So much to cover....
Bama hires, better call him coach, Grant...
Maybe it is just me, but if the biggest thing you get out of the hire is that he is either A) black, or B) not called Coach Grant by Ian Rappaport, you really missed the mark here folks. The point is that he talked about dedication, and accountability. He didn't sit around and make excuses, nor did he try to set the bar low. It was already there if you stomached through any games last year.
I watched his press conference, and he's good at the podium, but really he's been around some of the best in the business, he knows how to handle things. He knows that basketball can change in a year's time because it doesn't take but 1 good/great player to turn things around, whereas with football it takes more than 1 to turn things around.
It is amusing that he's the best thing ever after most wanted Anderson or Izzo. Yet, they never were even considered for the job. Funny how that happens, eh? Grant has a good presser and he can part the seas, but if they get their tail handed to them a few times, will fans ask him to walk on water? The point is this, the Alabama Basketball program is not a premier job. It is not ever going to have the following that the football program has, or even Kentucky basketball has. It won't attract coaches like Izzo ever. Really, the purpose of a competitive basketball program in the eyes of Alabama fans is to give a nice environment for football recruits to enjoy. Maybe that isn't PC, but it is true.
It does disturb me that all of our coaches have to say a'ight at the end of a sentence. I guess that is better than fo sho.
Spring musings
I got pooped on for saying that Barron wouldn't be the answer at FS, nor would Woodall, but if you listen to Saban closely, he's saying it too. This job is going to be the hardest to fill, forget the Darrah for QB campaign, finding a FS who can fill RJ's shoes or a platoon that can will be the key.
I always get amused at how the WR depth chart guesstimates have guys that never play on the 1st string. For example, Earl Alexander always creeps up in the spring. Folks, Earl is so injury prone, he hurt himself just reading this. Brandon Gibson has a fan base out there, but they must be like Brandon and don't make the games either. The depth chart is Julio Jones and the rest of them. It will be that way in the summer until about a week or two before Va Tech. This spring, the most that will happen is one or two (Hanks and Maze) can get ahead of the pack for the summer, but with Norwood and others coming in, they aren't that safe as penciled in starters.
The thing about spring is that the staff uses it to experiment with some ideas they come up with over the winter. See Donta at Jack. The Internets loves this idea, and it could work in some situations, but the bigger issue is who fills the Will LB? Donta filling it last year was pretty special when it gets down to it because McClain didn't exactly have the staff's confidence his freshman year. The issue at Jack is two sided. First side is filling the Will, I know that some just assume that Tana and Nico will just do it and all will be ducky. Yeah, and Woodall can play free safety no problem, right? I think both are going to be fine ball players, but to expect them to just start on day one is a little much. Second is that there are a few signees that if it is Donta, what is their problem? Upshaw and Harbin were recruited there and if Donta holds it down, what are they in the big picture? The best 11 need to play, no doubt, but moving a guy over and weakening the middle is not a great option until otherwise solved.
I am pleased to see Anders getting more snaps at both Sam and Jack. Also happy that Reamer is getting incorporated more. The other thing that I am hoping will happen is that Boswell can hold down RG, and Carpenter or Love hold down LT, DJ Fluker can redshirt and learn a little bit more. I'm not much of a fan of David Ross's style of play, he just isn't aggressive to me. So moving Boswell inside gives the interior a little more fire. I still worry about Center, but that will just have to be I guess.
Of course, to post in these times, I must use the phrases "beast", "monster", and "it is a lock" to validate anything.....
The Legacy of Mal
If Bill Clinton was made of Teflon, Mal Moore must be made of a yet to be trademarked substance. To me, this is a guy who gets by on his fundraising capacities and gets the pass on his management skills. He's the Brownie to the Donor's Bush so to speak. The facts are that on his watch, the athletic program has been slapped by the NCAA in basketball (Hobbs) and football (Dubose), had several black eye moments (Dubose blames God, Fran's contract hoax, Mike Price's Rolling Baby, rushing to hire Shula and the handling of Croom, Gottfried's other squeeze, re-hiring the baseball coach because nobody wanted the alternative, and women's basketball in general, and not to mention Rich Rodriguez), and the state of the overall athletics at Alabama is at a true low.
To be fair, the stadium is great, and the facilities are much better than they were a decade ago, but none of that has resulted in the true benchmark of athletics, championships. Also being fair, he's finally gotten 2 coaches that at least talk the game and have a great track record behind them. However, when you stare at the Saban hire, Mal wasn't that in control of that situation and really if Saban said get Mal out, he'd be out.
His legacy will be glossed over somewhat, especially if Saban wins a NC, but the truth is, the guy hasn't been as good for business as folks think him to be. At some point, the guy demanding accountability for the programs needs to be held accountable when you watch the women's team lose badly to UTC, or the men's team flounder for the last what 3 years? Watching Alabama become the beacon of the Independence Bowl over the last few years and the baseball team waller around hasn't been pleasing either.
March 27, 2009
March 9, 2009
Random Thoughts...
Ahh spring, it signals the end of another basketball season, thank God, spring practice, where Thomas Darrah will be bronzed, and boredom sets in shortly there after.
Spring Drillin
For fun, and to maybe cull down the number of threads about all 24 positions worth talking about, let's stroll through shall we?
Quarterback
2008 Starter- John Parker Wilson (graduated)
2009 Starter- TBD
The top candidate and most likely starter is Greg McElroy. Mac is a guy that isn't flashy, but he's smart, and he has a good arm, not a cannon, and seems to really have a good head on his shoulders when playing. After waiting his turn, he finally gets to show off his talents for fans and the coaches. His top competition is Star Jackson. Jackson is a big armed QB and has big game capacities, but he's not the best reader of defenses. He's kinda the guy that has gotten by on his talents without getting it, so to speak. This spring basically comes down to 2 things. First, does McElroy establish his position as starter and second, does Jackson turn the corner on understanding the game. For the Darrah family who posts non stop for their boy, I'm sorry but nobody wins championships with walkon QBs. Yes, David Smith was a QB and a decent one at that, but that team went to the Sun Bowl, not the Sugar Bowl. He threw a nice pass on 4th string defenders, but he's never once been allowed close to the 2nd string much less the 1st string. That kinda says it all doesn't it?
RLB002's predicted starter going into summer- Greg McElroy. I don't think Star will be as close to Greg as Greg was to Wilson in regards to 1st and 2nd. I don't think he'll lose it in the summer either.
Running Back
2008 "Starter"- Glen Coffee (Pro)
2009 "Starter"- TBD
There hasn't been a true starter since Saban came to Tuscaloosa, he employs more of a situational deal, but the bulk of last year's carries were Coffee's and he is gone. This year it will start with Mark Ingram and work down from there. Ingram had a strong freshman year and made a case to really be the feature back last year. He has great understanding of the game, and his role in it, and does a lot of the little things well. His top competition in the spring will be Terry Grant or Jeramie Griffin, because Roy Upchurch is non contact still. Neither Grant or Griffin can compete with a healthy Ingram, period. Upchurch, when healthy, is that competition, but he's never been able to stay healthy for an entire season. I also wonder with the Textbookgate, how much longer he's a part of things. In the end, the real main event of the running backs race starts in August when Trent Richardson, and possibly Eddie Lacy, arrive.
RLB002's prediction- Mark Ingram. No big shock there. The other backs are just situational at best and can't be the go to guy.
Wide Receivers
2008 starters- Julio Jones (return), Nikita Stover (graduated), Darius Hanks (return)
2009 starters- Julio Jones, TBD, TBD
Before you hit reply to show your intelligence, McCoy had lost his job by the end of the year, the starters reflect the end of the year. Going into this spring, Julio Jones just has to be Julio and he's in as the starter 1. Losing Stover will be a bigger thing than you think because he was a great part of the run game and was a consistent player for the Tide down the stretch. Hanks came on late and beat McCoy out after he refused to catch footballs. So, this spring Hanks should be solid for his spot as the 3rd WR. That puts the focus on the 2nd WR on the unit. It gets real murky as to who the front runner is at this point. There is McCoy who practices like Tarzan and plays like Jane, Marquis Maze who physically is Tarzan, mentally is Jane, Earl Alexander who hurt himself just reading this, Brandon Gibson who couldn't find himself reading this, Chris Jackson who didn't know he was a WR until reading this (I really wish the coaches would pick a spot already), and a host of walkons. Get the idea that I don't have much confidence in the depth chart here? The reason why is all over the stat sheet and video of last year. Out of the others, the best of the bunch is Maze, but he consistently makes mental errors and his route running leaves much to be desired. That may open the door to McCoy winning yet again.
RLB002's prediction- Jones/Hanks/McCoy. The bottom line is this, until someone can really practice AND play better than McCoy, he's going to keep getting chances.
Tight Ends
2008 Starters- McCall & Walker (graduated)
2009 Starters- Peek & Smelley
Is it me or does Peek stay hurt more than any non-participating player? Peek, when he is able to play, really has the well rounded TE game. He catches and blocks better than Smelley does, but can he shake the injury situation? Smelley captialized on the opening and displayed a real good receiver option for the offense. He does need to work on his blocking because he's a tip that they are in a pass first audible. The main competitors this year will be Michael Williams and Preston Dial. Williams is a big athlete (6-6, 260ish) who would play PF in basketball. He's got the hands and the speed to play the position, but started on defense and is catching up on the role. Dial has been the 3rd TE in the past, but injuries and lack of solid hands pushed him to 4th during the season. Chris Underwood still is on the roster, but is an oversized WR playing TE.
RLB002's prediction- Peek & Smelley with Williams 3rd. Part of me wishes they could find a 3rd TE to move Williams back to defense. If Peek cannot shake the foot issues, he should be the McCall option with Smelley reprising the Walker role.
Offensive Line
2008 Starters- Smith (Pro)/Johnson (return)/Caldwell (graduated)/M Davis (graduated)/D Davis (return)
2009 Starters- TBD/Johnson/TBD/TBD/D Davis
All the other positions really pale behind the OL. There isn't a good answer for any open spot as is because none of the potential starters have enough snaps, minus Vlachos and Cardwell, to call them ready to go. Left Tackle will get a long look by fans and coaches alike with a right handed QB. The best option going into the spring will be newcomer James Carpenter with Tyler Love competiting. Drew Davis probably will get some snaps there, but his visits to LT have not been fruitful in the past and they need him at RT. Johnson looks to hold his LG spot and we'll see how much he misses Smith and Caldwell being around him. Center is a toss up. Vlachos is the odds on favorite, even though Cardwell when healthy is far ahead of him. Right Guard looks to be David Ross with a host of potential starters around him. Right Tackle, as mentioned, should be Drew Davis with Boswell competing. Of course Fluker comes in this spring and Warmack is there now so both will dictate possibly some moves in the front five. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for McCullogh, Motley, and Taylor Pharr as this is kinda the make or break year for each. I wouldn't mind seeing McCullogh move back to end myself.
RLB002's predictions- Carpenter/Johnson/Vlachos/Ross/D Davis. This 5 will be lucky to hold out by the end of summer. I don't see Ross holding on when Fluker makes campus. I could see it being Fluker/Johnson/Center to be named/D Davis/Carpenter (or visa versa) possibly.
Defensive Line
2008 Starters- Greenwood (graduated)/Cody (return)/Deaderick(return)
2009 Starters- TBD/Cody/Deaderick
Defensively speaking, the shake up is far less numbers wise than on offense. However, those who are gone will be hard to replace by spring. Bobby Greenwood is a prime example. Greenwood was moved over to rush end last year to replace Gilberry, and that made a big difference in his play. His motor was never questionable in his 4 years, and his prime replacement, Zo Washington, has never had much of a motor. The Internets favorite pick is Marcel Dareus, who has the folklore of Paul Bunyan, and the highlight reel of Paul Rubens, well not that bad, but he didn't really live up to the hype associated with him. Dareus is raw and gets by on his power and less his understanding of how to get past linemen, and that's why they keep bouncing him inside and outside. Luther Davis is bipolar, one day he's wanting to play, the next who knows. When he wants to play, he's adequate, not a star by any means, but he'll get you through games. The rest are unknowns and projects. Cody loads the middle up and Josh Chapman is the pass rushing half of the duo. Cody is a premier run stopper and fits the 3-4 as well as anyone can, but the state of college football is not ground and pound any more, it is spread and speed. Cody's campus legend status took a considerable ding when he was more or less a cheerleader the final 2 games. Teams this fall will be trying to neutralize him by passing more, especially short routes, and that will be Cody's biggest focus this spring. Can he learn how to rush? Chapman isn't as good at run stopping, but his pass rush is far better because he uses his hands and has a quick burst for a guy as big as he is. Dareus plays behind them as well and probably will until he learns how to play beyond the raw skills. Deaderick holds down the other end position and is primarily a run stopping end. He does well when he's asked to jam lanes and create gaps for linebackers, but his game really doesn't go beyond that. I think he'd be helped out more if there was a Jack on the squad last year that was serviceable.
RLB002's Predictions- Washington/Cody/Deaderick. The truth is that Washington has PT, and that is going to carry him until the staff grows tired of the ho hummedness of his play and someone can step up and take it.
Linebackers
2008 Starters- Fanney/Hightower/McClain/Reamer
2009 Starters- Fanney/Hightower/McClain/Reamer
I love how there is always this "when this guy arrives, he's gonna be the man" theory about each recruiting class. It is fun, but dangerous. Fans have put the eye of expectation on Upshaw to beat Fanney. He might now that Fanney is supspended for a while, but the evil eye club fails to see that run support counts too. Upshaw gives up 20 pounds to Fanney and about 70 to the average lineman. Eryk Anders was 2nd string Jack most of last season and had a good start to the year, but faded down the stretch because he lacks a 2nd or 3rd move in his rush. Hightower and McClain will be back as the 2 inside linebackers until further notice. The loss of Prince Hall to the ganga nation won't be felt, but will give guys like Chris Jordan and any host of incoming freshman a chance to play, no Jennings Hester won't see the light still unless it is Bus Saban. There is a lot of chatter about Hightower to Jack or End, and I can see why he measures even with Fanney, but the real problem is that you have to have another inside linebacker that can do as much as he can. As far as Spring goes, they may tinker with it on some nickel and dime formations, but outside of that, I think he stays inside. Rolo returns, for what may be the last season, and he's battle tested, not even getting competition. Reamer also is the "starter" and plays in base, but with the spread and teams throwing more than they ran, his use became marginal. The Internets eye of expectations also wants Jerrell Harris to be Sam. Harris is a lot like Dareus in that he is raw and needs time. His move to the inside is to help him understand his game better. He'll never play a down inside, he gives up too much weight. Chavis Williams and Alex Watkins, both prizes from year 1, have fallen off the map after the staff got more time to recruit and evaluate talent.
RLB002's prediction- starters hold. Sorry, but none of the reserves have "it" yet.
Secondary
2008 Starters- K. Jackson (return)/Arenas (return)/Woodall (return)/Johnson (graduated)
2009- K Jackson/Arenas/Woodall/TBD
The funny thing here is that like linebacker, the base group never really played much. The loss of RJ will be the hardest replacement to fill, bar none. The eye of expectation says Mark Barron will step in and all will be fine. Watch the Sugar Bowl again. That race and can Kareem shake the sophomore slump and hold on will be worth while speculation. Kareem's play didn't really drop all that much as he was just an easy target. He's physical and plays bump well, but lacks the correction speed when he bites wrong. Zo Lawrence, BJ Scott, and Dre Kirkpatrick (in the summer) will more than likely push him hard. Javy Arenas played well in the Star, and plays ok on the island, but he too isn't blazing fast and can't correct himself if he misses. The difference is that when he is in Star, he doesn't play man very often. Marquis Johnson starts when they go nickel, and as we all saw, if you bob your head, he eats it up like Thanksgiving turkey. He too will be pushed by Zo and Dre. I wouldn't be shocked to see him get some snaps at Free Safety. Johnson can see the field and play off the ball, he just can't man up. Woodall is getting talk about both safety spots, but his mentality is a strong safety, and I think he'll stay there. He plays the run too well to move him over. Barron, Robbie Green, Ali Sharrief (if he finds his helmet), and a host of others will get some time at either FS or SS. If Barron or Green or maybe even Lester, can figure it out, I may feel better, but hitting folks hard is great for SportsCenter it doesn't win games like reading and leading does.
RLB002's prediction- Arenas/Jackson/Green/Woodall. I think Green is the best FS option for now. Ali is not a 4 quarter guy, Barron still is not ready and won't by end of spring because he's a SS mentality, and the others are farther behind.
TOURNEY DAZE
For those whooping and cheering about the greatness of Pearson, look at the peer perception of the SEC. 3 teams in the dance. MSU is there because they won, and only because they won, UT and LSU because they were the only two that were ranked at some point during the season. The SEC stinks when it gets down to it. So, the job done really has some perspective issues for me. Anyways, to teams that do want to put effort into a solid basketball program....
I like Louisville and Michigan St in the Midwest, UConn and Missouri in the West, Pitt and Duke in the East, UNC and Syracuse in the South. Beware of Duke in Beantown, that's home cooking for Duke much like New York and East Rutherford are. None of the SEC teams will make the Sweet 16. Don't fall in love with Chokelahoma, they choke each spring.
Now, as far as Bama goes, the NIT probably is a long shot for them because there are a lot of worthy teams out there with quality wins. Bama hoists up 2 conference wins and that's it that have value. Honestly, I think it is good for business to close up and start over. Who the next coach will be, I don't know. When you have Mal Moore running the show, you can't see into that fog very often. I do get the feeling fans will be let down in the end.
