Exit Exams: A Final Review of the Tide Senior Class
December 31, 2008
By the RTB.com Recruiting Staff
All-Region.
All-State.
Super Prep.
Parade All-American.
It wasn’t too long ago that these terms were all we had to determine how a prospect was expected to be. Well that, and actually driving 100 miles to attend a high school football game.
Then came the 21st Century, high-speed internet, and recruiting websites. Now, a once honored award such as “Parade All-American” means very little if 5 gold stars aren’t accompanied with it. Without researching, how many Parade All-Americans started for Alabama this season? How many 5 stars? If you know the answer to both questions, you are either old-school, or hardcore.
I personally have been following recruiting since the late nineties. In my ten years of following recruiting there has always been a constant in every recruiting service.
Uncertainty.
No matter the recruiting service, the stars, or the high school awards, it’s very hard to predict which players will excel and which ones will stay buried in the depth chart.
About three years ago I started doing research after the season to see where the current seniors were ranked and compared to how the performed once in the college ranks. I found the results to be very interesting, and sometimes, downright unpredictable.
This year, the RTB.com Recruiting Staff have decided to not only break down the senior class, we’re also going to re-adjust their star ranking. We’re also going to add Andre to the list since he will most likely be leaving with this class.
-
Scout 3 Star / Rivals 3 Star
Scout 3 Star / Rivals 3 Star
The Saga of JP Wilson is a strange one.
It started with his recruitment from Alabama 2003. John Parker Wilson was a senior who had just led his Hoover team to it’s second 6A championship in a row. While passing for 3,821 yards and 40 touchdowns, Wilson claimed the 2003 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year along with the Alabama Sports Writers Association and The Montgomery News Player of the Year.
Oh, did I forget to mention he was a Parade All-American?
Although he had state record numbers and prestigious awards from numerous writing associations, he was barely a 3 star prospect on both major recruiting sites and chose to gray-shirt at Alabama over offers from Tennessee, Clemson and Mississippi State.
Since taking over the quarterback spot in 2006, Wilson has shattered almost every passing record at Alabama compiling 7,747 yards and 46 touchdowns on 647 completions.
One would think a quarterback breaking all previous school records would be loved across the state, but that hasn’t been the case with JP. In his sophomore and junior seasons, he was plagued with making costly mistakes that proved to be too much to overcome in most situations. Although it wasn’t always his fault, most people laid the blame at his feet.
This season has been a different story for Wilson. He has passed for nearly 700 less yards, 9 less touchdowns and has 86 less completions, yet he has been the key of a 12-1 squad. Some would argue that he hasn’t changed a bit, and the running game is the real reason for this season, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
While doing research for this piece, I noticed a trend in every game that I hadn’t seen in the previous years from JP. 38 times this season, he has converted a 3rd down through the air, leading to 21 scoring drives. Take half of those 3rd down conversions out of the mix and we are looking at a 8-4 type season. The running game was big this year, but without a senior quarterback making the right reads in pivotal situations, we would likely still be playing our bowl game in a dome, but it would be in Georgia instead of Louisiana.
RTB.com’s Exit Exam Grade:
-
Scout 2 Star / Rivals 2 Star
Scout 2 Star / Rivals 2 Star
As a senior at Pike County High School, Nick Walker hauled in 67 catches for 1,028 yards and 15 touchdowns helping Pike County to its first state title in 14 years. He was named to the class 3A All-state team and had offers from Alabama, UAB, Louisville, Southern Miss and West Virginia.
Walker committed to Alabama early in the recruiting process to ensure a spot in the 2004 class.
As a true freshman, he started 12 games and had 9 catches for 120 yards. In Shula’s last season, Nick fell completely off the radar only started 1 game and posted 3 receptions for 39 yards.
Insert Nick Saban and a double tight end offense and we’ve seen Walker flourish in the past two seasons. Last year as a junior, he started all 13 games for the Tide and finished 5th on the team with 23 receptions for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns. Many thought we would see an explosive year for Nick as he started the season with 7 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown against Clemson. He was able to finish second on the team behind Julio Jones with 29 receptions for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns.
One thing that has gone unnoticed in his time has been his ability to block which was non-existent in early in his career. He isn’t quite the blocker that Travis McCall is, but he’s made strides and it has shown. Both major recruiting sites had Walker as a 2 star prospect, which may have been accurate had Coach Saban not came along. As it stands, he’s played well above that mark.
RTB.com’s Exit Exam Grade:
-
Scout 3 Star / Rivals 3 Star
Scout 3 Star / Rivals 3 Star
Playing for Prattville, one of the top high schools in Alabama, Travis McCall was rated as the state’s top tight end prospects in 2003. He was named to the class 6A All-state team as both a tight end and defensive end. It was speculated early that McCall might play on the defensive side of the ball, but Coach Shula confirmed on signing day that McCall would come in as a tight end.
As a freshman, he saw action in every game while earning his lone start of the season against Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. He was only able to haul in 3 receptions on the year for 22 yards. His most productive year, stats wise, came his sophomore year. Travis started 12 games in Shula’s last season posting 8 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
When Saban came in with his two tight end formations, McCall was the guy called on for the primary blocking position. Most players would be upset knowing that they wouldn’t be getting the ball much, but he took the role with stride has developed to one of the best blockers on Alabama’s team. While he has been able to nab 13 passes for 97 yards in the past two seasons, make no mistake….if #83 slides down the line and stops in front of you, tighten your chin strap and bite down on your mouth piece, because there’s a good chance you aren’t going to be defending a tight end route.
RTB.com’s Exit Exam Grade:
-
Scout 4 Star / Rivals 4 Star
Scout 4 Star / Rivals 4 Star
Nikita Stover played his high school football at Hartselle where he was the state’s top two way player in 2003. Stover pulled in over 2000 receiving yards in his time at Hartselle, and won the state high-jump championship as a sophomore.
