So, ESPN has this lengthy piece up today entitled “How Nick Saban and Alabama retake the SEC from Georgia“. I read it. It’s supposed to be inspiring (and I suppose it is to the ‘Bama fan base), but one of my main reactions to it was to wonder how Saban let things drift, particularly last season.
After one particular loss to Alabama, the coach recalled some locals giving him a hard time. To which he fired back, “You f—ers watched the same game I did. You can say whatever you want, but we played our ass off. They’re just much better.”
And now?
“That wasn’t the same team we played last year,” he said.
Suddenly, the coach’s hushed tone was gone, as if he had stepped out of church and into a pub. He said Alabama’s defense regressed, especially up the middle at inside ‘backer and defensive tackle. On offense, he said of former Vanderbilt lineman Tyler Steen, “That’s not a good sign when you have to plug and play a one-time starter at Alabama.”
My other reaction was to note simply that I doubt Kirby Smart will be a passive observer of Alabama’s attempt at restoration this season.
Get The Picture 