Spring Drillin
For fun, and to maybe cull down the number of threads about all 24 positions worth talking about, let's stroll through shall we?
Quarterback
2008 Starter- John Parker Wilson (graduated)
2009 Starter- TBD
The top candidate and most likely starter is Greg McElroy. Mac is a guy that isn't flashy, but he's smart, and he has a good arm, not a cannon, and seems to really have a good head on his shoulders when playing. After waiting his turn, he finally gets to show off his talents for fans and the coaches. His top competition is Star Jackson. Jackson is a big armed QB and has big game capacities, but he's not the best reader of defenses. He's kinda the guy that has gotten by on his talents without getting it, so to speak. This spring basically comes down to 2 things. First, does McElroy establish his position as starter and second, does Jackson turn the corner on understanding the game. For the Darrah family who posts non stop for their boy, I'm sorry but nobody wins championships with walkon QBs. Yes, David Smith was a QB and a decent one at that, but that team went to the Sun Bowl, not the Sugar Bowl. He threw a nice pass on 4th string defenders, but he's never once been allowed close to the 2nd string much less the 1st string. That kinda says it all doesn't it?
RLB002's predicted starter going into summer- Greg McElroy. I don't think Star will be as close to Greg as Greg was to Wilson in regards to 1st and 2nd. I don't think he'll lose it in the summer either.
Running Back
2008 "Starter"- Glen Coffee (Pro)
2009 "Starter"- TBD
There hasn't been a true starter since Saban came to Tuscaloosa, he employs more of a situational deal, but the bulk of last year's carries were Coffee's and he is gone. This year it will start with Mark Ingram and work down from there. Ingram had a strong freshman year and made a case to really be the feature back last year. He has great understanding of the game, and his role in it, and does a lot of the little things well. His top competition in the spring will be Terry Grant or Jeramie Griffin, because Roy Upchurch is non contact still. Neither Grant or Griffin can compete with a healthy Ingram, period. Upchurch, when healthy, is that competition, but he's never been able to stay healthy for an entire season. I also wonder with the Textbookgate, how much longer he's a part of things. In the end, the real main event of the running backs race starts in August when Trent Richardson, and possibly Eddie Lacy, arrive.
RLB002's prediction- Mark Ingram. No big shock there. The other backs are just situational at best and can't be the go to guy.
Wide Receivers
2008 starters- Julio Jones (return), Nikita Stover (graduated), Darius Hanks (return)
2009 starters- Julio Jones, TBD, TBD
Before you hit reply to show your intelligence, McCoy had lost his job by the end of the year, the starters reflect the end of the year. Going into this spring, Julio Jones just has to be Julio and he's in as the starter 1. Losing Stover will be a bigger thing than you think because he was a great part of the run game and was a consistent player for the Tide down the stretch. Hanks came on late and beat McCoy out after he refused to catch footballs. So, this spring Hanks should be solid for his spot as the 3rd WR. That puts the focus on the 2nd WR on the unit. It gets real murky as to who the front runner is at this point. There is McCoy who practices like Tarzan and plays like Jane, Marquis Maze who physically is Tarzan, mentally is Jane, Earl Alexander who hurt himself just reading this, Brandon Gibson who couldn't find himself reading this, Chris Jackson who didn't know he was a WR until reading this (I really wish the coaches would pick a spot already), and a host of walkons. Get the idea that I don't have much confidence in the depth chart here? The reason why is all over the stat sheet and video of last year. Out of the others, the best of the bunch is Maze, but he consistently makes mental errors and his route running leaves much to be desired. That may open the door to McCoy winning yet again.
RLB002's prediction- Jones/Hanks/McCoy. The bottom line is this, until someone can really practice AND play better than McCoy, he's going to keep getting chances.
Tight Ends
2008 Starters- McCall & Walker (graduated)
2009 Starters- Peek & Smelley
Is it me or does Peek stay hurt more than any non-participating player? Peek, when he is able to play, really has the well rounded TE game. He catches and blocks better than Smelley does, but can he shake the injury situation? Smelley captialized on the opening and displayed a real good receiver option for the offense. He does need to work on his blocking because he's a tip that they are in a pass first audible. The main competitors this year will be Michael Williams and Preston Dial. Williams is a big athlete (6-6, 260ish) who would play PF in basketball. He's got the hands and the speed to play the position, but started on defense and is catching up on the role. Dial has been the 3rd TE in the past, but injuries and lack of solid hands pushed him to 4th during the season. Chris Underwood still is on the roster, but is an oversized WR playing TE.
RLB002's prediction- Peek & Smelley with Williams 3rd. Part of me wishes they could find a 3rd TE to move Williams back to defense. If Peek cannot shake the foot issues, he should be the McCall option with Smelley reprising the Walker role.
Offensive Line
2008 Starters- Smith (Pro)/Johnson (return)/Caldwell (graduated)/M Davis (graduated)/D Davis (return)
2009 Starters- TBD/Johnson/TBD/TBD/D Davis
All the other positions really pale behind the OL. There isn't a good answer for any open spot as is because none of the potential starters have enough snaps, minus Vlachos and Cardwell, to call them ready to go. Left Tackle will get a long look by fans and coaches alike with a right handed QB. The best option going into the spring will be newcomer James Carpenter with Tyler Love competiting. Drew Davis probably will get some snaps there, but his visits to LT have not been fruitful in the past and they need him at RT. Johnson looks to hold his LG spot and we'll see how much he misses Smith and Caldwell being around him. Center is a toss up. Vlachos is the odds on favorite, even though Cardwell when healthy is far ahead of him. Right Guard looks to be David Ross with a host of potential starters around him. Right Tackle, as mentioned, should be Drew Davis with Boswell competing. Of course Fluker comes in this spring and Warmack is there now so both will dictate possibly some moves in the front five. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for McCullogh, Motley, and Taylor Pharr as this is kinda the make or break year for each. I wouldn't mind seeing McCullogh move back to end myself.
RLB002's predictions- Carpenter/Johnson/Vlachos/Ross/D Davis. This 5 will be lucky to hold out by the end of summer. I don't see Ross holding on when Fluker makes campus. I could see it being Fluker/Johnson/Center to be named/D Davis/Carpenter (or visa versa) possibly.
Defensive Line
2008 Starters- Greenwood (graduated)/Cody (return)/Deaderick(return)
2009 Starters- TBD/Cody/Deaderick
Defensively speaking, the shake up is far less numbers wise than on offense. However, those who are gone will be hard to replace by spring. Bobby Greenwood is a prime example. Greenwood was moved over to rush end last year to replace Gilberry, and that made a big difference in his play. His motor was never questionable in his 4 years, and his prime replacement, Zo Washington, has never had much of a motor. The Internets favorite pick is Marcel Dareus, who has the folklore of Paul Bunyan, and the highlight reel of Paul Rubens, well not that bad, but he didn't really live up to the hype associated with him. Dareus is raw and gets by on his power and less his understanding of how to get past linemen, and that's why they keep bouncing him inside and outside. Luther Davis is bipolar, one day he's wanting to play, the next who knows. When he wants to play, he's adequate, not a star by any means, but he'll get you through games. The rest are unknowns and projects. Cody loads the middle up and Josh Chapman is the pass rushing half of the duo. Cody is a premier run stopper and fits the 3-4 as well as anyone can, but the state of college football is not ground and pound any more, it is spread and speed. Cody's campus legend status took a considerable ding when he was more or less a cheerleader the final 2 games. Teams this fall will be trying to neutralize him by passing more, especially short routes, and that will be Cody's biggest focus this spring. Can he learn how to rush? Chapman isn't as good at run stopping, but his pass rush is far better because he uses his hands and has a quick burst for a guy as big as he is. Dareus plays behind them as well and probably will until he learns how to play beyond the raw skills. Deaderick holds down the other end position and is primarily a run stopping end. He does well when he's asked to jam lanes and create gaps for linebackers, but his game really doesn't go beyond that. I think he'd be helped out more if there was a Jack on the squad last year that was serviceable.
RLB002's Predictions- Washington/Cody/Deaderick. The truth is that Washington has PT, and that is going to carry him until the staff grows tired of the ho hummedness of his play and someone can step up and take it.
Linebackers
2008 Starters- Fanney/Hightower/McClain/Reamer
2009 Starters- Fanney/Hightower/McClain/Reamer
I love how there is always this "when this guy arrives, he's gonna be the man" theory about each recruiting class. It is fun, but dangerous. Fans have put the eye of expectation on Upshaw to beat Fanney. He might now that Fanney is supspended for a while, but the evil eye club fails to see that run support counts too. Upshaw gives up 20 pounds to Fanney and about 70 to the average lineman. Eryk Anders was 2nd string Jack most of last season and had a good start to the year, but faded down the stretch because he lacks a 2nd or 3rd move in his rush. Hightower and McClain will be back as the 2 inside linebackers until further notice. The loss of Prince Hall to the ganga nation won't be felt, but will give guys like Chris Jordan and any host of incoming freshman a chance to play, no Jennings Hester won't see the light still unless it is Bus Saban. There is a lot of chatter about Hightower to Jack or End, and I can see why he measures even with Fanney, but the real problem is that you have to have another inside linebacker that can do as much as he can. As far as Spring goes, they may tinker with it on some nickel and dime formations, but outside of that, I think he stays inside. Rolo returns, for what may be the last season, and he's battle tested, not even getting competition. Reamer also is the "starter" and plays in base, but with the spread and teams throwing more than they ran, his use became marginal. The Internets eye of expectations also wants Jerrell Harris to be Sam. Harris is a lot like Dareus in that he is raw and needs time. His move to the inside is to help him understand his game better. He'll never play a down inside, he gives up too much weight. Chavis Williams and Alex Watkins, both prizes from year 1, have fallen off the map after the staff got more time to recruit and evaluate talent.
RLB002's prediction- starters hold. Sorry, but none of the reserves have "it" yet.
Secondary
2008 Starters- K. Jackson (return)/Arenas (return)/Woodall (return)/Johnson (graduated)
2009- K Jackson/Arenas/Woodall/TBD
The funny thing here is that like linebacker, the base group never really played much. The loss of RJ will be the hardest replacement to fill, bar none. The eye of expectation says Mark Barron will step in and all will be fine. Watch the Sugar Bowl again. That race and can Kareem shake the sophomore slump and hold on will be worth while speculation. Kareem's play didn't really drop all that much as he was just an easy target. He's physical and plays bump well, but lacks the correction speed when he bites wrong. Zo Lawrence, BJ Scott, and Dre Kirkpatrick (in the summer) will more than likely push him hard. Javy Arenas played well in the Star, and plays ok on the island, but he too isn't blazing fast and can't correct himself if he misses. The difference is that when he is in Star, he doesn't play man very often. Marquis Johnson starts when they go nickel, and as we all saw, if you bob your head, he eats it up like Thanksgiving turkey. He too will be pushed by Zo and Dre. I wouldn't be shocked to see him get some snaps at Free Safety. Johnson can see the field and play off the ball, he just can't man up. Woodall is getting talk about both safety spots, but his mentality is a strong safety, and I think he'll stay there. He plays the run too well to move him over. Barron, Robbie Green, Ali Sharrief (if he finds his helmet), and a host of others will get some time at either FS or SS. If Barron or Green or maybe even Lester, can figure it out, I may feel better, but hitting folks hard is great for SportsCenter it doesn't win games like reading and leading does.
RLB002's prediction- Arenas/Jackson/Green/Woodall. I think Green is the best FS option for now. Ali is not a 4 quarter guy, Barron still is not ready and won't by end of spring because he's a SS mentality, and the others are farther behind.
TOURNEY DAZE
For those whooping and cheering about the greatness of Pearson, look at the peer perception of the SEC. 3 teams in the dance. MSU is there because they won, and only because they won, UT and LSU because they were the only two that were ranked at some point during the season. The SEC stinks when it gets down to it. So, the job done really has some perspective issues for me. Anyways, to teams that do want to put effort into a solid basketball program....
I like Louisville and Michigan St in the Midwest, UConn and Missouri in the West, Pitt and Duke in the East, UNC and Syracuse in the South. Beware of Duke in Beantown, that's home cooking for Duke much like New York and East Rutherford are. None of the SEC teams will make the Sweet 16. Don't fall in love with Chokelahoma, they choke each spring.
Now, as far as Bama goes, the NIT probably is a long shot for them because there are a lot of worthy teams out there with quality wins. Bama hoists up 2 conference wins and that's it that have value. Honestly, I think it is good for business to close up and start over. Who the next coach will be, I don't know. When you have Mal Moore running the show, you can't see into that fog very often. I do get the feeling fans will be let down in the end.
February 5, 2009
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly- Recruiting Recap
Well, that was interesting wasn't it. I love how the emotionally challenged around the Bama Nation cannot hold their water. The early morning, and Tuesday night, announcements did not go Bama's way to say the least. What did fans do? Panic, moan, go postal, convert to Jehovah's Witnesses, you name it, they did it. The same guy that just days before was an awesome player and would do wonders at Alabama, now that guy, who signed with UT mainly, sucks. Funny how that works?
The one thing I really, really hate now is the baseless rumor mill business. Here's the bottom line, unless you have a real factual item showing proof, it is slander more than truth. I sat around and tried for days to say "don't count Ole Miss and Nutt out, they always close" and they did. If they did wrong, it will come out, but message board speculation only makes us look like pussies. Period. Alabama and its fans have a good reason to be happy. They addressed needs in almost every area. I would have liked, and Saban mentioned it too, to have seen them get a 2nd cornerback and another top end WR (keep reading you'll get the logic or attempt at it shortly) but other than that, they did what they needed to do. I've watched Fulmer and Tubberville both implode by trying to take the best of what is around and not take the needs based approach. Saban avoided the trap, not a real concern for anyone, and went after OL and DL guys and hauled in 13 true linemen. Nice. They needed more LB depth, did that. They needed a Jack, got one of those too. So, recruiting ranks aside because those are useless like teats on a bull, this class was a success before the LOI's came in.
The biggest thing I wish would go away is the hat thing. It has kinda played out like the boot scoot boogie and neon shorts and mullets and wife beaters. I digress. I've said it before and will again, the worst thing to happen to college football is the age of recruiting news. It has morphed from a useful tool to a demonizing agent of evil. Everyone is bent on being an "insider" and espousing their knowledge for their own addictive needs. Now, I think the world of Walls and he hits more than he misses, but for every Walls and this rolltide_2007 guy out there, there are 400 Mister Insiders to match. For every Jamie Newberg, who many of you owe an apology, there are vast numbers of people out there plagiarizing info from others and forming it as your "inside source". That's sad really and I wish like hell it would stop. It is getting more and more noticeable when I read BOL or other sites or get the chain mailings from a group I'm in, and then see some twit saying my sources said and it is line for line what another site said. But hey, don't let me stop your party.....
I took a little time to watch films and have seen one or two play before. So here's kinda an overview of what to expect in the near and long term future for the 29 new members:
Disclaimer- this is based on BOL video, what youtube I could find, and school reports as far as eligible or needs work goes. Some that I might think are non-qual may have changed but I haven't read or heard differently. Credit Rivals for weights and heights and hometowns.
Quarterbacks
AJ McCarron 6-4 189 Mobile, AL. AJ is a 4 star QB that did more recruiting in one winter than Joe Kines in 5 winters. Alabama has made the plan that they will take at least 1 QB each year and early on got AJ on board. He comes from a HS that is rich in college profile players. As far as his play goes, he has a lot of upside. The downside to that is that he will need some time to level out and get ready for the pounding that the SEC brings. Physically, he looks a lot like Croyle did coming out of HS. He has a good arm, not a cannon, and is accurate when his mechanics are on. He has a tendency to not set and throw and forgets his fundamentals at times. When he's got his stuff together, he's a very capable pocket QB. He likes to sit in the pocket and check down, not real wild about getting out in space and creating or doing a waggle. With weight and belief in himself/teammates, that could change. His throwing motion is good, and he whips the ball around the way you are taught, and the ball comes out fast so he avoids sacks. The ball rarely drops below the pad and it comes out at the point of release not too early or late. His footwork is sloppy at times and that is coachable, definitely not a major problem, or shouldn't be.
Projection- Redshirt. Not a shocker for most, he needs about 2 years to sit back, observe the speed of the game, get in college shape, work on his feet, and get the playbook down. He won't compete for the starter job this fall, but will be a viable candidate for 2nd string with some dedication in the weight room and practice field.
Grade- B. If the wish was to get the ready to go guy, they missed it just by a mark or two, but if they were after a guy that can be built into a solid QB, they got their guy.
Running Backs
Eddie Lacy 5-11 210, Geismar, LA. Lacy is a 4 star RB that would have been a bigger name in the recruiting wars if his grades were better. I think it is safe to say that if Saban is talking to a player about placing them somewhere, that's a sign he's not going to be on campus this fall. Lacy seems to think he'll qualify, but most insight I read on this tells me it isn't as likely. So, on the assumption that he makes it, here's Lacy in a nutshell. He's a downhill runner, plain and simple. In some aspects of his running game, he reminds me of Glen Coffee or Ahmaad Galloway. He's flashy, and not a guy most likely to bust out a 80 yard TD on any defense at the college level, but he's consistent, runs low, but he runs with the ball loose and free, and most of all is patient with the ball. For example, Darby would race up to the lane he was to run to, and jitter around and force it. The results were 2 yards or less most of the time. Lacy is patient to the lane, and has the vision to cut back or cut outside if the play isn't there and doesn't force the action if it isn't required. Loves to hit, uses his lower body power to move people and punish smaller defenders for tackling him. His lower body power will make his YAC (contact) numbers look impressive because he doesn't go down on contact (see Terry Grant) he plows forward for 2-4 more yards. The only flaws in his game that I can find is that he's not going to just blow away defenders in a foot race and he gets sloppy with his hand transitions while running. He's listed with 4.4/4o speed, but he lacks that extra burst that Shaun Alexander and Bobby Humphrey type players had. I think he's well suited to go to a prep school and work on his track skills and get a year or two space from Richardson and Ingram so that he can be more productive in the long run.
