Where I Come From: All Time Favorite Alabama Team
by Todd on Jul 6, 2010 7:00 PM CDT
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This could easily be one of the hardest categories of this whole series for me, if only because there are so many players that I love that played on teams that maybe weren't that great (Shaud Williams, I'm pointing at you) or teams that were pretty successful but that I honestly couldn't name you more than a handful of starters on now (sorry, 1996). My gut instinct is to go with the' 92 Tide. They were the first National Championship team that I witnessed and remember (though I was born in '78 and therefor alive for the '78 and '79 titles, memories of them are understandably nonexistent), and Derrick Lassic is still one of my favorite running backs because of that single, magnificent, 135 yard, two touchdown performance.
But as much as I and likely all of you hold that team in utter reverence, I really wasn't old enough or smart enough about the game to truly appreciate what they did. Yes, looking back now at the highlights from that season and watching the '93 Sugar Bowl whenever the stars align just right for ESPN Classic to replay it brings me much joy, but for some reason I don't feel that same connection to that team as I do the '09 squad. Maybe it's just because the memories are still fresh, but in '92 I was only 14 years old and full blown obsession hadn't quite set in. In fact, I'm pretty sure I probably only watched four games that year; UT, Auburn, Florida, and Miami. But last season? I lived and breathed and cherished every last second of that season as if somehow there would never be another snap of college football when it was all done.
That's not to say that I didn't obsess over other seasons as much. I mean, we wouldn't be here spending all our free time writing about Alabama football if it weren't an obsession. But like I said, there just hasn't really been another Tide team during my lifetime besides the '92 squad that could inspire such rabid devotion. As much as I loved the defense we put on the field in '05, aside from Ken Darby and Prothro there really wasn't a player on the offensive side of the ball that I really loved. Same can be said of every other team in between. I loved watching Shaun Alexander and Antwan Odom and Triandos Luke and Kindal Moorehead and Cornelius Griffin and so on and so forth, but they were just great players that were fun to watch on teams that were for that most part unremarkable.
But '09...man, what's not to love about the '09 Tide? Just look at what they accomplished: Ended a 10 year conference championship drought. First National Title of the BCS era. First Heisman winner ever. Produced six First Team All-Americans, the most from any single team in the history of the game. Made Nick Saban the first coach to win a national title with two different programs in the history of the game. Gave Alabama it's first ever win over Texas. And, most importantly, completely validated the hiring of Coach Saban and all the money that was poured into him, his staff, the facilities, and every other aspect of the program despite the whining and protests against it.
In fact, that's likely the biggest reason why I have to say that the '09 team is currently my favorite and will continue to be for a long time: they were the team that validated the faith we all put into Coach Saban and The Process despite all of the media and punditry seemingly aligned against us in the wake of his hiring, the growing pains in '07, and the letdown in '08. Even though we were assured by those who "knew" that Saban was a mediocre coach at best, and that he'd leave in two years, that Alabama was so run down it could never get back to the top and that our time had passed, we all believed, every last one of us, that Alabama would be Alabama again with Saban at the helm, and he and the '09 Tide rewarded that faith in Pasadena just seven months ago. Because this team and its success was the culmination of so much effort, faith, and support from from everyone involved, be it the staff, the administration, the fans, and, most importantly, the guys on the team that bought in and handled their business every single snap, it will take a heck of a lot to supplant them in my mind. Roll Tide.
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Well, considering I've only been a fan since 2006...
It’d have to been the 2009 team. Some aspect of the team (I’d argue) showed up each and every game. McElroy having a hard time passing against South Carolina? Mark Ingram rushes for a stadium record. Mark Ingram struggling to run against a 5-man defensive line? Trent Richardson, Roy Upchurch, Greg McElroy, and Julio Jones all contributed to winning the Iron Bowl. Hightower goes down? McClain (and the rest of the defense) stepped up their game. That only mentions some of the plays that the 2009 team did en route to a national championship.
In fact, I’m pretty sure I probably only watched four games that year; UT, Auburn, Florida, and Miami.
Pretty sure I would have saved that one for an embarrassing admission.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Jul 6, 2010 7:20 PM CDT reply actions
There were probably a few more...
…but I honestly don’t remember them like those games.
Roll Bama Roll - The Champagne of Bama Blogs.
I was fully immersed by '92.
My dad and I sat in the living room and listened to the Arkansas game on the radio since it wasn’t on TV. We lived close to Nashville at the time and I remember sweating through the Miss. St. game with a group of my friends who were UT fans. Needless to say, they were disappointed with the outcome.
I have some great memories from past teams, but I think what makes the ‘09 team my favorite is the notion that the team wasn’t just built for one good run. The foundation is in place for our teams in the immediate future to be just as successful.
