'Bama Boomer Will See Better Days

Well, this time last week I wrote about a kicker at an SEC school in the state of Alabama. This week, I have to write about a kicker at an SEC school in the state of Alabama. I have to apologize a little because kickers really shouldn’t take up this much space on one blog, but Alabama’s Leigh Tiffin needs me.

I’m not going to sugar coat this, Tiffin cost Alabama the game. And I hate to say things like that. Games are not played in a vacuum and any number of plays can change the outcome. But Tiffin missed three field goals and an extra point. The last two were in overtime periods.

His teammates, his coaches, friends, family, they probably are telling him it’s not all on his shoulders. And they should. But the fact remains that he left 10 points on the field in a one point game.

After his second missed field goal Alabama coach Mike Shula might have considered replacing Tiffin. After his third missed field goal Shula, should have replaced him. With another kicker, with anybody! Because it had nothing to do with ability, this was all mental.

The mental fight did not end yesterday. It did not end Sunday. And it may not end until the next game. It may not end then. But the great thing about sports is that he’s got another game. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but it’s not the end of the world. That old cliché is still true.

I’m not trying to add to Tiffin’s pain. The dude is going to have a rough week. Let’s keep this whole thing in perspective. And I for one would like to see no one ever mention this game to him again, after this blog of course. No TV coverage should zoom in on him (and his family if they’re in the crowd because, if a player’s family is in the crowd we have to get them on TV, and preferably get someone up there to interview them because...that is never uncomfortable for anyone) every time they mention field goals, or extra points. Of course, we know they’ll talk about it. It will be brought up. Probably a lot.

But keep your head up big guy. And keep your head up ‘Bama fans. You’ve got one heck of a young quarterback down there in John Parker Wilson and you’ll have some big games this year. Yeah, this one hurts. But go easy on the kid because you know you’ll need him again. Probably soon.