After signing to play with Alabama in February of 2004, Stover came just short of making the enrollment grades and instead played his freshman year at Itawamba Junior College in Fulton, MS. There, he caught 26 passes for 588 yards and six touchdowns in 2005.
Stover then signed with Alabama again in February of 2006. Once stepping foot on campus, Stover wasn’t able to take a starting position and keep it. In the previous three seasons, Stover has mostly played spot duty and has recorded a total of 27 catches for 409 yards and 4 touchdowns. This year has been his least productive season, with only 5 receptions for 86 yards. 39 of those 86 yards were on one play against Auburn which was also his lone touchdown for the season.
When Stover’s Alabama career is over, his most defining play will likely be the dangerous front-flip touchdown against Colorado in the Independence Bowl.
RTB.com’s Exit Exam Grade:
-
Scout 2 Star / Rivals 3 Star
Scout 2 Star / Rivals 3 Star
Antoine Caldwell’s story started at Lee High School in Montgomery, AL. He graded 85 percent blocking efficiency at Lee High and gave up just one sack as a senior . Antoine was named to the first-team All-State his senior season and was ranked the No. 10 player in the state by SuperPrep magazine. He started every game as a true freshman for Alabama in 2005 and was named to the Freshman All-American the SEC All-Freshman teams. Caldwell played the guard position during the regular season in 2005, but moved to center prior to the Cotton Bowl due to the loss of JB Closner during the LSU game. He stayed at the center position for all of his sophomore year starting all 13 games.
When Saban took over the Alabama football program in 2007, the first goal was to put the 5 best lineman on the field. The first 5 games of the season saw Caldwell playing center. He was then moved to left guard against Ole Miss and right guard against Houston after injuries left the offensive line short. Before the UT game of last year, Caldwell was handed a four game suspension for the improper use of textbooks which not only broke his string of 32 consecutive starts, but have turned out to be the only 4 games he hasn’t started in his 4 years at Alabama. Caldwell was moved back to center for the Independence Bowl last season against Colorado, and remained there for his senior campaign. He was a finalist for the Rimington Award, along with being named at AP 1st team All-American and 1st team All-SEC this season.
RTB.com’s Exit Exam Grade:
-
Scout 2 Star / Rivals 2 Star
Scout 2 Star / Rivals 2 Star
Will Oakley put up incredible numbers at Nease High School his senior season catching Tim Tebow passes. He broke the North Florida regular-season receiving record with 1,283 yards on 67 catches and 14 touchdowns as a senior. Will was named first-team All-State selection by the Florida Sports Writers Association, and also an Elite All-State team member with a nominee for the Florida Mr. Football award.
Oakley took a redshirt in 2004 at Alabama and did not record a catch in 2005 as a redshirt freshman. He played in all 13 games while starting 5 of them in 2006, recording 18 catches for 223 yards. That was his most productive season at Alabama. Will was plagued his junior campaign with a nagging injury but was able to make a crucial 3rd down catch against Arkansas to help sustain a game winning scoring drive. After that catch, Oakley wasn’t able to pull in any more receptions in 2007 and was rumored to have quit the team before the start of the 2008 season. He proved those rumors to be false by reported to fall camp, but has only played in limited minutes this season due to injuries. As a 5th year senior, Oakley had 2 catches for 27 yards.
RTB.com’s Exit Exam Grade:
-
Scout 3 Star / Rivals 3 Star
Scout 3 Star / Rivals 3 Star
As a senior for Carver High School, Marlon Davis graded out at 92% in blocking efficiency and was named to the Georgia 4A All-State team. He was also selected as a starter at right guard in the Georgia North-South All-Star game. Davis was rated as a low 3 star prospect by both major recruiting services and chose to attend Alabama over offers from Clemson, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
As a true freshman for the Tide in 2005, Davis saw action in four games and recorded his first career start against Southern Miss. His sophomore campaign saw four more starts including the last three games of the season against LSU, Auburn and Oklahoma State. Marlon started in eight games at right guard as a junior, but was caught up in the four game suspension for the improper use of textbooks. He went on to start against Auburn to end his junior season and has maintained that spot throughout the 2008 season. Although Alabama Offensive Coordinator Jim McElwain chose to run the ball to the left side of the line throughout much of the season, Marlon was heavily involved in the game plan as he was asked to pull to the left side on many runs. Davis is a great example of a player that bought what Coach Saban and Coach Pendry was selling and it paid huge dividends. Although he wasn’t mentioned much throughout the season, Marlon’s success at right guard was as important to Alabama’s season as any other position on the field.
RTB.com’s Exit Exam Grade:
-
Scout 5 Star / Rivals 5 Star
Scout 5 Star / Rivals 5 Star
Andre Smith was far and away the most heralded signee of Alabama’s 2006 class. As a prep standout at Huffman High School in Birmingham, Smith was always the most talented lineman on the field for most of his high school career. He concluded his stellar prep career by being named Alabama’s Mr. Football and receiving scholarship offers from every major football program in the nation.
Smith stepped in and started all 13 games at left tackle as a true freshman with the Crimson Tide. He was rewarded with his efforts be earning a 2006 All-SEC Coaches selection. As a sophomore, Smith again started every game at left tackle and was awarded co-winner of the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy and a Coaches First-Team All-SEC selection. As a junior, Smith did miss a game because of a knee injury, but added 11 more starts to his career total. He wrapped up a dominating regular season with All-American honors and added the Outland Trophy to his trophy case.