I watched...
…that ’92 MSU game with some MSU family members…they were not Antonio Langham fans….
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Jul 6, 2010 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions
The great part for me was...
that with the rampant schadenfreude from those friends, it was like we beat 2 teams every week! I got to celebrate a win each week and give them hell for rooting against us.
It was wonderful to have another whole season like that last year.
New member, no better time to make a first post....
The ‘09 team really brought me into the “obsession” you talked about. I’ve been a fan my whole life, but I have only really become a fan in the last 3 years. RBR, some other sites, and some friends helped bring it out of me, but nothing tops last years team. Rocky Block, Winning the West, The Drive, the Heisman, and the NC are just too much to top. A lot of it was simply inspiring.
I agree, but don't forget the 2005 team
Yeah, losing those two games hurt – a lot – but that team kept us alive between very difficult times, and despite the coaching we still one 10 games for the first time in forever. Plus it was our first bowl win in a long time.
The talent wasnt comparable to most Bama teams, but they did have a lot of heart, and outside of the Auburn game they played above themselves most of the year.
I still agree with you, however, that the 92 and 09 teams are special and not just because of the championships.
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
man...
…I LOVED that team…Brodie Croyle doing that joyful spread eagle thing during the Florida game that NOBODY thought we could win…Jamie Christensen winning games for us…Prothro and that catch…
by Queen of the Universe on Jul 6, 2010 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I think we remember this event differently...
Brodie Croyle doing that joyful spread eagle thing
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Jul 6, 2010 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions
You're the Queen of the Universe...
…make it happen….
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Jul 6, 2010 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions
2009 vs 2008?
2009 was a better season obviously, but there were some great players in 08 too.
What you're seeing is team spirit. It's like the Holy Spirit, but more powerful.
-Hank Hill
yeah...
still think Coffee should have stayed another season. but we probably wouldn’t have gotten Trent if he did.
That white stuff on the top of chickencrap...... is chickencrap.
I thought about '08...
…but Andre’s bullshit and then the defense not bothering to show up for a half knocked them out of the running.
Roll Bama Roll - The Champagne of Bama Blogs.
can't help but think
that 09 should have been our repeat year.
That white stuff on the top of chickencrap...... is chickencrap.
nah, made sense for him to go
he got drafted fairly high (3rd round), and he already had a lot of wear and tear on his body.
What you're seeing is team spirit. It's like the Holy Spirit, but more powerful.
-Hank Hill
plus,
trent was already committed (although not signed i believe) when glen made his decision. we didn’t get trent because glen left, part of the reason glen left is because we were getting trent.
"You have to create 6 seconds of hell each play..."
Coach Nick Saban
Coffee...
…definitely made the right decision. I would hardly ever encourage an RB to play a fourth year of SEC ball if he has access to an NFL contract.
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Jul 7, 2010 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions
While 2009 should be my favorite,
It felt like I was on the outside looking in, I felt very distant from the team, but not by choice. I’ve been a rabid Tide fan since ‘94, devouring every bit of info I could find, but my health took a turn for the worse a few years ago, and it got really bad during last football season (it hasn’t recovered yet), so when I did get to watch the games live (on TV, as in not DVR’d), I couldn’t invest as much energy and emotion into the game as I used to be able to, so it really felt strange. It is kind of like watching a game where you know the outcome to begin with, that is really the only way I can try and put it into words. Not because of a confidence thing, but because you just can’t build up the strength necessary to get fired up.
i hope things turn around for you.
i guess a silly football game loses some meaning when you’re fighting real battles that really matter. hang tough.
That white stuff on the top of chickencrap...... is chickencrap.
I appreciate it,
as I would love to get better, but even the doctors don’t know what the hell is wrong. It isn’t terminal, at least not yet. I’m gonna have the full battery of tests today (again), in the hopes of finding something. In the last week, it has gotten especially bad, as I’ve lost ten pounds in the last week.
by El Kabong!!! on Jul 7, 2010 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
God bless you...
…and your family. I hope things turn up for you very soon.
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Jul 7, 2010 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Well I've personally seen
8 Bama NC and each one was special. I do think my favorite team was the 78 team. In 78 we had probably the hardest schedule we have every had…ever. We played Nebraska, Missouri, USC, Washington (back when they were good) and VaTech out of conference. We also had LSU, Auburn, UT, UF in conference.
We actually lost a game that year, the 3rd game of the season…USC in Birmingham. I was there for that terrible day and it remians the only time I ever saw USC live. After USC I thought we had no chance at the illusive national title Coach Bryant had been after for 5 years.
