Alabama begins to move on after loss
TAMPA | The sun rose on Tampa Bay on Tuesday morning and with it the realization that the University of Alabama football program came so close to back-to-back national championships only to have it slip away (or picked away if you’re still not over Clemson’s last touchdown that might have been an illegal screen).
A morose post-game locker room gave way to the Alabama way: the past is in the past, concentrate on what you can control. Several players took to Twitter to send thanks to the fans and their teammates on a near-historic season that closed at 14-1.
UA coach Nick Saban immediately began dealing with the things in front of him. Those things include attempting to hold together a coaching staff of which a few coaches have drawn interest of other college programs. Whether it be Mario Cristobal, Tosh Lupoi or Billy Napier, Alabama might lose one or more quality coaches and recruiters this offseason.
Then Saban must help his draft-eligible underclassmen make the best “business” decision for their respective situation. Players that might explore the NFL Draft include redshirt sophomore cornerback Marlon Humphrey and junior left tackle Cam Robinson. Running back Bo Scarbrough told reporters last week that he intended to return next season.
Scarbrough suffered an injury in the third quarter Monday night that ended his game. Saban sent out a statement Tuesday to clarify his status.
“Bo Scarbrough suffered a fracture to his lower right leg during the game. The injury is non-surgical and we anticipate he will make a full recovery.”
Closing out the 2017 recruiting class, a group ranked No. 1 by every recruiting service, remains high on Saban’s priority list. Recruiting remains Saban’s most-beloved passion.
Just a few weeks away from signing day, Saban is looking to add multiple defensive linemen and one or more wide receivers.
And before you know it, Saban will be leading preparations for the 2017 season with the start of spring practice.
But before fully closing the door on the 2016 season, players spoke about the hurt they experienced on an unexpected ending. They never considered the possibility of losing. Junior linebacker Rashaan Evans compare it to a wake.
“People (are) hurt,” Evans said. “We work so hard to get to this point and we lose a game, it's like a death in the family."
Players who played their last game for Alabama, guys like Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams, walked around the locker room with tears in their eyes.
“We grind hard, we work hard,” senior outside linebacker Williams said. “The stuff we do, man, spring conditioning, summer. We were undefeated. There's no excuses to the end result, man. It's life.
“That’s why I shed my tears. Because I left everything out on the field. At the end of the day, I don't regret nothing, because I know I gave it all for my brothers. It's OK, man. It's all right. We're going to get right. We're ‘Bama."
And despite the controversial no-call on Clemson’s game-winning touchdown pass, which could have been flagged as an illegal pick play, Williams said he had no complaints about how the game was won or lost.
“It's a close game,” he said. “Those games that people win by three points, six games, that's a touchdown difference. The way they won, though, you know what I'm saying? They won legit. I don't have anything bad to say about them. It was a great, competitive game. I'd do it all over again, five times in a row.
“I love playing college football. You aren't going to find brotherhood like this nowhere. You aren't going to find coaches that are willing to help you. Even when you lose, Coach Saban walks around here, shaking our hands, just talking to us and letting us know that we're great individuals. Don't let this one game define who we are.”
Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.