While Smith has a frame that is better suited for a guard, he is so athletically gifted, that he has been able to excel at tackle and dominate opposing linemen. He is equally adept at both run blocking and pass blocking, and doesn’t show a weakness in his game. He came to Alabama as one of the top 5 high school players in the nation, and after his junior year, he would enter the NFL Draft as one of the top 5 college players in the nation. He is a huge difference maker who can be a big equalizer against athletic, quick defensive ends. He is a punishing, relentless blocker who will be hard to replace on Alabama’s line, but Smith is a player who lived up to all the hype, and then some.
(While Smith still has one year of eligibility left, all signs point to an early exit from college to enter the NFL draft. Because of that possibility, he’s included in this review.)
RTB.com’s Exit Exam Grade:
-
Scout 3 Star / Rivals 3 Star
Scout 3 Star / Rivals 3 Star
When Bobby Greenwood was signed out of Prattville in 2005, he was one of the top ten high school players in the state. After wrapping up an impressive senior season where he totaled 128 tackles and 19 sacks, Greenwood was named the Class 6A Lineman of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
Greenwood arrived on the scene on Tuscaloosa looking to make an impact. He played in every game as a freshman posting 15 tackles and 3 sacks. He followed that up with a solid sophomore season where he saw action in all 13 games, and turned in 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. By the end of the 2006 season, Greenwood was making strides in Joe Kines’ 4-3 defensive scheme, and was emerging as a very productive player at defensive end. However, a regime change after the 2006 season, and a change in defensive philosophy, put the budding defensive end behind the 8 ball. While he was well suited for the 4-3, the 3-4 didn’t fit his size and frame very well. He made the most of his opportunities though, by working hard on technique and in the weight room adding bulk. As a junior in 2007, though limited for much of the season with an ankle injury, he totaled 20 tackles and 1 sack. This fall, he was back at full speed and finally comfortable in Nick Saban’s 3-4 system. He finished the regular season with 35 tackles and 4 sacks.
Greenwood is a player that brings a blue collar attitude to the practice field, the weight room, and the stadium on game days. He isn’t flashy, and not a very vocal leader, but he sets the example for others by his actions, on and off the field. Had it not been for the change in defensive philosophies, his potential could have been further reached in all likelihood, but Greenwood was certainly a consistent and productive player during his time at The Capstone.
RTB.com’s Exit Exam Grade:
-
Scout 1 Star / Rivals 1 Star
Scout 1 Star / Rivals 1 Star
There is not a player on this team, and not many in all of college football, that has made a more significant jump in improvement over the last 5 years than Rashad Johnson. Once upon a time, Johnson was a walk-on running back who’s claim to fame was reeling off a couple of impressive runs during the A-Day game his freshman year. It was the first time most Alabama fans had ever heard his name mentioned. At the time, he had just finished his redshirt season, and was bogged down on the depth chart at halfback. It wouldn’t be long though before Johnson’s career at Alabama took off, and Tide fans took note.
In the fall 2005, the departures of Roman Harper, Charlie Peprah, and Anthony Madison from the Tide defensive backfield loomed. Their impending departure following the 2005 season coupled with scholarship limitations, meant that the Tide didn’t have too many guys on the roster to replace them with, much less reload with. The decision was made at the time to move Johnson from the offensive backfield to safety, where he could use his speed and athletic ability to shore up the depth issues. As it turns out, Rashad was put in the right place at the right time. He spent all season taking queues from the older veterans, especially Roman Harper. He learned the ins and outs of the position, and refined his coverage and ball skills. As a redshirt freshman, he found his niche on special teams where he played in 12 games picking up 8 tackles and 1 forced fumble. The following season Johnson played in 11 games at safety, starting in 4 of them. He recorded 33 tackles and forced 2 fumbles on the year. He again played a big role on special teams as well.
The coaching change was perhaps more beneficial to Johnson that any other player on this list. He had all the tools to be a great safety, and now he had the best coaching available to help him reach his potential. He worked extremely hard to pick up the new schemes and coverages that Coach Saban had implemented. It wasn’t long before he was being described by Saban and his teammates as a, “coach on the field.” As a junior in 2007 Johnson had a breakout season. He compiled 94 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 6 interceptions. The impressive numbers earned him a 2007 Coaches First-Team All-SEC selection and his leadership on and off the field aided him in being named a 2007 Team Captain. As a senior, Johnson again put together a very impressive campaign. Not only did he provide spectator play for his safety position, but he was a valuable member of the special teams unit where he made several key plays throughout the season. He completed the year with 82 total tackles, 1 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 5 interceptions, and 16 passes defended. He was rewarded with All-SEC and All-American Honors, and again named an Alabama Team Captain for the second season in a row.
It is rare that a player comes into a program as a walk-on, and leaves the program playing at the level that Rashad Johnson is today. He certainly worked hard to achieve the amount of success he has had in his college career, and as mentioned above, the coaching change really benefited him. Based on his level of play these past 2 seasons, it is hard to imagine that in 2004 this guy was a walk-on running back, bringing up the rear on the depth chart.
RTB.com’s Exit Exam Grade:
Leaving a Legacy:
To say this is a special group of seniors would be an injustice. Coach Saban has talked on numerous occasions about this senior class having leadership that wasn’t here last season. Think about that statement. 9 seniors had more leadership this season than 18 seniors did last year. Last season, our senior class let the team go by the wayside after the hard-hitting LSU game, ending the regular season with embarrassing losses to Miss St, Louisiana Monroe and a sixth straight loss to Auburn. This season during the LSU game, our team faced the same fork in the road after having a last second fieldgoal blocked. Instead of getting down and mailing it in, Rashad Johnson made an incredible interception in the back of the endzone to end LSU’s overtime possession. On the other side of the ball, JP Wilson took a shot down field on the first play in Bama’s overtime possession, hitting Julio Jones at the 5 yard line. Two plays later, Antoine Caldwell and Mike Johnson opened a hole narrow enough for JP to slide through and claim a victory in Baton Rouge. The seniors that had seen so many blown leads by Alabama in the last 3 years decided they weren’t going to allow it again. Although they weren’t able to claim a Southeastern Conference Championship in their last season at Alabama, they were able to finish 12-1 and are currently preparing to play an undefeated Utah team in the Sugar Bowl. That’s a hell of a climb if consider the valleys they have walked through in their careers.