But this team was a tough bunch and they rebounded and won out rising to #2. We then faced #1 PSU in the Sugar Bowl. Well that is the Sugar Bowl of the famous goal line stand when we stopped PSU TWICE inside the one. On the second stop, 4th down, I think it was Marty Lyons who told the PSU QB with just 8 inches to go, “You better pass!”
Anyway as PSU lined up for the big play I just knew in my heart we were going to stop them. This goal line stand was symbolic of the entire season andaltough we had lost a game I knew we would not lose another.
What a play, what a team. It was a great day to be a from Alabama!!
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
I was too young...
…to fully understand or appreciate what was going on in 1978 and 1979, but those players were the first Bama heroes I had…Barry Krauss, Marty Lyons, Steadman Shealy, Major Ogilvie, Ricky Moore, Linnie Patrick, Joey Jones, Jesse Bendross, and Walter Lewis…these were the young men in crimson who taught me to love the Tide in the late 70s and early 80s. The 1982 team was probably the first team I really felt was my own. I just loved to watch Walter Lewis throw and run, and I’ll never forget Jeremiah Castille’s performance and Coach Bryant in that fur-lined parka at the Liberty Bowl. I’ll always love that team.
I loved the 1985 team, too, mainly because of the two incredible comebacks led by QB Mike Shula against Georgia and Auburn. I would have cut off my arm for Van Tiffin after he made the greatest kick in Alabama history. I loved the ’86 team, too, but a team that talented should have won a championship, and I was present for two of the three bitter losses we gave away that year.
Any fan who watched the 1990 team and didn’t fall in love with them after the wins over UT and PSU was completely hooked after the win over Auburn. We even forgave them for the Fiesta Bowl embarrassment because, hey, we weren’t very motivated to play Louisville, either.
We watched the 1991 team because of David Palmer and all the wins, and that team really had us all ready to fall in love with the 1992 team, which we did. We admired a young Jay Barker for his faith, poise, and willingness to take a sack rather than throw the ball away when the going got rough. But we mainly fell in love with the toughness of the team, much like this most recent national championship team. On offense, Derrick Lassic ran behind a stout line and two beautiful fullbacks, Martin Houston and Tarrant Lynch. And what can be said about the defense that hasn’t already? CNS would have loved the talent in that secondary.
I loved the 1994 team that only gave me one disappointment (though Barker’s injured shoulder would surely have won the day had it been healthy). And the 1996 team (and Coach Stallings’s post-game retirement announcement) gave me chills in its Iron Bowl comeback victory. I fell in love with Shaun Alexander when he ran over LSU for 291 in 1997 and Andrew Zow in 1998, which led to me to fall in love with the 1999 team after its ‘miracle’ win in the Swamp, its first ever win at Auburn, and its beatdown of the Gators in the SECCG.
I was ready to fall in love with the 2002 team, and I guess I did a little, though I still can’t believe that Tyler Watts fumbled away the game at OU, or that the team allowed itself to get too distracted to beat UGA and AU (well, maybe that last one is a little understandable).
My second favorite team to date is the 2005 team. Prothro burned brightly if for too short a time. Brodie Croyle showed us what he could do when healthy and with his roomate at center. Ken Darby became a star. D.J. Hall made a tremendous catch to help us beat UT. And again Bama was led by the best defense in the land. Mark Anderson was a beast, Wallace Gilberry caught our attention, we had size in the middle, the LB corps was one of the best ever, and the DBs were the best we’d seen since the 1990s. DeMeco Ryans is quite possibly the one former Tide player I admire most: an excellent student, player, and human being. Also, I met Roman Harper that year, and the things he said to me about playing for Alabama will keep me in his corner for life. And of course, Money made three game-winning kicks, the last of which I saw live. Not our best year, but — when you consider who those young men were and what they endured — it was a great year just the same.
My favorite team played last fall, but I’m hoping they will get bumped down very, very soon.
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Jul 6, 2010 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I have witnessed 4 title teams...
…and I really only have crisp memories of the last two. As I attended the title game this year, it has to come out on top.
Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs
2009 Hands Down
And many of my age will that’s the only national title we have personally experienced
It's hard to say what's been most impressive. The seamless jump from AA? The ability to hit for average? The ability to hit for power? The 18 walks in 111 trips to the plate? The flair for the dramatic? When you're trying to isolate the most impressive aspect of Jason Heyward's game, there's a lot to choose from, and it's only been a month and a half.
