🏈 Alabama Crimson Tide Better in '09? Watch Out College Football

[252BAMA]

Brought this out of the Latest News Forum for discussion. Thought some of you could add to it or make comments on what he wrote.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ootball?source=rss_teams_Alabama_Crimson_Tide

 

[psychojoe]

I agree with the general thrust of the article. Our defense has the potential to be absolutely terrifying to opponents. The OL doesn't figure to be as strong to start with, as we'll miss Caldwell and Smith, but there is an upside. Last year our first five was very good, but we didn't have quality depth after Ross and Boswell. This go around we figure to have a decent starting five of Davis, Boswell, Vlachos,Johnson and Carpenter, and solid back ups in Ross, Love, Jones, Warmack and Fluker. Injuries will not be as debillitating to our offensive line as they were a year ago for that reason.

I think that Mac will be solid at QB. I am concerned at this point about how solid a back up qb we have.

Even without Coffee we have a fleet of solid running backs. We will be just fine there. We should be better at the receiving positions. If we prepare as well as we did a year ago we should have another very enjoyable season.

 

[TerryP]

I agree with the general thrust of the article. Our defense has the potential to be absolutely terrifying to opponents. The OL doesn't figure to be as strong to start with, as we'll miss Caldwell and Smith, but there is an upside. Last year our first five was very good, but we didn't have quality depth after Ross and Boswell. This go around we figure to have a decent starting five of Davis, Boswell, Vlachos, <strike>Phillips</strike> {insert Johnson if you so choose} and Carpenter, and solid back ups in Ross, Love, Jones, Warmack and Fluker. Injuries will not be as debillitating to our offensive line as they were a year ago for that reason.

 

[psychojoe]

:redface::redface::redface:

Embarassed ---

 

[rammerjammer]

I hope he got Kenny Bell's weight wrong. If he is 270 pounds at 6'1".......well he will be hell on those linebackers down-field blocking.

 

[kc]

Back up QB is something that troubles me as well.
Oline could be stronger but we will just have to wait and see. I am sure they will be physical, just gonna have to see when/if the gel hits. I expect to see a huge difference in special teams this year.

 

[jocephus8179]

At first, I had some worries about our OL. Then, I got to thinking about that DL they have to scrimage with at practice. Worries are fadin away.

 

[TerryP]

I hope he got Kenny Bell's weight wrong. If he is 270 pounds at 6'1".......well he will be hell on those linebackers down-field blocking.

Nice catch! :lol:

It's corrected now...

 

[firestorm]

I'm a bit surprised in the fact that the entirely college football sees 'Bama sliding down next fall. Well, I don't see also the kind of season we enjoyed last year (undefeated and ranked No. 1 until the SEC championship game), but I don't see the Crimson Tide taking a big step backwards in favor of Ole Miss, as everybody suggests. Yes, watch out! we've got a hell of a defense, stronger and deeper than last season and a tremendous replacement for the Wilson's departure. Yes, everybody here is totally right concerning the lack of a proven back-up QB, but in my opinion, we're gonna be solid in the backfield, and I even see the 'back unit as a strength for our offense. McElroy will take a management role into the offense but with a playbook more open for the air-game. My only concern is how well James Carpenter is going to adapt to the scheme protecting McElroy's blind-side, but he got the potential for it. Vachlos is strong on the point of attack and a tough kid. I'm not worried about him.

RTR,

 

[Duder]

I'm a bit surprised in the fact that the entirely college football sees 'Bama sliding down next fall. Well, I don't see also the kind of season we enjoyed last year (undefeated and ranked No. 1 until the SEC championship game), but I don't see the Crimson Tide taking a big step backwards in favor of Ole Miss, as everybody suggests. Yes, watch out! we've got a hell of a defense, stronger and deeper than last season and a tremendous replacement for the Wilson's departure. Yes, everybody here is totally right concerning the lack of a proven back-up QB, but in my opinion, we're gonna be solid in the backfield, and I even see the 'back unit as a strength for our offense. McElroy will take a management role into the offense but with a playbook more open for the air-game. My only concern is how well James Carpenter is going to adapt to the scheme protecting McElroy's blind-side, but he got the potential for it. Vachlos is strong on the point of attack and a tough kid. I'm not worried about him.

RTR,

Even if there is a step back, it won't be to Ole Miss. Houston Nutt has a track record of having a lot of talent and not being able to do enough with it. Ole Miss will be great parts of the season, but they will drop a game or two they shouldn't.

 

[SnakeFan]

I am not really worried about the offense, I know we'll be solid. It's D that I am looking at improving over the past couple of years I'd like to see more sacks and TFLs by the guys up front and pass coverage that doesn't bend when we have the lead. I know Tebow hit perfect spots in the SEC championship but we can always get better ... GA and Ark games come to mind. Why not more interceptions? :a:ll said, my money is on 10 wins this season, minimum.

 

[TerryP]

I am not really worried about the offense, I know we'll be solid. It's D that I am looking at improving over the past couple of years I'd like to see more sacks and TFLs by the guys up front and pass coverage that doesn't bend when we have the lead. I know Tebow hit perfect spots in the SEC championship but we can always get better ... GA and Ark games come to mind. Why not more interceptions? :a:ll said, my money is on 10 wins this season, minimum.

I think you are getting Arkansas confused with someone else. We had three interceptions in that game in Fayetteville.

I didn't like the number of yards Stafford put up in the Georgia game, but when we get one INT for every two TD's that's not a bad stat either.

That three wide receiver set against our nickel package was our Achilles heel that weekend. If you recall, Moore and Durham (back up WR's) had just about as many yards as Massaquoi and Green did on fewer receptions.

Honestly, it could be said that Georgia gave Utah the first few pages of the blueprints on how to beat us in the passing game.

 

[SnakeFan]

I think you are getting Arkansas confused with someone else. We had three interceptions in that game in Fayetteville.

I didn't like the number of yards Stafford put up in the Georgia game, but when we get one INT for every two TD's that's not a bad stat either.

That three wide receiver set against our nickel package was our Achilles heel that weekend. If you recall, Moore and Durham (back up WR's) had just about as many yards as Massaquoi and Green did on fewer receptions.

Honestly, it could be said that Georgia gave Utah the first few pages of the blueprints on how to beat us in the passing game.

Your right Terry, must have been Western Ky I was thinking about, even though I think we had one INT that game. I think I'd like us to improve over 15 INTs from the year. Looking back though our Pass Efficiency Defense was ranked 3rd on the conference and 14th nationally, I do have to say not bad. Thanks for the correction!