This story was written several months ago but I dont think it got as much national attention as it deserves. Did anyone else already hear about this? Since Saban came to bama they have used more Medical Redshirts than all other SEC teams combined. An indication that they are coercing players that are not really in need of it to take one in order to free up more scholorships. Several ex-bama players have come forward indicating that is what happened.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703384204575509901468451306.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLETopStories
I think this is just a case of the sabanator working within the guidelines he has been given, he might be stretching the hell out of those guidelines, but he's just gaming the system.
ReplyDeleteAndy Staples wrote an article about this a few weeks ago and, forgive my bias, but he basically said Auburn coaches are sons of bitches because they oversigned but were able to get every player on scholarship. But Saban is an okay guy because he tells players up front they might get screwed. I just hope Auburn fans aren't making too much of this just trying to get anything to stick to Alabama. That would be petty. This is a serious issue though. Maybe we need Mr. Wolf in here to balance us out.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if all the players weren't truly incapacitated, but as long as there is justifyable evidence to support the decision, I don't forsee any real problems ahead for Alabama. I kind of feel like, "why hasn't everyone been doing it?" I honestly feel like, to an extent, the program is concerned about the well-being of the players. I also feel like it's human nature to want to cut the fat if it will help you in the long run. It's not like the players are getting a bad deal either. I'm sure some of the players who "spoke out" are just disappointed/jealous they didn't get a championship ring and of course it's someone else's fault, not their own. Either way, I'm sure now that this has been brought up, all the programs may be watched a little harder, and everyone will have to find new ways "around" the rules, if in fact, that is what has been going on. My bias tells me that Alabama is completely innocent and if Saban wanted to cheat, he wouldn't get caught.
ReplyDeleteI dont think there is any question about Alabama getting in trouble for this. It's just an interesting article. As Orange pointed out.....its gaming the system. There is no way anyone can prove someone is not injured and is not feeling pain that prevents them from playing football. Some people might think it is a clever way to bend the rules without breaking while others might say its pretty shady when one team is doing this more than everyone else in the conference combined. The team with the second most in all of college football is Ohio State with 5. So clearly Alabama with 12 has a different process in place when applying medical red shirts. Either way its not like its some new auburn blog story. It was posted in the Wall Street Journal during week three of the season we just finished watching. I just heard about it at work on Monday and thought it was interesting that it wasnt a story more people were talking about because its either a great new way that Saban has discovered to better manage his scholorships or its a loophole that is getting ready to be closed in someway by the NCAA.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I don't think this will get bama in trouble, but I do think the system will backfire in the long run. This system will lead to a ton of negative recruiting by other schools. Other coaches will twist this into "You can't trust him. He will dump you if you have any trouble adjusting or he finds someone he thinks is better than you." Oh yeah, and Saban can burn in Hell.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/02/sec_asked_so_auburn_moved_open.html
ReplyDeleteHere we see auburn "BENDING OVER BACKWARDS" for Alabama by moving "SAMFORD" to the weekend before the Iron bowl. So I definitely think they should think about not using so many medical redshirts. Hey Alabama, instead of taking the weekend off, we will just schedule a nice little lay up for the 3rd string before we play you guys. Oh wait, isn't that what you did last year? So why exactly are you bitching so much. Just kidding bammers, I do think its kind of a slap in the face. "Really??? Samford??? Really???" at least samford has had a team for more than two years. bazziiing