Antoine Caldwell was asked what he hoped his legacy at Alabama would be in a recent interview with ESPN’s Chris Low.
His answer? “
That I was part of a group here that put the team in front of everything else and helped put Alabama back where Alabama should be. There are so many people across this state and across this country who take a lot of pride in Alabama football. We’ve been through some ups and downs here, but I feel good about where we’re leaving this program.”‘
That, Mr. Caldwell, is a legacy that you and the other seniors in this class have claimed. You indeed are leaving Alabama in a better situation than you found it and should feel very good about it. Thank you for representing Alabama off the field with class. Thank you for your hard work on the field. Thank you for instilling a relentless work ethic in the younger guys on the team, and thank you for a special season that will be remembered for a very long time.
Sugar Bowl Preview- Part Two: Bama Offense vs Utah Defense
December 27, 2008
By Terry Pellman (TerryP)
External factors.
I keep coming back to them when I break down this game. In part one of our preview, we looked at them from more of a fan and team point of view. Now, we’ll get into a few of them from an “on the field perspective,” then delve into the match-up between the Crimson Tide offense going against the Utah Ute defense.
Like any other post-season, this winter is beginning to be filled with coaching changes. Utah hasn’t been exempt from this theme recently losing their defensive coordinator, Gary Andersen, to the Utah State program as their next head coach.
One might suspect this could have an impact on the Sugar Bowl and how prepared Utah is for this game. Yet, it should have no impact on the outcome what-so-ever.
When looking at Utah’s coaching staff, and in this case the defensive coordinator position, it’s important to take a few steps back.
Utah’s head coach, Kyle Whittingham, spent 11 years as an assistant coach for the Utes before taking over as head coach for the departing Urban Meyer. Ten of those years were spent as the defensive coordinator.
The defensive scheme Whittingham brought to the Ute program was one his father, also a coach on defense, has worked with for years. Now, even with the departure of Anderson, it’s highly unlikely we will see any variance in how Utah prepares for their game against Alabama or what results they have on the field.
Many in the media have talked about how this is a battle between the defensive-minded Nick Saban and the Utah offense. But, the reality of the situation shows these are two coaches who “cut their teeth” in football by coaching defense.
The Matchup
It’s a safe assumption to say if you asked anyone who has the slightest bit of interest in this game “what do you think Alabama is going to do” they’ll give you the same answer.
Run the ball, sprinkle in a little play action pass just to keep the defense honest, and play with as few mistakes as possible.
Just as Alabama has had success running the ball throughout the 12 games already played this year, you can expect Alabama to once again have success against the Utah defense.
By no means is that discouting the talent Utah has on the defensive line. They have been a very good run defense in 2008.
While I do see where Alabama has an advantage, it isn’t found with the defensive ends on the Ute line. The combination of Paul Kruger and Koa Misi has had a lot of success both in run and pass defense this season. Their run defensive prowess is evidenced by the fact they lead this Utah defensive line in the number of tackles (both in the top five on the team) and Paul Kruger is the better of the two.
Kruger, who’ll be matched against Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith, understands what he’ll have to deal with when he faces the two time All-American.
“I respect him a lot,” he said. “As far as his size and speed, I’ve played against guys who have similarities, but as a whole no one has matched up to his abilities. I’m really excited to see what I can do against a competitor like that.”
The story of this game, in terms of defending the Alabama rushing attack, isn’t going to come from the defensive end positions. It’s going to be the interior of the Utah defensive line versus the interior of Alabama’s offensive line.
Just after Utah’s starting tackle was hurt in the first game of the season, Derrick Shelby moved from his end position to play defensive tackle for the Utes. When one uses the term, “outmanned,” there is no better definition than looking at either of Alabama’s two starting guards or their center lined up against Shelby who comes in at 6′3″, 250lbs.
Is Shelby intimidated, much less concerned, about facing an All-American center flanked by two guards also destined to play on Sunday’s? According to Shelby, the Alabama line is all-hype. In a recent interview Shelby was asked what he thought about facing this Tide unit:
UteZone: What are your thoughts on Bama’s o-line?
Shelby: Every line is pretty much the same, it’s all hype. The way I look at it is it’s just another o-line to go up against.
UteZone: What are your thoughts on Bama’s running game?
Shelby: You have to have the mindset that it’s going to be a grinder, fight-it-out kind of game. You can’t just go in there lackadaisical because they will shove it down your throat all game.
Part of this he has right. It is going to be a grinder, fight-it-out kind of game.
All-Hype? We’ll let him be the judge of that when the final gun sounds Jan. 2nd.
Shelby has help in the middle from Greg Newman, who has had better numbers this year, but is still comes in at 6′3″- 265lbs: under-sized for a typical tackle.
Interestingly enough the other two tackles in their rotation, Sealver Siliga and Aaron Tonga, fit more in the typical defensive tackle mold.
You can expect Alabama to line up on offense in the same traditional set they have all year: the Ace formation featuring a two-tight end look a good majority of the time.
IF Alabama was a team that looked to “hit the edges” with their running game the advantage would still fall on their side, but not in the same degree as it does for this game.
There is no doubt that the offensive game plan will be to run between the tackles.
Utah, in their 4-3 set, will counter that by sliding one of their safeties into the box to present an 8-man front. That player is likely to be Joe Dale. Dale will need as much assistance as he can get from their linebacking corps, specifically their two leading tacklers Stevenson Sylvester ( Rover type position) and Mike Wright.
