🏈 30+ days til next game so a peek at 2018

[EasyTider]

Offense--As it was in 2017, on paper(!), the offense should be loaded. Hoping we get Johnson back to RT and Leatherwood takes over at LT. As a recruit, Willis seemed to be determined to play tackle but hopefully he's willing to play guard. Center will be the most important hole to fill. Expect Harris to go early and who could blame him. Great team player to not be publicly bitching about lack of carries. Still loaded at RB; hopefully we use them more in the future. Ridley will leave but future is bright at WR. Plenty of options at TE (hopefully we realize the TE can also catch passes). QB-that's being discussed enough already. Regardless, we are solid here.

Defense--Most believe Payne leaves early and that will be big blow to DL/middle. Loaded at LB. The secondary turnover will be unprecedented even for a Saban team where EE have become the norm. We will be replacing the first 6 DBs that see the field. Both corners, Hootie & Brown (no comment) along with Minkah and Ronnie who are almost assuredly leaving early. We will need 5/6 new starters not to mention 2-3 solid backups in case of any injuries. Can anyone expect a championship team when you need 7-9 new players in secondary???

Lastly, we lose a big weapon in JK who probably was the difference in 3-4 (more?) games in his career. And, once AGAIN, we will have an unknown kicking FGs.

Thoughts??

 

[Tidestalker]

I'm a little more worried about LB than you... Since the McClain days we've had a known difference maker at ILB or two or three... Ro, Hightower, Mosley, Ragland, Hamilton, Evans. I don't have that believe (yet) in Moses nor Mack Wilson. Holcombe obviously a reasonable depth guy but not the answer.

The secondary has many holes to fill. Losing Brown and Hootie is not an issue. Replacing Minkah will be impossible... We should have solid replacements for the others (Diggs, Shy Carter, Mayden, etc).

If we would ever get back to running the ball down people's throats it would help all facets IMO. Doubt it will ever happen. Hoping for at least 2 JUCO DL's and a freshman that can contribute. If Buggs gets the itch to get paid we are in a real tizzy up front.

RTR

 

[bama alum]

Offense--As it was in 2017, on paper(!), the offense should be loaded. Hoping we get Johnson back to RT and Leatherwood takes over at LT. As a recruit, Willis seemed to be determined to play tackle but hopefully he's willing to play guard. Center will be the most important hole to fill. Expect Harris to go early and who could blame him. Great team player to not be publicly bitching about lack of carries. Still loaded at RB; hopefully we use them more in the future. Ridley will leave but future is bright at WR. Plenty of options at TE (hopefully we realize the TE can also catch passes). QB-that's being discussed enough already. Regardless, we are solid here.

Defense--Most believe Payne leaves early and that will be big blow to DL/middle. Loaded at LB. The secondary turnover will be unprecedented even for a Saban team where EE have become the norm. We will be replacing the first 6 DBs that see the field. Both corners, Hootie & Brown (no comment) along with Minkah and Ronnie who are almost assuredly leaving early. We will need 5/6 new starters not to mention 2-3 solid backups in case of any injuries. Can anyone expect a championship team when you need 7-9 new players in secondary???

Lastly, we lose a big weapon in JK who probably was the difference in 3-4 (more?) games in his career. And, once AGAIN, we will have an unknown kicking FGs.

Thoughts??

Daniel Wright has been drawing praise all season. Mayden will be a good one, and Thompson is a headhunter lays the wood with a vengeance. Diggs should...should be okay. Carter has seen some good reps this year. They're next up.