A Day

Instead of trying to parse a scrimmage that had no contact on QBs and a lot of mix and match pieces in some areas (see Motley v. Boswell), I figured it best to go down the position grid and note on each player if I noticed them in the game. I'll go in ABC order.

Quarterbacks

Thomas Darrah- Where to begin? The football Gods blessed him with a cannon arm and he can put some serious cheese on his passes. That's really it for him though. He's the Happy Gilmore of Quarterbacks, he could do all the trick passes and long ball competitions, but when he plays, it isn't like he really has something to hold on to. His footwork is terrible, and that leads to his passes being off the mark (way long), and he doesn't have any field vision worth mentioning. He threw into double, triple, and quadruple coverage more than once. He's in the hunt for number 2 because Star isn't near ready.

Star Jackson- It is odd that this is the guy who was THE guy for some. I take a lot of heat from folks for pointing to him and saying he's not close to ready. The truth is that he's just not close. The thing to keep in mind about Star is that he's Major's style of QB, not Mac's. I think he can fit in to his system, but he's not going to wow you the way he might have in a spread field system. Star has potential, I can see it just like anyone, but I can also see that his understanding and "football IQ" is very low and I'd point to poor coaching at the HS level. As to the A Day game, remember he took virtually a 2 quarter rest, no QB keeps a steady rhythem like that. Star is in danger of falling down the chart as new QBs enter the scene.

Greg McElroy- He pretty well ended the QB race on Saturday. He was the early favorite, and he has gone through the spring proving that it was his job and only his. He's got a lot of upside to him and I think fans will see the "game manager" of Wilson, with a little more ability to hit all the passes he needs to. His footwork, mechanics, vision, and pocket sense are just years and years ahead of those on campus and might be ahead of where Wilson is right now. My favorite play from him Saturday was when the pocket collapsed, he didn't flee for the hills, he stepped up, checked down his progressions and made the right throw. That's something fans won't notice every game, but after the last 2 QBs didn't do that, it is a nice change of pace. Now, if they could just teach him to tackle....you'd have to see the ESPN coverage to get that one.

RLB002's Summer Guestimate- Like I said a few months ago, McElroy is way ahead of the pack, but now I question if anyone will be a suitable number 2 for various reasons. I always get a fearful stance about playing true freshmen at QB because it can help them learn or send them off the cliff.

Running Backs

Demetrius Goode- Still runs like he's afraid of hurting his leg. His scholarship is about to be fearful too.

Terry Grant- I keep saying it and eventually folks will get it. He just doesn't fit in. A team that runs up the gut uses bigger backs, teams that like to stretch and sweep use guys like Grant. I think his play is summed up by the play in the 2nd quarter ( I think) where he got outside and little Robbie Green knocked him backwards. He may not be 3rd string by summer, and I still wonder if he'll be around come August. I really don't care that he won the Musso award because look at the ballot this spring.

Jeramie Griffin- He's a load to tackle, but he's more of a fullback playing tail than anything else. I like him in short yardage situations and as a lead blocker potentially, but that is really all he can bring to the game for this offense. If he could gain a step or two in speed, he might be a worthy 3rd option, but as is, he's a situational player.

Mark Ingram- Do you know who was the biggest winner at RB from A Day? The guy who didn't play and had everyone appreciate him more. Ingram is just leagues ahead of the pack and I don't think anyone took the gift he gave them to beat him out.

Ivan Matchett- Ivan scored the only TD for the white team. He could eventually be the Glen Coffee style player that gets the gut yards but isn't flashy doing it. He also could be 5th or 6th on the chart and never see the field when it counts. I'd like to see him play a little more to know if he's in trouble of being attritioned or not.

Jermaine Preyear- Didn't play as far as I could tell. That may say a lot and may say little.

Roy Upchurch- Like Ingram, by not playing, he may have helped his stock. If he can return to playing form anyways. I know some of the coaches are real high on him and were before last year, but he hasn't won Saban over just yet.

