stewieie

That is better than we are looking good and the players are working hard.

Even with a great defense in today's game against good teams the offensive will have to win a couple or more games. Losing to Michigan in the championship game really bothered me because the defense played lights out in the second half until they ran out of gas. A good offense or an effective quarterback would have blown the doors off Michigan when the defense was dominating for the entire second half until the final minutes. The only real good defenses Saban had Pruitt was the coordinator. Deboer better get the offense moving.

I watched him play in several games and centers do not get your attention like linebackers. Bryant's statement about him was "if they stay between the sidelines Leroy will get them." Conditioning was a huge part of Bryant's program. Another thought just hit me that going to two platoons may have contributed to the other factors that caused Alabama problems for three or four years after 1966.

In addition to being a credit to himself and constantly doing the right thing, Alexander was the best running back in Alabama history and that is a mouthful. In addition to his rushing abilities, he was the best pass receiver out of the backfield ever. I always wondered why Seattle did not throw to him more. He and Samuels took over the team and won an SEC championship beating Spurrier and Florida twice in the same year. Spurrier took off just like Urban did when Alabama hammered him in the SEC championship. I predicted Urban would be gone in three years after I witnessed him on the sidelines during that game. My friends in Florida thought I was nuts at the time. Not so much after he bagged it a year or so after that.

The state of college football has gotten fans juices flowing. You are right Saban first year's paid was slightly less than Stoop's. Regardless of details it was a big contract. Alabama has been a major force in shaping college football. There are a few other schools that contributed to a similar fashion. It is true Alabama has suffered some inequities from the NCAA but have benefited for some periods of favorable treatment. The information presented below may not be total correct but should let you know I am not a troll. I am somewhat of a realist, and it is based on my memory of what I thought I knew at the time. When Coach Bryant came to Alabama, he did not want to be paid more than the school's president (about $15,000 per year). He also insisted on being the Athletic Director and own and operate his own T. V. show. Coach Bryant made more money than any other coach in college football for many years. His income was generated by building relationships with the people in Alabama. I read one time Coach Bryant reflected in his later years that he chased the money too hard. Jackie Sherrill was reported to be the highest paid coach when he signed with Texas A&M, but that was not the case. I do not care how much money people make, including players, if the market can bear it. You obviously have a good memory and knowledge about Alabama football. I think we both want to see a healthy future for college football and Alabama's continued success.

I thought he bet on his own team. If he bet against them this is another character flaw. He does need help period. Dealing with these type issues is going to be different under the new college sports paradigm. Unfortunately, lawsuits settle many issues, and it may be pointed in that direction. When money is involved, the dynamics change.

The theory that the future is bright because people are getting smarter is proven with all Alabama football players making all A's and B's in high school.

I left the state after I graduated, so I may not be as familiar as others, but I did keep up to an extent. I don't know about your reference to Patrick. I remember he was from Jasper and a friend of mine said he was going to be the next tailback at USC. Bryant had a unique charismatic personality. If you wanted to talk to him during the football season all you had to do was show up at the Bright Star Cafe in Bessemer about five miles from where I grew up on early Sunday evenings. He always stopped for dinner on his way back from doing his show in Birmingham. Jimmy and Nicky took good care of him. I don't know about now, but then it may have been the best restaurant in the state.

Not sure how familiar you are with Bryant. My freshman year at Alabama was 1958 the year Bryant showed up. I was on my way to Atlanta to attend the Alabama vs Georgia Tech game and Daddy said Dodd and Bryant will have to play because both teams have so many injuries, they won't have eleven guys to start. Is that considered whining?

Too early to say for sure, but I think school is still out on DeBoer. The way they played in several games got me wondering. No energy or not physical enough makes me wonder about how tough his teams will ever be. I went to the Citrus bowl when Michigan won. Michigan was a bad team that wanted the game more than Alabama. Pregame warmups told me they were not focused. No life on Alabama side and enthusiasm by the Michigan squad. I don't even want to think about some of the other bad performances. I think extending his contract was a dumb move. Doing this sent the message you are very pleased with him. How can you be at this point considering the really awful loses he has incurred?

I don't understand the extension. They should have waited and see what happens in the next two years. If DeBoer wanted to go before that so, be it. The five or six years post Saban were not going to be that great away. His teams just have not been that good against good teams and lose bad to some mediocre teams.