🏈 Strong and weak: Alabama Crimson Tide

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Every year, players come and go in college football. With that teams can either grow or take steps back because of turnover.

With that we'll take a look at all 14 teams in the SEC and check out each one's strongest and weakest position heading into fall camp and the 2013 season.

Now, the weakest position might not always mean that it's subpar or even bad, but it might just need the most work.

We'll start things off by checking on Alabama:

Strongest position: Running back and/or pass-catchers

I know that people will look to quarterback AJ McCarron as being Crimson Tide's top player, but Alabama is hurting behind him. But when it comes to running back and the Tide's group of pass-catchers you really could just take your pick. Eddie Lacy might be gone, but Alabama is once again loaded at running back, beginning with starter T.J. Yeldon, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season. After the way he played this spring, he looks more than ready to be the guy toting the rock the majority of the time. But he'll have plenty of help, starting with veteran big body Jalston Fowler, who is back from the knee injury he suffered last year. Dee Hart, who could be used as a rusher and receiver is back from his knee injury, too. Sophomore Kenyan Drake returns and expect Derrick Henry to contribute a lot. Henry can be used as a rusher and an H-back. Also, keep an eye on incoming freshman Alvin Kamara, who was the No. 4 running back nationally in the 2014 class.

As for receiver, Amari Cooper and his 1,000 yards are back. By the end of the year, he was one of the league's best receivers and had a very good spring. Senior Kevin Norwood is back and has proved to be a valuable possession guy, while Kenny Bell should be one of the team's top deep threats again. DeAndrew White could prove to be another valuable deep threat, while Chris Black is back after a shoulder injury caused him to miss the 2012 season. Also, look out for freshman tight end O.J. Howard who has the speed and size to be a big mismatch for defenders. He was one of Alabama's top performers this spring.

Weakest position: Defensive line

Alabama is still looking for consistency up front. The dominant players the Tide are used to having up front just haven't shown up yet. Ends Jeoffrey Pagan and Ed Stinson could have a big year, but they'll need to be consistent going forward. It helps that Stinson can play both tackle and end. Brandon Ivory has a lot of potential, but has to replace Jesse Williams at noseguard. Outside of those three, there are a lot of question marks along the line. Help is on the way with freshmen Dee Liner, Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams and A'Shawn Robinson -- all ESPN 150 members -- coming in for fall camp. Still, this line has a ways to go.

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[TerryP]

What do you suppose is Aschoff's definition of "consistency?"

Read that last paragraph one more time. Has anyone here watched either Pagan or Stinson play and say "they are inconsistent?"

I assume he's suggesting it's necessary for a defensive lineman to pressure the quarterback on every passing down to be "consistent?"

 

[UAgrad93]

Ashcroff seemed to be grasping at straws to find something negative to say about BAMA. Pagan was more or less a spot player while Stinson was an every down guy. If neither was consistent, we all know CNS wouldn't let the coaches put them out there.

 

[cjaytch]

What do you suppose is Aschoff's definition of "consistency?"

Read that last paragraph one more time. Has anyone here watched either Pagan or Stinson play and say "they are inconsistent?"

I assume he's suggesting it's necessary for a defensive lineman to pressure the quarterback on every passing down to be "consistent?"

I think very few people understand Alabama's 3-4 and exactly what the linemen in that scheme are expected to do.

 

[bearsnest]

You hit the nail on the head cjay...in a 3-4 d-line absorb o-line, and the linebackers make the plays/tackles and our linebacking corp may be as strong as it ever has been this year, also I expect our d-line to be a little more mobile than in years past, more gap penetration in my opinion, whereas in years past we were more like a stonewall

 

[bearsnest]

Also I forgot to add, this guy does not mention the O-line, I recall us losing 3 great ones from last year (maybe the best Bama has ever had), so I dont necessarily think the O-line is weak and I believe it will be very stout, but when you lose the caliber we lost its going to be felt somewhere along the line....hopefully not with a loss!

 

[psychojoe]

We did lose some good ones along the DL, but we have plenty of talent at that position, even before you consider the freshmen.

The position I am most concerned about is CB. Beleu certainly was inconsistent last year, if that is the criteria. Still, CNS coaches that position himself and there is considerable talent there as well.

 

[jdpas29]

we haven't had a truly dominant D-line in many years, but we have had players who played well together. The linebacking corps at Alabama since Saban's arrival has been nothing short of amazing. That seems to be why this system works on defense IMO. As long as the linemen can hold their positions well and not get pushed around too much, the linebackers mop up.

I will admit... i miss seeing big linemen get to the QB more often but i can't complain when we are consistently tops statistically on defense.

 

[bamaraider]

Anyone seem to see that, as good as Jessie Williams was, he got blown off the LOS a lot? When Brandon Ivory came in, he didn't budge a bit. I think people are underestimating our D-Line this year. Last years D-Line was good, but it wasn't as physical as we've had in years past. This year, even with new faces, we should be able to stop the run better and have players collapse the pocket.

 

[bamaraider]

We did lose some good ones along the DL, but we have plenty of talent at that position, even before you consider the freshmen.

The position I am most concerned about is CB. Beleu certainly was inconsistent last year, if that is the criteria. Still, CNS coaches that position himself and there is considerable talent there as well.

I think Deion will be better this year. Just needed experience. Check out Kirkpatrick and Dee Milliner in their second year under the system. Guy I'm probably not so sure about is Geno Smith, though he had an excellent year for a freshman last year.

 

[TerryP]

I think Deion will be better this year. Just needed experience. Check out Kirkpatrick and Dee Milliner in their second year under the system. Guy I'm probably not so sure about is Geno Smith, though he had an excellent year for a freshman last year.

The staff have been very high on what they expect from Belue this fall. A years experience will benefit him as much as I hope it's benefited Geno.

The guy I find myself wondering about is Fulton. I DON'T want to see this team playing three safeties in our nickel and dime look.