Their linebacking corps is a solid group, not like some teams who feature one specific playmaker, a group that plays well as a unit in run defense situations.
If there is a question mark that lies over the linebackers with Utah it comes in the form of their pass defense/coverage skills.
Much like there is little doubt on Alabama’s plan for offense, the same can be said for the Utah defensive scheme. Their approach to this game is easily summed up by reading their corner-back, Sean Smith’s, thoughts on the game. Smith said after watching film he feels the Utes match up well with the Tide defensively.
“We’re not worried about the passing game,” he said. “We feel like if we can stop the run, we’ll be OK.”
Here’s a unit where one could look at the statistics and come up with the conclusion that the Utah secondary is suspect. But, here’s also a situation where the statistics don’t always convey the true definition of the unit.
Smith is joined by Brice McCain on the corners and supported by Robert Johnson and Joel Dale at the safety positions. All four defensive back have had interceptions this year. Even though they have given up a lot of yards through the air, they’ve been facing teams that leaned heavily on their passing game this season.
But, and perhaps most importantly, they haven’t given up a lot of big plays from their secondary. Which, fittingly, isn’t something Alabama has relied on this season.
To completely discount the passing attack from the Crimson Tide is fool-hardy.
Teams that have defended the down field threat from Julio Jones, arguably the only true play-maker in the Tide receiving corps, have done so by playing man coverage combined with using a safety over the top. Therein lies some potential problems for the Utah defense.
If they defend the threat of Jones downfield in the same manner as teams have this season with double coverage they are going to be leaving the middle of the field wide open. Here they’ll likely have one safety playing over the top against Jones and the other safety, Joe Dale in this case, sneaking up in the box to defend the run.
That defensive approach will work. But, it’ll only work to contain Jones.
What that leaves is either the Utah defense playing a nickel package taking away from their run support or lining up one of their linebackers to cover the 3rd or slot receiver on passing routes. Linebackers, as mentioned earlier, whose strength isn’t found in their coverage skills.
Much like the Utah defensive line vs the Alabama offensive line, eventually they are going to be out-manned. It’s just a matter of “picking their poison.”
Snynopsis.
Here again, I find myself going back to the external factors.
The fan base for the Utes have felt going into this game that their team isn’t receiving the respect they deserve. (Ironically, based on some of the comments from the players for Utah, the same conclusion could be drawn from the Alabama side. Their players don’t respect what they will be facing in the Sugar Bowl)
One constant mantra has been “this Alabama team better take Utah seriously.”
To that, I couldn’t agree more. Utah fields a good football team and if taken lightly they easily could leave New Orleans with their second BCS Bowl win.
However, the notion that this Alabama team would take the Utes lightly doesn’t fit with the mentality, focus, and determination this Crimson Tide team is built upon.
From quarterback John Parker Wilson on down to guys who have only seen the field in limited action the focus on this came is sure.
“If we can go out and win this game, win a Sugar Bowl, win a BCS game, it’ll kind of wrap everything up,” Wilson said. “If we don’t, we’ll be just another team, another season.”
It’s important to remember where these guys come from. They clearly remember a #4 ranking in 2005 when they were freshman. The remember what it’s like to achieve a level of success only to see the season end on a sour note.
“We’re playing a BCS game in the Sugar Bowl. It’s a huge deal around here,” Wilson said. “There’s pictures of it everywhere in our weight room from the past teams and the guys in the Sugar Bowl. It’s a big deal, a huge game, and I want to go out on top.”
“What does it mean to me?” running back Glen Coffee repeated. “A BCS game, another chance to show America what Alabama is about. It’s great to be in the Sugar Bowl. It’s a great accomplishment. But it doesn’t mean anything unless we come back with a victory.”
And it’s not over. All-American left tackle Andre Smith said the game is a chance to bury the frustration of the loss to Florida in the SEC Championship Game.
“We had a couple slip-ups, and it is a chance for us to go out there and redeem ourselves for the mistakes we made,” Smith said. “I don’t think it’s going to be that hard for the team to get up because we all want to go out on top.”
Coming next from the staff at RollTideBama.com’s Blog:
- Part Three: Utah’s offense vs Alabama’s defense.
- Trickle Down Economics and Pigskin Prediction: Utah vs Alabama
- Exit Exams: Reviewing the Tide Senior Class
2008 SEC Championship Preview: Part 3 of 3
December 3, 2008
South Eastern Conference
Championship Game
University of Florida vs University of Alabama
Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA -DEC 06
CBS TV 4:00 EST
Assuming you have read Part 1 and Part 2 of this preview, it makes it easy for me to assume you know what word I’m about to use; once again.
Physical.
Saturday night, when you are switching over to the ABC Network and preparing to watch what certainly seems to be a lackluster Big 12 Championship game, you’ll understand exactly what I mean by physical play. Especially when it comes to defense.
(That said, if you are one of the ones switching to HBO to watch “P.S. I Love You,” hit your back button on your browser now. Saturday’s SEC Championship isn’t made for “date movie” fans)
I’m a fan, so I can talk to you about how physical this Alabama team is going to be come Saturday. Understand, I’m not trying to disparage the level of play the Gator football team has played with this year. But, when people talk of the Gators the term they use is flashy; “Saturday Night Fever” style of football.
Alabama, on the other hand, falls in to your “Road House” movie category as so aptly described in a satire just this past week.
Ex-Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said, “Alabama was the most physical team they had played in years.” Georgia coach Mark Richt was just as complimentary, in Richt’s way of speaking.
But, considering Houston Nutt’s Rebels have the distinction of playing both schools this year, and being the team that handed Florida its only loss, he is the best sounding board for this upcoming Championship game.
Alabama’s Offense vs Florida’s Defense:
If you want an exercise in futility, try to string together a sentence or two about the Alabama offense and make it sound eloquent.
