I think although both were fabulous elite corners Stingley and Ricks were disruptions to the team and maybe not well liked. I remember seeing a couple of DB's getting in Stingley face on the sidelines don't know why. Also Ricks appeared to me to be a showboat and arrogant. Could be wrong but just my observation.
I think we played better once we moved on from them. Stingley seemed like a headache for 2 years. I think BK is taking a more disciplined approach to team-building which might hurt short term. O lost some guys early when he took over, probably for similar reasons. There was a time when it could probably be said O was cleaning up Miles’ mess. O and Les were driven earlier in their time at LSU; but they let success go to their heads.
Hopefully, Brennan will be able to compete, although he has proven to be fragile. I believe he had shopped around and found out that only Southern Miss wanted him. Then, Max decided to jump ship to the assholes in College Station. Therefore, Brennan is back. After the shit-kicking we've been taking the past few months, it is still a moral win. I think it's obvious that O was assembling "stars," but he certainly wasn't assembling a team. And, now, Alabama (and others) through NIL, can openly pay for players.
Well, it just looks to me like Bama has always been doing this, but covertly. Now, they can openly pay. I mean, SMU got the death penalty for paying the Pony Express. Now...it would be just keeping afloat.
