Pennington Raised S&C Questions a Long Time Ago

This is an interesting little journo exchange between Johns Pennington and Adams. I remember the articles from a year and a half ago, but hadn't connected them with Kiffin's remarks about competing in practices and workouts. Pennington's right about one thing: competition is practiced. (USC, LSU and Florida have all worked that way for several years, and Alabama has done just that since Saban arrived.) Never mind Adams's discussion about workout theory - that was never the point the former players were making. All reports about the current workout routine indicate that competition is back in the program.

I recommend reading this story carefully, including the links he provides within the article. It'll take about 5 minutes, but this really gives you something to be hopeful about during the offseason. And Pennington deserves the credit for pointing it out a year and a half ago.

almost 3 years ago David Hooper 5 comments 1 recs |

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Great read, thanks

by rblakeh on Feb 18, 2009 11:30 PM EST reply actions

Great piece

Interesting article, its nice getting the perspective of former players.

by jimvols on Feb 18, 2009 11:38 PM EST reply actions

I remember those first two articles coming out in fall '07.

At the time, I wasn’t as integrated into the media and the program as now, so I didn’t really see it as a big deal. But in hindsight (especially after last season), it seems that there was really cause for concern.

I’ll have to see if I can find it, but there was also an article about the ‘98 NC team where they talked about the loss to Nebraska in the bowl game from the ’97 season. They said that Nebraska was in much better condition and that they simply couldn’t keep up with them in the second half, and that was why Nebraska obliterated them after the break. Then they went into the offseason determined to be a team capable of beating Nebraska. Nebraska became their competition in the workout rooms, in the practices, in game study, and even outside the football program. It certainly made a difference – that ’98 defense was absolutely ferocious.

No UT fan should doubt the power of practicing competitively. Summitt’s teams have always done that – even in the classroom (100% graduation rate). It’s a way of life issue, and it seems to be a significant part of Kiffin’s plan.

by David Hooper on Feb 18, 2009 11:55 PM EST reply actions

Makes you wonder if the cupboard is really all that bare...

by rblakeh on Feb 19, 2009 2:20 AM EST reply actions

I'd guess the truth is in the middle somewhere.

(Boy, that’s a convenient response to a lot of things…)

But seriously, there are concerns – particularly on the O- and D-lines – about depth that may still be limiting factors in practices and games. And simply adding competitiveness in the daily routines won’t fix all the ills, either. But you’d think it go a long way to making sure we don’t hear rumors of players giving up in Florida again.

by David Hooper on Feb 19, 2009 9:13 AM EST up reply actions