I’ve never been one that considered Houston Nutt the most eloquent speaker in the SEC coaches line up, far better than Miles or Oregon, but his description of Alabama’s offense is succinct, but accurate.
“Alabama is solid. That is the one word to describe them. They can run the ball, because they have an outstanding offensive line,” Nutt said. “They have big, strong, fast guys and they are physical. They will run right at you. They have solid backs in Coffee, Upchurch and Grant, but Coffee is the guy. Wilson doesn’t make mistakes. He is going to throw it to his guys and especially to Julio Jones. And Julio is a difference maker.”
With such a contrast in styles when comparing the two teams and their offense it makes it a difficult task. But, you have to wonder what bearing that has on this game? To do so is lacking one fundamental thing.
There aren’t two offenses on the field at the same time. Seems a waste of time, to me. So, we’ll dispense of that line of reasoning looking at this game.
Let’s get to specifics…
Nutt’s Ole Miss team is one of the most improved teams in the SEC this season. He’s battle tested in the league, and understands the end’s and out’s of offenses and defenses.
If he were asked what individual unit is probably the most improved unit in the SEC this year, he’d likely point to one of the Florida Gators defensive units; their secondary.
The numbers stand alone. 26 interceptions so far this season should make offensive coordinators pause when considering how to attack this Florida defense. It’s an imposing statistic to weigh until we remember what team the Gators are facing.
Alabama.
You’ve heard many analyst talk about where the Alabama passing attack ranks in the NCAA this season. It’s near the bottom of the SEC in yards per game, certainly not even in the same universe as Texas Tech.
But, Alabama hasn’t had to pass the ball.
It’s clearly evident that the Alabama staff has a lot of confidence in John Parker Wilson and his ability to handle the passing game. The best example this year was probably the first play from scrimmage in overtime period versus LSU.
Instead of relying on the running attack, it was a route called to Julio Jones who was stopped just short of the goal line. In overtime, on the road in Baton Rouge, against LSU (and you all know the story) they put the game in John Parker’s hands.
Against Florida and this is as simply put as I can make the statement…
Alabama won’t have to pass the ball.
The one weakness, if there is one that can be pointed to, with Florida’s defense it’s found on their interior defensive line. For a team that looks loaded with talent from top to bottom the one area it hasn’t been able to stock is the tackle positions.
Then, you add the injuries they have sustained this year to the mix and this weakness becomes glaring.
Alabama’s success this Saturday is found there.
Led by All SEC center Antoine Caldwell and one of the best offensive lines in the nation Alabama is going to run the ball straight at the Florida Gators. You can expect Florida to have some success early on holding back the rushing attack at times. But, as this game goes on, you’ll see the advantage lean more and more to Alabama’s side.
By the second half it’s going to seem like Alabama can, and they will, run at leisure.
You put a group like Alabama’s line on the field, couple it with the depth issues Florida faces, and you are going to see a game end like several others have this season for the Crimson Tide.
What’s worked in the past, still works in the present, and will continue to work in the future no matter what “flashy offenses” may entertain fans.
Nick Saban vs Urban Meyer
When Meyer made his move to the SEC several years ago there were a handful that said the “spread option” attack wouldn’t work because of the speed of the SEC defenses. They followed that with the caveat, “The only way it would work is if he has playmakers at every position.”
He does. Meyer has taken perhaps the truest definition of a spread option attack and added some true playmakers.
CBS announcer, Gary Danielson, described the two offenses on these terms.
“That’s just because they (Crimson Tide) don’t make ESPN highlights as easily. We get fascinated with big plays and football is more than that. I will say this, though: The Alabama sum is better than the parts. There’s no doubt about that. … They definitely play better as a unit than individually. If you look at Florida, their sum is the spread but that only highlights their parts. The spread gives you the parts that kill you. There’s the contrast.”\
What makes this game so interesting is you have the offensive coach versus the defensive coach.
If there was any doubt, and I don’t suspect there was, that Nick Saban couldn’t bring the Alabama team quickly to the top of the rankings in defensive terms those doubts have been pacified.
While Meyer was an uproven commodity, at the SEC level, Saban was a proven. And, as some expected (some feared) he’s done that more quickly than expected.
Will Muschamp made the comment this week that seeing the Alabama defense, “reminds me of the good old days.” Alabama fans feel the same, Coach Muschamp.
But, going back to a Coach that has faced both teams, Nutt describes this defense in these terms,
“Defensively is where they are at another level,” Nutt said of UA. “Nick Saban is best at zeroing in on what you do offensively first and taking that away. He will make you try to play left-handed by taking away your best plays. He will give you some complicated coverages with Johnson at safety. They are so solid defensively they will make you go the long, hard way.”
“He will try to make you play left-handed by taking…”
Ironic. Alabama is going to put this game in Tebow’s hand. His left-one, to be exact.
Just to put that in terms all fans will understand, specifically Florida fans…
SEC Championship Game Prediction:
I’ve been fortunate to see a lot of good defenses in my relatively short life-span at Alabama.
As a child I can recall what I saw in the 1970’s, but not as vividly as I can the defense of the 1992 team.
By no means am I making a comparison between these two defenses (2008-1992) in terms of production, although comparisons can be made.
I’m talking about another factor.
It’s a factor that doesn’t have a coach. It doesn’t have a captain. It has no game plan, no drills to repeat in practices. It’s a factor instilled, developed, and then utilized.
Some call it the “want to” factor. Today, I’m using the “it” factor.
I have never seen, or felt, the kind of mature intensity coming from this Alabama team in 2008 since 1992.
Sure, they hear and realize that the media is all piled on a bandwagon painted orange and blue.
They’ve taken notice.
