An article from Olin Buchanan with no mention of Julio? That's a first...
All-American Terrence Cody and Rolando McClain head the defense and Javier Arenas is among the most dangerous return men in the country.
Yet the cover of Alabama's media guide features the lone image of offensive tackle Mike Johnson, who might be the most important player on the roster.
<!--Start Image--><script language="Javascript">document.write(insertImage('/IMAGES/Player/video/0707-ALAMIKEJOHNSON250.JPG', '', 0, 300, 250, 1, 'Mike Johnson might be the most important player for Alabama.', '', 1248383736000, '', 1014, 'Align=Left')</script>That says a lot about Johnson. It may say even more about the Crimson Tide and what's required to again be in the national championship hunt.
Alabama has an inexperienced quarterback in Greg McElroy, a new starting tailback and a rebuilt offensive line, a combination that's not conducive to contending for national championships. The Tide's defense could be the best in college football, but the offensive issues raise questions about whether Alabama can be a serious contender for the title.
Last season, the Tide, which finished 12-2 after starting 12-0, rolled behind a strong defense and a powerful offensive line led by All-America tackle Andre Smith and All-SEC center Antoine Caldwell. Both are in the NFL and will be replaced by first-time starters, perhaps even true freshmen.
"The offensive line is a critical area for us to develop," Alabama coach Nick Saban said Thursday on the second day of the three-day SEC Media Days event. "We have some young players that need to step up. And that happens.
"Last year when I stood up here, it was linebacker [that needed to develop], and a guy like Dont'a Hightower came in and played outstanding football and we became a much better defense because of that. We're going to have some of those challenges in the offensive line."
The challenges will be at quarterback, too. Though he struggled at times, John Parker Wilson was a three-year starter who passed for more than 2,200 yards in three consecutive seasons. McElroy, a junior, has attempted 20 passes and thrown for 196 yards in his career.
Alabama's running game, which was so powerful last season, may not be as productive with a rebuilt offensive line and an unproven quarterback. That could lead to problems getting through a schedule that includes traditionally strong defensive teams Virginia Tech, LSU, Tennessee and Auburn and improving Ole Miss.
Despite the offensive uncertainty, Alabama doesn't figure to fall into mediocrity. Nine starters are back from a defense that ranked third in the nation last year. Meanwhile, Arenas averaged almost 16 yards on punt returns. That combination will take a huge burden off the offense and almost ensures another winning season in Tuscaloosa.
But just another winning season may not be enough for a school that aspires to win national titles. National championship teams typically have seasoned, proven offensive lines; Alabama will have three new starters up front.
Junior William Vlachos will be a first-time starter at center. Junior college transfer James Carpenter is a likely starter at tackle. If he falters, massive true freshman D.J. Fluker might move in.
<!--Start Image--><script language="Javascript">document.write(insertImage('/IMAGES/Player/video/TERRENCECODY250_1014.JPG', '', 1, 300, 250, 1, 'Terrence Cody and the Tide defense will be among the best in the country.', '', 1248384019000, '', 1014, 'Align=Right')</script>"I think players have opportunities to create their own identity at those positions," Saban said. "James Carpenter showed he could at least be a functional offensive lineman in this league through spring practice. We're hopeful he'll continue to develop and improve as his knowledge and experience grows.
"William Vlachos was a good center for us in the spring. But Mike Johnson is the guy that has the most experience and is a real quality player for us. He needs to be a leader who affects other people in the group so that our offensive line can develop. Every question that you ask me about quarterback is going to come right back to this group. Quarterback is a difficult position to play if you don't have people around you, and it starts with the offensive line. I think how this group develops will affect, especially early on, how our offensive team functions."
Johnson said not to count the Tide out.
"I don't think it's too much to expect [good things] at all," he said. "We've got two guys battling it out at left tackle that will be really good. They'll only get better. With time, I think everyone will be surprised by what they see."
It would be no surprise to see Alabama playing great defense again. The Tide held nine opponents to two or fewer touchdowns last season, and could be even better this season.
"The challenge, to me, on defense is those guys have to take it to the next level," Saban said. "They can't be satisfied. You know, it's kind of human nature that, when you're satisfied and you're ranked high in a lot of categories and all that, that maybe you don't challenge yourself as much. You get a little complacent.
"That can't happen."
The defense has gotten the message.
"Last year we won 12 games, but we didn't finish how we wanted," McClain said. "We were disappointed, but this year will be different. Coach Saban is preaching to us, 'Finish, finish, finish.' And that's what we're working on doing."
Can Alabama finish as national champion? The defense and special teams give the Crimson Tide a chance, even with the questions on offense.
