Comments on: Saban on no-huddle offense: ‘Is this what we want football to be?’

By: hart3413

hart3413 — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 03:01:52 +0000

Actually Mr laloosh, Oregons spread offense did okay against LSU. they scored as many points against LSU in that game as Alabama did in 2 games.

By: choppa2lis

choppa2lis — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 01:55:32 +0000

saban is a whining napoleon complex having midget wussbag, nobody cares what this douchebag has to say

By: th56

th56 — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:08:23 +0000

The no huddle is harder to coach, harder to execute and harder to defend. If it was easy then everybody would do it.

By: mountaineer50415

mountaineer50415 — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:01:34 +0000

I like Alabama a lot. I like to hear Coach Saban get after the sports writers for not giving other teams respect. I like how he pushes his players as I love to see Alabama win. However, I cannot see how it is his business how or with what means others use to try and beat Alabama. It is his job to try to defend the other team, not tell then how to play. In this case I have to say to the coach. MYOB. I am a Mountaineer and I love the way we play. Wish we had a defense, but I love the offense. If you want to say something about our defense, go for it.

By: alanh34

alanh34 — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:34:17 +0000

Saban’s still whining..anything to benefit him

By: tpuhinesor

tpuhinesor — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:25:24 +0000

1-Saban is floating excuses for Alabama’s defeet when they meet the Duck in the BCS bowl.
2-Been watching a lot of the NFL games and I hardly ever see any run backs. The kickers either have gotten so good they can kick the football out of the stadium or the kicking tee has been moved so far up the field that granny could kick one through the goal posts.
3-I think that to add a lot of excitement to the game the ball should be placed on the 50 yard line and one speedster player from each team goes on after burner to take possession when the ref blows the whistle.

By: cockydave

cockydave — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:52:19 +0000

I simply don’t think this is a player safety issue. I think you have to go out and play the type of ball that suits your team the best and try to stop the other guys from doing what they do best. If you don’t like what they are doing on the field, then stop them on the field. It’s that simple.

By: garywalkley

garywalkley — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:51:04 +0000

Don’t hate. Auburn ran a no-huddle. your statement was about no-huddle. And of course you didn’t forget, how could you?

By: jason1214

jason1214 — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:48:39 +0000

@garywalkley

No i didnt forget Auburns fluke year. I was refering to the Oregon’s and West Virginia’s of the game. Auburn didnt run at THEIR pace

By: d4g3c9

d4g3c9 — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 20:08:26 +0000

I understand where he’s comming from but what is the solution? As it stands now there’s a 25 second play clock, the ball must be in play before the time expires, what would they do institute a delay clock requiring quarterbacks to wait untill it expires before snapping the ball? Let’s say they do just that, and let’s say it’s a 10 second delay clock. That would reduce the amount of time the quarterback has to get the ball in play to 15 seconds.
I also like the hurry up offence and unless there is direct evidence that it is causing an inordinate amount of injuries it is unlikely anything will change. However Saban doesn’t just run his mouth for headlines or to cry over a nonexistent issues so I bet he has the evidence and after the year is over he will have collected enough evidence to present his case to the NCAA. There is good arguement for it too, college football is for students not pros and if we are injuring students before they have fully developed physically they may never get a chance at the pros. Most college athletes WILL NEVER have a chance at the pros and they know it so why risk injuring them. It will be intresting to see if anything does happen, I don’t really care one way or the other, we have Nick Saban, we will win no matter what they change!
ROLL TIDE !!!

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:42:11 +0000

@vincentbojackson …

Sorry … I misspoke in the previous post when commenting on the spread. I fine with the shotgun and the spread as it’s run by the Patriots and sometimes by my Steelers. Obviously those QBs demonstrate considerable skill. My issue is with the overuse of QB options and wildcat formations that make it seem as though there’s no QB on the field … just an extra RB who throws occasionally.

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:38:16 +0000

@whiteh20man …

Those bump-and-run rules originated in the NFL because no one could play against the Steelers’ All Pro corner Mel Blount (look it up). And as a Steelers fan with a passion for defense, I’m with you on that. Oh yes, anything that gives the defense more freedom to attack is fine by me

But I disagree on your desire to outlaw just about everything a modern offense does. The quarterback has always communicated with the sidelines, whether by hand signals or a device in his helmet. As I’m sure you’re aware, there’s a defensive signal caller on the other side of the ball who’s also in communication with the sidelines. It’s an even playing field. And you’re wrong that no one plays a tough running game anymore. The San Francisco 49ers made it to the NFC Championship last year with a game plan that skewed 65/35 run v. pass. People will use what’s successful–and usually that means balance between the run and the pass.

By: garywalkley

garywalkley — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:33:36 +0000

Sadly, I believe he was serious with everything he said.

By: tacomaduck

tacomaduck — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:07:20 +0000

The outlawing looking at the sideline idea was the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time. Congr… Oh…you were serious?

By: garywalkley

garywalkley — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:30:42 +0000

Like someone mentioned earlier. The game fluctuates, sooner or later defenses will catch up causing offenses to evolve again.

Whiteh20man, I do not knnow what rules you are referring to. I don’t know any rules that are telling coaches where to place their personnel.

By: whiteh20man

whiteh20man — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:16:50 +0000

Ask yourself this. Given the current out of balance rules so favoring the offense, why would any young kid ever want to play on the defensive side of the ball? Why would he want to be humiliated week in and week out, giving up 40-50 points a game? If most of the talent migrates to the offense, as the rules have, where will we be then? Let’s bring some balance back to this great game. It’s a TEAM game … not pitch and catch.

