sbh1602
Playoffs? Playoffs?!
Hi. First off, before you start calling me dumb or whatever (some will, no doubt), hear me out.
If (big If) I read Saban correctly - and I think I do, considering our situation - I think he's more interested in evaluating our talent than in the final outcome of the season. By now, we know two things:
a) We can beat good teams on any given Sunday.
2) We lack talent/youth in key positions (OL, QB, LB, etc.)
Since we're obviously not going to the postseason this year, I think we're at a point in the season where we can sacrifice wins for draft position/talent evaluation purposes. I truly believe that, if our record was different and/or we had a chance at the postseason, Sage Rosenfelds wouldn't have seen the field last week - Frerotte would've been out there, because he gives us, *right now*, the best chance to win. IMO, that kind of move proves that we're willing to evaluate in lieu of winning...
Now, two things. First, I want to make clear Saban is not "losing on purpose". He's clearly not. But, as I said before, he might be willing to send a guy out there/call a certain play that, while not giving us the absolute best chance to win in that particular moment, shows him different things about the team. Considering we're building for the future, it's not that far-fetched. Second, I'm not happy about it, if I'm right. I want us to win every game, run the table, back into the postseason and see if we can make some noise. But I also know that JJ's defense is on it's last leg, partly because we've lost some players, and partly because others are getting old. And while I'd love us to still get into the postseason every single year, I'd rather sacrifice a year or two for the opportunity to be a solid team afterwards, one that doesn't fold early in January. I think Saban thinks the same, too.
I know it's a hard thing to accept/understand. I too was excited when we beat Denver/Carolina, and thought this team might just go somewhere this year. In light of recent events, I realize that might not have been the intention after all - or, most likely, it switched to what I theorize after a few losses. In any event, while it might not be sweet to live another 4-12-type season, it just might be for the best.
Just an opinion.
If (big If) I read Saban correctly - and I think I do, considering our situation - I think he's more interested in evaluating our talent than in the final outcome of the season. By now, we know two things:
a) We can beat good teams on any given Sunday.
2) We lack talent/youth in key positions (OL, QB, LB, etc.)
Since we're obviously not going to the postseason this year, I think we're at a point in the season where we can sacrifice wins for draft position/talent evaluation purposes. I truly believe that, if our record was different and/or we had a chance at the postseason, Sage Rosenfelds wouldn't have seen the field last week - Frerotte would've been out there, because he gives us, *right now*, the best chance to win. IMO, that kind of move proves that we're willing to evaluate in lieu of winning...
Now, two things. First, I want to make clear Saban is not "losing on purpose". He's clearly not. But, as I said before, he might be willing to send a guy out there/call a certain play that, while not giving us the absolute best chance to win in that particular moment, shows him different things about the team. Considering we're building for the future, it's not that far-fetched. Second, I'm not happy about it, if I'm right. I want us to win every game, run the table, back into the postseason and see if we can make some noise. But I also know that JJ's defense is on it's last leg, partly because we've lost some players, and partly because others are getting old. And while I'd love us to still get into the postseason every single year, I'd rather sacrifice a year or two for the opportunity to be a solid team afterwards, one that doesn't fold early in January. I think Saban thinks the same, too.
I know it's a hard thing to accept/understand. I too was excited when we beat Denver/Carolina, and thought this team might just go somewhere this year. In light of recent events, I realize that might not have been the intention after all - or, most likely, it switched to what I theorize after a few losses. In any event, while it might not be sweet to live another 4-12-type season, it just might be for the best.
Just an opinion.
