[BamaGal4ever]

HATING SABAN HAS BECOME AN OBSESSION


Saturday, April 28, 2007
Paul Finebaum


Attacks

Why all the hating?

What is everyone so afraid of?

Or is it laughter and mockery resonating throughout the world of college football since the staggering Alabama A-Day crowd of 92,123 became known a week ago?

Regardless, the fire has been lit again in relation to Nick Saban and his maiden voyage in Tuscaloosa. This has become a recurring theme since Saban's hiring but what is it really saying? What does it all mean?
Of the many catcalls and "delusional fan" cracks from all the usual suspects, the most amazing came from Barry Scanlon of the Lowell (Mass.) Sun. I understand ESPN and the south Florida media mafia hating on Saban. But a shot across the bow from a toxic waste dump in Massachusetts -- whose only claim to fame is being the hometown of Ed McMahon and for being featured in an HBO documentary as a haven for crack cocaine and as one of the most dreary and depressing cities in America -- almost has to be considered a compliment.

"On Saturday," wrote Scanlon in a recent column, "thousands of University of Alabama football fans stuffed chewing tobacco into their mouths, jumped into their pickup trucks, and made their way to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Breathless, with dreams of Crimson Tide future gridiron glory circling their heads, they witnessed one of the true meaningless events in modern athletic history: the spring football game. The final score is not important. Who played is not important. The most disturbing number is 92,138 -- the number of fanatics who turned out to see the Alabama coaching debut of Nick Saban. ... Saban said he was thrilled with the record turnout and overflow crowd. Let's see how thrilled he is when that fanaticism boils."

I think any rational observer would agree that 92,138 is off the charts for a spring game. But what's wrong with enthusiasm? What's wrong with fans hungry for football coming off last year's 6-7 season followed by a lackluster men's basketball season and equally dreary baseball season?
Why does everyone have to blame enthusiasm and passion and turn it into a diatribe on the culture of Alabama football?

Can you imagine what some in the media would say about Saban and Alabama if only 4,000 fans showed up like was the case recently at Arkansas or 14,375 at LSU for spring games?

The point is last Saturday was perfect with beautiful, clear skies and a chamber of commerce temperature of 72 degrees. Admission was free. And most important, folks were understandably fired up about taking a glimpse of Alabama football under a rock-star coach.

As Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News pointed out the other day: "There was hardly a moment during the 2006 season when Alabama fans really enjoyed themselves at Bryant-Denny Stadium because every game was in doubt to the end."

Finally, Alabama has a top-tier, blue-chip coach in Saban -- the best coaching hire at Alabama since Paul Bryant. And people have to resort to the prosaic "nothing else to do in Alabama" jokes.

Are fans of other schools jealous of Saban and the attention? Do they really fear him? Or are they simply sick of all the attention? Does it bother some Auburn fans that Saban waltzed to a national title at LSU in 2003 -- despite losing a home game to Florida -- while Auburn ran the table in 2004 and was denied a shot at the title?

Sure, the adulation has been excessive. However, on the other hand, how many times in recent years has anyone been hired anywhere and really created such a buzz?

Tommy Tuberville's hiring at Auburn at first was met with a high degree of skepticism. Urban Meyer created a stir at Florida but there were still some who were privately wondering if Steve Spurrier wouldn't have been a better idea. Spurrier's arrival at South Carolina was dramatic but its fan base pales to Alabama's.

Interestingly, there may be another reason why so many have reached out to Saban with such enthusiasm and fervor -- the very subject we are discussing here in this article, the hating game.

So many from the country and from within the state have taken so many shots at Saban that the enthusiasm for him as the Tide's head coach -- which was already at epic proportions -- simply went through the roof. The more others have attacked Saban and the program, the more Bama fans have bowed their necks and put a collective group hug on the coach.
A lot of things will take care of themselves, in relation to Saban, either positively or negatively. Until then, the only other game rolls on -- the hating game.

Any idea who is ahead right now?

[BamaGal4ever]

I created this thread especially for the naysayers. Go ahead, guys. Keep crying in your Wheaties!

[Lefty Noob]

Sure, the adulation has been excessive. However, on the other hand, how many times in recent years has anyone been hired anywhere and really created such a buzz?

Can't speak for anyone else, but this is all I've ever thought - the passion for the team is great, but some of these predictions are unrealistic and I just hope that despite those immense expectations that fans are patient enough to let Saban REALLY build his program. It's not the end of the world if they don't win a BCS game this year, you know. They should in 2-3 years.