If I were in church I'd have said Amen Brother Several Times
Born in 66 I was a Bama fan from young (know this should’ve been in the other thread) but not because of relatives but that’s because who I chose without real reason. But 92 was the first time I really had the chance to enjoy the team I chose to pull for. Before then and after when I couldn’t see it I’d hear Eli tell me what was goin on.But the last couple years I’ve been able to see most games ( ya’ll with a 16 year old and 4 year old twins and a disabled wife I can’t afford to go to the games but I live vicariously through yall).
Since CNS came aboard I sported a S (the coach) sticker on my truck . I trusted the university. I’ve trusted CNS. His first year was positive , in my opinion, and has been nothin but KoolAid since.
AMEN BROTHER !
"Defense"
My favorite team
This is my first post on this site, but Im a long time reader. AWESOME site and AWESOME insight by those that run it! First of all, thank you rbr for the very entertaining and insightful reads on a daily basis! Keep up the good work!
Now to my favorite team…obviously, 2009 is atop most Tide fans list, including mine. I was born in 78, and I’ve been watching/listening to every Tide game for pretty much as long as I can remember. While 2009 is the obvious choice for my all-time favorite team, for obvious reasons (it still seems like a dream to me), I will talk about my second favorite team: 1999. Im sure this will seem like a strange choice to most, but let me explain. I’m sure no one can forget the gut-wrenching loss to lowly LaTech that year. It seemed like the lowest of the lows. I remember thinking that if this team can just learn from this loss things will be allright. And allright they were. They accomplished the seemingly impossible, they beat Florida at the swamp. What an amazing game! Although we lost to UT, we beat auburn at auburn for the first time ever, beat florida for a second time…did i say beat? I meant destroyed florida for a second time for the SEC crown…and played in an epic bowl game against a future super bowl winning qb only to lose by a missed pat. While that team could have folded early due to the humiliating loss, it fought back and gave us an amazing season to be proud of. I loved watching Shaun Alexander (my 2nd favorite Bama rb) run the ball. I thought we would never see a rb as good as him again…obviously i was wrong. Although the bottom fell out the next season and sent us into a bit of a darker time in Bama football, 99 was a great season! There’s my .02! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!
The 1994 Bama team...
I loved this team, so many great games that year. The most memorable moment was the Citrus Bowl and the screen pass from Barker to Williams, which Williams took for a score.
That 94 team was special.
I idolized Jay Barker. I have to say for me, the ‘94 team ranks up there. They were 2 pts from playing for another national title, and beat a crazy talented OSU team in the Citrus Bowl. I think the 2009 team is an obvious choice, but I loved the 2008 team. We exercised a lot of demons that year. Most notably, emphatically ending 6 years of frustration against Auburn. The year didn’t end the way we wanted it too, but symbolically, 2008 was very special. This time, there was no doubt Bama was back.
"A demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." -H. L. Mencken
I remember not having fingernails...
by the time November rolled around that year. The UGA game was just insanity in ’94 – nitroglycerine demand probably doubled across the state that weekend. And that game was right in the middle of a 6-game stretch where we pulled out some very close ones.
1994 SEC Championship game
That game was depressing that year. I remember one play from that game that haunts me til this day….It was a quick pass to the uf receiver right at the line of scrimmage….the receiver catches the ball and begins to turn when he was immediately hit by…Tommy Johnson I believe it was (my memory may be a little off)…then he fumbles and We recover. However, the pass was ruled incomplete as the refs called that the receiver didnt have possession. Anyways…uf goes on to score a td on that drive..we lost by 1 point, get what I’m saying? There are obviously any number of plays that could have lost that game for us, but in my mind, at the time that blown call was what did it. Anyways, that was a great year!
by nashvillebama on Jul 7, 2010 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Favorite Bama Team!!
Mine is the 2010 —soon to be National Championship Team! They are that good! This will be a fantastic fun season. Let’s play some ball!!
This was my favorite team. I'll leave it for you to analyze why.
I would say 78 or 79, but in all honesty I was a kid approaching puberty then and didn’t get it. This drive, while not for a national championship run, showed the heart and drive of a champion. Albeit it was during moments instead of the whole season, the comeback when all was down endeared them forever in my hears.
We’re Bama and we have championships, and God willing we will have more. Yes, championships are special. But sometimes it’s the team that plays over what they should that makes them favorites.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
Was in the Big Easy for '92....
….but have been obsessed since age 5…‘09 will be the one for now..but, the ’92 team runs a very close second…noone gave us a chance that night in NOLA..I remember a certain Miami WR running his mouth hours before the game.." I’ll get number 3 tonight"….as those words came from his mouth, a serene feeling came over me….I knew we were gonna win at that point….later that night, as the field filled with folk, I stood about 20 yds from Damien Jeffries as he placed the pennant on the spear…a magical night indeed…if it were not for my loathing of ties, I’d say it’s a tie between the two.
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