Projection- Prep School. Haven't read anything outside of Eddie's hopes that tell me he's going to be close. I would like to see him on campus though.
Trent Richardson 5-11 210, Pensacola, FL. You would get a kick out of watching me watch this guy play. The transcript is pretty easy reading. "Damn....daaaamn, wow, damn". That's about it. This guy has that "it" that the Alexanders and Humphreys and Jacksons and Walkers have. In some of the videos and games I've seen him in, he is all over the field, and you can find him fast. He's the guy with the ball that looks like a bull on parade out there. It's elbows and assholes time when he touches the ball. He's versatile and can be put out in space in formation to catch a pass and get 1 on 1 with some poor corner or SS that will have to face his stiff arm. He has that McFadden stiff arm that just humiliates and stings defenders. Does a great job of getting low and making his tackle spot small. Uses his hips and shoulders to hit a small crease and turn into the open field. He's one of the more fluid runners I've seen in recent years. He loves to hit, sometimes too much. Has okay hands, but isn't a soft handed back. He gets better as the game wears on. Loves to get as many touches as he can, and coaches will love that. He's fast and has the 2nd level gear that Lacy doesn't show, but sometimes gets caught up in the whip fest he likes to put on. Coaches can work with him on that and the level of competition will help with that. His vision is that signature "it" factor. Sees the play and reacts quickly to the defense and seems to consistently be able to avoid the schemes.
Projection- Contributor/Starter. If Coffee stayed, probably just contributor. If Upchurch comes back healthy, he could be a contributor in the committee like the 3 were last year. However, this guy has the tools to be what Jones was last year to the offense.
Mike Marrow 6-2 240, Toledo, OH. Marrow is a lot like Chris Jordan was last year. He could play on either side of the ball, but he lists with everyone as a FB, so I lump him here with reservation. His future position will be dictated more on how the linebacker depth and talent stacks up in the summer than his desire to play at one spot or another. The fullback position has started to decline in the program and in the NFL, so I add that to why I don't see him on offense long. They seem more content to let a TE go in motion to lead block than using the FB much. As a runner, he's a pinball. He's not fancy and not flashy, but he's a true north south running back with serious leg drive. The few shots of him blocking that I could find, he likes to stick players, but you can tell he's not practiced it all that much or hasn't been taught how to use his body and power to move players in space. In the 3-4, he'd be a Will or Mike more than likely. I didn't see any plays that would have him in that situation, what I did see was OLB. He has good work ethic on defense, and shows a lot of IQ at LB. Knows how to use angles, and his size and power to get inside the tackle/TE. Has a good burst off the snap, and follows the play well. Doesn't get twisted around or start out of the stance wrong.
Projection- Redshirt. Depth at running back and linebacker will give him a year or two to learn his destined position and that is good for him and the team. He has a good idea of what he can do as a player and with a good mentor he could be a real steal at linebacker.
Position Grade- A+. Too much talent to get anything less.
Wide Receiver
Kenny Bell 6-1 160, Rayville, LA. I'll be honest, I haven't seen as much on him because I quite honestly didn't think he'd switch commitments. He's a rare find though, there aren't many LA boys that will leave state when LSU offers. He's a 4 star because he's legitimately fast. From what I could see and read, he's your typical vertical WR, great in space, good with the ball, as good as down once contact is made, if made. He will go over the middle, but is at his best outside one on one.
Projection- Probable contributor. When I get more time to watch him, I might change my mind on him, but I could see a RS too to bulk up.
Michael Bowman 6-4 206, Rossville, GA. As some have read, I've seen Bowman play since he started high school. I can tell you that if you are basing it solely on video, you aren't getting a fair assessment. It makes one of the mods mad, but it is true. Most of the video is against the Sister Mary's schools of the area. That doesn't mean he is not a good player, just not quite the player some have theorized him to be. His biggest assets are his long arms and physical nature. He is a possession WR. Plays a lot like Nikita Stover. Can catch one and make a guy miss and then turn it into a bigger play, but will not just out run coverages. He's a guy that is good over the middle and will take a lick and keep going. The only thing he doesn't like is to be doubled and taken out of the game. Some of the area coaches have said they noticed him getting out of the game mentally and were able to neutralize him quickly. That probably won't be an issue at Alabama though. He has great hands and will get to a ball if it is humanly in range. Loves to create separation with his hands and elbows, and he runs good routes. The only asterisk there is that he doesn't run a lot of routes against the competition he plays, they are pretty much verts and the basic HS route running. He has never ran a lot of sloppy routes since going varsity. Last update I had, he still had grade issues. Will need some time to grow and adapt to better competition.
Projection- Prep School. If he qualifies, he probably will get a shot, but would be well served to redshirt and learn a little more. When he hits campus, would be an ideal slot guy in a 4 man set.
Kendall Kelly 6-4 210, Gasden, AL. Kelly is kinda hard to read at times. Some love him, some are not as wild about him. I can see both at times. He's a guy that I could see outgrowing the WR spot and becoming a LB. He is very raw and has gotten by on pure athleticism but lacks a lot of understanding about what he's doing at times. He can make a catch but doesn't know or see how to extend the play sometimes. Has plenty of speed to separate on the fly and good hands. Likes contact and can catch in stride, not that easy for some, but it is all him and not a lot of coaching. He's not a possession guy, but he isn't the vertical threat at the college level either. As is, reminds me of several on campus right now. Overall, he has a ton of upside to him with time and coaching.
Prediction- Contributor. Lots of factors going into this, one is that if Bowman doesn't qualify, they are 1 short. Two, the on field talent this spring is uninspiring to a degree and he can fill a gap possibly. Third, he's just a big target that a new QB could get comfortable with outside of Julio.
Kevin Norwood 6-3 180, D'Iberville, MS. Norwood is probably my favorite of the bunch. He isn't high on the board because he isn't ultra flashy and he doesn't rack up sick numbers like some others do, but he's got a lot of skill. He gets the position best out of the ones I've watched. Is deceptively fast, doesn't look fast until you look at the time lapse and he books it. Has a good mix of possession with a deep threat capacity. His long arms and size make him an easy target for a QB who isn't the most accurate. Can snag passes that most can't. He's really smooth with the ball in his hands. Looks almost like a running back at times the way he turns and shifts. The biggest knock on him is that he can be taken out by a more physical player. Patrick Patterson owned him in the playoffs, but Patterson would own many if he played CB as he will as a WR at Ole Miss.
Prediction- Contributor. I see nothing in his game that says he can't play, but he and Kelly both could sit out if the existing players step up.
Grade- B-. This group kinda feels like some of those familiar classes of the past where you want more than what is there. With Randle, Bumphis, Patterson, and Teague on the board but not on campus, the staff got the best of the rest but definitely missed the big target.
Offensive Line
James Carpenter 6-5 305 Hephzibah, GA . Carpenter is a JUCO early signee. He will come in with a lot of expectations on him. Coffeyville CC has been a good root to tap for Bama in the past and the hope is the luck will continue. When you see him, he's not hard to find. Huge player who could play guard or tackle in the SEC. He is not a center by trade. Originally signed with Iowa State, didn't qualify and went JUCO. His coach speaks highly of him, and should. Carpenter is a fit 305, doesn't look that heavy. His feet move well in pass protection, uses his hands to get inside defender and drive them off. Would be better at RT than LT because the speed requirement is different, but could play it if needed. His body and long wingspan make him a hard target to get around on the rush. He can't be bull rushed either. Weight room numbers could stand to improve (355 bench, 455 squat). Has 3 years to play 2.
Prediction- Possible starter. With 3 open spots, a JUCO is almost certain to get a long look at one spot or another. Would probably be better off inside at RG but should compete for LT or RT if allowed.
DJ Fluker 6-7 325 Foley AL. I don't know what is more scary, the fact he's the best lineman coming out of HS, or that he's still raw and the best at it. He's not real experienced at LT, and at times it shows, but he's so naturally gifted and athletic for his size, that he overcomes that. If LT doesn't work, he'd make us all forget Terrance Cody if moved to NT. Has real long arms and is fast for his size. Looks like he could add more muscle mass and not lose a lot of speed. His technique is surprisingly good for his experience level, but in the all star game, some of the speed ends got on him and his fundamentals got lost in the action. Has a lot of characteristics of Andre Smith, but hasn't got the understanding of the job like Smith did 4 years ago. If he were to pull or be used in a counter type play, he would be devastating in space. He can easily take out 2 or more defenders at times. The only area that he will struggle until coached through it is when smaller, faster, and equally strong guys (Q Groves types) get in on him. He sometimes struggles to get his hands and feet in position to take them on in time and can lose leverage even though he has the size and weight advantage.
Prediction- Starter or Redshirt. Feast or famine, I know, but really if Tyler Love or Carpenter can legitimately start at LT, a year of teaching would be good for him. I don't know if that will happen once he gets on campus because he might be the best lineman on campus from day one. Keep expectations realistic if he starts, the SEC defenses will throw the sink at him and it will take time for him to understand what is happening in some cases. Andre Smith went through the same thing.
Darius McKeller 6-6 280, Jonesboro GA. His dad was a good one (Keith McKeller, Buffalo Bills TE in the glory days) and Darius is gifted as well. However, when I watch him, it screams project. He will need to bulk up more and work on his fundamentals some. Looks good as a pass blocker, but has happy feet when he knows a good rusher is coming at him. I know it sounds like a broken record, but he has a big wingspan too. When he is focused, he gets under the defender and drives him well, but needs more lower body strength at the next level.
Projection- Redshirt. He needs a little time to work up to the college game, but has a lot of potential and family lineage to make me think he could be a player down the road. He might, if his parents were willing, grayshirt and delay his start to give him some time to work on his craft and bulk up.
Anthony Steen 6-4 297 Clarkesdale, MS. I keep reading this guy is a "stud". He's definitely strong and has a good motor, but I wouldn't jump out on a limb with "stud". He's a guy that you want in the locker room and teammates feed off of and he'll give you a blue collar effort. The flip side is that he's not real polished or stands out when he plays. He's a natural guard on offense and could be an end or NT on defense. Is kinda fun to watch a big guy kick like he does, but I don't think Saban could stand it long. He fits the mold of how Bama likes their linemen to play. He's always engaging the defender and not letting them get on him. He moves well for his size and can be a good pulling guard on the run. Very raw and hasn't been coached to the level he needs to be, but part of that seems to be because he has to split duty. Small school player syndrome may be in effect. Hard to say without knowing who the teams are on video, but they are all private school teams and that gets a Schrute Buck demerit there. For some reason, grades being an issue keeps sticking out with him in my mind.
Prediction- Redshirt/Prep School. If I'm confusing him with one, I appolgize upfront, but he needs a year or two, maybe three to understand how to effectively play lineman. If he can get the understanding to match the motor and power, he'll be a "stud" then. That looks on down the road to me.
Chance Warmack 6-2 329, Atlanta GA. Early signee and projects at guard for the Tide. Big guy and he moves well for his weight. If his bench max is 315, he'll need some serious weight room time. A guy his size should be well ahead of that, 315 means he can't do a pushup. Getting on campus early will benefit him and give him some extra teaching time. When he plays, he plays with his hands more than his body. Likes to engage, then drive, and his size and mass makes him nearly dominate when that happens. His biggest coaching need is in footwork and how to move in line and not stride and get out of center so much. I could see him getting the business from a veteran DT if he strode left or right and the tackle got inside him. He likes the contact and likes to be physical and his motor runs every play from the videos provided. It all just needs to be pulled together and focused.
Projection- Redshirt. If the spring is real productive, he could get some snap time like Boswell did last year, but he needs some weight room and coaching time.
Kellen Williams 6-3 295 Snellville, GA. I hear rumblings that this is one of those guys that they liked for a while, but after they got Carpenter and Fluker and thought they were in on Massie, their like level dropped. He's a project plain and simple. That's not a knock on him, but he's not ready and won't be for 2 or 3 years. He could play center and would be better inside if he can't get his footwork better. Gets way off the trail sometimes and gets beaten back when he overcompensates. Sometimes he gets his hands inside the defender, others he misses the mark and gets off centered quickly. He is very athletic to be 300 lbs and plays well at that weight, so I don't know that he needs bulking up. Just needs a lot of work on fundamentals, has the typical high school problem of getting by on raw ability thing.
Prediction- Redshirt. I probably will make you love him to spite me because I'm not that wild about him yet.
Position Grade- A. Any class that features 2 start on arrival players earns an A. The only lineman they missed on was Massie, so the need for Warmack and/or one of the others to step up is there.
Defensive line
Brandon Moore 6-4 313 Montgomery AL. I saw a lot of questioning about him projecting at End to start out. To make it simple, he'll play inside the tackle in the 3-4 next to the jack. That end is required/desired to be a little bigger and more like DT. If Moore can get his arms around that role, he will be a very special player in his 4 years here. He is big and very strong and uses his hands well on both sides of the line. Doesn't really explode off the line, but at end he will be more about engaging and opening lanes for the Jack and other blitz/rush assignments. He gets a little high sometimes, but that's coachable. I don't think he's been coached as much as a defender and his rush moves are stiff but again, he's going to just have to know how to power through and disrupt like Cody does. If he comes to play, he could be in the rotation at end for run situations in August. He has a mean streak when he plays, and I like that A LOT.
Prediction- Contributor. The lack of quality depth is glaring on DL, and a guy like Moore could get in quickly and possibly win the job in time if Deaderick and Davis/Washington don't perform as they should. He's a guy that could be big in a short amount of time.
William Ming 6-4 265 Athens AL. Is it sad that when I first saw this guy, I expected something different? Probably so, but I'll do laps later. He and Steen are kinda alike in that they work hard each play. I can see why folks rumor him to play TE. He's got a lot of burst off the snap for a guy as big as he is. He lacks true power for an end, but is more of a technical player than a mauler. He understands the position and looks well coached as an end. If he could gain some speed, like say get down to a 4.7/40 he might look at Jack, but he may outgrow it as well. What I really like to see from him is how smart he plays. He doesn't rush into the OL every down and he reads the line shifts well and gets his hands in the right place to create separation and get in to disrupt the play. One play he just dismembers an OL by punching his arm and shoulder out of the way and just shoots past. He's beyond the lineman so fast the play breaks down in less than 5 seconds. Nice. Probably the best signee as far as understanding the game goes.
Projection- Possible contributor/Redshirt. If he reports and is motoring to go, I could see him getting some snaps. A part of me would like to see him at TE and moving Michael Williams back to defense. Either way, Bama's End/Jack situation is improving in 09 or 10. Will redshirt if he physically is not ready for SEC competition, but he's mentally and technically ready now.
Anthony Orr 6-4 260 Harvest AL. I saw Orr at the MSU game, and he's not 6-4, more like 6-1 or 2. I could see him playing Jack or TE at the next level. I don't know that he ever played TE though, didn't see it if he did. He lacks a lot of fundamentals and is another guy who is getting by on his athletic nature over position skill. Shoots up from the snap instead of going forward into the line and then up. The way he plays, he'll get pancaked well over the average like that. He is a guy who needs a couple years experience and coaching to work up to the next level.
Projection- Redshirt. Just too raw and not coached well enough to be on the field yet.
Ed Stinson 6-4 227 Homestead, FL. The first thing that jumps out about him is that he's extremely fast off the ball and his basketball background shows when he plays. His instincts and athleticism shine on every video. To play Jack, he'll have to bulk up some, very thin frame but looks like he could carry the weight and not lose much speed. He thrives on a tackle over compensating to the edge and has the footwork and skill to cut back inside and make the tackle pay. (see some of the linemen comments and that is what they have to work on) He loves to use the swim move to get out of the blocker's position. When he tries to bull rush, he gets too high, will need a coach to show him how to properly bull rush from the 3 point. Great pass rusher, okay at run coverage. Moves to the ball but gets tangled in the linemen sometimes and is out of the play at that point. Coaches will have to break him from getting so high up, he gets excited to hit and exposes his number to blockers, and show him how to get low and surge. Definately a guy that will work in the 3-4 in time.
Prediction- Contributor. With Upshaw moving on from special teams to starter/contributor, I see Stinson moving on to his spot on the special teams until he gets a better feel for college football. He may be the best Jack signee since Saban arrived.
Chris Bonds 6-4 262 Columbia, SC. Here's the scoop on why he's a 3 star, it isn't how he plays, it is the fact he doesn't play too much because he's hurt. After watching his videos, I can see how he gets hurt. He gets amped up to play and probably can't keep his composure and that results in a pull or tear here there and yonder. Would be a rush end in the mold of Bobby Greenwood if he got healthy, but that's a big IF. Has a great motor, engages the linemen and loves to hit. Has good hand work and keeps linemen off him and is in great shape, but again, the videos are somewhat dated. The Army AA game, he came away from it with a lot of ????? about how much rust he had and some scouts started to mumble that he had lost the skills some. Hard to say when he's being used at DT instead of DE, which is where I would start him out at. I think if he is put at DT, he is only effective in a nickel or dime formation because against the run, he'd give up too much size as is.
Prediction- Redshirt. The 2 years of nagging injuries need addressing with weight room and practice reps and regain confidence in himself. Once he gets in shape, I can see him being a real player in the future. Throwing him out there and having him wonder if the knee is going to go bad at any second is not helping either side.
