The Atlanta Journal Constitution is obsessed with Alabama and Nick Saban. If you read the AJC’s recruiting blog then you know that recruiting in Georgia this year is crazy. The AJC is doing its best to undermine Saban and Alabama’s recruiting efforts in Georgia. It is the same playbook used in the past by Auburn and its media lackeys.

Even when the ACJ covers Saban with some positive comments, the editorial agenda of the paper shines through. For instance, the AJC’s Michael Carvell asked former SEC coach and rival recruiter Lane Kiffin for his analysis of Nick Saban’s recruiting at Alabama. The March 8 story provides some interesting insights from the coach and a dose of what is behind the panic in Georgia.

The panic? It comes from this little gem: “On last month’s signing day, while many of his SEC contemporaries were sweating bullets sitting next to fax machines, Saban was telling reporters how the day was drama-free. He also chatted a bit about that No. 1-ranked class, which was comprised of eight of Georgia’s top prospects.” (LINK: AJC)

But that is the past. The next recruiting class is the real genesis of fear mongering from the AJC. The worry is that Saban will raid the state of its best prospects and leave the feckless Mark Richt with the leftovers. (This spin does not do justice to either Saban or Richt, who are both solid coaches with a record of success.)

But back to that fear. Here is root of the fear: “Nick Saban is off to another fast start with his 2013 recruiting, with nine early commitments. Could there be another No. 1 class in the making? It’s looking that way. All nine are ranked 4-stars or higher, including one of the Georgia’s top running backs (Walton’s Tyren Jones) and 5-star LB Reuben Foster of Troup County. The Crimson Tide are also the frontrunner for Grayson’s Robert Nkemdiche, the nation’s top-ranked prospect.”

Then yesterday (March 11), another AJC story is posted that found a remote link to Saban and thus Saban’s name in the headline and a few important talking points from the Georgia recruiting playbook—mention over-signing (something big, bad Nick Saban did.) This is the same theme used in the March 8 piece that included a paragraph of attack that mentioned a “last-minute grayshirt trick” and accusations that Saban cuts players. (LINK)

Wow. I doubt Phillip Marshall or Jeffrey Lee could recruit better for the school they cover.

It is sad that the ACJ feels the need to help Georgia. The fact is that Richt will do just fine without the “help.” However, it exposes that even newspapers are biased in the world of college sports reporting. We knew some websites on the Rivals and Scout networks recruited for the teams they covered, now we know a major daily newspaper pretty much does the same thing with its editorial agenda.

32 thoughts on “The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s anti-Alabama, anti-Saban playbook”

  1. It is starting to become humorous. Carvell is making it so obvious he has an agenda, when, it seems, every article he writes lately is about or references Saban and Alabama.

    AJC attacking Alabama…..Oh, just like the good ol’ days!
    Carvell vs. Saban = Bisher vs. Bryant.

    History does tend to repeat itself!

  2. I was furious last night – reading how Virginia was so much better than Bama ( AJC Recruiting Blog) – and how Saban was beaten. My only thought was – does the kid thinks he will ever see “crystal ” at Vagina – I mean Virginia ? Hell No. As far as the historical legacy with the AJC- it is all about Furman Bisher.

  3. Do ya’ll think Lil’ Nickey is losing any sleep over a couple of dumbass retards at AJC? ROTFLM.AO!

  4. You Bammers continue with your paranoia. When Auburn was getting many of the Ga recruits, the AJC put out similar articles. The difference her is in Nicky’s tactics. These AJC guys aren’t necessarily pro UGA, they are liberal twits that want the world to be fair.

    Nick’s tactics may be unscrupulous, but are within the rules. It;s no surprise to me that you guys aren’t concerned with the unscrupulous part of it.

    The method to the madness is simple here …by calling attention to and raising awareness of Nicky’s unscrupulous tactics, some kids may ultimately not become processed. All the rest of the SEC now realizes that this is the best way to fight the guy that always skirts the rules and doesn’t mind processing kids.

    Here’s the proof that Nick is wrong. Every time Nick’s tactics get exposed ….either a new rule is imposed or Nick changes his tactics to be in line with everyone else. Because Nick waits until he is exposed before changing, he is getting the kids. But …because he changes ..demonstrates that he knows it is wrong. So …the AJC is correct. Nick is unscrupulous

    …and you are paranoid.

    1. How are Saban’s tactics ‘unscrupulous’? In the same way ‘Big Cat Weekend’ was unscrupulous? In the way Chizik went after Bama’s commitments last year? No, nothing unscrupulous there now. The last big rule change had to do with Cam Newton, if you want to talk about rule changes. Changing tactics to conform to the rules is not ‘unscrupulous’. Just smart recruiting. The proof that he IS doing the right things is you coming here whining and crying about it.

