Stating the obvious.

[PSMITH]

Let me apologize ahead of time because I'm sure some of this will be redundant. I was disgusted last night, so I didn't log on, and it was worse this morning when I logged on and saw everyone jumping ship. Someone has to lose last night and I'm relatively certain if it would have been Pittsburg their board would not be talking about how their "RB is a backup", "QB is not the answer", "MLB is too old", and how they "have to wait for next year". That is riduculous. Anyway, my thoughts were as follows and I would appreciate some intelligent feedback:

1. The o-line was good with its pass blocking. Only three sacks to a great blitzing team with a QB recovering from knee surgery, not bad at all.
2. The o-line did not look good run blocking. Where were the holes, the pulling guards, the explosions off the line?
3. Ronnie loooked good. He fought hard for his yards and hit the holes, unfortunately, there was usually a safety or LB there waiting for him.
4. Dante had 260 yards, not bad. He did throw 2 picks with six minutes left while trying to force something. And he did miss some open receivers (Chambers in the endzone). But this was his first real game since October, coming off major knee surgery, against one of the NFL's best defenses, at Heinz Field, without a running game. I'll give him a pass, he'll get better. I may even trade for him in fantasy, you know, buy low.
5. We gave up on the running game too early. I don't know who is to blame, but you have to establish the run, that is coaching 101. Pittsburg said they wanted to make us one dimensial and we let them.
6. The secondary continued to look bad, like it did in preseason. The don't look unable, just unprepared, confused, like the highschool team I coach, last week in our first game. I don't know if the scheme is too complicated or what, but it needs to be addressed, maybe dumbed down for a couple games. Zack Thomas should never be manned up on Heath Miller without safety help, never.
7. The challenge debaucle was all Saban. He is intelligent. He wasn't sure if he wanted to challenge, so he waited until no one could see it and threw it. That way he could complain later, and possibly get the next call to go his way. Not a bad idea, just didn't work. He has never done anything that timid in his life, and he didn't argue about it. If he had really wanted it, the referees would have heard about it.
8. Hopefully, the plus side will be the releif of the pressure from the undeserved hype we received in the preseason (see SI and ESPN the Mag). Now maybe we can sore back under the radar into the playoffs.

It is just one game, possibly the toughest we will play. Did you think we would go undefeated? We will make corrections. We will go to the playoffs. I will still rock my aqua and orange. It takes grindin' to be a king.

 

[rainmaker1313]

Let me apologize ahead of time because I'm sure some of this will be redundant. I was disgusted last night, so I didn't log on, and it was worse this morning when I logged on and saw everyone jumping ship. Someone has to lose last night and I'm relatively certain if it would have been Pittsburg their board would not be talking about how their "RB is a backup", "QB is not the answer", "MLB is too old", and how they "have to wait for next year". That is riduculous. Anyway, my thoughts were as follows and I would appreciate some intelligent feedback:

1. The o-line was good with its pass blocking. Only three sacks to a great blitzing team with a QB recovering from knee surgery, not bad at all.
2. The o-line did not look good run blocking. Where were the holes, the pulling guards, the explosions off the line?
3. Ronnie loooked good. He fought hard for his yards and hit the holes, unfortunately, there was usually a safety or LB there waiting for him.
4. Dante had 260 yards, not bad. He did throw 2 picks with six minutes left while trying to force something. And he did miss some open receivers (Chambers in the endzone). But this was his first real game since October, coming off major knee surgery, against one of the NFL's best defenses, at Heinz Field, without a running game. I'll give him a pass, he'll get better. I may even trade for him in fantasy, you know, buy low.
5. We gave up on the running game too early. I don't know who is to blame, but you have to establish the run, that is coaching 101. Pittsburg said they wanted to make us one dimensial and we let them.
6. The secondary continued to look bad, like it did in preseason. The don't look unable, just unprepared, confused, like the highschool team I coach, last week in our first game. I don't know if the scheme is too complicated or what, but it needs to be addressed, maybe dumbed down for a couple games. Zack Thomas should never be manned up on Heath Miller without safety help, never.
7. The challenge debaucle was all Saban. He is intelligent. He wasn't sure if he wanted to challenge, so he waited until no one could see it and threw it. That way he could complain later, and possibly get the next call to go his way. Not a bad idea, just didn't work. He has never done anything that timid in his life, and he didn't argue about it. If he had really wanted it, the referees would have heard about it.
8. Hopefully, the plus side will be the releif of the pressure from the undeserved hype we received in the preseason (see SI and ESPN the Mag). Now maybe we can sore back under the radar into the playoffs.

It is just one game, possibly the toughest we will play. Did you think we would go undefeated? We will make corrections. We will go to the playoffs. I will still rock my aqua and orange. It takes grindin' to be a king.

I appreciate your more sane and lucid thoughts as opposed to thoughts of other posters I have read

 

[NathanHunt]

There is a recurring unlearned lesson under the Saban regime... that, it seems, this team is not getting....