Quinton Dial 6-5 308 Pinson, AL. Reminds me a lot of Josh Chapman in high school. He's a pure run blocking NT as you will find. He isn't the space taker that a Cody is, but he is very disruptive off the ball and seems to have a lot of drive power when he engages a guard or center and pushes them back without a lot of effort on his part. Has Cody's hand speed and work, uses them to keep linemen from grabbing him in the pads and maneuvering him. Has descent pass rush capacities, definately disruptive, but won't pile up sacks at the next level. Like most young players, he gets excited a lot and when he does the pad level shoots up with the enthusiasm. When that happens, his capacity to disrupt lessens and linemen get him off the ball more. His tackling is good when he's in control, but when he gets his pads up, his tackling becomes more drag down and less emposing. Really, I am surprised he isn't a 5 star. Most of the "flaws" that you see in him are typical high school player issues and not major by any means.
Prediction- Contributor. He might redshirt due to depth upfront but it won't be because he's not ready for the next level. I really think he will be a starter by the time he's a Soph.
Darrington Sentimore 6-3 265 Destrehan, LA. Where to begin? There is Sentimore the player and then there is the concerns off field that some have mentioned. The player has a good nose for the ball, is always on the play, and has the ability to grow into a DT at around 300 lbs, looks a lot like Zo Washington in action, may be the number. Then you have to wonder, will he make grades or even be around 4 years from now? His videos show a lot of potential, but he's raw as all get out. Very sloppy on his tackles at times, he doesn't wrap up he wants to highlight them so some of you will love him like you love Prince Hall, but other times he is on top of them quickly. He has a unique run style and needs to cut out some of the theatrics with it, it is slowing him down some. He's another that has gotten by on his gifts and needs someone to show him how to put it together. Is fast for a 260+ guy and has good push off the snap. Definately knows how to get inside the lineman and disrupt. He just needs a lot of polishing to his game if he wants to succeed in the SEC.
Prediction- Prep School. I know he thinks he'll make it, but until he makes it, he hasn't made it. I think a year away from home would be good anyways. This guy bothers me more than Luther Davis did.
Grade- B+. Here's the thing that I see when you combine it as a whole, you have Dial and Moore who are top end, some that are projects, and some that may not play or play at DL. That may work out and may have the staff searching for more next year or so.
Linebackers
Jonathan Atchison 6-3 216 Atlanta, GA. If he is 216, I'd be shocked. Looks more like 190-200 in pads. Has good first step, and can play end or OLB, but will play Sam at Alabama. He is a 3 star due to his lack of college size numbers, his football skill and ability to be around the ball is better than a 3 star ranking would say. His pass coverage is ok, needs to work on his motion when he turns to go down field some, gets locked at the hips and loses a step to the back in motion. When he pass rushes, he has buck fever and shoots up in his stance first then goes forward, that's coachable, but he needs to use that speed first and then get higher in his pursuit, college linemen are faster than what he saw in Atlanta. When he was committed to AU, he was a perfect fit for them to contribute right away, at Bama he can fit in but it will be down the line as he's gotta get up in weight and mass muscle to play in the 3-4, otherwise he's about like Alex Watkins.
Prediction- Redshirt. I think he's got plenty of upside to him and I'd like to see him get into a better physical shape to play at Bama because he understands his role as a blitzer and coverage back.
Nico Johnson 6-3 226 Andalusia, AL. Johnson is a nice fit at MLB for the Tide. He's not too tall and built well enough to play right away if needed. He's built more like Rolando was than Dont'a was coming out of high school. Has top end speed for a MLB, can cover the entire field and is very aware of how to use angles to cut the pursuit of faster running backs. I noticed in the Army game that he really hawks to the ball and caught a much faster running back in the backfield because he gets the angles and how to start in position (exact opposite of how Prince Hall does it). While he could play Mike or Will, he could play Sam if needed. He has that capacity to play around the horn. Has great footwork and is hard for OL to center up and block, he seems to keep them off him with his long arms a lot. He probably is the best pure pass rushing linebacker that Bama has had in quite a while, he really gets after the QB well and is very disruptive and sticks to the pursuit even when he won't get to the QB. Scouts at the Army camp say he needs to learn to play all out every down, but that's a high school flaw more than a college concern.
Prediction- Contributor. Here's the thing, if Dont'a didn't play as well as he did, Nico would be there starting perhaps, but with Hightower still playing the majority of snaps inside, Nico will get some breather minutes and special teams minutes to get a feel for the game speed at the next level. I don't see him being much of a dropoff if either McClain or Hightower get hurt. If Harris or Reamer drop off in production, he's a solid option there too.
Tana Patrick 6-3 215 Stevenson, AL. Patrick is a very deceptive player. He looks too big to play linebacker but his speed makes him destined to start there. Played TE and LB in high school, but will start at Will or Sam at Alabama. He definately could bulk up to be 250 and play Jack down the road, his frame is well more than adequate to do that, really looks bigger than 215 when I've seen him. If you compare him to Nico Johnson, he is probably more athletic in the way he plays, but not as groomed as Johnson is. He commands the field though when he's playing and is a great run stopper in the middle. Biggest flaw in his game is his lateral movement. He's no where near as fluid from sideline to sideline as Johnson is, but is better north and south than Johnson. How quickly he bulks and how much bulk he adds will change his position in time. I think he'll play outside or hand down eventually because he looks like he'll bulk up to outgrow OLB or ILB.
Prediction- Contributor/Redshirt. He isn't quite as groomed and ready to go as Johnson, but he could play some blowout minutes and special teams, but if the staff has plans to "Jack" him, he may sit out and workout. He's got a lot of upside and a lot of natural skill, he just has to be applied right.
Petey Smith 6-0 230 Seffner, FL. Petey followed Coach Brooks from Auburn (potentially) to Alabama, but he is a project with a lot of upside. The thing that is hard to gauge him accurately is his DL is horrible. Looked 10 times better in the UA game. His stock rose with some services after that game (ESPN). Physically, if he keeps his weight down, he's ready to play now. He's mentally not as far a long as Johnson or Patrick and takes the worst angles of the 3, but coaching can fix that. He does a great job in taking on lead blockers and eliminating them. He has a real good first move to the ball and gets in the gap fast and is very disruptive when he does that. However, if a lineman engages him, he's not capable of getting free. He will need some tutoring on that because he doesn't get his hands in position to keep the OL off him or drive him back to the play. The fella loves to hit and running backs will hate him over time because he loves to punish, sometimes too much.
Prediction- Redshirt. Has a great motor and loves to play, you see it on every video and the UA game, he's all about it and he has all the raw skill to be a great ILB, but he needs coaching and some smoothing on the rough edges while those ahead of him get some time between him. If Nico and Tana don't sign with Bama, he probably plays. One note, if he is undisciplined in the weight room, nice way of saying out of shape, he may never see the field with the talent levels coming in. Hearing way too many stories about him being up in the 260 range and no he can't play Jack.
Position Grade- A. They filled all the depth needs and addressed all 4 positions this year if you count Stinson.
Defensive Back
Dre Kirkpatrick 6-2 180 Gadsden, AL. Dre is the highest rated player Bama signed in some services and others he was up there with Fluker and Richardson. He is the last of a dying breed of shut down corners. He is fast, physical, instinctive, and gets into the head of WR's at will. When you watch him on video, he looks effortless in his back pedal to stride. There are no flaws in his game mentally or physically. He gets beat because the pass is perfect, not because he bites or gets faked out. He actually can play zone coverage which is rare coming out of HS. He isn't afraid to tackle and for a corner tackles well. He could play FS in college due to his tackle skills. I am dead serious, I cannot see any major work that needs to be done, I've hunted it and watched all star games trying to find something, he isn't perfect, but coming out of high school, he's well ahead of the curve. The only thing remote is if he moved to FS, he'd need to develop his body more, but I don't think they will move him there unless 2 or 3 corners are just plain better than him.
Prediction- Contributor/Starter. He's ready to go, and Kareem Jackson and the FS battles will have his presence felt early. He's tall, fast, and aggressive. Something Bama corners haven't had a lot of combined in a while.
Rod Woodson 5-11 200 Olive Branch MS. Woodson is a fan favorite because he loves to lay wood in the flat. Out of all the guys that Bama signed this year, he has the best motor of the group. His intensity is unmatched, but that also causes problems at times. He tends to overpursue when he gets worked up. Very strong, benches 315 squats 400, that's weightroom warrior there. Will be a favorite on special teams for years to come because he has no fear flying into bigger players. Like all big hitting linebackers/safeties, he sometimes forgets to wrap up, and nothing pisses Saban off more than that. Has a good understanding of his position and uses the field to his advantage, takes great angles to the ball, and never gets offline to a play. When he pursues, he sometimes overpursues or doesn't wrap up, will have to get consistent with that in college. Could play "Star" corner if had to but would be used for more short field situations in that role, he is not a player you want man up on a WR on longer routes. Needs to get serious in the qualifying area.
Prediction- Prep School/Redshirt. As a football player goes, he's great and has huge potential as a player, but I hear a lot of conflicting reports as his academics goes. Some say he's far off and others say it is in range, so we'll see. I think he probably redshirts because they have so many safeties ahead of him. One thing to watch is how much weight and bulking up he does, he may be a Mark Anderson and go from SS to LB/DE in time and is a true weight room player.
Position Grade- B+. They needed a 2nd cornerback to add to the mix and if Woodson doesn't make it, that will be 1 DB per year the last 2 years. Dre Kirkpatrick is NCAA ready today, but they really, really, needed more depth to help cull out the players they've had to work with.
Overall class rank- A. Addressed OL and DL depth needs, LB depth needs, missed on the WR/CB depth and added the best RB class since the late 80s. There are several guys who can contribute in the fall and that will help Saban's "Process" along greatly, but this class will not be asked to contribute in the same way last year's was.
The one thing I really, really hate now is the baseless rumor mill business. Here's the bottom line, unless you have a real factual item showing proof, it is slander more than truth. I sat around and tried for days to say "don't count Ole Miss and Nutt out, they always close" and they did. If they did wrong, it will come out, but message board speculation only makes us look like pussies. Period. Alabama and its fans have a good reason to be happy. They addressed needs in almost every area. I would have liked, and Saban mentioned it too, to have seen them get a 2nd cornerback and another top end WR (keep reading you'll get the logic or attempt at it shortly) but other than that, they did what they needed to do. I've watched Fulmer and Tubberville both implode by trying to take the best of what is around and not take the needs based approach. Saban avoided the trap, not a real concern for anyone, and went after OL and DL guys and hauled in 13 true linemen. Nice. They needed more LB depth, did that. They needed a Jack, got one of those too. So, recruiting ranks aside because those are useless like teats on a bull, this class was a success before the LOI's came in.
The biggest thing I wish would go away is the hat thing. It has kinda played out like the boot scoot boogie and neon shorts and mullets and wife beaters. I digress. I've said it before and will again, the worst thing to happen to college football is the age of recruiting news. It has morphed from a useful tool to a demonizing agent of evil. Everyone is bent on being an "insider" and espousing their knowledge for their own addictive needs. Now, I think the world of Walls and he hits more than he misses, but for every Walls and this rolltide_2007 guy out there, there are 400 Mister Insiders to match. For every Jamie Newberg, who many of you owe an apology, there are vast numbers of people out there plagiarizing info from others and forming it as your "inside source". That's sad really and I wish like hell it would stop. It is getting more and more noticeable when I read BOL or other sites or get the chain mailings from a group I'm in, and then see some twit saying my sources said and it is line for line what another site said. But hey, don't let me stop your party.....
I took a little time to watch films and have seen one or two play before. So here's kinda an overview of what to expect in the near and long term future for the 29 new members:
Disclaimer- this is based on BOL video, what youtube I could find, and school reports as far as eligible or needs work goes. Some that I might think are non-qual may have changed but I haven't read or heard differently. Credit Rivals for weights and heights and hometowns.
Quarterbacks
AJ McCarron 6-4 189 Mobile, AL. AJ is a 4 star QB that did more recruiting in one winter than Joe Kines in 5 winters. Alabama has made the plan that they will take at least 1 QB each year and early on got AJ on board. He comes from a HS that is rich in college profile players. As far as his play goes, he has a lot of upside. The downside to that is that he will need some time to level out and get ready for the pounding that the SEC brings. Physically, he looks a lot like Croyle did coming out of HS. He has a good arm, not a cannon, and is accurate when his mechanics are on. He has a tendency to not set and throw and forgets his fundamentals at times. When he's got his stuff together, he's a very capable pocket QB. He likes to sit in the pocket and check down, not real wild about getting out in space and creating or doing a waggle. With weight and belief in himself/teammates, that could change. His throwing motion is good, and he whips the ball around the way you are taught, and the ball comes out fast so he avoids sacks. The ball rarely drops below the pad and it comes out at the point of release not too early or late. His footwork is sloppy at times and that is coachable, definitely not a major problem, or shouldn't be.
Projection- Redshirt. Not a shocker for most, he needs about 2 years to sit back, observe the speed of the game, get in college shape, work on his feet, and get the playbook down. He won't compete for the starter job this fall, but will be a viable candidate for 2nd string with some dedication in the weight room and practice field.
Grade- B. If the wish was to get the ready to go guy, they missed it just by a mark or two, but if they were after a guy that can be built into a solid QB, they got their guy.
Running Backs
Eddie Lacy 5-11 210, Geismar, LA. Lacy is a 4 star RB that would have been a bigger name in the recruiting wars if his grades were better. I think it is safe to say that if Saban is talking to a player about placing them somewhere, that's a sign he's not going to be on campus this fall. Lacy seems to think he'll qualify, but most insight I read on this tells me it isn't as likely. So, on the assumption that he makes it, here's Lacy in a nutshell. He's a downhill runner, plain and simple. In some aspects of his running game, he reminds me of Glen Coffee or Ahmaad Galloway. He's flashy, and not a guy most likely to bust out a 80 yard TD on any defense at the college level, but he's consistent, runs low, but he runs with the ball loose and free, and most of all is patient with the ball. For example, Darby would race up to the lane he was to run to, and jitter around and force it. The results were 2 yards or less most of the time. Lacy is patient to the lane, and has the vision to cut back or cut outside if the play isn't there and doesn't force the action if it isn't required. Loves to hit, uses his lower body power to move people and punish smaller defenders for tackling him. His lower body power will make his YAC (contact) numbers look impressive because he doesn't go down on contact (see Terry Grant) he plows forward for 2-4 more yards. The only flaws in his game that I can find is that he's not going to just blow away defenders in a foot race and he gets sloppy with his hand transitions while running. He's listed with 4.4/4o speed, but he lacks that extra burst that Shaun Alexander and Bobby Humphrey type players had. I think he's well suited to go to a prep school and work on his track skills and get a year or two space from Richardson and Ingram so that he can be more productive in the long run.
Projection- Prep School. Haven't read anything outside of Eddie's hopes that tell me he's going to be close. I would like to see him on campus though.
Trent Richardson 5-11 210, Pensacola, FL. You would get a kick out of watching me watch this guy play. The transcript is pretty easy reading. "Damn....daaaamn, wow, damn". That's about it. This guy has that "it" that the Alexanders and Humphreys and Jacksons and Walkers have. In some of the videos and games I've seen him in, he is all over the field, and you can find him fast. He's the guy with the ball that looks like a bull on parade out there. It's elbows and assholes time when he touches the ball. He's versatile and can be put out in space in formation to catch a pass and get 1 on 1 with some poor corner or SS that will have to face his stiff arm. He has that McFadden stiff arm that just humiliates and stings defenders. Does a great job of getting low and making his tackle spot small. Uses his hips and shoulders to hit a small crease and turn into the open field. He's one of the more fluid runners I've seen in recent years. He loves to hit, sometimes too much. Has okay hands, but isn't a soft handed back. He gets better as the game wears on. Loves to get as many touches as he can, and coaches will love that. He's fast and has the 2nd level gear that Lacy doesn't show, but sometimes gets caught up in the whip fest he likes to put on. Coaches can work with him on that and the level of competition will help with that. His vision is that signature "it" factor. Sees the play and reacts quickly to the defense and seems to consistently be able to avoid the schemes.
Projection- Contributor/Starter. If Coffee stayed, probably just contributor. If Upchurch comes back healthy, he could be a contributor in the committee like the 3 were last year. However, this guy has the tools to be what Jones was last year to the offense.
Mike Marrow 6-2 240, Toledo, OH. Marrow is a lot like Chris Jordan was last year. He could play on either side of the ball, but he lists with everyone as a FB, so I lump him here with reservation. His future position will be dictated more on how the linebacker depth and talent stacks up in the summer than his desire to play at one spot or another. The fullback position has started to decline in the program and in the NFL, so I add that to why I don't see him on offense long. They seem more content to let a TE go in motion to lead block than using the FB much. As a runner, he's a pinball. He's not fancy and not flashy, but he's a true north south running back with serious leg drive. The few shots of him blocking that I could find, he likes to stick players, but you can tell he's not practiced it all that much or hasn't been taught how to use his body and power to move players in space. In the 3-4, he'd be a Will or Mike more than likely. I didn't see any plays that would have him in that situation, what I did see was OLB. He has good work ethic on defense, and shows a lot of IQ at LB. Knows how to use angles, and his size and power to get inside the tackle/TE. Has a good burst off the snap, and follows the play well. Doesn't get twisted around or start out of the stance wrong.
Projection- Redshirt. Depth at running back and linebacker will give him a year or two to learn his destined position and that is good for him and the team. He has a good idea of what he can do as a player and with a good mentor he could be a real steal at linebacker.
