Comments on: Alabama Governor Piles On Bama Play-Calling

By: I4Bama

I4Bama — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:54:58 +0000

You can almost hear Saban saying, “If a soldier had repeatedly contacted me and wanted an Alabama state flag to fly in Afghanistan, I think I would have sent it to him every time.”

By: MoKelly1

MoKelly1 — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:52:44 +0000

Well, I have no doubt I could manage the St. Louis Cardinals better than any soon-to-be Hall Of Fame manager. I just will never get the opportunity.

By: BonzaiB

BonzaiB — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:47:13 +0000

@John at MrSEC Not directed at you at all. I was commenting on people in general (and lumped myself in with the group that most folks would disagree with on the issue) So, actually in a not too direct way was saying you nailed what the popular impression was going to be, being the level headed analyst you are (and that is not sarcasm, I read this site because you normally do nail it). I was just presenting my contrarian view on the subject. Should have made it more clear, but was dashing off to something else.

Anyho, I like a politician who says what he is really thinking, and if folks disagree with that, they can be held accountable.

Sportswriters make money because they all say things we either want to hear or want to disagree with on a topic most of care about. The voice of the fans, I get it, and no disrespect to the craft intended. Again, if I did not think you knew what you were talking about on sports topics, I would not read this site. I come back not because you are right all the time, but because you use a logic I can understand when you address an issue.

On this one you used logic. You nailed what most people are going to think, and the govenor will wish he did just what you said he should have done, cause people are going to be po’d at him. I just happen to be in the minority (and not saying I’m right).

Cheers.

By: John at MrSEC

John at MrSEC — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:26:52 +0000

@BonzaiB

You seem to be lumping me into a group I don’t belong with. I’ve never written that politicians should “tell us what they really think” and even if I were to write that, I’d certainly want to know their real opinions on matters in their field — economy, education, environment, etc.

I have, however, consistently said that I want politicians to stick to politics and governance and not dive into the sports world.

In this instance, the governor of the state of Alabama — who carries a lot more weight than any blogger or media member — just threw some extra heat in the direction of Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. If I were Saban or Nussmeier and this guy questioned my work in public, I’d donate a chunk of cash to whoever runs against the Gov in his next race. That or I’d start publicly questioning his daily decisions on state matters.

But let’s make one thing clear — what I wrote has zero to do with political correctness. Absolutely nothing.

I simply believe politicians need to pipe down regarding sports because their words go a lot farther than anything I or anyone else might write or say. If Joe Blow says it it won’t make national news. If one of the nation’s 50 governors says it, it will.

As always, thanks for reading the site,
John

By: BonzaiB

BonzaiB — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:01:58 +0000

Interesting. We constantly say we want politicians to tell us what they really think, and when one does, we criticize him for saying just that. Everybody, to include Saban by now, thinks they should have run it 4 times.

Now, does the govenor know more about football than Saban? No. Do most sports writers know more about football than Saban? No. Do most sports bloggers? No. Do we want sportswrtiers and fans to shut up when they have an opinion? No, thats what makes this a business. We just don’t want politicians (or any other group of folks we don’t like on that day) to say anything other than what is politically correct. Did Saban call the wrong set of plays? Yes. Could I have done better? Of course not, but I still think he should have run the ball right into the center of that line three more times than he did. Am I right? We’ll never know, but that’s my opinion and I am entitled to it.

The govenor will ofcourse, get hammered for what he said because guys like me are in the minority. And maybe thats a good thing.

By: bradleygator

bradleygator — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:00:08 +0000

“Nick Saban knows more about football than I ever will and his record as a coach is a helluva lot better than mine as a governor.”

This pretty well sums it up. I would have run it 4 straight too though. I guess after two National Titles in three years and another sec title probably on the way, Saban gets a mulligan on this one.

By: Jamesgoss

Jamesgoss — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:34:10 +0000

Hindsight is 20/20. They expected A&M to attack the run. They tried to catch A&M off their feet. It failed. It’s easy to look back and say they should have done this or that. The fact of the matter is that Alabama really shouldn’t have been in a situation in which they needed a final touchdown to win with less than two minutes left. Alabama had far superior talent but they were outplayed and outcoached. They made mistakes and A&M didn’t. That’s fuel for success (For A&M). Gig’em

By: All_Vol_Yall

All_Vol_Yall — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:19:19 +0000

i flat-out amazes me that people are second guessing that man. after all he’s done for their program and in a season in which they’re a shoe-in to go to a BCS bowl game and finish in the top five. the governor, of all people. what a LOSER. well put, john. agreed w/ every word.

By: RAB83

RAB83 — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:17:45 +0000

John, I agree with you, but you also have to admire a pol who is simply a fan and not afraid to be a fan.
Gig ‘Em