RLB002's guestimate- I think a lot of the names you see now probably won't be there by summer. I think Trent is probably as happy as Roy and Mark are. If Eddie Lacy can qualify, you probably see 3 guys maybe 4 either transfer or quit.

Wide Receiver

Earl Alexander- He dressed out, probably got hurt lacing up.

Brandon Gibson- I know some are big on him, but he's got to show up at some point to be that. Right now, he's deep on the chart, and not looking like a guy that wants the ball or be on the field much.

Darius Hanks- Stat wise, it wasn't a big day, but he's their number 3A guy. He's a big target, has good hands, and makes the catches when thrown to him most of the time. I don't see anything that worries me about him.

Julio Jones- Julio is Julio, what else do you say? He's built like a linebacker, has the mentality of it too. If you want to see a gap between number 1 and 2, Julio and the other guys is where it is at.

Marquis Maze- Had a good game on Saturday, and he's at his best in space. If he can ever get over the hump with the mental mistakes (he had another one or two Saturday) he'll be a starter.

Mike McCoy- McCoy is this enigma for fans and the staff. Which one shows up and how do you tell when that is? Every spring game he looks good, most practices he looks good, but on Saturdays against guys not wearing crimson helmets, he seems to be a wallflower. Who knows. Perhaps the new QB will get him more incorporated into things, but for McCoy, he's got to show me something in a real game for a change.

Travis Sikes- I didn't see him play, and I hope that does speak volumes. I just don't have much patience for guys like Travis.

Chris Jackson- I like his play and he gives effort, but he doesn't do anything that separates him from the crowd. I would love to see him establish himself as a posession guy like Stover and Jones are. I do fear that he will get lost in translation and keep flipping around trying to get him somewhere to contribute.

RLB002's guestimate- I think the WRs that make it to campus have a real shot at being on the 2 deep rotation. I think the 3 starters are set though.

Tight Ends

Preston Dial- Had a really nice day and is a nice threat in the passing game, has ok blocking skills. He should be the number 3 TE going in and to me, I'd like to see him get more looks in Smelley's spot some because Peek and Dial are more dual threats than Smelley is.

Colin Peek- People asked me why I thought he was the all round guy, maybe you got that look for yourself moment. He is a really good target for a QB to check down to and he loves, LOVES, to hit people. He's easily one of my favorites because he loves to hit.

Brad Smelley- Brad's a great receiver from the TE spot, and he gives them a lot of options to move out to the slot, put in motion, slide under the coverage, etc. He isn't the best blocker in the world, but former QBs rarely are. I think if he can get better in his containment assignments, he will be a really good option for McElroy this fall and next fall.

Chris Underwood- I didn't notice him play, if he did it wasn't much.

Michael Williams- The Matchett touchdown was courtesy of a clear out by Williams on the right side. He drove his guy into another linebacker and it freed the lane for the score. He got separation on another play and the QB missed him badly. I think next year is the year we see him in full force. This year, he's more situational it looks like. I can see why the staff is high on him.

RLB002's guestimate- With no new TE's coming in this summer, not officially anyways, the depth chart probably doesn't move much without injury.


Offensive Line

John Michael Boswell- Boswell ended the spring as the starting RG, and number 2 RT. Due to the lack of quality depth at tackle, they elected to play him there to make it competitive. That speaks volumes as to how poor the OL recruiting of past has been. Bos has a serious mean streak and when he engages defenders, he doesn't lose many battles. He's an ideal guard, and moves well in the formations, but at tackle, he's not exactly fast enough to hold it full time.

Evan Cardwell- Did not play. I think a medical scholarship is looming here.

James Carpenter- Starting at LT is a big step for anyone. The fact he's beaten out the competition says a lot about the competition more than him. He's a guard playing tackle and I noticed a few plays where defenders got on him and drove him inside way too easily. Good for the D, bad for him. The debate may be does he start at RG over Bos? I don't know that answer, I think I'd like both there.