Position Grade- A+. Too much talent to get anything less.
Wide Receiver
Kenny Bell 6-1 160, Rayville, LA. I'll be honest, I haven't seen as much on him because I quite honestly didn't think he'd switch commitments. He's a rare find though, there aren't many LA boys that will leave state when LSU offers. He's a 4 star because he's legitimately fast. From what I could see and read, he's your typical vertical WR, great in space, good with the ball, as good as down once contact is made, if made. He will go over the middle, but is at his best outside one on one.
Projection- Probable contributor. When I get more time to watch him, I might change my mind on him, but I could see a RS too to bulk up.
Michael Bowman 6-4 206, Rossville, GA. As some have read, I've seen Bowman play since he started high school. I can tell you that if you are basing it solely on video, you aren't getting a fair assessment. It makes one of the mods mad, but it is true. Most of the video is against the Sister Mary's schools of the area. That doesn't mean he is not a good player, just not quite the player some have theorized him to be. His biggest assets are his long arms and physical nature. He is a possession WR. Plays a lot like Nikita Stover. Can catch one and make a guy miss and then turn it into a bigger play, but will not just out run coverages. He's a guy that is good over the middle and will take a lick and keep going. The only thing he doesn't like is to be doubled and taken out of the game. Some of the area coaches have said they noticed him getting out of the game mentally and were able to neutralize him quickly. That probably won't be an issue at Alabama though. He has great hands and will get to a ball if it is humanly in range. Loves to create separation with his hands and elbows, and he runs good routes. The only asterisk there is that he doesn't run a lot of routes against the competition he plays, they are pretty much verts and the basic HS route running. He has never ran a lot of sloppy routes since going varsity. Last update I had, he still had grade issues. Will need some time to grow and adapt to better competition.
Projection- Prep School. If he qualifies, he probably will get a shot, but would be well served to redshirt and learn a little more. When he hits campus, would be an ideal slot guy in a 4 man set.
Kendall Kelly 6-4 210, Gasden, AL. Kelly is kinda hard to read at times. Some love him, some are not as wild about him. I can see both at times. He's a guy that I could see outgrowing the WR spot and becoming a LB. He is very raw and has gotten by on pure athleticism but lacks a lot of understanding about what he's doing at times. He can make a catch but doesn't know or see how to extend the play sometimes. Has plenty of speed to separate on the fly and good hands. Likes contact and can catch in stride, not that easy for some, but it is all him and not a lot of coaching. He's not a possession guy, but he isn't the vertical threat at the college level either. As is, reminds me of several on campus right now. Overall, he has a ton of upside to him with time and coaching.
Prediction- Contributor. Lots of factors going into this, one is that if Bowman doesn't qualify, they are 1 short. Two, the on field talent this spring is uninspiring to a degree and he can fill a gap possibly. Third, he's just a big target that a new QB could get comfortable with outside of Julio.
Kevin Norwood 6-3 180, D'Iberville, MS. Norwood is probably my favorite of the bunch. He isn't high on the board because he isn't ultra flashy and he doesn't rack up sick numbers like some others do, but he's got a lot of skill. He gets the position best out of the ones I've watched. Is deceptively fast, doesn't look fast until you look at the time lapse and he books it. Has a good mix of possession with a deep threat capacity. His long arms and size make him an easy target for a QB who isn't the most accurate. Can snag passes that most can't. He's really smooth with the ball in his hands. Looks almost like a running back at times the way he turns and shifts. The biggest knock on him is that he can be taken out by a more physical player. Patrick Patterson owned him in the playoffs, but Patterson would own many if he played CB as he will as a WR at Ole Miss.
Prediction- Contributor. I see nothing in his game that says he can't play, but he and Kelly both could sit out if the existing players step up.
Grade- B-. This group kinda feels like some of those familiar classes of the past where you want more than what is there. With Randle, Bumphis, Patterson, and Teague on the board but not on campus, the staff got the best of the rest but definitely missed the big target.
Offensive Line
James Carpenter 6-5 305 Hephzibah, GA . Carpenter is a JUCO early signee. He will come in with a lot of expectations on him. Coffeyville CC has been a good root to tap for Bama in the past and the hope is the luck will continue. When you see him, he's not hard to find. Huge player who could play guard or tackle in the SEC. He is not a center by trade. Originally signed with Iowa State, didn't qualify and went JUCO. His coach speaks highly of him, and should. Carpenter is a fit 305, doesn't look that heavy. His feet move well in pass protection, uses his hands to get inside defender and drive them off. Would be better at RT than LT because the speed requirement is different, but could play it if needed. His body and long wingspan make him a hard target to get around on the rush. He can't be bull rushed either. Weight room numbers could stand to improve (355 bench, 455 squat). Has 3 years to play 2.
Prediction- Possible starter. With 3 open spots, a JUCO is almost certain to get a long look at one spot or another. Would probably be better off inside at RG but should compete for LT or RT if allowed.
DJ Fluker 6-7 325 Foley AL. I don't know what is more scary, the fact he's the best lineman coming out of HS, or that he's still raw and the best at it. He's not real experienced at LT, and at times it shows, but he's so naturally gifted and athletic for his size, that he overcomes that. If LT doesn't work, he'd make us all forget Terrance Cody if moved to NT. Has real long arms and is fast for his size. Looks like he could add more muscle mass and not lose a lot of speed. His technique is surprisingly good for his experience level, but in the all star game, some of the speed ends got on him and his fundamentals got lost in the action. Has a lot of characteristics of Andre Smith, but hasn't got the understanding of the job like Smith did 4 years ago. If he were to pull or be used in a counter type play, he would be devastating in space. He can easily take out 2 or more defenders at times. The only area that he will struggle until coached through it is when smaller, faster, and equally strong guys (Q Groves types) get in on him. He sometimes struggles to get his hands and feet in position to take them on in time and can lose leverage even though he has the size and weight advantage.
Prediction- Starter or Redshirt. Feast or famine, I know, but really if Tyler Love or Carpenter can legitimately start at LT, a year of teaching would be good for him. I don't know if that will happen once he gets on campus because he might be the best lineman on campus from day one. Keep expectations realistic if he starts, the SEC defenses will throw the sink at him and it will take time for him to understand what is happening in some cases. Andre Smith went through the same thing.
Darius McKeller 6-6 280, Jonesboro GA. His dad was a good one (Keith McKeller, Buffalo Bills TE in the glory days) and Darius is gifted as well. However, when I watch him, it screams project. He will need to bulk up more and work on his fundamentals some. Looks good as a pass blocker, but has happy feet when he knows a good rusher is coming at him. I know it sounds like a broken record, but he has a big wingspan too. When he is focused, he gets under the defender and drives him well, but needs more lower body strength at the next level.
Projection- Redshirt. He needs a little time to work up to the college game, but has a lot of potential and family lineage to make me think he could be a player down the road. He might, if his parents were willing, grayshirt and delay his start to give him some time to work on his craft and bulk up.
Anthony Steen 6-4 297 Clarkesdale, MS. I keep reading this guy is a "stud". He's definitely strong and has a good motor, but I wouldn't jump out on a limb with "stud". He's a guy that you want in the locker room and teammates feed off of and he'll give you a blue collar effort. The flip side is that he's not real polished or stands out when he plays. He's a natural guard on offense and could be an end or NT on defense. Is kinda fun to watch a big guy kick like he does, but I don't think Saban could stand it long. He fits the mold of how Bama likes their linemen to play. He's always engaging the defender and not letting them get on him. He moves well for his size and can be a good pulling guard on the run. Very raw and hasn't been coached to the level he needs to be, but part of that seems to be because he has to split duty. Small school player syndrome may be in effect. Hard to say without knowing who the teams are on video, but they are all private school teams and that gets a Schrute Buck demerit there. For some reason, grades being an issue keeps sticking out with him in my mind.
Prediction- Redshirt/Prep School. If I'm confusing him with one, I appolgize upfront, but he needs a year or two, maybe three to understand how to effectively play lineman. If he can get the understanding to match the motor and power, he'll be a "stud" then. That looks on down the road to me.
Chance Warmack 6-2 329, Atlanta GA. Early signee and projects at guard for the Tide. Big guy and he moves well for his weight. If his bench max is 315, he'll need some serious weight room time. A guy his size should be well ahead of that, 315 means he can't do a pushup. Getting on campus early will benefit him and give him some extra teaching time. When he plays, he plays with his hands more than his body. Likes to engage, then drive, and his size and mass makes him nearly dominate when that happens. His biggest coaching need is in footwork and how to move in line and not stride and get out of center so much. I could see him getting the business from a veteran DT if he strode left or right and the tackle got inside him. He likes the contact and likes to be physical and his motor runs every play from the videos provided. It all just needs to be pulled together and focused.
Projection- Redshirt. If the spring is real productive, he could get some snap time like Boswell did last year, but he needs some weight room and coaching time.
Kellen Williams 6-3 295 Snellville, GA. I hear rumblings that this is one of those guys that they liked for a while, but after they got Carpenter and Fluker and thought they were in on Massie, their like level dropped. He's a project plain and simple. That's not a knock on him, but he's not ready and won't be for 2 or 3 years. He could play center and would be better inside if he can't get his footwork better. Gets way off the trail sometimes and gets beaten back when he overcompensates. Sometimes he gets his hands inside the defender, others he misses the mark and gets off centered quickly. He is very athletic to be 300 lbs and plays well at that weight, so I don't know that he needs bulking up. Just needs a lot of work on fundamentals, has the typical high school problem of getting by on raw ability thing.
Prediction- Redshirt. I probably will make you love him to spite me because I'm not that wild about him yet.
Position Grade- A. Any class that features 2 start on arrival players earns an A. The only lineman they missed on was Massie, so the need for Warmack and/or one of the others to step up is there.
Defensive line
Brandon Moore 6-4 313 Montgomery AL. I saw a lot of questioning about him projecting at End to start out. To make it simple, he'll play inside the tackle in the 3-4 next to the jack. That end is required/desired to be a little bigger and more like DT. If Moore can get his arms around that role, he will be a very special player in his 4 years here. He is big and very strong and uses his hands well on both sides of the line. Doesn't really explode off the line, but at end he will be more about engaging and opening lanes for the Jack and other blitz/rush assignments. He gets a little high sometimes, but that's coachable. I don't think he's been coached as much as a defender and his rush moves are stiff but again, he's going to just have to know how to power through and disrupt like Cody does. If he comes to play, he could be in the rotation at end for run situations in August. He has a mean streak when he plays, and I like that A LOT.
Prediction- Contributor. The lack of quality depth is glaring on DL, and a guy like Moore could get in quickly and possibly win the job in time if Deaderick and Davis/Washington don't perform as they should. He's a guy that could be big in a short amount of time.
William Ming 6-4 265 Athens AL. Is it sad that when I first saw this guy, I expected something different? Probably so, but I'll do laps later. He and Steen are kinda alike in that they work hard each play. I can see why folks rumor him to play TE. He's got a lot of burst off the snap for a guy as big as he is. He lacks true power for an end, but is more of a technical player than a mauler. He understands the position and looks well coached as an end. If he could gain some speed, like say get down to a 4.7/40 he might look at Jack, but he may outgrow it as well. What I really like to see from him is how smart he plays. He doesn't rush into the OL every down and he reads the line shifts well and gets his hands in the right place to create separation and get in to disrupt the play. One play he just dismembers an OL by punching his arm and shoulder out of the way and just shoots past. He's beyond the lineman so fast the play breaks down in less than 5 seconds. Nice. Probably the best signee as far as understanding the game goes.
Projection- Possible contributor/Redshirt. If he reports and is motoring to go, I could see him getting some snaps. A part of me would like to see him at TE and moving Michael Williams back to defense. Either way, Bama's End/Jack situation is improving in 09 or 10. Will redshirt if he physically is not ready for SEC competition, but he's mentally and technically ready now.
Anthony Orr 6-4 260 Harvest AL. I saw Orr at the MSU game, and he's not 6-4, more like 6-1 or 2. I could see him playing Jack or TE at the next level. I don't know that he ever played TE though, didn't see it if he did. He lacks a lot of fundamentals and is another guy who is getting by on his athletic nature over position skill. Shoots up from the snap instead of going forward into the line and then up. The way he plays, he'll get pancaked well over the average like that. He is a guy who needs a couple years experience and coaching to work up to the next level.
Projection- Redshirt. Just too raw and not coached well enough to be on the field yet.
Ed Stinson 6-4 227 Homestead, FL. The first thing that jumps out about him is that he's extremely fast off the ball and his basketball background shows when he plays. His instincts and athleticism shine on every video. To play Jack, he'll have to bulk up some, very thin frame but looks like he could carry the weight and not lose much speed. He thrives on a tackle over compensating to the edge and has the footwork and skill to cut back inside and make the tackle pay. (see some of the linemen comments and that is what they have to work on) He loves to use the swim move to get out of the blocker's position. When he tries to bull rush, he gets too high, will need a coach to show him how to properly bull rush from the 3 point. Great pass rusher, okay at run coverage. Moves to the ball but gets tangled in the linemen sometimes and is out of the play at that point. Coaches will have to break him from getting so high up, he gets excited to hit and exposes his number to blockers, and show him how to get low and surge. Definately a guy that will work in the 3-4 in time.
Prediction- Contributor. With Upshaw moving on from special teams to starter/contributor, I see Stinson moving on to his spot on the special teams until he gets a better feel for college football. He may be the best Jack signee since Saban arrived.
Chris Bonds 6-4 262 Columbia, SC. Here's the scoop on why he's a 3 star, it isn't how he plays, it is the fact he doesn't play too much because he's hurt. After watching his videos, I can see how he gets hurt. He gets amped up to play and probably can't keep his composure and that results in a pull or tear here there and yonder. Would be a rush end in the mold of Bobby Greenwood if he got healthy, but that's a big IF. Has a great motor, engages the linemen and loves to hit. Has good hand work and keeps linemen off him and is in great shape, but again, the videos are somewhat dated. The Army AA game, he came away from it with a lot of ????? about how much rust he had and some scouts started to mumble that he had lost the skills some. Hard to say when he's being used at DT instead of DE, which is where I would start him out at. I think if he is put at DT, he is only effective in a nickel or dime formation because against the run, he'd give up too much size as is.
Prediction- Redshirt. The 2 years of nagging injuries need addressing with weight room and practice reps and regain confidence in himself. Once he gets in shape, I can see him being a real player in the future. Throwing him out there and having him wonder if the knee is going to go bad at any second is not helping either side.
Quinton Dial 6-5 308 Pinson, AL. Reminds me a lot of Josh Chapman in high school. He's a pure run blocking NT as you will find. He isn't the space taker that a Cody is, but he is very disruptive off the ball and seems to have a lot of drive power when he engages a guard or center and pushes them back without a lot of effort on his part. Has Cody's hand speed and work, uses them to keep linemen from grabbing him in the pads and maneuvering him. Has descent pass rush capacities, definately disruptive, but won't pile up sacks at the next level. Like most young players, he gets excited a lot and when he does the pad level shoots up with the enthusiasm. When that happens, his capacity to disrupt lessens and linemen get him off the ball more. His tackling is good when he's in control, but when he gets his pads up, his tackling becomes more drag down and less emposing. Really, I am surprised he isn't a 5 star. Most of the "flaws" that you see in him are typical high school player issues and not major by any means.
Prediction- Contributor. He might redshirt due to depth upfront but it won't be because he's not ready for the next level. I really think he will be a starter by the time he's a Soph.
Darrington Sentimore 6-3 265 Destrehan, LA. Where to begin? There is Sentimore the player and then there is the concerns off field that some have mentioned. The player has a good nose for the ball, is always on the play, and has the ability to grow into a DT at around 300 lbs, looks a lot like Zo Washington in action, may be the number. Then you have to wonder, will he make grades or even be around 4 years from now? His videos show a lot of potential, but he's raw as all get out. Very sloppy on his tackles at times, he doesn't wrap up he wants to highlight them so some of you will love him like you love Prince Hall, but other times he is on top of them quickly. He has a unique run style and needs to cut out some of the theatrics with it, it is slowing him down some. He's another that has gotten by on his gifts and needs someone to show him how to put it together. Is fast for a 260+ guy and has good push off the snap. Definately knows how to get inside the lineman and disrupt. He just needs a lot of polishing to his game if he wants to succeed in the SEC.
Prediction- Prep School. I know he thinks he'll make it, but until he makes it, he hasn't made it. I think a year away from home would be good anyways. This guy bothers me more than Luther Davis did.
Grade- B+. Here's the thing that I see when you combine it as a whole, you have Dial and Moore who are top end, some that are projects, and some that may not play or play at DL. That may work out and may have the staff searching for more next year or so.
Linebackers
Jonathan Atchison 6-3 216 Atlanta, GA. If he is 216, I'd be shocked. Looks more like 190-200 in pads. Has good first step, and can play end or OLB, but will play Sam at Alabama. He is a 3 star due to his lack of college size numbers, his football skill and ability to be around the ball is better than a 3 star ranking would say. His pass coverage is ok, needs to work on his motion when he turns to go down field some, gets locked at the hips and loses a step to the back in motion. When he pass rushes, he has buck fever and shoots up in his stance first then goes forward, that's coachable, but he needs to use that speed first and then get higher in his pursuit, college linemen are faster than what he saw in Atlanta. When he was committed to AU, he was a perfect fit for them to contribute right away, at Bama he can fit in but it will be down the line as he's gotta get up in weight and mass muscle to play in the 3-4, otherwise he's about like Alex Watkins.
Prediction- Redshirt. I think he's got plenty of upside to him and I'd like to see him get into a better physical shape to play at Bama because he understands his role as a blitzer and coverage back.
