"Alabama's five-star results product of more than recruiting five-star talent"

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"Alabama's five-star results product of more than recruiting five-star talent"

« on: November 15, 2014, 09:08:02 PM »

Alabama's five-star results product of more than recruiting five-star talent

By Ivan Maisel
Published November 15, 2014, 08:03:26 PM

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – We all know how Alabama football works. Nick Saban falls out of bed and is surrounded by five-star players. No matter how far down the depth chart you go, the Crimson Tide is stocked with more talent than a Victoria’s Secret catalog.

That is the conventional wisdom, and it’s right as far as it goes. But there’s more to football than winning Signing Day, and if No. 5 Alabama’s 25-20 toppling of No. 1 Mississippi State proved nothing else, it’s that Saban and his staff are as good at developing talent as they are at finding it.

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Re: "Alabama's five-star results product of more than recruiting five-star talent"

« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2014, 09:13:31 PM »

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Anyone who tells you that he knew 12 months ago, six months ago, even three months ago, that Sims could lead Alabama to a 9-1 record is a liar. Lest we forget, Sims was such a talented quarterback recruit that Saban played him at running back for two seasons. Saban’s hot pursuit of Florida State transfer Jake Coker during the offseason indicates the confidence that the coaching staff had in him.

But Sims, thanks to the remarkable tutelage of Lane Kiffin -- yes, that Lane Kiffin -- has evolved into a credible passer whose running skills make him especially dangerous.

A week ago, Sims led Alabama on that breakneck last-minute drive to get the field goal to send the LSU game into overtime. Sims’ best work Saturday came in the fourth quarter, after Mississippi State dominated the third quarter and closed within 19-13 with 14:16 to play.

Sims led the Tide on a 15-play, 76-yard drive that ate 6:07 and ended in a touchdown. Three times on the drive, Sims converted a third down, each one longer than the next (5, 8 and 10 yards). The first one, he went through his progressions and dumped the ball off to T.J. Yeldon for 8 yards. The last two, he scrambled for 10 and 11 yards, knowing exactly where the chains were and getting out of bounds.

You could see the Bulldogs defense’s shoulders droop after the last one, which resulted in a first down at the Mississippi State 29. Yeldon ran the ball the next four plays to get into the end zone, and the Crimson Tide had enough cushion to win.

“We made big-time plays at the right time,” Sims said. “…The defense made a great stand for us to have that drive.” ...

Sims wasn't a 5-star recruit, but he should have been!