Drew Davis- Davis is one of the "vets" of this year's line and he looks better after a year of play and not looking over his shoulder as much. He's technically fine, he lacks the footwork to be a LT, but has ok feet for a RT. I look for him to take on a more leader role in things for this unit to be good.

Mike Johnson- Mike's the anchor this fall. We all know it. When he went down, I think even the staff gasped some. Without Johnson, this line is far weaker than it should be this far into things. That speaks volumes to his play and importance.

Barrett Jones- I thought he would be a bigger player in things, but watching him play didn't give me that same impression. I hope that he can turn it up a notch this summer.

Tyler Love- Tyler should be a RT, he lacks the ability to play LT, that's pretty clear. I think he could be a starter someday at RT, but then again, he could never play a starter down too. I know some will get defensive because he was a "big time recruit", but so was Charlie Dare. Really, like Jones, if you can't beat out some of the folks on the roster, especially those not labeled "big time recruits", well it is what it is.

Alfred McCullogh- Big Al is one of those guys that really will be a coach's favorite because he'll do anything you ask him whether he's amused with the idea or not. He's been passed around from DT, DE, to OG, to LT over the last year, but keeps on plugging. I like him as a guard on offense and a right tackle maybe, but I still think he's a heck of a 3-4 end to deal with.

Brian Motley- Motley played on the 1s for A Day, but he's running 2nd in reality. He is very strong and that gets him through things, but he still doesn't look real confident in what he's trying to do.

Taylor Pharr- I think at some point you have to know you're not gonna cut it. Pharr is in that Deaton area now.

David Ross- Looked ok at center, the snaps were clean, but the blocking was up and down. He got chewed up a few times by Chapman and others. I think this is really it for him and his shots at playing. If he can't get the center position down, I don't know if he'll be more than a key reserve or starter due to injury/suspension type guy. He isn't a tackle and his times at guard haven't been inspiring, so center is the last hope now.

William Vlachos- Vlachos is a guy that gets up and mauls guys, but he's not the most techinically sound guy either. My worry isn't him going pound for pound, it is the snaps and shotgun stuff that worry me. Caldwell took 3 years before he got it down. With the OL looking unsettled and good defenses ready to expose it, a bad snap or 3 won't help much. I do like to see him drive block though, he's got a mean streak that I like and he holds up to Cody, that makes him tough enough in that respect.

Chance Warmack- I didn't notice Chance play, I may go back one more time (that will be 4 times watching) but if I didn't see him, that doesn't mean a bad thing at times...

RLB002's guestimate- There are 3 locked spots- center, LG, RT- and the rest are still fluid situations currently. Fluker was the biggest winner at LT on A Day because there is nothing that I saw from Carpenter that says he is the best at it.

Defensive Line

Undra Billingsley- Didn't see him on the field.

Josh Chapman- The drop off between Cody and Chapman isn't much really. Chapman just approaches the job differently. I thought he did a good job of getting in the middle and really shutting down the run. He and Dareus work well together on pass downs.

Terrence Cody- The svelt new look should pay dividends in the fall, if he keeps at it, and I think he will see more time on the field, but he's never going to be an every down DT. Guys like him aren't expected to be that either. I hope that he takes the summer to work on his first move off the snap more to get penetration and not just try to flop over as much. His tackle of Grant was one of those sinful pleasures because you know that hurt like hell. Against short passes and the run, he's a top of the line tackle, against 3rd down spread the field situations, he's still okay at best.

Marcel Dareus- Dareus is a strong end and plays really well inside the tackles. He loves to hit, and he loves to bull rush. In time he'll get that first move down that gets him beyond the lineman and into a disruption position. If and when that happens, watch out. Until then, he will play 2nd string.

