Discipline.
According to Coach Saban,
the central importance of discipline is the lesson to be learned from the bitter end of
the 2019 Alabama football season. How having it is the key to being successful,
and how the lack of it is an infection that will eventually contaminate all around
you.
Lack of football discipline
manifests itself statistically in penalties. The Tide’s lack of discipline was
on full display in Alabama’s 45-48 loss to Auburn. Bama was penalized 13 times
for a collective loss of 96 yards. Five Auburn first downs resulted from
Alabama penalties, the most galling of which has to be the illegal substitution
penalty at the end of the game allowing Auburn to retain possession instead
of punting from its own 26 yard line.
That penalty kept Alabama
from having one last chance to score and maybe win the game. But a much earlier penalty on Bama's first possession of the game-offensive holding on Alex Leatherwood-negated what would have been a 37
yard touchdown pass from Mac Jones to Henry Ruggs, III. The drive ended with a
field goal, so the penalty cost Alabama four points in a game it lost by three.
So, how does the 2019
Crimson Tide stack up to its most recent predecessors in this critical measure
of discipline?
Over the twelve games of
this season, Alabama has been penalized 90 times for 830 yards, and has allowed
opponents to convert a third down by penalty 31 times [Auburn accounts for 5 of
those 31 possession-down conversions]. The 2018 team, over fifteen games was
penalized 87 times for 796 yards, and surrendered 29 first down conversion by
penalty. The 2017 squad-the last to win a National Championship-was penalized a
total of only 69 times for 569 yards, and allowed only 25 first downs by
penalty.
Discipline, or the lack
thereof, is also reflected in the on-field behavior of team leaders. A
disciplined leader separates his teammate from the fray to avoid a penalty. A
leader lacking in discipline substitutes himself for the teammate and more
often than not draws a penalty.
Yes. Alabama has been
riddled with injuries. Yes. Alabama has lost key talent to the NFL [I wrote
everything I have to say on that topic last week.] But Alabama lost the 2019
Iron Bowl, and forfeited any chance of returning to the College Football
Playoff, because they lacked discipline.
Coach Saban was not referring
only to discipline in games. His critique was much broader. He implied Alabama has not disciplined
in practice, in the film room, in the weight room. Against teams of lesser talent,
an undisciplined effort can still result in victory. Against better competition?
Look at the record: the 2019 Crimson Tide was winless against their two best opponents.
What makes the 2019 Iron
Bowl result even harder to bear is the undeniable fact Alabama ought to have
won the game comfortably. The objective statistics tell the story: Total yards-Alabama
515, AU 354; First Downs-Tide 28, Tigers 23; Time of Possession-Bama 35:52,
Barn 24:08; Touchdowns-UA 6, Auburn 5.
Alabama had one
non-offensive TD-Jaylen Waddle’s kick return-Auburn had two-interception
returns [one from the Auburn end zone]. In other words, Alabama’s offense
scored nearly twice as many touchdowns as did Auburn’s offense.
Here are two more stats
that tells so much about the course of this game: Squandered Points [scoring
opportunities lost to error]: Alabama 11, Auburn 0; Points allowed off
turnovers: Alabama 14; Auburn 7.
Because whatever post-season
game Alabama is invited to will be meaningless, and the only benefit of an
invitation at all is December practice to work on fundamentals, I have a
suggestion for a better way to spend the time and reward the fans with a game
Alabama is guaranteed to win: Instead of playing Virginia, or Boise State, why
not have a December A-Day game? …. But I forget, doing something like that to
actually help the team improve will violate multiple NCAA rules; and we all
know the NCAA is all about the Best Interests of The Student Athletes.
I will forego any
discussion of the extra time out awarded to Auburn at the end of the fist half.
Dissecting what laughably passes for “officiating” is the special remit of Our
Correspondent From The Tire Store. This post is about grading the performance
of the team, and this game is challenging enough, I do not have band width to
include a critique of the Zebras.
The statistics tell one
story. The result of the game tells another. So, I will grade the game as
objectively as possible, then adjust for results. With that in mind, here is
how I grade the game:
Offense: C+ I’ve already recited the total yards and first
downs. Mac Jones ran the offense quite well, completing 26 of his 39 pass
attempts for 335 yards and 4 TDs [Jaylen Waddle (3); Henry Ruggs, III (1)].
Ruggs was Alabama’s
leading receiver with 99 yards on 6 catches. Waddle gained 98 yards on 4
receptions. DeVonta Smith caught 5 passes for 80 yards. Jerry Jeudy also caught
5 passes gaining 26 yards. Six different receivers caught passes; officially
Mac caught his own pass when one attempt was batted back to him by an
on-rushing Auburn defender. I am not including his boomerang catch in the total
for all receivers.