But, while it does add that extra spark in preparation for the game, business remains as usual. They understand what needs to be done, what has to be done, and where they want to be.
This is a team that is going to come out Saturday and without spoken word, but proven actions, show Florida what has the Crimson Tide playing for the SEC Championship.
Frankly, Danielson hit on the deciding factor in this game without realizing he had.
The spread emphasizes some outstanding parts.
Alabama’s sum, is greater than its parts.
Football is a team game.
Alabama Rolls!
31-24.
The Ongoing Saga That Is Bama’s Quarterback
November 30, 2008
My how things have changed.
No, I’m not talking about any streaks being broken. I’m not looking at the 12-0 record. I’m not looking at a team that despite most saying they “couldn’t make it through November without a loss because ‘look what happened last year’” has done just that.
What I am talking about here is something that isn’t being talked about. Well, it is, but it isn’t being described accurately by the media and by the majority of the Alabama fan base.
What I’m talking about here is the story of John Parker Wilson. Specifically, the use of one word to describe
what he’s done this year.
That word? Manage.
Granted, back in the weeks of summer camp and fall practice this year I was one of those who just wanted John Parker to manage the game. It wasn’t about him winning the game, it was about him doing the exact opposite; not losing the game.
As the season has progressed I’ve found myself changing my opinion each and every week on how John Parker has played.
It started, but I held back early notions, right after the Clemson game. I was more than duly impressed with our running game however that success was expected. What I didn’t expect was seeing the final statistics of that game where Wilson completed 73% of his passes, not throwing a interception and finishing the day with two touchdowns.
“OK,” I admitted. “I have seen this kind of performance before out of John Parker. Let’s wait until the Arkansas game before changing my mind.”
It wasn’t the Arkansas game itself that moved me further away from the “manage theory.” After all, he did manage to hand the ball off all day long while only completing six passes. It was what happened after that game that made me take pause.
“We are ready to get on the bus and travel to Athens tonight.” That was how Wilson described how he felt and how the team felt following that win and looking ahead to facing the Georgia Bulldogs.
Again, just like after the Clemson game, I took a moment to review the game John Parker had against the Bulldogs. Again, I found myself saying, “that’s not managing an offense” when I reviewed his performance. Wilson finished the day 13 of 16 (81% completion rate), 205 yards with another touchdown.
With the exception of this article, the word manage and John Parker Wilson was removed from my vocabulary October 25th.
If you’ll step back and recall that game the Tide was having difficulties with the Volunteer defense early on. One adjustment made by the Tide staff, an adjustment that wasn’t widely reported, was putting that game into the hands of John Parker.
We can’t sit back and ignore the point of Wilson, once again, completing over 70% of his passes. However, it’s how he did so that is more important.
At the beginning of the second quarter the Alabama offense attempted three passes all falling incomplete. When John Parker returned to the sidelines he had a conversation with our staff leading to Coach McElwain freeing up the Alabama game plan. Instead of calling the specific play, he put the game in Wilson’s hands, and head, when he allowed him to make the call at the line of scrimmage.
It was a simple read with two options; run the ball or take advantage of their set and pass it. Wilson didn’t have another incompletion the rest of the day finishing a perfect 11 for 11. The reads were perfect as the Tide simply rolled over the Volunteer defense the remainder of that evening.
At that point, I was convinced. Even though I suspected he’d have a good senior campaign due to his experience I had only dreamed he’d fulfill the leadership role and take this team on his back.
The Tennessee game was the turning point of my opinion the season John Parker would have. The LSU was the defining moment.
Playing in Death Valley, with the SEC West Divisional title on the line, on the first play from scrimmage in overtime, one players’ number was called. It was #14. It wasn’t a call to “manage the overtime period,” it was a call to finish the overtime period.
I’d dare say every football fan knows the name Ronnie Lott. His comments, after the LSU game, sum it up best.
As for #1, Alabama showed me so much last week at LSU. To see them on the road and make the decision to throw the ball on the first play of overtime showed me just how much confidence Coach Saban has in his quarterback. That’s powerful for a team. He told me that not only can we run the ball with the best of them, but we can throw the ball with the best of them and we can do it in adverse conditions with the game on the line. He threw the ball down the field to set up the win. The reason they’ve been winning is that Coach Saban knows a lot more about his team than we do. It is great to see when a coach who didn’t know his quarterback a year ago is willing to put it in his hands to win one of the biggest games of the year. Great coaches can identify guys who can play in crucial situations and they empower them to do so. Coach Saban is a great coach and he knew better than anyone that his quarterback could make probably the biggest play of his life.
It’s a well known fact that John Parker has his name etched in Crimson Flame in the All-Time Alabama record books. But, if there was a case for another category to be added on his resume he’s proven it this year.
While this season is still unfolding and there remains the possibility of greater things in the future one thing is no longer a question to be answered.
It’s no longer fair, much less accurate, to call John Parker a game manager. He’s simply a winner.
Fall Position Preview: Alabama’s Quarterbacks.
July 10, 2008
By Brandon Foshee
Starting all over… again. That was the situation that Crimson Tide quarterbacks faced this past spring. A year ago at this time, Alabama fans were looking forward to the newest chapter of Alabama offensive football. John Parker Wilson, a talented young quarterback was gearing up for his junior campaign, and second full season as quarterback. Major Applewhite, a hot up and coming offensive coordinator, had sent expectations skyward as he was tapped by Nick Saban to take over the Tide’s offensive charge.
Things started off well, as the Tide raced out to a 3-0 start. Following two close back-to-back losses at the hands of Georgia and Florida State, the Tide rebounded to again win three in a row, culminating with a dominating victory over rival Tennessee, a game in which the offense clicked on all cylinders for the first time all season. However, little did Tide fans know that Saturday afternoon, that was as good as it was going to get, as Alabama limped home to a 6-6 regular season record.
