| FTBL SEC West: Optimism, meet Reality

[Guest]

Reasons for hope vs. Cold reality

http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/25374-SEC-West-Optimism-Meet-Reality-260508

Reasons for hope: For Tiders, hope is a five-letter word: Saban.

Yes, sir. :wink:

 

[TerryP]

That blog has been edited quite a bit since it was first published. Gone are the "Bammer" comments and overall "smack talk tone" it had when it was first published.

I see a lot of people talk about "skill position" players and the perception there is a lack of them.

I simply don't see it that way. In fact, using the WR corps as example, I see us in better shape for '08 than we were for '07.

Consider this line of thinking...

To replace DJ we've got McCoy and Jones
KB is replaced by EA.
Caddell is replaced by Hanks and BJ.

Then we've got Stover, Maze, Gibson...

RB corps not only comes back in tact, but has even more depth added to it.

On offense, one of the two places true frosh can contribute is the WR position. Out of all 11 positions on the field, the WR, SE and Slot receivers probably have the easiest learning curve.

 

[Guest]

The cold reality: Bama will be improved. But John Parker Wilson is still the quarterback, and the team still lacks experienced position players. Even worse, the Tide must travel to Athens, Knoxville, and Baton Rouge where the crowds are certain to be even more hostile than normal. That sort of schedule is not a good place to bring a skittish qb and inexperience in the other skill positions.

That is our cold reality? lol JPW has not even played this year and he is skittish? Does being a senior count? Common. Different OC, better OL, easier reads and a qb friendly offense...skilled players at wr, te, rb. Sorry, I disagree I do not see that being a cold reality. Home or away. Plus another year in the program.....

Who is the homer that wrote this anyway?

 

[TerryP]

The cold reality: Bama will be improved. But John Parker Wilson is still the quarterback, and the team still lacks experienced position players. Even worse, the Tide must travel to Athens, Knoxville, and Baton Rouge where the crowds are certain to be even more hostile than normal. That sort of schedule is not a good place to bring a skittish qb and inexperience in the other skill positions.

That is our cold reality? lol JPW has not even played this year and he is skittish? Does being a senior count? Common. Different OC, better OL, easier reads and a qb friendly offense...skilled players at wr, te, rb. Sorry, I disagree I do not see that being a cold reality. Home or away. Plus another year in the program.....

Who is the homer that wrote this anyway?

Writer for a small Louisiana newspaper...LSU fan. When it was first published, it resmembled something you would read on tigerdroppings from nothing more than an overzealous fan.

There are a group of editors on BR.com that do a pretty good job keeping the smack edited out...like they did in this article.

I made a comment in one of mine that "Tubs goes through coordinators like Wilt Chamberlain went through women." That was edited out before FoxSports.com picked the article up. And, I can understand why.

 

[Guest]

That blog has been edited quite a bit since it was first published. Gone are the "cool guy" comments and overall "smack talk tone" it had when it was first published.

I see a lot of people talk about "skill position" players and the perception there is a lack of them.

I simply don't see it that way. In fact, using the WR corps as example, I see us in better shape for '08 than we were for '07.

Consider this line of thinking...

To replace DJ we've got McCoy and Jones



KB is replaced by EA.
Caddell is replaced by Hanks and BJ.

Then we've got Stover, Maze, Gibson...

RB corps not only comes back in tact, but has even more depth added to it.

On offense, one of the two places true frosh can contribute is the WR position. Out of all 11 positions on the field, the WR, SE and Slot receivers probably have the easiest learning curve.

In addition to this, here's RBR.com's take on what we've lost.

http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2008/5/26/534706/the-2007-seniors-what-we-v

 

[shipley00]

On offense, one of the two places true frosh can contribute is the WR position.

Gee, what's the other position? I have a running bet with a buddy that TL will make the two deep by the 6th game or less.

 

[TerryP]

I was thinking about RB. The biggest obstacle most face is learning the blocking schemes. To expound on that a bit it's one of the reasons I see us using our TE's in the backfield for pass protection. They have experience already in terms of blocking.

TL in the two deep, eh? Are you thinking he beats our Deaton for the 2 spot at LT? I see him as taking Andre's place when he leaves.

 

[EuroTide]

our away schedule is tough. true

 

[Guest]

From an AU fan's opinion, Alabama will have a difficult season. You guys play four pre-season top ten teams (according to Athlon). While there is a good bit of talent depth is still an issue, even Coach Saban has said that. With that being said, I think the X-Factor for Bama's season is JPW. When he was on you guys played great last year. If he can play consistent, error-free football you guys have a great shot. The pre-season polls are top-heavy with SEC teams this year, Bama has the opportunity to take advantage of what could be a wide open Western conference.

AU and LSU are the heavy favorites early, but both have new QBs and we will be breaking in a new offensive and defensive coordinator. I'm excited about the new look offense and think (hope) it can't be worse than last year but it is a completely different system than our guys are used to. While I'm sure our new DC is good, he's no Muschamp--that hurt a lot.

Bama could very easily be a sleeper. In the West this year a team could realistically stumble once or twice in conference and still make it. LSU isn't that strong, AU has a tendency to let smaller teams sneak up on us. It should be an interesting year. As much as I'd love to write you guys off, I just can't.

 

[Perdido Tide]

I was thinking about RB. The biggest obstacle most face is learning the blocking schemes. To expound on that a bit it's one of the reasons I see us using our TE's in the backfield for pass protection. They have experience already in terms of blocking.

Wait until yall see Ivan Matchett block. Might as well dye that hair red because he will look like McClintock.