Luther Davis- If the mouth ever matched the player, he'd be something. He's got potential and he should contribute again this fall, but I don't see a starter in him.

Brandon Deaderick- Deaderick has to pick up the slack with Greenwood gone. I thought he did a good job of pushing the line back at times, and his role is not a blitz role so he did well to contain and move. I don't see him losing his job anytime soon.

Nick Gentry- I think I saw him, but he's getting deep on the chart now.

Kerry Murphy- They have down he participated, but I never really noticed him. I will try to go back and find him in the DVD to see what I can find.

Damien Square- He looks the part, no doubt, and coaches can't stop touting him as a real player in the front line. To me, he had a good day up front with 3 tackles and I saw him penetrate a few times. I think he'll play in rotation this fall and will see more time next year after several graduate.

Milton Talbert- I think at this point, it would be a surprise to even Milton that he plays.

Zo Washington- It seems like he's been there for 50 years now, but he finally gets a chance to play in his natural spot and maybe he'll show a fire in his play. Physically, he's great for the end position, technically he does it well, but the motor doesn't burn at the same level as Greenwood or Deaderick. My hope is that the coaches can find that burr and put it in his saddle.

RLB002's guestimate- I think the starting 3 are set and don't have a lot to worry about. Dareus and Square could push Washington some though. I think the freshmen will get some PT chances, but starts are not in the ball park yet.

Linebackers

Eryk Anders- I think Eryk had a good spring, he looks like he is getting the other half of the game finally. He can rush, no doubts there, but could he play the run. I saw him do a lot more this time than all of last year against the run, and I hope that can continue.

Brandon Fanney- He missed most of the spring for off field issues, but he kept in shape and earned the spot back. He still is the best Jack against the run and plays the zone better than the others when in coverage (rare), but he will never be the rush Jack they miss.

Glenn Harbin- DNP, starting to wonder if better talent is going to get the better of him

Jerrell Harris- He's not a "beast", "stud", "hoss", etc. yet. (And I have now officially qualified the post by using said phrases to fit in BOL discussion) He is a very good Sam linebacker that will start in the near future. I think he would be well served, however, to continue watching Reamer play and learn from him how to do all the technical areas well. What Reamer lacks in long term potential, Harris has, but what Harris lacks in "football IQ", Reamer has 3 or 4 players worth.

Jennings Hester- I get accused of hating players. I'll confess, I don't "Hate" any players, but the closest to that in the just can't stand to watch area is Hester. He's pretty much not ready and won't ever be ready for SEC play. He should be at Ga Southern.

Charlie Higgenbotham- Another guy lost in the shuffle of better talent and 3-4 schemes. I know the Rudy fan club out there will say what a leader he is on squad and such, but if you aren't in the huddle when it counts, well, there ya go.

Dont'a Hightower- Probably the best overall linebacker they have. He' plays the run, pass, and rushes better overall than any other on the team. That's saying something. I know the urge of seeing him at Jack is just working some over like Enzyte, but what he does at Will is just too important to just toss. His tip pick is a good example, not many guys are that good at coverage and getting a hand on the ball. Maybe he can play corner....

Chris Jordan- Jordan looks the part. I think he could be a starter eventually and he is getting more comfortable with the role. My worry is that better talent may dwarf him to a more reserve role. Time will tell, but I don't worry that if he starts, problems occur. However, he won't be Rolo, just won't.

Charlie Kirschman- Boy, when you sign the friend to get the star, and it doesn't work, the least he can do is help them know what he does well. Otherwise, CK1's moment is special teams and nothing else.

Rolando McClain- Rolando is the best run/pass disrupter on the group. He has matured a lot over the last 2 years and he's exceeded most of any expectations of him. My worry is that this is it for him and Bama loses him to the NFL soon. I think the one thing that may keep him in school is his sub average pass defense. That doesn't seem to be a worry to scouts right now though.

