay it in the SEC states. Especially Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
2022: #95
2023: #26
2024: #41
Posted on 1/13/24 at 3:03 pm to Cocotheape
quote:
Once again, these are the legitimate concerns I would have as an Alabama fan, not intended as a flame.
How do you not have concerns as you watch the greatest ... absolutely greatest guy I've ever seen in my lifetime ... walk away ?
So yes, as you say, it's justified. I think this is a landmark moment for 'Bama. Because we've never - even with Bilichick in New England or even Bear Bryant at 'Bama - watched a man walk away still in his prime. And look ... I think Saban did as good as job this year as I've ever seen from Saban.
We're watching Bilichick go to another place where he won't be good. We watched Bryant stay in the spot, yet we all knew he wasn't the same. We're watching Nick Saban walk away from coaching one of only four teams left standing ... and the team that played Michigan the toughest.
How would 'Bama fans not have concerns ? Hell, I have concerns, and I'm a Kentucky fan.
Posted on 1/13/24 at 3:10 pm to Cocotheape
Too long,did not read
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