Nico Johnson 6-3 226 Andalusia, AL. Johnson is a nice fit at MLB for the Tide. He's not too tall and built well enough to play right away if needed. He's built more like Rolando was than Dont'a was coming out of high school. Has top end speed for a MLB, can cover the entire field and is very aware of how to use angles to cut the pursuit of faster running backs. I noticed in the Army game that he really hawks to the ball and caught a much faster running back in the backfield because he gets the angles and how to start in position (exact opposite of how Prince Hall does it). While he could play Mike or Will, he could play Sam if needed. He has that capacity to play around the horn. Has great footwork and is hard for OL to center up and block, he seems to keep them off him with his long arms a lot. He probably is the best pure pass rushing linebacker that Bama has had in quite a while, he really gets after the QB well and is very disruptive and sticks to the pursuit even when he won't get to the QB. Scouts at the Army camp say he needs to learn to play all out every down, but that's a high school flaw more than a college concern.
Prediction- Contributor. Here's the thing, if Dont'a didn't play as well as he did, Nico would be there starting perhaps, but with Hightower still playing the majority of snaps inside, Nico will get some breather minutes and special teams minutes to get a feel for the game speed at the next level. I don't see him being much of a dropoff if either McClain or Hightower get hurt. If Harris or Reamer drop off in production, he's a solid option there too.
Tana Patrick 6-3 215 Stevenson, AL. Patrick is a very deceptive player. He looks too big to play linebacker but his speed makes him destined to start there. Played TE and LB in high school, but will start at Will or Sam at Alabama. He definately could bulk up to be 250 and play Jack down the road, his frame is well more than adequate to do that, really looks bigger than 215 when I've seen him. If you compare him to Nico Johnson, he is probably more athletic in the way he plays, but not as groomed as Johnson is. He commands the field though when he's playing and is a great run stopper in the middle. Biggest flaw in his game is his lateral movement. He's no where near as fluid from sideline to sideline as Johnson is, but is better north and south than Johnson. How quickly he bulks and how much bulk he adds will change his position in time. I think he'll play outside or hand down eventually because he looks like he'll bulk up to outgrow OLB or ILB.
Prediction- Contributor/Redshirt. He isn't quite as groomed and ready to go as Johnson, but he could play some blowout minutes and special teams, but if the staff has plans to "Jack" him, he may sit out and workout. He's got a lot of upside and a lot of natural skill, he just has to be applied right.
Petey Smith 6-0 230 Seffner, FL. Petey followed Coach Brooks from Auburn (potentially) to Alabama, but he is a project with a lot of upside. The thing that is hard to gauge him accurately is his DL is horrible. Looked 10 times better in the UA game. His stock rose with some services after that game (ESPN). Physically, if he keeps his weight down, he's ready to play now. He's mentally not as far a long as Johnson or Patrick and takes the worst angles of the 3, but coaching can fix that. He does a great job in taking on lead blockers and eliminating them. He has a real good first move to the ball and gets in the gap fast and is very disruptive when he does that. However, if a lineman engages him, he's not capable of getting free. He will need some tutoring on that because he doesn't get his hands in position to keep the OL off him or drive him back to the play. The fella loves to hit and running backs will hate him over time because he loves to punish, sometimes too much.
Prediction- Redshirt. Has a great motor and loves to play, you see it on every video and the UA game, he's all about it and he has all the raw skill to be a great ILB, but he needs coaching and some smoothing on the rough edges while those ahead of him get some time between him. If Nico and Tana don't sign with Bama, he probably plays. One note, if he is undisciplined in the weight room, nice way of saying out of shape, he may never see the field with the talent levels coming in. Hearing way too many stories about him being up in the 260 range and no he can't play Jack.
Position Grade- A. They filled all the depth needs and addressed all 4 positions this year if you count Stinson.
Defensive Back
Dre Kirkpatrick 6-2 180 Gadsden, AL. Dre is the highest rated player Bama signed in some services and others he was up there with Fluker and Richardson. He is the last of a dying breed of shut down corners. He is fast, physical, instinctive, and gets into the head of WR's at will. When you watch him on video, he looks effortless in his back pedal to stride. There are no flaws in his game mentally or physically. He gets beat because the pass is perfect, not because he bites or gets faked out. He actually can play zone coverage which is rare coming out of HS. He isn't afraid to tackle and for a corner tackles well. He could play FS in college due to his tackle skills. I am dead serious, I cannot see any major work that needs to be done, I've hunted it and watched all star games trying to find something, he isn't perfect, but coming out of high school, he's well ahead of the curve. The only thing remote is if he moved to FS, he'd need to develop his body more, but I don't think they will move him there unless 2 or 3 corners are just plain better than him.
Prediction- Contributor/Starter. He's ready to go, and Kareem Jackson and the FS battles will have his presence felt early. He's tall, fast, and aggressive. Something Bama corners haven't had a lot of combined in a while.
Rod Woodson 5-11 200 Olive Branch MS. Woodson is a fan favorite because he loves to lay wood in the flat. Out of all the guys that Bama signed this year, he has the best motor of the group. His intensity is unmatched, but that also causes problems at times. He tends to overpursue when he gets worked up. Very strong, benches 315 squats 400, that's weightroom warrior there. Will be a favorite on special teams for years to come because he has no fear flying into bigger players. Like all big hitting linebackers/safeties, he sometimes forgets to wrap up, and nothing pisses Saban off more than that. Has a good understanding of his position and uses the field to his advantage, takes great angles to the ball, and never gets offline to a play. When he pursues, he sometimes overpursues or doesn't wrap up, will have to get consistent with that in college. Could play "Star" corner if had to but would be used for more short field situations in that role, he is not a player you want man up on a WR on longer routes. Needs to get serious in the qualifying area.
Prediction- Prep School/Redshirt. As a football player goes, he's great and has huge potential as a player, but I hear a lot of conflicting reports as his academics goes. Some say he's far off and others say it is in range, so we'll see. I think he probably redshirts because they have so many safeties ahead of him. One thing to watch is how much weight and bulking up he does, he may be a Mark Anderson and go from SS to LB/DE in time and is a true weight room player.
Position Grade- B+. They needed a 2nd cornerback to add to the mix and if Woodson doesn't make it, that will be 1 DB per year the last 2 years. Dre Kirkpatrick is NCAA ready today, but they really, really, needed more depth to help cull out the players they've had to work with.
Overall class rank- A. Addressed OL and DL depth needs, LB depth needs, missed on the WR/CB depth and added the best RB class since the late 80s. There are several guys who can contribute in the fall and that will help Saban's "Process" along greatly, but this class will not be asked to contribute in the same way last year's was.
January 15, 2009
Random Thoughts
Ok, let's have that heart to heart here guys...
Coaching Changes
In the last month, Bama has lost 2 coaches and 2 players that could have came back for 2009. While that does hurt to a degree, this is a part of football as is. With the competition and paychecks mounting year by year, the chances of keeping a solid staff in tact for long is unrealistic. Saban's staffs over the years have never been in tact for long and there always seems to be a couple that leave every year or 2. That's part of having a successful coach really and it causes gas to fans who got used to the same coaches hanging around during the Shula years, but the ends justify the means.
If you really think on it, and this is for those asking why he would go to UT, why wouldn't he? He was getting under payed compared to many on the Bama staff and other staffs being assembled when it got down to it. He can recruit the panties off a nun and coach them back up when he's done, no question. Don't think so, just check 2008's class (and 09) and look at how improved Fanney and Reamer were http://alabama.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Year=2008&Sport=1&Coach=968. The flip side, and this is something fans miss sometime, is that he bounces around from place to place. He's been to Bama 2x, Tech 2x, had a cup of coffee with LSU and UCF along the way too. He's like a lot of assistants and head coaches out there, he's kinda afraid to make roots because he might miss out.
So who replaces him? Honestly, I don't think that will be decided until early spring. Same for Kevin Steele's job. I don't think Saban works in a rush about this kind of thing and between his coaching tree and his mentor's tree, not to mention his agent's ties, there is always a list of names to cull through. I do think that he has a great chance to make some adjustments in the defensive philosophy through these changes, much like he did on offense last year. If you remember going into last winter, Major left and so did the TE coach. Saban took the time to get a proven OC and a good friend in Bobby Williams to coach TE and special teams. The results were self-evident for sure. Perhaps after the humbling realities from Florida and Utah, this can help re-invent how they use the Cover 2 and Zone Blitzes.
What is amusing about all this is how quickly the spin and distancing fans on these message boards do out there. Right now some of the fine titles gracing the Internets are:
"Saban is the X factor in recruiting, NOT Thompson"
"Thompson to UT.....wth?"
"He is supposedly an amazing recruiter, but lets be honest, Saban is the reason they commit to Bama! ROLL TIDE!"
yet while he was here, he was a recruiting God. Funny how that happens eh? In the end, it goes like this, do I like that he's going to Tennessee? No, and if he was going to Texas or Cal, fans would have a different tone about this issue by the way. Do I like that he left now and not in March or April? No, but when do you make staffing moves normally....January and February. Will this hurt the progress of the Saban rebuilding project? Probably not, but it will definitely make things a little harder in the mean time.
One guy sweating more than the others is Curt Cigneti. All of a sudden, he's gotta actually earn his way and not hide around quite as much. He's already in the bullpen a bit over how poorly the WR's not named Jones performed.....
Recruiting in general....
If you log on to one of the humpteen websites out there, you pretty well can count on 2 types of threads being popular and rehashed each morning. First one is about how the class finishes and who is in it. The second thread that seems to be looming around is how Program X is not this that or the next and all their guys should be thinking Bama, or how this coach or that coach is not as good as Saban.
That's all nice and I love the effort, but there is a little bit of reality that has to come into play. For example, I know the "insiders" are all over the page on some stuff, like Randle, and that has some reading into things a little harder than others. So, when the heat is on to get the must have, the earth will open up and swallow us all if we don't get him, cannot get an erection without this guy signing with Alabama starts to set in, the effort to talk yourself into how Tim Tebow, Caddy Williams, Marcus Manson, Brandon Spikes, etal. must come here and there is nothing else to it. Kinda like Christmas morning with no Red Ryder BB Gun, we've known this pain. Saban and staff are as good as it gets, no doubting that even with what's left of the staff, but there are just some factors that go into recruiting that Saban and co. cannot beat. The heartstrings of a momma's boy being one of them. Even the biggest and meanest of young men have the complex sometimes and won't leave state for all the potential in the world. That's not saying Randle or any others mentioned were or are momma's boys....well maybe Tebow he looks like he has a milk mustache still...but the draw to have mom and dad in the stands each home game and going home for holidays and seeing your boys after the game or during the week has a draw to it. There is also the fan factor. Some of these players have been life long fans of some teams. Tebow as a Florida guy, but Shula thought he could be the next Pope John Paul or something. Fail.
For what it is worth, I'd put down the following to finish out with just on what I read in articles and hear from bankers in TTown:
Kelly
Kirkpatrick
Moore
Patrick
Stinson
Patterson
Do you notice 4 out of 6 are home state boys? Mommas win championships too. What proof or science is there to it? Not a damn thing, just like the others. Is there one of those 6 that they can't live without? Yep. Patterson. Last year it was Zo Lawrence, this year it is a MS WR. He's got game with his peers and isn't a freak athlete in a small town thing, that I like.
Now, on the flip side there is this poor mouthing USCal, LSU, Florida, and whomever else is hot in recruiting that day. I'm ok with just playful bullshit, but some of this theorizing in recruiting is just absurd. Today's lesson in cerebral assassination was that Pete Carroll was not in the same class as Saban and Meyer (surprised he got promoted to listen to some) as recruiters go. Now, outside of Saban and Bryant, there aren't many coaches I hold in higher regard than Pete Carroll. Carroll was not a great pro coach, but neither was Saban or Petrino or Spurrier. The college level is a fit for Carroll just like it is for those mentioned. USCal went from near Navy/Army extinction to national power on his watch. He's created the dominance and unmerciful pummeling that happens out west now. Any top end recruit that he wants, it is his to lose. That's what Saban is working towards at Bama. If you want to see the long term model for Saban's "Process" visit USCal to see the pipeline and daily dominance of the region in all phases of football. He also is about as good a person as you can be around off the field. Most probably don't know it, but if you saw 60 Minutes interview him you do, but he's a big part of the LA community. No, he isn't at Spagos or wherever Lindsey and Paris are, but that other part of town...Compton and Crenshaw. He said early on he saw the devastation of gang violence in the community and felt he had to do his part. So, he goes to these rough areas talking to kids and teens about gangs, drugs, violence, and the better life there. He takes those kids to practice to get star struck and tries to mentor them and shoot them straight. While that may impress you on its own merits, it gets better. He does this at night. No police escorts or bodyguards, just him and some others trying to talk to these guys and make a difference. He's winning in life not just football in my book and if my boy wanted to play for him, I wouldn't slight him just because I know he'd make a difference in his life if my boy let him.
Then there is how big a liar Urban Meyer is. The fact he uses politcalesque tactics to recruit away from other programs may give you a moral problem, but it doesn't him. Wouldn't me either really, you are paid to do a job, he's doing his and the results back that up with 2 national titles, consistent recruiting talent, and a pool of NFL ready players seemingly every August. They are about to get to that point where a down year is 10-2. Yes he can stay in state and get all the talent in the world, but that doesn't make it that easy. Just ask Ron Zook. Talent doesn't just win for itself. It has to fit in and work for what you want it to. Meyer's spread may not be the NFL friendly offense that Carroll's is, but it is putting guys in the spotlight and getting them drafted, and it is winning games. That's the difference in Meyer and a guy like Richt or Fulmer is that he gets the guys that can fit in his offense and defenses and not just the name list that Rivals or Scout or whomever provides.
Then there is Les Miles, you know the idiot savant. Miles as a coach is not in the elite area, and probably never will be. However, he does seem to do what Tubberville did well for a while, he gets assistants that keep him out of trouble. He also has a state that he can in state 25 if able, but has had success in Texas and Florida on occasion. Is he a super recruiter like Carroll or Saban or Meyer or Bowden used to be? No. Does he suck like Shula? No. The biggest thing that Miles does is put the ring out show he can win, show he can make NFL talent at OSU and LSU, and let the atmospher of Death Valley do its part. There are few things that rival the intensity and atmospher of Baton Rouge on a Fall Saturday night. The jury will be answering the question of his prowess in the next year or two though. He'll have the talent taken in but can he coach it to win. We'll see. Mr Hat may be smug, but like one guy pointed out, he's not lost many that he's offered to officially or not. Those mommas recruit championships too.
So I can read your mind and you are going to say Saban must suck in my mind. Stop sifting around. My mind thinks in a variety of things but Saban sucking hasn't been one. Saban is a lot like Carroll in his philosophy and he has his way and that is the only way one of his teams will go. He knows the rules, he works through them, and even creates some over time because he will make it his job to win, that's what his paycheck says. He's demanding like Carroll. He's 24/7/365 about his job and developing his program, and that takes a lot to get used to as an assistant and a player. That's a hinderance for some (Thompson/Applewhite/Steele) and a perk to others (see all the recruits). Saban isn't sifting through Forrest Davis magazine for his players, he's watching their film, putting scouts on the ground and getting reports back to him. He's trusting his instinct on talent evaluation for the most part. If he retires and goes into recruiting analysis, I'll drop my subscriptions to buy his. Saban knows his system and way will win, he's got the ring to show that. However, catching lightning twice in two different jars is harder than most accept it to be. He'd be the first if he does.
Really, recruiting is kinda silly though. You get all up in the air about 25 guys coming to school, out of which maybe 18-20 pan out, 7-10 are real starters from that group, and then that's when I'd evaluate the class is at the end of the 3-5 years there. The other funny thing is folks praise you for getting an Andre Smith or Julio Jones or Nico Johnson type guy, but really if they grew up a Bama fan or fell in love with the school, did it take a genius to make that happen? Sometimes I guess, but you or I could have gotten Jay Barker or Brodie Croyle to sign with the school their heart tugged them to.
Basketball, I'd rather watch Baseketball....
I don't watch the games unless there is nothing else on. I hate that I've gotten that way now, but it just isn't healthy to get mad at something you know will make you that way before you start. I could beat a dead horse about the problems going on down there with Gottfried, but I won't. The two things that really are just out there that cannot be explained are that the attendance for home games sucks and the quality of the teams after all this time have regressed. There isn't a flu pandemic or an NCAA infraction causing these things. It is just plain ol bad is bad sports. Both gripe me, but the fact that the school spent good money to renovate Coleman and this is what we get is inflated football ticket prices and .500 basketball just ain't it. The SEC as a whole is down in basketball, they will be lucky to have a team in the top 12 or 15. That bothers me because if the NCAA Tournament takes 5-6 SEC teams, and Bama's one, does that earn the right to stay one more year if you go 8-8 in conference? I fear it will because Mal's capacity to understand his overall job is not there. How OU, Texas, UT, and others can have good football and basketball and Bama can't scratch its own ahem basketballs is beyond me.
Coaching Changes
In the last month, Bama has lost 2 coaches and 2 players that could have came back for 2009. While that does hurt to a degree, this is a part of football as is. With the competition and paychecks mounting year by year, the chances of keeping a solid staff in tact for long is unrealistic. Saban's staffs over the years have never been in tact for long and there always seems to be a couple that leave every year or 2. That's part of having a successful coach really and it causes gas to fans who got used to the same coaches hanging around during the Shula years, but the ends justify the means.