Cory Reamer- He's a coach's dream. He's a student in film and a teacher on the field type of guy. He loves to play, gets his role, and plays the ball better than any Sam. I wish they could find more of a role for him, but what he does is near perfect when he plays.

Alex Watkins- According to Rolltide.com, he's a hell of a punter. He had a fair A Day with a sack and a couple of tackles, but he just isn't going to fit into the scheme as well as expected. He's now pretty much a career backup.

Chavis Williams- Williams looked good in the game, again, and I again see his potential, but I see where the staff has fits with him. When he's not rushing the QB, he's lost in space. Litterally, he doesn't know what to do after the snap if his first step is not at the QB.

RLB002s guestimate- The starters are locked in with Jack being a rotation on situation setup. However, I could see the freshmen coming in making things real interesting too. I think there are 4-5 guys that have to make a choice or have a choice made by the staff. Football is a career for coaches folks. Warm and cuddly is what cost Shula his job.

Defensive Backs

Javier Arenas- I don't think they tested him much and he continues to do what he does well, bump and play physical. He's a lock at one corner.

Mark Barron- He is back at SS, and that's best for him. He led the White in tackles and really laid the wood on one play. I could see him outgrowing the SS position eventually and playing Sam. He's not much lighter than Harris right now.

Robby Green- He's a lot like Reamer, he's just one of those guys who gets it. He's not quite big enough physically but he likes to tackle and he isn't afraid to get hit. He's going to make young mistakes (Julio's TD), but he doesn't let it eat him up (see Marquis Johnson) and makes plays when the opportunity arises. He's their FS this fall, and I don't see him losing that to anyone. Period.

Kareem Jackson- He is still a starter and he's still one of the 3 best they have, but that tag is getting less firm. He still struggles to find the ball and gets beaten off the ball too much. He does however cover the island and plays bump well. If he can just learn how to cut from following the WR to following the ball he'll be good. To the thread about him and Saban' s teachings. Saban does teach to follow the WR, but he also teaches to look for the sign to turn and find the ball.

Marquis Johnson- He is what he is. He's a backup playing starter. I thought he might be a FS candidate, but he just doesn't see the game that well. It isn't that he's a bad player, it is just that he's not got the speed to do what he thinks he can do. Any corner no matter how big or star rated will bite on a fake, but the ones that play on Sundays and the ones that better have a diploma have the speed to correct and close the gap. Johnson doesn't have that.

Tyrone King- I like his hustle, and he plays the dime well, but he's a situational player nothing more or less.

Zo Lawrence- The moment that sticks out to me is when someone had to grab him and point him in the right direction before the snap. That is where Zo is right now. He looks the part, he plays the part when he plays it, but he still doesn't have any understanding of the part beyond the limited teaching he had. If he can just be quiet long enough and park the ego with the car, he might be ahead of Johnson right now. As is, he is another year or more away.

Robert Lester- Lester isn't a bad player, he's just not where Green is. I didn't see him playing except for special teams, I think, but that's a good start for him. I'm not close to thinking his spot is in trouble like some others on the roster.

Wes Neighbors- He's going to participate, share in the family legacy, and get a degree.

Chris Rogers- He'll play special teams and mop up. He definately has not lived up to the expectations coming into school.

BJ Scott- I hate the fact that folks have idolized him because of a message board fetish or recruiting philosophy, because he has the skills to be really good. The thing is that he's not that well coached, at least offensively. At corner, he looked more at home than he did at WR. I think some time learning behind Arenas and others will be good for him and he could be a starter later this year or next. He will not have his breakout game though.

Ali Sharrief- Ali had the shot at FS, but the staff's haunted memory of the Sugar Bowl and Green's upside have him back at the backup spot. He can play, but he doesn't see the field well enough to be the FS he needs to be for Saban's cover 2.