Najee Harris was
fantastic. He gained 146 net yards rushing on 27 runs. Mac Jones showed his
toughness and competitive drive gaining 32 net yards on 8 runs, including a 4th
down pick up of 18 yards to give Alabama a chance to tie the game late.
The offense had seven
possessions that gained 40 or more yards [55, 75, 62, 74, 63, 90, 52] resulting
in 4 TDs, 1 FG, 1 Int, and 1 Missed FG Att.
What would otherwise have
been an A+ performance is downgraded to C+ to account for the turnovers. That
C+ grade is further adjusted for overall results to: F
Defense: C Auburn gained 354 yards total
offense [181 net rushing] and earned 23 first downs. The defense limited Auburn
to only three drives of 40 or more yards [50,75, 77] resulting in 2 TDs and 1
FG. From a scoring perspective the Defense allowed Auburn 34 points.
Xavier McKinney was the
co-leader among defenders with 8 tackles [7 solo]. Raekwon Davis-returning from
injury-also made 8 tackles [7 solo]. Shane Lee
made 7 tackles, and Anfernee Jennings made 6. In total, Tide defenders made 4
tackles for lost yardage and forced 3 fumbles. Christian Harris made Bama’s lone
fumble recovery.
Auburn’s success in the
passing game came, in part, from some outstanding plays by Tiger receivers
making one-handed catches in tight coverage. At least three times, Bo Nix was rescued
from bad throws by highlight reel catches.
What could have been an A-quality
performance by the Defense is downgraded two letter grades for penalties,
especially those allowing Auburn to extend drives. On two of Auburn’s three sustained
drives, Alabama was flagged for a major infraction [Pass Interference; Roughing
the Passer]. Therefore, the performance grade is the stated C. That grade is
further adjusted for overall results to: F
Special Teams:
Kickoffs: A Joe
Bulovas averaged 47 yards per kick on 8 kickoffs. The coverage team allowed 3
returns for a total of 48 yards. Jaylen Waddle’s 98-yard kick return for a
touchdown was spectacular. He and Trevon Diggs combined for a total of 177 yards
returning Auburn kicks.
Punting: C+ Ty
Perine punted 3 times for an average of 45 yards per punt. Alabama had no opportunity to return an AU
punt, and the coverage team allowed Auburn’s Christian Tutt two returns for a
total of 47 yards.
Place Kicking: D Bulovas
was successful on all PAT attempts and was 50% on FG attempts. He kicked the
ball into the left upright at the end of the game thereby failing to tie the
score at 48.
Special Teams aggregate
grade of C is further adjusted for overall results to: F
Coaching: F Play calling inside the red zone, particularly in “and goal”
situations was unproductive. Why we do not have a “Jumbo Package” remains a
mystery. The coaches have to take responsibility for the 13 penalties,
especially number 13 on the day; illegal substitution giving Auburn a first
down and the opportunity to kill the clock instead of having to punt from the
AU 26. I know there was some malpractice on the part of the officials but the
only people in the Western Hemisphere who thought Auburn intended to run a play
in that situation were members of the Alabama coaching staff.
Discipline is a good
thing. With it, one can achieve a standard of performance from which good
results follow. Without it, even one who possesses greater talent must depend
on chance or fortune for success. Remember the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare.
The speedy Hare sprinted ahead of the Tortoise, but lost the race because the
Tortoise had the discipline to keep going, while the Hare took a nap.
In football terms, the team
with players disciplined to execute their assignments will have the opportunity
to defeat a team of more talented players who lack the discipline to play as a
team. When Coach Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2007 he famously told reporters
at his introductory presser that he wanted Alabama to be the kind of team that “other
teams hate to play.” Not because they will be chippy, dirty, or even more
talented; but because they will be relentless, and disciplined competitors.
The three-year trend line
of penalties indicates the 2019 class has been on a downward arc in discipline.
Hopefully, that downward arc hit rock bottom on Pat Dye Field last night. I for
one can imagine no loss more dispiriting. I genuinely do not care whether we
outscore whatever barely bowl eligible opponent we face on New Year’s Day. The
result of that game is meaningless. What matters is whether the men in crimson
jerseys play with discipline. Let’s start with that, and let the results take
care of themselves.
A return to discipline in
The Process is essential. Coach Saban undoubtedly knows this, and anyone
listening to his post-game remarks should pay attention. And if you work for Coach
Saban, you need to match your personal work habits to the standard of
discipline Saban expects from the players. Surrounding oneself with good,
hard-working, disciplined people is part of The Process. Getting shed of those
who are not, is in The Process as well.
This will be the last
edition of The Grades for the 2019 season. I look forward to a final report
from The Tire Store.
Until next season, thank
you for reading this blog. And thanks to all the Correspondents whose valuable
contributions, and willingness to step in when needed, I could not do without.
Roll Tide, Y’all.
The Commissioner
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