All-American Terrence Cody and Rolando McClain head the defense and Javier Arenas is among the most dangerous return men in the country.
Yet the cover of Alabama's media guide features the lone image of offensive tackle Mike Johnson, who might be the most important player on the roster.
<!--Start Image--><script language="Javascript">document.write(insertImage('/IMAGES/Player/video/0707-ALAMIKEJOHNSON250.JPG', '', 0, 300, 250, 1, 'Mike Johnson might be the most important player for Alabama.', '', 1248383736000, '', 1014, 'Align=Left')</script>That says a lot about Johnson. It may say even more about the Crimson Tide and what's required to again be in the national championship hunt.
Alabama has an inexperienced quarterback in Greg McElroy, a new starting tailback and a rebuilt offensive line, a combination that's not conducive to contending for national championships. The Tide's defense could be the best in college football, but the offensive issues raise questions about whether Alabama can be a serious contender for the title.
Last season, the Tide, which finished 12-2 after starting 12-0, rolled behind a strong defense and a powerful offensive line led by All-America tackle Andre Smith and All-SEC center Antoine Caldwell. Both are in the NFL and will be replaced by first-time starters, perhaps even true freshmen.
"The offensive line is a critical area for us to develop," Alabama coach Nick Saban said Thursday on the second day of the three-day SEC Media Days event. "We have some young players that need to step up. And that happens.
"Last year when I stood up here, it was linebacker [that needed to develop], and a guy like Dont'a Hightower came in and played outstanding football and we became a much better defense because of that. We're going to have some of those challenges in the offensive line."
The challenges will be at quarterback, too. Though he struggled at times, John Parker Wilson was a three-year starter who passed for more than 2,200 yards in three consecutive seasons. McElroy, a junior, has attempted 20 passes and thrown for 196 yards in his career.
Alabama's running game, which was so powerful last season, may not be as productive with a rebuilt offensive line and an unproven quarterback. That could lead to problems getting through a schedule that includes traditionally strong defensive teams Virginia Tech, LSU, Tennessee and Auburn and improving Ole Miss.
Despite the offensive uncertainty, Alabama doesn't figure to fall into mediocrity. Nine starters are back from a defense that ranked third in the nation last year. Meanwhile, Arenas averaged almost 16 yards on punt returns. That combination will take a huge burden off the offense and almost ensures another winning season in Tuscaloosa.
But just another winning season may not be enough for a school that aspires to win national titles. National championship teams typically have seasoned, proven offensive lines; Alabama will have three new starters up front.
Junior William Vlachos will be a first-time starter at center. Junior college transfer James Carpenter is a likely starter at tackle. If he falters, massive true freshman D.J. Fluker might move in.
<!--Start Image--><script language="Javascript">document.write(insertImage('/IMAGES/Player/video/TERRENCECODY250_1014.JPG', '', 1, 300, 250, 1, 'Terrence Cody and the Tide defense will be among the best in the country.', '', 1248384019000, '', 1014, 'Align=Right')</script>"I think players have opportunities to create their own identity at those positions," Saban said. "James Carpenter showed he could at least be a functional offensive lineman in this league through spring practice. We're hopeful he'll continue to develop and improve as his knowledge and experience grows.
"William Vlachos was a good center for us in the spring. But Mike Johnson is the guy that has the most experience and is a real quality player for us. He needs to be a leader who affects other people in the group so that our offensive line can develop. Every question that you ask me about quarterback is going to come right back to this group. Quarterback is a difficult position to play if you don't have people around you, and it starts with the offensive line. I think how this group develops will affect, especially early on, how our offensive team functions."
Johnson said not to count the Tide out.
"I don't think it's too much to expect [good things] at all," he said. "We've got two guys battling it out at left tackle that will be really good. They'll only get better. With time, I think everyone will be surprised by what they see."
It would be no surprise to see Alabama playing great defense again. The Tide held nine opponents to two or fewer touchdowns last season, and could be even better this season.
"The challenge, to me, on defense is those guys have to take it to the next level," Saban said. "They can't be satisfied. You know, it's kind of human nature that, when you're satisfied and you're ranked high in a lot of categories and all that, that maybe you don't challenge yourself as much. You get a little complacent.
"That can't happen."
The defense has gotten the message.
"Last year we won 12 games, but we didn't finish how we wanted," McClain said. "We were disappointed, but this year will be different. Coach Saban is preaching to us, 'Finish, finish, finish.' And that's what we're working on doing."
Can Alabama finish as national champion? The defense and special teams give the Crimson Tide a chance, even with the questions on offense.