Justin Woodall- Justin is growing into a top end SS. He's learned from RJ and I think that and coaching have brought him along by leaps and bounds. He's a big asset to the 3-4 in run support and as he grows more comfortable in passing situations, I think he'll be a bigger asset there.

RLB002's guestimate- I think if there is room for concern on defense, it is here. They are still looking for that 3 corner rotation to lock down things and with a young FS that will make mistakes, the staff probably will be experimenting all summer.

Special Teams

Leigh Tiffin- I just wonder that if he wasn't a legacy player, would he play still? He looks very lost and has got the mental farts something fierce. We're talking Mitch Williams, John Rocker can't get it in the strike zone any more kinda thing.

Couldn't tell much about the punts because of the set up, but when nobody rushes you, they all look good....

Random Thoughts

With A Day this weekend, here's some thoughts going through my mind...

10 Questions needing answered by A Day.

In the past, A Day did have more of a competitive stance to it and there was more emphasis on it, but now it is a scrimmage like the others. I don't know if I will get some of the answers that I am looking for as to this year's team, yet, but here's a few that I'll be seeking:

Who will replace Rashaad Johnson? I think this is proably the key to how well Alabama does this fall to be honest. We can get sidetracked by Thomas Darrah will surprise you theories from chinnis or who is a "beast" or not, but the truth is that without the center fielder or quarterback on defense aspect being replaced, trouble is there. My guess is still Green with Sharrief trying to hold on. The staff is real high on him and his former coaches praise his understanding of the game. His detractors will talk about his size and being thin, but there's more to it than looking like Tarzan. Johnson wasn't the best tackler in the world when you get down to it. Neither was Roman Harper or Charlie Peprah.

Can the defense adapt to the speed of the spread? This one I know won't be answered by the A Day game because they don't run it, but this one still lingers after seeing the team struggle with UF and Utah's versions of the spread. With MSU and others going to the spread, the answer may lie with James Willis's knowledge of defending it more than Saban's.

It is now a given that McElroy is the starter, but who will be ready if he goes down? That's the key at this point. Greg has all but put this thing to bed with his heady play and command of the system. The main thing to watch with McElroy is how comfortable he is under center. He didn't take snaps there in HS much, and he looks awkward at times trying to hone the motion of snap to back peddle. Star and Darrah, and in the summer AJ, will all be jockeying for number 2 and the question is really, who has the trust of the staff right now? Neither of the on campus backups have flashed any signs of greatness yet and both seem to have more work needing to be done than is acceptable to be a trustworthy starter. My hope is to see Star take strides in the A Day game to calm my gut fear. The ten dollar arm needs the mental makeup to start kicking in soon or else he may be moving elsewhere as more talent arrives.

Who will be the Jack of all trades? The staff seem to have resorted to platooning the group of Fanney, Upshaw, Anders, and Hightower based on situations. Fittingly, the Jack may be a poker tip that gets them in trouble. The staff has tinkered with Hightower there, and I know many love it and will respond in mass as to how this is great, but he's a natural MLB/ILB player. Anders and Upshaw are undersized to play hand down, and Fanney is fine with the run, but is less than stellar in the pass rush. I still don't know how they haven't found their guy for the key position of the front 7 in their scheme, but they haven't. Maybe one will arise at A Day?

Will Tiffin show any sign of steady play? The answer is probably not, but I would like to see him show some form of reliable play in his game. I feared that we all would put too high of expectations on him being the son of a legend, and folks will make excuses galore for him because of his dad, but not getting 75% of your kicks in is just not cutting it at this level.

Who can replace McCall's blocking element? I think one of the things that made several look better than they were was McCall's lead blocking. Gone now is his ability to drive a defender back 3 yards on average and someone is needing to step it up to fill that gap. My guess is Williams or Dial. I'd like to see both play a lot of minutes and see what they can do in motion.

Can James Carpenter hold down the LT? Given all the movement they've made in the front 5, who knows who is where for long. For now, it seems that Carpenter has the LT job until taken from him. I would keep an eye on McCullough as the primary challenger this spring or Motley. They don't seem happy with the depth at LT I can verify that.