If you really think on it, and this is for those asking why he would go to UT, why wouldn't he? He was getting under payed compared to many on the Bama staff and other staffs being assembled when it got down to it. He can recruit the panties off a nun and coach them back up when he's done, no question. Don't think so, just check 2008's class (and 09) and look at how improved Fanney and Reamer were http://alabama.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Year=2008&Sport=1&Coach=968. The flip side, and this is something fans miss sometime, is that he bounces around from place to place. He's been to Bama 2x, Tech 2x, had a cup of coffee with LSU and UCF along the way too. He's like a lot of assistants and head coaches out there, he's kinda afraid to make roots because he might miss out.
So who replaces him? Honestly, I don't think that will be decided until early spring. Same for Kevin Steele's job. I don't think Saban works in a rush about this kind of thing and between his coaching tree and his mentor's tree, not to mention his agent's ties, there is always a list of names to cull through. I do think that he has a great chance to make some adjustments in the defensive philosophy through these changes, much like he did on offense last year. If you remember going into last winter, Major left and so did the TE coach. Saban took the time to get a proven OC and a good friend in Bobby Williams to coach TE and special teams. The results were self-evident for sure. Perhaps after the humbling realities from Florida and Utah, this can help re-invent how they use the Cover 2 and Zone Blitzes.
What is amusing about all this is how quickly the spin and distancing fans on these message boards do out there. Right now some of the fine titles gracing the Internets are:
"Saban is the X factor in recruiting, NOT Thompson"
"Thompson to UT.....wth?"
"He is supposedly an amazing recruiter, but lets be honest, Saban is the reason they commit to Bama! ROLL TIDE!"
yet while he was here, he was a recruiting God. Funny how that happens eh? In the end, it goes like this, do I like that he's going to Tennessee? No, and if he was going to Texas or Cal, fans would have a different tone about this issue by the way. Do I like that he left now and not in March or April? No, but when do you make staffing moves normally....January and February. Will this hurt the progress of the Saban rebuilding project? Probably not, but it will definitely make things a little harder in the mean time.
One guy sweating more than the others is Curt Cigneti. All of a sudden, he's gotta actually earn his way and not hide around quite as much. He's already in the bullpen a bit over how poorly the WR's not named Jones performed.....
Recruiting in general....
If you log on to one of the humpteen websites out there, you pretty well can count on 2 types of threads being popular and rehashed each morning. First one is about how the class finishes and who is in it. The second thread that seems to be looming around is how Program X is not this that or the next and all their guys should be thinking Bama, or how this coach or that coach is not as good as Saban.
That's all nice and I love the effort, but there is a little bit of reality that has to come into play. For example, I know the "insiders" are all over the page on some stuff, like Randle, and that has some reading into things a little harder than others. So, when the heat is on to get the must have, the earth will open up and swallow us all if we don't get him, cannot get an erection without this guy signing with Alabama starts to set in, the effort to talk yourself into how Tim Tebow, Caddy Williams, Marcus Manson, Brandon Spikes, etal. must come here and there is nothing else to it. Kinda like Christmas morning with no Red Ryder BB Gun, we've known this pain. Saban and staff are as good as it gets, no doubting that even with what's left of the staff, but there are just some factors that go into recruiting that Saban and co. cannot beat. The heartstrings of a momma's boy being one of them. Even the biggest and meanest of young men have the complex sometimes and won't leave state for all the potential in the world. That's not saying Randle or any others mentioned were or are momma's boys....well maybe Tebow he looks like he has a milk mustache still...but the draw to have mom and dad in the stands each home game and going home for holidays and seeing your boys after the game or during the week has a draw to it. There is also the fan factor. Some of these players have been life long fans of some teams. Tebow as a Florida guy, but Shula thought he could be the next Pope John Paul or something. Fail.
For what it is worth, I'd put down the following to finish out with just on what I read in articles and hear from bankers in TTown:
Kelly
Kirkpatrick
Moore
Patrick
Stinson
Patterson
Do you notice 4 out of 6 are home state boys? Mommas win championships too. What proof or science is there to it? Not a damn thing, just like the others. Is there one of those 6 that they can't live without? Yep. Patterson. Last year it was Zo Lawrence, this year it is a MS WR. He's got game with his peers and isn't a freak athlete in a small town thing, that I like.
Now, on the flip side there is this poor mouthing USCal, LSU, Florida, and whomever else is hot in recruiting that day. I'm ok with just playful bullshit, but some of this theorizing in recruiting is just absurd. Today's lesson in cerebral assassination was that Pete Carroll was not in the same class as Saban and Meyer (surprised he got promoted to listen to some) as recruiters go. Now, outside of Saban and Bryant, there aren't many coaches I hold in higher regard than Pete Carroll. Carroll was not a great pro coach, but neither was Saban or Petrino or Spurrier. The college level is a fit for Carroll just like it is for those mentioned. USCal went from near Navy/Army extinction to national power on his watch. He's created the dominance and unmerciful pummeling that happens out west now. Any top end recruit that he wants, it is his to lose. That's what Saban is working towards at Bama. If you want to see the long term model for Saban's "Process" visit USCal to see the pipeline and daily dominance of the region in all phases of football. He also is about as good a person as you can be around off the field. Most probably don't know it, but if you saw 60 Minutes interview him you do, but he's a big part of the LA community. No, he isn't at Spagos or wherever Lindsey and Paris are, but that other part of town...Compton and Crenshaw. He said early on he saw the devastation of gang violence in the community and felt he had to do his part. So, he goes to these rough areas talking to kids and teens about gangs, drugs, violence, and the better life there. He takes those kids to practice to get star struck and tries to mentor them and shoot them straight. While that may impress you on its own merits, it gets better. He does this at night. No police escorts or bodyguards, just him and some others trying to talk to these guys and make a difference. He's winning in life not just football in my book and if my boy wanted to play for him, I wouldn't slight him just because I know he'd make a difference in his life if my boy let him.
Then there is how big a liar Urban Meyer is. The fact he uses politcalesque tactics to recruit away from other programs may give you a moral problem, but it doesn't him. Wouldn't me either really, you are paid to do a job, he's doing his and the results back that up with 2 national titles, consistent recruiting talent, and a pool of NFL ready players seemingly every August. They are about to get to that point where a down year is 10-2. Yes he can stay in state and get all the talent in the world, but that doesn't make it that easy. Just ask Ron Zook. Talent doesn't just win for itself. It has to fit in and work for what you want it to. Meyer's spread may not be the NFL friendly offense that Carroll's is, but it is putting guys in the spotlight and getting them drafted, and it is winning games. That's the difference in Meyer and a guy like Richt or Fulmer is that he gets the guys that can fit in his offense and defenses and not just the name list that Rivals or Scout or whomever provides.
Then there is Les Miles, you know the idiot savant. Miles as a coach is not in the elite area, and probably never will be. However, he does seem to do what Tubberville did well for a while, he gets assistants that keep him out of trouble. He also has a state that he can in state 25 if able, but has had success in Texas and Florida on occasion. Is he a super recruiter like Carroll or Saban or Meyer or Bowden used to be? No. Does he suck like Shula? No. The biggest thing that Miles does is put the ring out show he can win, show he can make NFL talent at OSU and LSU, and let the atmospher of Death Valley do its part. There are few things that rival the intensity and atmospher of Baton Rouge on a Fall Saturday night. The jury will be answering the question of his prowess in the next year or two though. He'll have the talent taken in but can he coach it to win. We'll see. Mr Hat may be smug, but like one guy pointed out, he's not lost many that he's offered to officially or not. Those mommas recruit championships too.
So I can read your mind and you are going to say Saban must suck in my mind. Stop sifting around. My mind thinks in a variety of things but Saban sucking hasn't been one. Saban is a lot like Carroll in his philosophy and he has his way and that is the only way one of his teams will go. He knows the rules, he works through them, and even creates some over time because he will make it his job to win, that's what his paycheck says. He's demanding like Carroll. He's 24/7/365 about his job and developing his program, and that takes a lot to get used to as an assistant and a player. That's a hinderance for some (Thompson/Applewhite/Steele) and a perk to others (see all the recruits). Saban isn't sifting through Forrest Davis magazine for his players, he's watching their film, putting scouts on the ground and getting reports back to him. He's trusting his instinct on talent evaluation for the most part. If he retires and goes into recruiting analysis, I'll drop my subscriptions to buy his. Saban knows his system and way will win, he's got the ring to show that. However, catching lightning twice in two different jars is harder than most accept it to be. He'd be the first if he does.
Really, recruiting is kinda silly though. You get all up in the air about 25 guys coming to school, out of which maybe 18-20 pan out, 7-10 are real starters from that group, and then that's when I'd evaluate the class is at the end of the 3-5 years there. The other funny thing is folks praise you for getting an Andre Smith or Julio Jones or Nico Johnson type guy, but really if they grew up a Bama fan or fell in love with the school, did it take a genius to make that happen? Sometimes I guess, but you or I could have gotten Jay Barker or Brodie Croyle to sign with the school their heart tugged them to.
Basketball, I'd rather watch Baseketball....
I don't watch the games unless there is nothing else on. I hate that I've gotten that way now, but it just isn't healthy to get mad at something you know will make you that way before you start. I could beat a dead horse about the problems going on down there with Gottfried, but I won't. The two things that really are just out there that cannot be explained are that the attendance for home games sucks and the quality of the teams after all this time have regressed. There isn't a flu pandemic or an NCAA infraction causing these things. It is just plain ol bad is bad sports. Both gripe me, but the fact that the school spent good money to renovate Coleman and this is what we get is inflated football ticket prices and .500 basketball just ain't it. The SEC as a whole is down in basketball, they will be lucky to have a team in the top 12 or 15. That bothers me because if the NCAA Tournament takes 5-6 SEC teams, and Bama's one, does that earn the right to stay one more year if you go 8-8 in conference? I fear it will because Mal's capacity to understand his overall job is not there. How OU, Texas, UT, and others can have good football and basketball and Bama can't scratch its own ahem basketballs is beyond me.
January 5, 2009
The Good (not much), The Bad (too many to count) and The Ugly- Utah
Well, if you are in shock, you shouldn't be. This game has been coming for a while and it caught up to them. The truth be told this was a team that overachieved against a host of underachievers and when they met 2 teams that weren't in that genre, the losses ensued. I knew things were bad when Smith's suspension happened, and then around New Years, Saban had a news conference that just seemed off, and with the Steele news swirling, it was pretty clear that football practice was not 1st on the menu.
The Good...damn I'll struggle to find this one....
Arenas punt return
Sadly, this was the only play that really had any spark to it. It was great to see him play with his head on straight and want to play. That was something missing from several others on the field.
Bobby Greenwood
Most of you like to say "when X takes over", but folks, I don't think you can replace Greenwood with anyone on campus and gain from it or even break even right now. He played like he wanted it, he played like he knew this is how he'd go down in our memories, and he played like he wanted to win. He's going to be remembered by me for chasing down the ball carrier 20 yards down field after his teammates quit on the play.
The lessons learned for....
Andre Smith- It must not have hurt that bad to see how he let his team down because he didn't waste time declaring for the NFL. My hope was that he'd see his impact on the team and regardless of what he did, he'd be better for it. You wondered why Tony Barnhart said what he did, this is why.
Kevin Steele- When you are pimping yourself for a lateral move, you still need to hold up the job you have until you are gone. Mission failed. As far as I can tell, they still haven't come up with a scheme or philosophy that can defend a true spread offense. You know that gimmicky offense that can't work? Oops.
Bama fans- Arrogance dripped for weeks as Bama was number 1, then going to the Sugar Bowl against a team deemed unworthy by them, it was a recipe for an ass whooping. Yes, Bama should have came in and taken care of the business, but you still have to show up and do what you do each and every day. Most chalked this up and were ready to move on to how 09 was the year that Bama starts on top and finishes on top. Oops. The spin will be spring and summer eternal, but the truth is that we all enabled what happened by raising our noses to Utah. Our noses are now in the pig shit, and that's where it needs to stay until further notice.
The Bad....I'll try to limit it....maybe
OL Play
Yes, Andre Smith is a special player. Yes, his loss hurt and made things harder. However, it should not have resulted in a fruit basket turnover up front. Mike Johnson at LT was not going to work and he was spared by the ankle sprain. Davis wasn't any better, but it does bring up a problem that they continue to have. They don't seem to have a backup plan anywhere on the pages. There would be a drop off from Smith to whomever, but whomever shouldn't be a starter at another position. As is, what you saw in the Sugar Bowl would be close to a carbon copy of what the 2009 OL would be like. Oh hell. Now, before you start in on Fluker and Massie and Carpenter and on and on, think just a little. It is easy to expect a true freshman to come in and play just like he did in high school, but it is easier thought than said and done. All have great upside, but none have been exposed to the speed that is out there. Don't hang the moon and stars and hopes and dreams on them just yet. But pray they can do better than what's there now because McElroy will need more than what Ross and Davis and co have to offer.
QB Play
The real John Parker finally stood up. And then he was knocked down, over and over and over and over and over...you get the hint. Many wanted all sorts of praise for Wilson about a month ago. You won't find them around any more. JPW is a nice play caller hand the ball off and go type of guy. Much like Chad Pennington is for the Dolphins or Trent Dilfer was for the Ravens. Neither have to win games, just let the defense do its thing and then make just enough plays to contribute. That's JPW in a nutshell, don't ask him to win it, just ask him to control it. Friday night was not that game. It was obvious early that Utah had done its homework. They sent 9 guys in the box and then when it was a have to pass down, they went after him too. Wilson continued to do the one thing that just kills me, he holds the ball forever waiting for his target (usually Julio) to get open. Folks will say he was tough and durable and all those adjectives, but after watching the Sugar Bowl, he brought a lot of those hits on himself by not being able to make a decision fast enough. When he did throw it, it was like a gun out of sight on the range. Some were high, some were low, some were left, some were right and some went to who the heck knows. He over shot Stover once, and under threw him the second time and missed the best two chances Bama was going to get. It was a good summary for his 3 years as QB. The loss wasn't his fault though, it was a team loss from coaching down to jock strap cleaner.
Secondary woes
The game plan was real easy for Utah. Where's 24 and where's 26? If you drew those lotto numbers, congratulations Utah WR, you got the ball. Here's the scouting for anyone playing Alabama, take your speed guys, match them on the outside, not slot, and ask them to run a deep slant or out and up and force slower corners to play up to you. Jackson and M. Johnson both lack the foot speed to fix themselves in the event they mis-read or misjudge the play. Utah exposed it over and over with all the corners, minus Arenas, and exposed that the vaunted cover 2 has holes that the spread can expose.
The Ugly....
Special teams play minus Arenas.
Let's be honest, Tiffin would have lost his job already if his name wasn't Tiffin. We all know that now, he continues to be unreliable and shaky when it isn't dead center of the field. The punting is a boom or shank fest depending on the day, lunar cycle, or whatever dictates it. The fact that this is the best Bama can get and it doesn't improve itself from game 1 to now both disturb me to no end.
Random Thoughts....
Saban's got a lot of work to do still. Going 12 and 0 took the reality of it all out of the equation for us. The truth is that there are so many gaps to fill still that the "Process" may be a longer one than hoped. The OL is far from stable or competitive. The secondary is slow and gaped. The DL lacks power when in the dime or coverage situations. The WR core is Julio and the dropouts (see McCoy's PT) and that causes concern for us all. This senior class caught lightning in a bottle for 12 weeks, but it showed a trend that was familiar and disturbing. Once the dream is gone, so too seems to be the focus on the rest of the year. With LSU last year and Florida this year, the team seemed to spiral aimlessly into chaos after the dream was gone. In 07, the SEC West title was gone with the loss to LSU (note the proper usage of loss not loose) and this year with the BCS and SEC title gone with the loss to Florida, the talk was cheap and the practices didn't look all that passionate. That's something that the coaches need to address because it will be a continuous stumbling block if allowed to continue.
With all the coaching turmoil this month, it would be a good time for Saban to revamp his cover 2 and the pass defense strategies. Much like the Tampa 2, Saban's 2 is getting plenty of film study and teams are starting to expose it more with speed and execution. The morale of the Sugar Bowl from the defense is that the principles still hold true. If you cover, you better cover. If you bring pressure, you better get him. They didn't do either extremely well. The end result is getting mauled down the field play after play. You can send 4 and drop 7 and get pressure, you just have to know your players and call the schemes that get them in the face of the QB. If you can't with 4, you better send 5 or 6 and make it work.
Looking Ahead...
QB- Thomas Darrah will NOT be the QB next year. I'm so sick of seeing that heading on the damn message boards. What's funny is that a guy that threw a nice pass on 4th string walkon scrubs in a practice game gets more folklore than the guy who threw a nice pass in the 4th quarter against the biggest rival. Are you Darrah for QB fans retarded? Or just NCAA09 enthusiasts? I really want the slowest biggest target playing behind a patchwork OL. McElroy is the QB going in, should hold it through Spring and will through Summer because AJ McCarron will redshirt. I watched him play and he needs a lot of coaching and time in the film room to mature to his big arm. Star Jackson will be Greg's main competition, but from what I've seen and friends close to things say, he's not ready for prime time yet. He's the typical young QB, can hit targets all day and night, until you start mixing in defenders and throwing some surprises at him. I'd say he gets some snaps in the 1st string to see apples to apples, but McElroy will be the starter. I think if they develop a game plan around him and not the conservative game manager routine, he might surprise you.
RB- If the Sugar Bowl is any indication, Glen Coffee is not coming back. I thought he ran a little more timid than usual and really looked like he was trying to protect himself, up until he got folded by the pass rush. Trent Richardson will probably start to steam the windows a bit and regardless of what Coffee does, Ingram and Richardson will get more carries in 09 than the backups in 08 did. As big a fan of Upchurch as I am, he's probably done and Terry Grant is done too. I won't miss Grant much and neither should you.