Don't PANIC.

I got the feeling that Phination collectively gave up with 6:00 left. It seemed like Heath Miller deflated the entire team. It was like Wanny ball. A collective "that's it, it's over, we just lost the game, time to give up"....

And what REALLY struck me as odd was Culpepper's behavior after that play. He came out with an apparent "I'm gonna save the team" attitude. I LOVE it... but, it honestly wasn't necessary.

We were down 21 - 17 with 6:00 left. What gave us the impression we had already lost?

We got the ball 2 times afterwards. What was the hurry?


I've noticed this in a few games. We panic TOO soon as a team.

If this was a Wanny team, yes I see the need.

But, it's not. Saban stays cool and manages a good game even during chaos.

I feel we lost the game. Pitt didn't win it.

And, I take pride in that.

We have a LOT of room for improvement... but even with that said, I see a TON of greatness in this team.

We've had a few moments as a team to "take the next step".... and we've not quite taken control of them. We will.... because in a way, we're still learning to handle success.... again.

3rd And 2.... 17 -14....

Nothing fancy, just move the chains. Hat on a hat... move the ball.

We choked, plain and simple. But, it wasn't because of inability. We were nervous in a big game on a big stage.


Guys... the Phinz snapped backed to reality. The Steelers were the champs and they showed why. It was a measuring stick game. They had what we wanted and we found out we're gonna have to work for it.

It will come. I promise you.

Remember what Saban has preached.... focus on the details... the results will come.

 

[NathanHunt]

Honestly....

I walked into work with my head held high today. We lost the game. They didn't win it.

It's something that needs to sink in....

We have the talent. We have the coaches...

We just need to give the extra effort and bring it all together.

We're close guys.... close.

 

[cnc66]

Let me apologize ahead of time because I'm sure some of this will be redundant. I was disgusted last night, so I didn't log on, and it was worse this morning when I logged on and saw everyone jumping ship. Someone has to lose last night and I'm relatively certain if it would have been Pittsburg their board would not be talking about how their "RB is a backup", "QB is not the answer", "MLB is too old", and how they "have to wait for next year". That is riduculous. Anyway, my thoughts were as follows and I would appreciate some intelligent feedback:

1. The o-line was good with its pass blocking. Only three sacks to a great blitzing team with a QB recovering from knee surgery, not bad at all.
2. The o-line did not look good run blocking. Where were the holes, the pulling guards, the explosions off the line?
3. Ronnie loooked good. He fought hard for his yards and hit the holes, unfortunately, there was usually a safety or LB there waiting for him.
4. Dante had 260 yards, not bad. He did throw 2 picks with six minutes left while trying to force something. And he did miss some open receivers (Chambers in the endzone). But this was his first real game since October, coming off major knee surgery, against one of the NFL's best defenses, at Heinz Field, without a running game. I'll give him a pass, he'll get better. I may even trade for him in fantasy, you know, buy low.
5. We gave up on the running game too early. I don't know who is to blame, but you have to establish the run, that is coaching 101. Pittsburg said they wanted to make us one dimensial and we let them.
6. The secondary continued to look bad, like it did in preseason. The don't look unable, just unprepared, confused, like the highschool team I coach, last week in our first game. I don't know if the scheme is too complicated or what, but it needs to be addressed, maybe dumbed down for a couple games. Zack Thomas should never be manned up on Heath Miller without safety help, never.
7. The challenge debaucle was all Saban. He is intelligent. He wasn't sure if he wanted to challenge, so he waited until no one could see it and threw it. That way he could complain later, and possibly get the next call to go his way. Not a bad idea, just didn't work. He has never done anything that timid in his life, and he didn't argue about it. If he had really wanted it, the referees would have heard about it.
8. Hopefully, the plus side will be the releif of the pressure from the undeserved hype we received in the preseason (see SI and ESPN the Mag). Now maybe we can sore back under the radar into the playoffs.

It is just one game, possibly the toughest we will play. Did you think we would go undefeated? We will make corrections. We will go to the playoffs. I will still rock my aqua and orange. It takes grindin' to be a king.

you might want to go listen to Sabans PC... you are not nearly as smart as you think you are...and calling coach a coward...shame on you.

 

[PSMITH]

Actually, I think I am smarter than you think. I saw the PC when he addressed the challenge. To me it seemed obvious he wasn't sure he wanted it the challenged. He said some views were inconclusive and that Pittsburg may have just run more time off of the clock. Also, I wasn't calling him a coward just saying it was his strategyto gain some leverage. He pumped a couple times, threw it, and quietly mouthed "hey". But he didn't yell or make his way onto the field. He also didn't yell after he wasn't granted the replay, which tells me he didn't really want it. Didn't you see it?

Also, I forgot to mention the penalties. Two big first downs and 60+ yards. I expect it to be a one time deal, not the disciplined football I think Saban demands.