But a shot across the bow from a toxic waste dump in Massachusetts -- whose only claim to fame is being the hometown of Ed McMahon and for being featured in an HBO documentary as a haven for crack cocaine and as one of the most dreary and depressing cities in America -- almost has to be considered a compliment

I assume he's only referring to the town the columnist lives in, because the state of Massachusetts has had a wealth of athletic successes throughout the years in a number of sports. I'm gonna give the author the benefit of the doubt on this one and assume he's actually aware of that fact.

[BamaGal4ever]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Can't speak for anyone else, but this is all I've ever thought - the passion for the team is great, but some of these predictions are unrealistic and I just hope that despite those immense expectations that fans are patient enough to let Saban REALLY build his program. It's not the end of the world if they don't win a BCS game this year, you know. They should in 2-3 years.



I assume he's only referring to the town the columnist lives in, because the state of Massachusetts has had a wealth of athletic successes throughout the years in a number of sports. I'm gonna give the author the benefit of the doubt on this one and assume he's actually aware of that fact.

I can assure Finebaum is aware of the talent the state of Massachusetts has produced, Lefty. I assume Paul was merely giving the author a taste of his own medicine when he attempted to insult Bama fans:

"thousands of University of Alabama football fans stuffed chewing tobacco into their mouths, jumped into their pickup trucks, and made their way to Bryant-Denny Stadium."

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by BamaGal4ever

"thousands of University of Alabama football fans stuffed chewing tobacco into their mouths, jumped into their pickup trucks, and made their way to Bryant-Denny Stadium."

Ah, yeah... definitely an uncalled for cheap shot. Can't believe I missed that on my first read through. Sorry about that!

You'd think media types would learn after Imus. Shame people like that get all the ink when intelligent, thoughtful writers are out of work.

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

Did that guy actually call Saddam Hussaban a "Rock-Star Coach"????



That article does more to prove the naysayers points than anything else.

[cliffbamafan]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot

Did that guy actually call Saddam Hussaban a "Rock-Star Coach"????



That article does more to prove the naysayers points than anything else.

Here we go with the ignorance again!

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot

Did that guy actually call Saddam Hussaban a "Rock-Star Coach"????



That article does more to prove the naysayers points than anything else.

Exactly what points are those? That thier schools cannot win as many National Titles? Thier coaches are inept overpaid blowhards? Thier fans lack enthuasim and aren't willing to support thier football programs? Perhaps it is the point they don't care enough to raise the money to refurbish the school stadium or hire a decent coach?

The naysayers are just sucking sour grapes....

[cliffbamafan]

Originally Posted by Stoney

Exactly what points are those? That thier schools cannot win as many National Titles? Thier coaches are inept overpaid blowhards? Thier fans lack enthuasim and aren't willing to support thier football programs? Perhaps it is the point they don't care enough to raise the money to refurbish the school stadium or hire a decent coach?

The naysayers are just sucking sour grapes....

The naysayers are scared to death that Bama is now back on top!

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

Back on top?

How many games have you won this season?

Oh yeah, it hasn't even started yet.

Speculation mixed with a heavy dose of emotion and a dash of fanaticism can be dangerous. Just add sugar, and voila! Kool-Aid!

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by cliffbamafan

The naysayers are scared to death that Bama is now back on top!

Seriously, cliff, I like ya buddy. But let's wait until you actually play a game before we crown you guys, okay?

[BamaGal4ever]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Seriously, cliff, I like ya buddy. But let's wait until you actually play a game before we crown you guys, okay?

Make mine a tiara with rubies and diamonds spelling out BAMA, Lefty.

[cliffbamafan]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Seriously, cliff, I like ya buddy. But let's wait until you actually play a game before we crown you guys, okay?

Hey,Im just having a little faith in my team.I do think some of the naysayers are scared is why they are not giving us a chance.

[cliffbamafan]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot

Back on top?

How many games have you won this season?

Oh yeah, it hasn't even started yet.

Speculation mixed with a heavy dose of emotion and a dash of fanaticism can be dangerous. Just add sugar, and voila! Kool-Aid!

The more hatred for Bama that I can get from you guys lets me know that were on our way back to the top! SCARED?

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

Originally Posted by cliffbamafan

SCARED?

LOL. The only thing I'm scared of is how you all are going to react after your first loss in '07. What happens when you all run out of beer cans to chuck at Osaban-Bin-Lyin'??????



Main Entry: de·lu·sion
Pronunciation: di-'lü-zh&n, dE-
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin delusion-, delusio, from deludere

1 a : something that is falsely or delusively believed or propagated b : a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary; also : the abnormal state marked by such beliefs.