By: ninjasports

ninjasports — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:04:01 +0000

Nick Saban may be successful now and for many years to come, but the game is evolving all around him. Speed kills.
http://ninjasports.net/college-football-recap-week-5/

By: garywalkley

garywalkley — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:00:01 +0000

mfoster1961, you forgot to say, “ROLL TIDE”. LMAO

By: mfoster1961

mfoster1961 — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:56:36 +0000

Mr. Kercheval- you are about the most negative and unethical writer I have ever had the displeasure of witnessing. When a head coach makes an observation and voices his opinion without any kind of derogatory remarks, unlike SOME individuals that we know…right??, then he is just voicing his concern…not complaining. Don’t worry, this is the last time that I read ANY of this tripe that you call objective writing. I just wonder what happened in your life that made you so negative and spiteful? Try to have a good life…..

By: garywalkley

garywalkley — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:30:13 +0000

Which is probably why Nick Saban hates it and Bama just may be Oregon’s whipping boy in January.

By: garywalkley

garywalkley — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:28:29 +0000

Well Jason1214 your opinion is wrong. Auburn won with a no-huddle offense. So either you are just posting to post or you seemed to have forgotten that your arch-rival beat Bama with it and went on to win the National Championship.

By: mediumsizedrobb

mediumsizedrobb — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:21:09 +0000

Those are some truly godawful ideas. Good luck trying to enforce that “no looking at the sideline” rule. Rule changes depending on the amount a team is down? Why not just let them team down by 21 add a couple players to the field?

Sorry that the game isnt like it was in the 80s or whatever but things go back and forth. Soon enough the spread will be out of fashion again and power football will be back. No rule changes needed to artificially force the game to no longer innovate. What works is what works.

By: whiteh20man

whiteh20man — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:20:29 +0000

But there is a big difference between playing offense and playing defense. The offense knows everything: the snap count, who they will block, where the ball is going, etc. The defense knows nothing and must react: this is MUCH harder physically and mentally.

By: mediumsizedrobb

mediumsizedrobb — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:14:53 +0000

The offense hasn’t switched anyone out, they’re not huffing and puffing. Get those big boys to run a few laps sabbie.

By: whiteh20man

whiteh20man — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:54:29 +0000

I don’t think Saban is whining. West Virginia 70 – Baylor 63. That’s not real football. That’s basketball.

I wish they would do these things to bring back real football:

– Change the rules back to allow “bump-and-run” defense, to give the defense a chance against the pass

– Outlaw the shotgun (thus outlaw the “spread” offense) unless the team is behind by 21 points

– Eliminate the “no huddle” offense unless within the last 2 minutes of either half, or the team is behind by 21 points

– Eliminate sideline to quarterback electronic communications

– Eliminate the offensive team being able to turn at look at the sidelines while at the line of scrimmage

The running game has been run out of football and that puts too much power, credit … and pressure on the Qb. The running game is the essence of teamwork and physical play … what sets football apart from other sports. We need more balance between the pass and run. There is way too much emphasis on one person, the Qb, and not on the team. That must change.

By: davis1984

davis1984 — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:37:00 +0000

I would have to agree that the No Huddle can cause injury but it’s football. Players get hurt running in the open field. I do think the chance of getting hurt is greater with a No Huddle Offence but it is effective in certain situations. It’s just a play style and if it wins games then use it. Saban will work around this style of play as Bama has the best talent.

Roll Tide!!

By: hor2012

hor2012 — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:02:17 +0000

I think Nick Saban is a great coach and a even greater salesman. That’s why he brings in the best highschool talent in the nation year after year. Facing in traditional offense teams has talented as Bama would have little or no trouble stopping offenses. See last years national championship game. Other coaches who understand that in most cases they’re going to be outmanned by superior talent on defense understand that they mustt find ways to compensate. ie: no huddle offense. And, I personal don’t have any problems with that. I just think that coach Saban and other coaches will have to change their philosophy on recruting players. They’re going to have to focus on speed over size. Nick will adjust. It’s just a matter of time

By: kozbee

kozbee — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:52:28 +0000

No-huddle imo is actually a part of a play to catch the other team off balance.If a coach wants to call it or run it that way i feel its up to what play they want.Times its used to beat down stronger teams defense and weaken them.Hey its football with just a little different twist to a game plan.Running up scores imo is a way to get higher rankings as Strength and yes most teams do it even Bama.By the way that Saban pic wasn`t it from the Ironbowl when Bama lost the worst game ever played in history after being up 24/0.Well back to my coffee and pastry then a long walk with mans best friend.

By: stevequinn

stevequinn — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:40:13 +0000

Football is a violent game. Nothing like stating the obvious huh? So I agree somewhat with Saban. Player safety should be first and foremost in everybody’s mind. Don’t forget,young kids playing FB emulate college and pro players. Young bodies can’t take the punishment a mature body can. They break easier. I’m seeing no-huddle games in HS and Pop Warner now.

By: goodfieldnohit

goodfieldnohit — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 05:25:54 +0000

11 players, 7 of which must be on the line of scrimmage, 5 of which cannot catch a pass. When the ball is marked ready for play, it’s time to play.

I guess you can buy the zebras and make them slow to mark the football ready for play, or you can have your players resort to diving to the ground with fake injuries like Florida repeatedly did against A&M (two guys at the same time because they both saw the sign from the sidelines at the same time, I was there). It worked for the gators, they did win by a field goal.

Or you can just tell your team to play football, Nick.