Lack of RB blocking can deflate any offense, way more than most think. I would assume having to use McCall a lot is not what the coaches want to do.

As for LSU and Auburn, it will be interesting to see how the QB's develop. Burns has some experience and while ours do not, it is a simpler offense with short passes, and the offensive line will help a lot.

 

[TerryP]

I was thinking about RB. The biggest obstacle most face is learning the blocking schemes. To expound on that a bit it's one of the reasons I see us using our TE's in the backfield for pass protection. They have experience already in terms of blocking.

Wait until yall see Ivan Matchett block. Might as well die that hair red because he will look like McClintock.

Lack of RB blocking can deflate any offense, way more than most think. I would assume having to use McCall a lot is not what the coaches want to do.

As for LSU and Auburn, it will be interesting to see how the QB's develop. Burns has some experience and while ours do not, it is a simpler offense with short passes, and the offensive line will help a lot.

We've got a recorded interview with Ivan coming in a day or two. Check back, TB.

As to our comparison with "Red." I'm still a bit pissed off about him throwing fist in the Auburn game his Sr. year.

 

[Perdido Tide]

I was thinking about RB. The biggest obstacle most face is learning the blocking schemes. To expound on that a bit it's one of the reasons I see us using our TE's in the backfield for pass protection. They have experience already in terms of blocking.

Wait until yall see Ivan Matchett block. Might as well die that hair red because he will look like McClintock.

Lack of RB blocking can deflate any offense, way more than most think. I would assume having to use McCall a lot is not what the coaches want to do.

As for LSU and Auburn, it will be interesting to see how the QB's develop. Burns has some experience and while ours do not, it is a simpler offense with short passes, and the offensive line will help a lot.

We've got a recorded interview with Ivan coming in a day or two. Check back, TB.

Awesome. I really like how yall run the site.

He is a really nice kid.

 

[firestorm]

From an AU fan's opinion, Alabama will have a difficult season. You guys play four pre-season top ten teams (according to Athlon). While there is a good bit of talent depth is still an issue, even Coach Saban has said that. With that being said, I think the X-Factor for Bama's season is JPW. When he was on you guys played great last year. If he can play consistent, error-free football you guys have a great shot. The pre-season polls are top-heavy with SEC teams this year, Bama has the opportunity to take advantage of what could be a wide open Western conference.

AU and LSU are the heavy favorites early, but both have new QBs and we will be breaking in a new offensive and defensive coordinator. I'm excited about the new look offense and think (hope) it can't be worse than last year but it is a completely different system than our guys are used to. While I'm sure our new DC is good, he's no Muschamp--that hurt a lot.

Bama could very easily be a sleeper. In the West this year a team could realistically stumble once or twice in conference and still make it. LSU isn't that strong, AU has a tendency to let smaller teams sneak up on us. It should be an interesting year. As much as I'd love to write you guys off, I just can't.

I totally agree. Good post from the rival. :wink:

RTR,

 

[CrimsonPirate]

The cold reality: Bama will be improved. But John Parker Wilson is still the quarterback, and the team still lacks experienced position players. Even worse, the Tide must travel to Athens, Knoxville, and Baton Rouge where the crowds are certain to be even more hostile than normal. That sort of schedule is not a good place to bring a skittish qb and inexperience in the other skill positions.

That is our cold reality? lol JPW has not even played this year and he is skittish? Does being a senior count? Common. Different OC, better OL, easier reads and a qb friendly offense...skilled players at wr, te, rb. Sorry, I disagree I do not see that being a cold reality. Home or away. Plus another year in the program.....

Who is the homer that wrote this anyway?

Writer for a small Louisiana newspaper...LSU fan. When it was first published, it resmembled something you would read on tigerdroppings from nothing more than an overzealous fan.

There are a group of editors on BR.com that do a pretty good job keeping the smack edited out...like they did in this article.

I made a comment in one of mine that "Tubs goes through coordinators like Wilt Chamberlain went through women." That was edited out before FoxSports.com picked the article up. And, I can understand why.

Faimon Roberts is the Sports Editor for the Beauregard (Psrish) Daily News out of DeRidder, LA. He looks at the world through purple-and-gold glasses.

 

[Guest]

What a stupid assesment of Bama. I am like TerryP I see every skill position being deeper and more talented. Same on the DL. Last year we had a patchwork DL with little to no depth. Now we have depth there.

 

[Bamafan2K8]

LSU will win it yet again...

 

[billfish]

From an AU fan's opinion, Alabama will have a difficult season. You guys play four pre-season top ten teams (according to Athlon). While there is a good bit of talent depth is still an issue, even Coach Saban has said that. With that being said, I think the X-Factor for Bama's season is JPW. When he was on you guys played great last year. If he can play consistent, error-free football you guys have a great shot. The pre-season polls are top-heavy with SEC teams this year, Bama has the opportunity to take advantage of what could be a wide open Western conference.

AU and LSU are the heavy favorites early, but both have new QBs and we will be breaking in a new offensive and defensive coordinator. I'm excited about the new look offense and think (hope) it can't be worse than last year but it is a completely different system than our guys are used to. While I'm sure our new DC is good, he's no Muschamp--that hurt a lot.
Bama could very easily be a sleeper. In the West this year a team could realistically stumble once or twice in conference and still make it. LSU isn't that strong, AU has a tendency to let smaller teams sneak up on us. It should be an interesting year. As much as I'd love to write you guys off, I just can't.

Bingo. In fact....it'll leave a mark. I am still wondering how that happened? Muschamp was solid. Must be more to it than meets the eye.