WR- Julio Jones will miss Nikita Stover if they don't sign a prime time WR. The returning cast will not give much hope or optimism this spring because McCoy is lost, Hanks is a possession guy, Maze may be on the way out after another bone head play, Gibson can't find the field, Alexander can't stay healthy and plays like he's 5-11. Nobody will miss Nick Walker, who also played like he was shorter and lighter than he was, because Peek and Smelley will fill in fine, but you will pine for Travis McCall unless Michael Williams (the only true Jack on the roster is now at TE) can step up. It isn't any secret on the recruiting trail, if you sign with Bama to play WR, you'll start. You can't suck any worse than those holding your spot.
OL- It ain't Dixie they are singing on the O Line. Mike Johnson returns, as does Drew Davis (oh boy!) but gone are Smith, Caldwell, and Marlon Davis. Fluker all but has his jersey and 1st string decoder ring ready, but from there, it gets iffy. I like Fluker, think he has a lot of raw talent and athleticism, and that's what he's getting by on, but his understanding of the position is still very young and there are times he looks like he's playing LT for the first time. He won't be like Andre Smith coming in because he hasn't got the experience. It will be a work in progress. James Carpenter will get a solid look at RG or RT as Davis still can't progress to the next level at lineman. Boswell is the best of the young linemen going into next fall and should compete at RG too. David Ross is a backup, nothing more or less. Vlachos is a backup as well. His snaps are short and his blocking is serviceable but nothing to write home about. Cardwell either has too many injuries to compete or is in the doghouse for some undisclosed reason. It isn't his capacity to play though. For those wanting to say he got beat up in the bowl game, by that point he was playing half speed with the back issues. I take it they aren't any better. So the Center spot is a who knows for now. Good luck to Greg, he'll need it and I hope his knees are good and loose. (the proper usage of the word)
DL- Greenwood is gone, and the heart and soul goes with it. I don't know that Zo Washington is the answer, but he'll replace him in the front. Cody should return, he needs to at least, and hopefully the coaches will take time to show him how to become more effective as a pass rusher. As a run stopper, Cody is 1st round material, as a pass rusher, he is a mid level player. If he wants to be the well rounded do all player, he's got to use his gifts to push forward and disrupt plays more. Yes they will double team him, but if he gets off the line faster and on top of the guard/center fast enough, that won't matter. Deaderick will be at end again, and at some point he's got to start being more than a space taker. Some plays call for the ends and NG to just take up lanes (space), but others require a little more effort. Dareus will be the key reserve and after a quick start, he became quite average. He needs a lot of polishing still and some understanding of how to play at the college level. Chapman continues to be the here then not out there guy, for some reason. I think he plays well and is a better pass rusher than the others. I guess he doesn't do it for somebody in practice. They need a lot of help up front with players that are bigger and stronger than what they have. The 3-4 requires ends at 275+ and NT 300+ that clog and move the line back. The issue is the Jack is ineffective and it causes more focus on the DL.
LB- A pleasant surprise most of the season, and should improve next year with McClain and Hightower seasoning another year. Fanney is the Jack until beaten, but he is limited and not the ideal Jack in how the defense needs to be played. He's fine as a run stopper, but his pass rush is non-existent. Reamer plays about 30 percent of the time. With teams continuing to stretch the field, he won't play. The reserves are all either too young, too small, or too short on talent to be expected on next year. Upshaw is the Internet favorite, but after watching him play off end Friday, he won't be the Jack of all trades by spring. He needs a lot of bulking up to do what he would need to do at Jack, he's ready at Sam today though. Jerrell Harris, Prince Hall, Kirschman, Higgenbotham, Hester, and others seem to be part players in the big scheme of things. Anders is a nice rush back, but he doesn't do well in coverage and to be competitive in the long run, he'll have to do both because teams can scout well enough to know he's blitzing when he's in. This position is the area that attrition will be centered on as several prior coach signees will be pushed to take up new career paths. Mingo, if they can sign him, would be an ideal Jack candidate if Williams is not moved back.
DB- They will miss RJ badly as Woodall hasn't caught on to the field general part of the job yet. They are going to have to overhaul the philosophy and style of player though to compete at the national level. Jackson, Johnson, and Arenas are all good in SEC traditional settings. However, when Florida or any other speed team comes, it is just a mess. Jackson and Johnson are fine in short spaces, but lack the foot speed and vision to cover long fast plays. Arenas playing in the nickel back is adequate because in the middle of the field, speed is not as needed as awareness is. I would look for the staff to begin looking to the younger guys for a spark here. Zo Lawrence and Robbie Green both will get a long look at some fashion of corner play because MJ and ASh are not the options in the future. Mark Barron got his first real taste of game action in the Sugar Bowl and looked like a guy who had not been practicing for the job. That's not his fault as much as the coach's. He has loads of potential, but he got a valuable OJT moment or 4 in the game. He'll learn from it and hopefully can fill in nicely at SS.
Specialists- I really could care less if any returned or not. The 400 pound pink elephant on the field has been the kicking game all year because you couldn't tell if it was a good day or bad day for them. I would be shocked if there isn't a serious competition for both spots this spring.
The Good...damn I'll struggle to find this one....
Arenas punt return
Sadly, this was the only play that really had any spark to it. It was great to see him play with his head on straight and want to play. That was something missing from several others on the field.
Bobby Greenwood
Most of you like to say "when X takes over", but folks, I don't think you can replace Greenwood with anyone on campus and gain from it or even break even right now. He played like he wanted it, he played like he knew this is how he'd go down in our memories, and he played like he wanted to win. He's going to be remembered by me for chasing down the ball carrier 20 yards down field after his teammates quit on the play.
The lessons learned for....
Andre Smith- It must not have hurt that bad to see how he let his team down because he didn't waste time declaring for the NFL. My hope was that he'd see his impact on the team and regardless of what he did, he'd be better for it. You wondered why Tony Barnhart said what he did, this is why.
Kevin Steele- When you are pimping yourself for a lateral move, you still need to hold up the job you have until you are gone. Mission failed. As far as I can tell, they still haven't come up with a scheme or philosophy that can defend a true spread offense. You know that gimmicky offense that can't work? Oops.
Bama fans- Arrogance dripped for weeks as Bama was number 1, then going to the Sugar Bowl against a team deemed unworthy by them, it was a recipe for an ass whooping. Yes, Bama should have came in and taken care of the business, but you still have to show up and do what you do each and every day. Most chalked this up and were ready to move on to how 09 was the year that Bama starts on top and finishes on top. Oops. The spin will be spring and summer eternal, but the truth is that we all enabled what happened by raising our noses to Utah. Our noses are now in the pig shit, and that's where it needs to stay until further notice.
The Bad....I'll try to limit it....maybe
OL Play
Yes, Andre Smith is a special player. Yes, his loss hurt and made things harder. However, it should not have resulted in a fruit basket turnover up front. Mike Johnson at LT was not going to work and he was spared by the ankle sprain. Davis wasn't any better, but it does bring up a problem that they continue to have. They don't seem to have a backup plan anywhere on the pages. There would be a drop off from Smith to whomever, but whomever shouldn't be a starter at another position. As is, what you saw in the Sugar Bowl would be close to a carbon copy of what the 2009 OL would be like. Oh hell. Now, before you start in on Fluker and Massie and Carpenter and on and on, think just a little. It is easy to expect a true freshman to come in and play just like he did in high school, but it is easier thought than said and done. All have great upside, but none have been exposed to the speed that is out there. Don't hang the moon and stars and hopes and dreams on them just yet. But pray they can do better than what's there now because McElroy will need more than what Ross and Davis and co have to offer.
QB Play
The real John Parker finally stood up. And then he was knocked down, over and over and over and over and over...you get the hint. Many wanted all sorts of praise for Wilson about a month ago. You won't find them around any more. JPW is a nice play caller hand the ball off and go type of guy. Much like Chad Pennington is for the Dolphins or Trent Dilfer was for the Ravens. Neither have to win games, just let the defense do its thing and then make just enough plays to contribute. That's JPW in a nutshell, don't ask him to win it, just ask him to control it. Friday night was not that game. It was obvious early that Utah had done its homework. They sent 9 guys in the box and then when it was a have to pass down, they went after him too. Wilson continued to do the one thing that just kills me, he holds the ball forever waiting for his target (usually Julio) to get open. Folks will say he was tough and durable and all those adjectives, but after watching the Sugar Bowl, he brought a lot of those hits on himself by not being able to make a decision fast enough. When he did throw it, it was like a gun out of sight on the range. Some were high, some were low, some were left, some were right and some went to who the heck knows. He over shot Stover once, and under threw him the second time and missed the best two chances Bama was going to get. It was a good summary for his 3 years as QB. The loss wasn't his fault though, it was a team loss from coaching down to jock strap cleaner.
Secondary woes
The game plan was real easy for Utah. Where's 24 and where's 26? If you drew those lotto numbers, congratulations Utah WR, you got the ball. Here's the scouting for anyone playing Alabama, take your speed guys, match them on the outside, not slot, and ask them to run a deep slant or out and up and force slower corners to play up to you. Jackson and M. Johnson both lack the foot speed to fix themselves in the event they mis-read or misjudge the play. Utah exposed it over and over with all the corners, minus Arenas, and exposed that the vaunted cover 2 has holes that the spread can expose.
The Ugly....
Special teams play minus Arenas.
Let's be honest, Tiffin would have lost his job already if his name wasn't Tiffin. We all know that now, he continues to be unreliable and shaky when it isn't dead center of the field. The punting is a boom or shank fest depending on the day, lunar cycle, or whatever dictates it. The fact that this is the best Bama can get and it doesn't improve itself from game 1 to now both disturb me to no end.
Random Thoughts....
Saban's got a lot of work to do still. Going 12 and 0 took the reality of it all out of the equation for us. The truth is that there are so many gaps to fill still that the "Process" may be a longer one than hoped. The OL is far from stable or competitive. The secondary is slow and gaped. The DL lacks power when in the dime or coverage situations. The WR core is Julio and the dropouts (see McCoy's PT) and that causes concern for us all. This senior class caught lightning in a bottle for 12 weeks, but it showed a trend that was familiar and disturbing. Once the dream is gone, so too seems to be the focus on the rest of the year. With LSU last year and Florida this year, the team seemed to spiral aimlessly into chaos after the dream was gone. In 07, the SEC West title was gone with the loss to LSU (note the proper usage of loss not loose) and this year with the BCS and SEC title gone with the loss to Florida, the talk was cheap and the practices didn't look all that passionate. That's something that the coaches need to address because it will be a continuous stumbling block if allowed to continue.
With all the coaching turmoil this month, it would be a good time for Saban to revamp his cover 2 and the pass defense strategies. Much like the Tampa 2, Saban's 2 is getting plenty of film study and teams are starting to expose it more with speed and execution. The morale of the Sugar Bowl from the defense is that the principles still hold true. If you cover, you better cover. If you bring pressure, you better get him. They didn't do either extremely well. The end result is getting mauled down the field play after play. You can send 4 and drop 7 and get pressure, you just have to know your players and call the schemes that get them in the face of the QB. If you can't with 4, you better send 5 or 6 and make it work.
Looking Ahead...
QB- Thomas Darrah will NOT be the QB next year. I'm so sick of seeing that heading on the damn message boards. What's funny is that a guy that threw a nice pass on 4th string walkon scrubs in a practice game gets more folklore than the guy who threw a nice pass in the 4th quarter against the biggest rival. Are you Darrah for QB fans retarded? Or just NCAA09 enthusiasts? I really want the slowest biggest target playing behind a patchwork OL. McElroy is the QB going in, should hold it through Spring and will through Summer because AJ McCarron will redshirt. I watched him play and he needs a lot of coaching and time in the film room to mature to his big arm. Star Jackson will be Greg's main competition, but from what I've seen and friends close to things say, he's not ready for prime time yet. He's the typical young QB, can hit targets all day and night, until you start mixing in defenders and throwing some surprises at him. I'd say he gets some snaps in the 1st string to see apples to apples, but McElroy will be the starter. I think if they develop a game plan around him and not the conservative game manager routine, he might surprise you.
RB- If the Sugar Bowl is any indication, Glen Coffee is not coming back. I thought he ran a little more timid than usual and really looked like he was trying to protect himself, up until he got folded by the pass rush. Trent Richardson will probably start to steam the windows a bit and regardless of what Coffee does, Ingram and Richardson will get more carries in 09 than the backups in 08 did. As big a fan of Upchurch as I am, he's probably done and Terry Grant is done too. I won't miss Grant much and neither should you.
WR- Julio Jones will miss Nikita Stover if they don't sign a prime time WR. The returning cast will not give much hope or optimism this spring because McCoy is lost, Hanks is a possession guy, Maze may be on the way out after another bone head play, Gibson can't find the field, Alexander can't stay healthy and plays like he's 5-11. Nobody will miss Nick Walker, who also played like he was shorter and lighter than he was, because Peek and Smelley will fill in fine, but you will pine for Travis McCall unless Michael Williams (the only true Jack on the roster is now at TE) can step up. It isn't any secret on the recruiting trail, if you sign with Bama to play WR, you'll start. You can't suck any worse than those holding your spot.
OL- It ain't Dixie they are singing on the O Line. Mike Johnson returns, as does Drew Davis (oh boy!) but gone are Smith, Caldwell, and Marlon Davis. Fluker all but has his jersey and 1st string decoder ring ready, but from there, it gets iffy. I like Fluker, think he has a lot of raw talent and athleticism, and that's what he's getting by on, but his understanding of the position is still very young and there are times he looks like he's playing LT for the first time. He won't be like Andre Smith coming in because he hasn't got the experience. It will be a work in progress. James Carpenter will get a solid look at RG or RT as Davis still can't progress to the next level at lineman. Boswell is the best of the young linemen going into next fall and should compete at RG too. David Ross is a backup, nothing more or less. Vlachos is a backup as well. His snaps are short and his blocking is serviceable but nothing to write home about. Cardwell either has too many injuries to compete or is in the doghouse for some undisclosed reason. It isn't his capacity to play though. For those wanting to say he got beat up in the bowl game, by that point he was playing half speed with the back issues. I take it they aren't any better. So the Center spot is a who knows for now. Good luck to Greg, he'll need it and I hope his knees are good and loose. (the proper usage of the word)
DL- Greenwood is gone, and the heart and soul goes with it. I don't know that Zo Washington is the answer, but he'll replace him in the front. Cody should return, he needs to at least, and hopefully the coaches will take time to show him how to become more effective as a pass rusher. As a run stopper, Cody is 1st round material, as a pass rusher, he is a mid level player. If he wants to be the well rounded do all player, he's got to use his gifts to push forward and disrupt plays more. Yes they will double team him, but if he gets off the line faster and on top of the guard/center fast enough, that won't matter. Deaderick will be at end again, and at some point he's got to start being more than a space taker. Some plays call for the ends and NG to just take up lanes (space), but others require a little more effort. Dareus will be the key reserve and after a quick start, he became quite average. He needs a lot of polishing still and some understanding of how to play at the college level. Chapman continues to be the here then not out there guy, for some reason. I think he plays well and is a better pass rusher than the others. I guess he doesn't do it for somebody in practice. They need a lot of help up front with players that are bigger and stronger than what they have. The 3-4 requires ends at 275+ and NT 300+ that clog and move the line back. The issue is the Jack is ineffective and it causes more focus on the DL.
LB- A pleasant surprise most of the season, and should improve next year with McClain and Hightower seasoning another year. Fanney is the Jack until beaten, but he is limited and not the ideal Jack in how the defense needs to be played. He's fine as a run stopper, but his pass rush is non-existent. Reamer plays about 30 percent of the time. With teams continuing to stretch the field, he won't play. The reserves are all either too young, too small, or too short on talent to be expected on next year. Upshaw is the Internet favorite, but after watching him play off end Friday, he won't be the Jack of all trades by spring. He needs a lot of bulking up to do what he would need to do at Jack, he's ready at Sam today though. Jerrell Harris, Prince Hall, Kirschman, Higgenbotham, Hester, and others seem to be part players in the big scheme of things. Anders is a nice rush back, but he doesn't do well in coverage and to be competitive in the long run, he'll have to do both because teams can scout well enough to know he's blitzing when he's in. This position is the area that attrition will be centered on as several prior coach signees will be pushed to take up new career paths. Mingo, if they can sign him, would be an ideal Jack candidate if Williams is not moved back.
DB- They will miss RJ badly as Woodall hasn't caught on to the field general part of the job yet. They are going to have to overhaul the philosophy and style of player though to compete at the national level. Jackson, Johnson, and Arenas are all good in SEC traditional settings. However, when Florida or any other speed team comes, it is just a mess. Jackson and Johnson are fine in short spaces, but lack the foot speed and vision to cover long fast plays. Arenas playing in the nickel back is adequate because in the middle of the field, speed is not as needed as awareness is. I would look for the staff to begin looking to the younger guys for a spark here. Zo Lawrence and Robbie Green both will get a long look at some fashion of corner play because MJ and ASh are not the options in the future. Mark Barron got his first real taste of game action in the Sugar Bowl and looked like a guy who had not been practicing for the job. That's not his fault as much as the coach's. He has loads of potential, but he got a valuable OJT moment or 4 in the game. He'll learn from it and hopefully can fill in nicely at SS.
Specialists- I really could care less if any returned or not. The 400 pound pink elephant on the field has been the kicking game all year because you couldn't tell if it was a good day or bad day for them. I would be shocked if there isn't a serious competition for both spots this spring.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)