Is Lorenzo Washington the best they have at rush end? I know some have high hopes for him because he's one of those big name recruits from the Shula era, but he's never really shown that he's got this desire to play when he's played. Much like RJ's vision and leadership, I find it hard to believe that Washington will pickup the slack on Greenwood's work effort and hustle every week.

What new wrinkles have the staff created and will the fans see them? Word around the campfire is that they've started tinkering with their dime/quarter formation some and are trying to put players in that can cover and blitz to confuse the offensive line and QB. On offense, have they inserted some new wrinkles to give more guys a chance to play and get touches? Like say Terry Grant in the slot or some version of the Wildcat? The second one is probably a no...

For how many guys is this the last good chance they'll ever have? The list is pretty long, but the ones on top of my radar are guys like

Demetrius Goode- Just too much talent better than him.

Brandon Gibson- Can't find the field to play

Marquis Johnson- The fans have abandoned him, have the coaches?

Terry Grant- He just doesn't fit in.

Travis Sikes- We have seen his name on the blotter more than the stat line.

Chavis Williams- The staff seem to have moved on without him in a real role.

Alex Watkins- Like Grant, he's never fit into the scheme of things.

Earl Alexander- He's hurt himself in more ways than any hardcore pro wrestler could dream it seems.

There are many more on the roster that have that now or never label it seems, but those are the ones that I'd worry most about.

The new Iron Bowl

I do find the irony that the same crowd that chastizes folks for not coming to A Day are barking foul about playing the Iron Bowl on Friday afternoon. Maybe it is just me, but why is it so bad??? From a coach's point of view, I can see the complaint about the extra day of practice lost, but from a fan's POV, there isn't a good reason to complain. Work or not, you can listen on the radio, take off work, bring a TV from home, buy a TV, take a 4 hours lunch, whatever. If you're gonna go manly man about A Day attendance, you better man up about a Friday game too. To me, the announcement signals that the Tide have earned a national exposure position again. Remember last year, we didn't know if the game would be Raycom, ESPN or CBS. Bama has taken the Arkansas v. LSU spot in the fall rotation. That's big news, embrace it instead of doing bitch ass stupid things like writing CBS to protest. You know you will watch, you know you will attend if you have the tickets, it is what it is.

Fans are setting the arrogance level at a place we haven't seen since 2000

Let's get a dose of honesty in our conduct folks. Ole Miss wins the Cotton Bowl, looks like the best team in the conference at the end arguably, and our fans want to dismiss them? Of course, the wisdom of fans would tell you that the Spread could never win big, BJ Scott will have his breakout game each week, USCal is overrated for winning every year regardless of who they play OOC, and every recruit that comes to Alabama is instantly a "Beast", "Stud", "Monster", "Jackhamer" or was it Jackalope, doesn't matter. Truth is that all 11 teams not named Florida have a lot of work to do to get to the top of the food chain. Running around proclaiming 12-0 or this team or that team can't beat Alabama is what Saban chewed on a few weeks ago.

It is fine to have expectations, but have real ones and not fairy tales. For example, my expectations never center on wins and losses exactly. It is more of the what each side of the ball should look like over the course of 60 minutes. I expect to see execution in the game plan, I expect to see hustle and all out effort, I expect to see the staff scheme and coach a winning game each week. That's acceptable really, but going out there and saying a team as good as Ole Miss can be this year can't beat Bama or is overrated is a deadly recipe. Are we that far removed from the arrogance of 2000 and the humble reminders that year had? 2003? 2007? The end of 08???? Really?

One tall Draft please...