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the late season swoon was the inconsistent play of the offense, especially at quarterback. Wilson seemed to regress after the victory over Tennessee. He lost his pocket presence, made bad decisions, and committed costly turnovers. Following the eventual loss to Auburn, rumblings started to trickle out of Tuscaloosa that Major Applewhite and Nick Saban were not on the same page. Some fans began to wonder if Wilson was the right player to lead Alabama’s offense. What started as such a promising offense was turning out to be a significant weakness.
The offense rebounded in the Independence Bowl against Colorado, but again, while Wilson showed flashes of brilliance, he also showed the lack of consistency and the ability to sustain at a high level of play that plagued him late in the season. The damage was done. While Saban defended his quarterback to the media and gave him numerous votes of confidence, behind the scenes, the same could not be said for Major Applewhite. While he was, and is, a promising young coordinator, he just did not deliver the things that Saban was wanting out of him, and a change was in store.
After the bowl game Applewhite departed, heading back to his alma mater, the University of Texas. Saban went back to the Rolodex, and for the second time in 2 years, he was searching for an offensive coordinator/quarterback coach. The search ended when Fresno State’s seasoned offensive coordinator Jim McElwain accepted the position and headed east.
This past spring, it was a fresh start. A do-over. John Parker Wilson (6-2, 213) was still the appointed man to lead the Tide offense, but he found himself starting all over in a sense, learning a new offense under a new coach. Reports from the spring were promising, and it appears that Wilson and McElwain are gelling. On the field, not only is Wilson comfortable with the playbook, but he has improved on his footwork and perhaps more importantly, his confidence.
While the new offense isn’t a total makeover, the things that the quarterback is asked to do, differs from last season. Back-up quarterback Greg McElroy described it like this, “Quarterbacks really needed to see the whole field in last year’s offense… This year, everything is isolated. You know where you’re going to look each play. It makes our progressions just a little bit easier.” While a successful spring doesn’t always translate into a successful fall, the Alabama offense appears to be in good hands, and Wilson, according to Saban, is the best player to lead it.
Last fall Wilson started all 13 games, and finished the year 255 of 462 (55%), for 2846 yards, setting Crimson Tide records for pass completions and passing yards in a season. He threw for 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Heading into his senior year, he is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the conference, and has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, an award given to the College Player of the Year. While Wilson certainly isn’t a favorite to take home the trophy, it says a lot about his ability and potential to be named to the pre-season watch list.
The job of backing Wilson up will likely belong to sophomore Greg McElroy (6-3, 218). McElroy didn’t see much action last year, certainly not the amount that Saban would have liked for him to see. He finished the year 8 of 9 through the air, with 1 touchdown and no interceptions, and all of that came in the first game of the season against Western Kentucky. Though he has seen only limited live game action, McElroy appears to be a serviceable back-up who could run this offense if called upon.
The third quarterback on the chart could very well be true freshman,Star Jackson (6-3, 195), out of Lake Worth, FL. It remains to be seen if Saban would burn a redshirt on Star, but he has shown in the past that he isn’t afraid to play freshmen if they earn his confidence. The key for Jackson will be proving to the coaches this August that he can learn the offense quickly, and do what is asked of him while limiting mistakes. That will be a tall order, but Jackson comes to Tuscaloosa after an impressive high school career and brings a level of athleticism to the table that none of the other quarterbacks possess. If he can pick up the offense quickly and get comfortable, being the back-up to Wilson is certainly not out of the question.
Other quarterbacks in the mix for a back-up role include sophomore Nick Fanuzzi (6-3, 201) and walk-on freshman Thomas Darrah (6-5, 190). Fanuzzi played in a mop up role against Western Carolina as a freshman, but did not attempt a pass. The Texas high school standout was recruited and signed by Saban shortly after his arrival to Tuscaloosa. He is more of a dual-threat quarterback than pro-style, and though he is still very young, he has not yet matured on the field enough to warrant significant playing time. It remains to be seen if McElwain can tap into his potential, but heading into the fall, he finds himself on the low end of the depth chart.
Thomas Darrah is a name that many Tide fans would not have recognized 6 months ago. However, after a very productive spring practice, the walk-on signal caller began to develop a bit of a following on Alabama message boards as a fan favorite. Darrah burst onto the scene in April after he wowed fans at the A-day game by connecting on 8 of 14 passes for 110 yards, including a 44 yard touchdown to wide receiver Marquis Maze. Despite the positive spring game performance, the pro-style passer is at the bottom of the depth chart, and isn’t likely to see any meaningful playing time unless a rash of injuries take a toll on those ahead of him.
One final name that will likely appear on the fall depth chart is incoming true freshman Brad Smelley (6-3, 220). Smelley, a Tuscaloosa native, is a good athlete who is coming to the Capstone with a very impressive high school résumé. Once thought to be a sure H-back in Alabama’s offense, it now appears that Smelley will at least get a shot this August to go under center if he chooses to. Most consider his final destination to be H-back, but you can’t ignore the numbers he put up in high school as a quarterback. As a senior at American Christian Academy, he threw for 3,309 yards and 33 touchdowns. He showcased his mobility by adding 659 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
A wild card at quarterback is true freshman BJ Scott (5-11, 195), who is a player that could see some situational snaps under center or in the shotgun formation. Scott is a jack of all trades on the football field, and while his primary position will be wide receiver, the possibility of giving him a package at quarterback has been discussed. He played the position in high school and proved that he was a dual threat in every sense of the word. Scott would create mismatches and exploit slow defenses. While it is not a certainty that he will be utilized in that manner for the Tide, especially early on during his career, it is certainly something that is worth keeping an eye on.
CrimsonTusks.com Partner Sites
Crimsontusks Partners
Latest News from RollTide.com