Nick Saban is a fanatic for holding people accountable. He wants everyone in his program to accept responsibility for the things they are supposed to do. This year’s Alabama Crimson Tide progressed markedly in every phase but one—special teams.
Knowing Saban’s fanaticism for correcting problems, a change in special teams is a necessity and likely a certainty. The SEC Championship Game was changed significantly by errors in special teams. It was a theme throughout the year—special teams errors placing the Tide near disaster. Every good play in special teams could be offset with bad plays giving up points or field position. However, you could not tell me there were enough positives from Alabama’s special teams play to offset the negatives in the Florida game.
What changes will Saban make? Shuffling staff seems almost a certainty. But could we see more significant change? That could be dictated by any additional changes on the staff (like if any of the coordinators land a head coaching job, etc.).
Hiring Jim McElwain helped the offense. Whether through shuffling responsibilities or bringing in new blood, a similar home run would make the conference title a bit easier to grasp.
2 thoughts on “Accountability: Special Teams”
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Absolutely something needs to be done with special teams. I see other teams consistently kick the ball in the endzone and wonder why Bama can’t. I agree that Arenas makes some exciting plays but he also cost us some points and very nearly several games. Three positions cost us Saturday. One was Maquis Johnson, he continually got beat deep. The second was Javier Arenas. His mistake on the four yard line changed field position about 40 yards and J.P. He really didn’t cost us the game but in the end he couldn’t win it for us.
Javier cost us dearly on that catch on the four. I am sure had that been a pass reception it would have been determined he did not have control of the ball when he stepped on the sideline. As for as JP not being able to get it done, how the crap was that not a horse collar on the interception. How many quarterbacks can get it done when they are running for their lives?
The special teams will get the necessary work needed, but Havier’s mistake was not due to coaching. I would like to know much more about the decision for the fake field goal. It appeared to be something noticed on film. It was just to obvious at the time. Why not put Coffee in as the holder? The fake was not a surprise and we would have had a chance.