The draft is next weekend and that has us all buzzing in anticipation of who falls where. Last year, nobody was drafted and that has the expectations set higher in Saban's 2nd offering to the NFL from Alabama. Here's kinda the long and short for each potential Bama alumni:

Andre Smith- 1st round. Smith's offseason has been well documented and really if it wasn't for on field film, he'd be way down the chart. I think he has 1st round talent with 4th round work ethic which will be a test for whomever takes him. He's probably going to play RT starting out because of his conditioning issues. The mock drafts all have him in Cincy, but I've also read that they may trade down and get extra picks and take Oher later on. That's kinda the hard part for where Smith lands is how much trade activity can happen between now and Saturday. I think Cincy takes him because the teams in the Oher area of the draft aren't looking to move up, just get healthy (Chargers, Saints, Broncos) and make a run, not build a foundation. If he doesn't get taken by the Bungles, I could see him at the Redskins or 49ers.

Rashaad Johnson- Late 2nd, Early 3rd. Teams tend to not take a FS early unless he's truly gifted. RJ doesn't quite fall in that category, but he is worthy of a team like the Pats, Falcons, Giants, or Colts taking a late 2nd round pick up on him. If he falls to the 3rd, he's probably going to a Detroit, Seattle, Oakland, or Dallas. He's a great leader and plays hard, but lacks the tackle ability to get higher in the board. If a team can get him more apt to take a hit and eat cleat more, he might be a real steal for someone.

Glen Coffee- 3rd or 4th round. When I read the mock drafts, he falls in the 3rd thanks to comp picks, and that's kinda cheap in a sense, but Coffee will have the eye of teams like the Dolphins, Saints, Giants, Falcons, Bungles, Packers, and Chiefs depending on where he goes. He's steady, has ok college speed, but isn't a burner at the NFL level, but can get the tough yards. He could be like Selvin Young or Derrick Ward in a lot of ways.

Antoine Caldwell- 3rd round. Caldwell has the multi position thing going for him and he is smart, but his combine numbers have dropped him behind a few centers that he shouldn't be behind. He's going to be one of those guys that a team takes on and lets sit for a couple of years before he becomes the starter. The question is where? His play prior to his senior year would say guard, but he improved his snapping by leaps and bounds in 08, so maybe somone takes a look at center. Pittsburgh could take that flier. So could the Pats, Colts, Panthers, and Titans. Most of whom have centers at the twilight of their careers.

After that, Bama fans, you may wait a while or just not watch the draft after the 4th round.

John Parker Wilson- 7th round, FA. Let's cut out the emotion and think NFL. There really is nothing that Wilson does on his own that says he's got a big future in the NFL. His arm isn't top end, his mechanics are shit (and that's being nice), his vision is below average, and his understanding of defenses isn't great. He is at his best when others are taking command (Coffee, Ingram, Jones, etc) and allowing him to facilitate the play calling and organizing the huddle. That's how you win 12 games at QB without upper level talent folks, you let others take the game on and you just help the others know how to do it. I think he could get a look from a team like the Pats, Dolphins, or Bears, but they may wait and try to snatch him up in the Free Agency market for cheap.

Marlon Davis- 7th round, FA. Davis is one of those guys that is dwarfed in the hype by the 2 other linemen in the draft that he played with. He is one of the steadier guys that never had trouble playing with his weight, never got whipped like a mule on a regular basis, but never really had a highlight play reel. I could see him getting a late day look by teams trying to deepen their lineman roster, but free agency is more likely.

Nick Walker- FA. The honest truth is that Walker isn't a TE, he's an oversized WR with average hands. He's not going to block a rush end at the NFL level, he's not going to be a threat down field on passing routes, he's just going to do what he did at Alabama...fill a spot.

Travis McCall- FA. The interesting thing is where do teams look at him at? H Back or FB? Either way, he's probably got a better career in the NFL than Walker does because he can block and has good enough hands for his role in an offense. Teams won't take a flier on him during the draft, but he's got a shot at being a free agent steal.

As always you can email me at bevil_76@yahoo.com to discuss outside the message boards....