| FTBL Reality check: Ask yourself this question...

[TerryP]

There is another 7 on 7 skel drill report that is being circulated via email and will undoubtedly start turning up on message forums today and tomorrow. I really haven't surfed my normal Bama sites as of yet this morning but I'm willing to bet I'll find it somewhere.

All the reports I've read, heard, seen, you name it...this summer have all had raving reviews of this guy or that guy. It started me thinking. Yeah, scared me too.

Over the last decade, when have you ever heard (as in read a report about skel drills) on a message board that didn't say things were looking very, very good?

I'm not making a comparison between the two teams or the two coaches with this observation.

I remember cleary the summer of 2000...sitting with a friend of mine and talking about non football issues with DuBose. Terry Jones came in and gave him the report on who was working out and who hadn't shown up. DuBose, glanced at it then threw it away. It was a long list, believe you me.

But, all over the 'net at that time you had people making all of these threads about how good the OL looked, Tyler and Andrew were on target with all of their throws, Kecalf was a lock down corner and nothing was getting by him, Triandos should compete in the first game, Dre Fulgham was an answer, Brandon Greer was going to have a breakout year...the list goes on.

I'm not trying to be a "debbie downer" here but I do think it is important to keep in mind that skel drills don't tell you much, if anything, about how these guys are going to do when pads and 11 guys are facing them.

Our young guys coming in look good, they look like they'll be able to contribute. That's a good thing. How much they'll be able to contribute? That is a speculation better served during fall camp.

 

[aMAZEnFan]

Good point, but I have an even better one.

Dubose ain't Saban.

End of Story.

 

[TerryP]

Good point, but I have an even better one.

Dubose ain't Saban.

End of Story.

No, not the end of the story. That's merely a review of what I posted. :wink:

I'm not making a comparison between the two teams or the two coaches with this observation.

That said, I doubt, seriously, Saban has the WR working on a triple stack alignment.

 

[kudzu]

Very true Maze but, the internet is still the internet and fans reports probably are still very similar.
Fans expectations are as high as ever. Especially with the anticipation of the ''#1 class and who might see the field this year.
I'm adopting a patient approach.

 

[Guest]

You can take the 7-on-7s for what they are, and still be optimistic. At least we are hearing good reports instead of the other. With myself, I'm just happy to hear anything football related are far as being on the field, especially during this very slow period.

 

[BamaFan615]

You can take the 7-on-7s for what they are, and still be optimistic. At least we are hearing good reports instead of the other. With myself, I'm just happy to hear anything football related are far as being on the field, especially during this very slow period.

You are in the same boat as me...I can't wait til the fall.

 

[Guest]

I think all in all I want and expect to see an attitude change on the field. A different personality and a team looking to establish itself instead of always just talking about it. The wins, championships etc will take care of itself. Concentration needs to be on development and build a winning attitude right now. Basically doing things the right way and not thinking everybody owes Alabama respect because they are who they are.

 

[Guest]

I liken this time of the year to spring training in baseball. No one has lost a game yet, at this point we are looking at the upside (as reported to us) of all the newcomers. There is no doubt that we have a lot of gifted athletes in this incomong crew, but it is a big adjustment going from the high school level to the SEC. Some will surprise us with how well they do right off the bat, but there could be some who never live up to the expectations. This will be the first time for many of them to be competing against people who are in their class in size, speed and ability.

 

[TerryP]

I liken this time of the year to spring training in baseball. No one has lost a game yet, at this point we are looking at the upside (as reported to us) of all the newcomers. There is no doubt that we have a lot of gifted athletes in this incomong crew, but it is a big adjustment going from the high school level to the SEC. Some will surprise us with how well they do right off the bat, but there could be some who never live up to the expectations. This will be the first time for many of them to be competing against people who are in their class in size, speed and ability.

Often said, but always true. A prime example of that comes with Julio. When he and Deandre Brown were in the All-Star camp and faced the coverage of Alonzo Lawrence they had difficulty making the same type of plays they did in high school competition. Two things happened because of that. AL's ratings went up and theirs dropped a bit. As much ability and promise that Hanks, BJ and Maze have shown if they end up lining in the slot and get covered by Chris Clemons or Michael Hamlin (Clemson's safeties, leading tacklers and one of the best safety duo's in the country) they'll have their difficulties as well.

People, year in and year out, continue to say you can't take anything worthwhile away from observations of spring scrimmages and spring games. My point with this thread is you can take a hell of a lot more out of the spring than you can the skel drills in the summer.

 

[Guest]

I think all in all I want and expect to see an attitude change on the field. A different personality and a team looking to establish itself instead of always just talking about it. The wins, championships etc will take care of itself. Concentration needs to be on development and build a winning attitude right now. Basically doing things the right way and not thinking everybody owes Alabama respect because they are who they are.

I totally agree with everything you say here. IMO, this is one the most important, if not the most important, factors in winning college football games.

 

[Guest]

I will just repeat what I have said before...routes can be learned. Technique improved upon. Mental toughness increased, and physical strength improved...

...but you cannot coach 6'4" with a 40"+ vertical and good hands to boot.

The only time Julio dropped off significantly was when his ankle was sprained, and he continued to play anyway. Even though he never had a great QB throwing the ball to him, he was a monster...and he was being keyed on constantly.

I know that I seem to pump up Julio expectations a bit, but I really believe he will be that good. I generally don't get this hyped up about a player, but he is unusual.

 

[TerryP]

I will just repeat what I have said before...routes can be learned. Technique improved upon. Mental toughness increased, and physical strength improved...

...but you cannot coach 6'4" with a 40"+ vertical and good hands to boot.

The only time Julio dropped off significantly was when his ankle was sprained, and he continued to play anyway. Even though he never had a great QB throwing the ball to him, he was a monster...and he was being keyed on constantly.

I know that I seem to pump up Julio expectations a bit, but I really believe he will be that good. I generally don't get this hyped up about a player, but he is unusual.

That QB was recruited for his great character.

 

[Outlaw]

I saw Julio in one game during the playoffs. He had 1, maybe 2 catches. I'm saving my expectations for a later time.

 

[Guest]

Call me a homer but I think we will run the table and win the 7-on-7 mythical National Championship, AND the People's 7-on-7 National Championship.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

Call me a homer but I think we will run the table and win the 7-on-7 mythical National Championship, AND the People's 7-on-7 National Championship.

Homer!!!