I don't see many "worrying about missing him."
I was responding to a few disappointments I've read on this board since the announcement. I've also heard disappointment elsewhere from other fans too. I'm usually obsessed with the trenches, so I find it notable that I'm okay with missing on such a target.
You and I see the DT position differently.
How so? The only difference I recall was that [long ago] I had concerns about the measurables Saban sought in his D-front in the face of the prevalence of spread/up-tempo offenses. Three national titles later, I've since relented a bit and redirected my concern from player size/weight to scheme complexity, given how little time defenses are given to adjust and substitute.
You say we've got enough 300+ DL's (I assume you're being lazy with your verbiage again so I'll assume you mean DT's.) Frazier fits that bill. OJ Smith may not make it on campus. That leaves us with Johnny Dwight who I doubt will contribute in 2014. Jareen Reed is a guy we'll be counting on. With luck, that gives us two guys in the 2014 class we can hope to contribute this fallāonly one that may see significant playing time.
DL =
Defensive
Linemen
I figured between Dwight and Smith that we'd likely lose at least one. But with the addition of a JC transfer and a HS blue chip, I felt that we were
okay without a "project" like Elam who wouldn't be able to contribute immediately anyway.
Returning upperclassmen? We've got one with Ivory.
I thought "upperclassmen" included both Sr and Jr. I had both Ivory (Sr) and Lake (Jr) in mind. If I'm using "upperclassmen" incorrectly, my bad, but again, my larger point is we have two returning experienced NGs with an additional two more ready to contribute (of whom only one is from HS), hence my relative peace with missing on Elam, regardless of his long-term potential.
Going into the fall we've got what, four that fit in the big NG role? Reed, Frazier, Lake, and Ivory. Having another body in that position is something the staff wanted. There aren't that many out there that fit that role so when you can get one, grab one.
I get how precious a difference-maker at NG is, and as one who usually obsesses with the trenches, I seldom am alright with missed targets at OL or DL. But we had such other needs (particularly at OL and DB) in this class which outweighed in my mind a potential 5th NG who needed considerable polishing.
In fact, I can't remember since Saban's arrival ever entering a season with a potential of 4 legitimate NGs on the roster who figured to make game-day contributions. I'll gladly take that while adding much needed quality at OL and DB after witnessing a drop off in both units this past season.
While "issues with the secondary" is a thread in itself, we've got nine guys coming back offering a two deep next year with experienceāthe very thing they lacked this season.
quantity vs quality ... I thought we needed an infusion of quality, and I believe we did just that in this class.
FWIW, I don't see the DL or the secondary as the area the staff is missing in this class.
Agreed, neither do I.
Hamilton is the only interior linebacker we've got coming in while losing Tana and CJ. We're an injury away from being VERY young at that position with little experience as well.
Agreed. Think Smart has one or two who can slide over and fill in if needed? We've got lots of returners.