      1. I gotta agree with you. As an Auburn fan, it’s fun to go back and forth. But there comes a time when it becomes stupid. I am so sick and tired of reading or hearing that so and so may have broken rules. I told you when the investigation with Cam was just begining that things happen everywhere. Some severe, some not so severe but it does happen, and then to see others pointing their slimy azz fingers at somebody screaming that so and so is cheating. Take it from me, if you are convinced that Saban is staying within the rules and such, don’t worry about it. Haters are always there but as far as I am concerned, they can all go fornicate themselves.

        1. Well, I agree with you also, somewhat. Saban hasn’t done anything remotely like ‘Big Cat Weekend’ or had an issue with a player like Auburn had with Cam. The issues with Cam were warranted, there was legitimate facts in his situation that needed to be investigated. And just because they didn’t find a proper money trail doesn’t entirely mean that it did not happen. There will always be doubt, unless you are an Auburn fan.

          My whole point is, Hoopty, as an Auburn fan, talking about ‘unscrupulous’ recruiting tactics by Saban. There have been more ‘unscrupulous’ recruiting tactics by Auburn than Saban since Chizik has been at Auburn. What exactly has Saban done that is so bad? Oversigning? Auburn has over signed more in the past 5 years. Offer gray shirting? That does not mean he has pulled an offer, and it is not against the rules. The reason Saban has been a magnet for all the controversy around those two issues is because of his success. If he was going 7-5 every year, no one would say a word about it.

          The truth is, Saban manages his roster as well as anyone could within the scope of the rules. Not once has he ever been in trouble for recruiting violations at any place he has coached. He is one of the best recruiters in the nation. He has developed a great reputation with putting players in the NFL under his direction. If he was being so ‘unscrupulous’ I don’t think he would be so successful in doing that. He recruits great talent, has a really good coaching philosophy, and works harder than most coaches do.

          That is what makes Hoopty cry.

          1. Only thing I will say to that is we were cleared and thats that. Whether anybody else thinks we are clean concerns me not. Big Cat Weekend……Saban rule. Both forced changed but really no major violations in either. I see your point Brando, but for the record, if Saban were going 7-5 every year, he would be found hanging from a dead oak tree with a set of crimson balls hanging from his chin…..after a brick is slung through his window and Mal Moore woke up long enough to fire him.

  5. LOL! You Awebarns are sooo phunny! That’s one way to look at it if and when you are a desperately outclassed wannabe trol from Awebarn, or GA. it’s just so much easier to accuse someone of cheating or “tactics” or whatever when we all know that reality is simply the fact that he works harder, has the best product to sell, has the best staff to support, he gets the best results for his teams and his players, and he simply whoops all you dogs and cats with such unrelenting regularity that your desperation forces you to cry out in fear and pain hoping that somehow your wishful complaining can somehow make it all better. To y’all, all we can say is simply forgetaboutit! RTR!

  6. Hoopie,
    LOL! You Awebarns are sooo phunny! That’s one way to look at it if and when you are a desperately outclassed wannabe trol from Awebarn, or GA. it’s just so much easier to accuse someone of cheating or “tactics” or whatever when we all know that reality is simply the fact that he works harder, has the best product to sell, has the best staff to support, he gets the best results for his teams and his players, and he simply whoops all you dogs and cats with such unrelenting regularity that your desperation forces you to cry out in fear and pain hoping that somehow your wishful complaining can somehow make it all better. To y’all, all we can say is simply forgetaboutit! RTR!

  7. bulldawgs are getting their azzes kicked and becoming aubies..it’s all good – whining means we are winning

    1. Saban has turned UT, LSU, Florida, and Georgia fans into Auburn clones in five short years. The man deserves a raise on that alone.

  8. Shut your piehole Brando. Chizik has never cheated. He was awarded Lee County Man of the Year by the War Eagle Supper Club. Saban has cheated everywhere he has been

    1. Hoopie- Chill out man. The War Eagle Supper Club? OMG!!!! That’s like saying I was awarded the player of the year by the BYBC ( Back Yard Bingo Club) And I don’t even play Bingo! 42-14 LOL……RTR

  9. FBJ Lives,

    Because of the whole sordid Cam ordeal along with all the so-called “minor” violations, Auburn football coaches are being monitored heavier than in year’s past. Just look at this past recruiting season. My source at the NCAA said that although Auburn escaped sanctions this time, they now have a target on their back due to Chizik’s behavior at the Spring SEC meetings last year. AU is continually cursed in NCAA board meeting rooms.

    Call me whatever you want, but the facts of the matter are that I am an OBJECTIVE, unbiased alumnus of UA. Saying that, my advice to you is to be the same OBJECTIVE, unbiased journalist/blogger that I am. This means taking off your orange and blue blinders and cleaning up your own back yard

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