BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
Talent isnāt the question. For Alabama, it never is.
But the number of concerns coach Nick Saban and his staff face this offseason are aplenty. On both sides of the ball, there are major reconstructions to take place. And philosophically, it feels as if the program is at a crossroads -- to further embrace Lane Kiffinās wide-open offense and try to win games by way of a shootout or go back to the basics and attempt to re-create the hard-nosed defense that typified Alabamaās first three national titles under Saban.
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Itās why we at the SEC Blog went against the grain and did not rank the Crimson Tide among our projected top three teams in the conference. With so much up in the air, we felt better about the chances of Georgia and Auburn.
Now there are two sides to every debate, and here weāll reveal the point-counterpoint behind our thinking.
1. A shaky defense
Point: Saban built Alabama on defense. So to see the regression there this past season was troubling. While the line was strong and the linebackers were more than adequate, nothing seemed to save the secondary. It seems like so long ago now, but the season-opener against West Virginia when it gave up 365 yards passing was a harbinger of things to come. Outside of the now departed star safety Landon Collins, there wasnāt a lot of solid on-ball coverage. In the final three games against Auburn, Missouri and Ohio State, the once-dominant Crimson Tide defense surrendered an average of 33 points and 493 yards per game. Without Collins to lean on and no sure thing at safety ready to step into his shoes, can we honestly expect an improvement in Alabamaās pass defense? And even bigger than that, is there anything to suggest that Saban and his staff have learned to defend the hurry-up, no-huddle any better? Especially when thereās a mobile QB involved, Alabama has been found lacking.
Counterpoint: Thereās always the chance that this was a transitional year at cornerback. Cyrus Jones came to his own, Eddie Jackson returned from a torn ACL quickly, and freshman Tony Brown was able to see the field with some regularity. So, if youāre looking on the bright side, all three could be better next season, whether itās Jacksonās knee getting stronger or Brownās knowledge of the defense increasing. Along with that, thereās plenty of talent waiting in the wings. Marlon Humphrey, a five-star corner in last yearās signing class, will shed his redshirt, and thereās the chance that a few stars from the 2015 class emerge, whether thatās early enrollee safety Deionte Thompson or one of the two top-five cornerbacks already committed to the Tide.
2. Too many questions on offense
Point: Blake Sims is gone after one spectacular year as a starter. And while Alabama lucked out with his out-of-nowhere development, can we expect lightning to strike twice? Maybe, but most programs arenāt so fortunate. At some point, you have to think Sabanās run of solid QBs will end. If it does, how will it affect Alabama? Do we know for sure that Derrick Henry is ready to become a feature back? After all, the way Kiffin subbed an ailing T.J. Yeldon into the game against Ohio State on most every third down indicated that Henry is a liability blocking. And beyond Henryās ability and Kenyan Drakeās health, who will be the go-to receivers? Amari Cooperās 124 receptions are gone, along with the next two leading pass-catchers in Christion Jones and DeAndrew White.
Counterpoint: Who would have thought a year ago that Alabama would be bemoaning the loss of Sims? The former wideout was never supposed to become the starting QB, which is both a testament to his ability and that of Kiffin to coach the position. After all, if Sims can throw for 3,000 yards, maybe Jake Coker can too -- or Cooper Bateman, Alec Morris, David Cornwell or Blake Barnett. Because in fact, we donāt know who will win the starting job. But there are plenty of options, and a number of them possess the traits to do well in Kiffinās offense, as evidenced by Cornwell and Barnettās high ratings as recruits or Cokerās much ballyhooed arm while at Florida State.
3. Increasing competition
Point: The bowl season said one thing, but the regular season said quite another. The West, contrary to popular opinion these days, might still be the best division in college football next season. If you donāt believe that to be true, come up with your predicted order of finish. Who do you have as the sixth and seventh teams? Mississippi State, which possesses a Heisman Trophy candidate at QB? Texas A&M, which should upgrade on defense thanks to the addition of John Chavis? How about Arkansas, which won four of its final six games and could begin the season ranked in the top 25? While Alabama might still be the most talented team in the SEC, the gap seems to be dwindling.
Counterpoint: Itās not so weak that it fails to merit playoff consideration, but Alabamaās schedule is not exactly a high-wire act. Outside of nonconference cupcakes Middle Tennessee, Louisiana Monroe and Charleston Southern, the big draw, Wisconsin, will have a new coaching staff and will be without its star player, Melvin Gordon. Then consider that the home portion of the schedule is about as favorable as possible: Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU. Going to Georgia, Mississippi State and Auburn wonāt be easy, granted, but at least those games come in October and November, rather than when the team is still developing in September.
But the number of concerns coach Nick Saban and his staff face this offseason are aplenty. On both sides of the ball, there are major reconstructions to take place. And philosophically, it feels as if the program is at a crossroads -- to further embrace Lane Kiffinās wide-open offense and try to win games by way of a shootout or go back to the basics and attempt to re-create the hard-nosed defense that typified Alabamaās first three national titles under Saban.
eion
Itās why we at the SEC Blog went against the grain and did not rank the Crimson Tide among our projected top three teams in the conference. With so much up in the air, we felt better about the chances of Georgia and Auburn.
Now there are two sides to every debate, and here weāll reveal the point-counterpoint behind our thinking.
1. A shaky defense
Point: Saban built Alabama on defense. So to see the regression there this past season was troubling. While the line was strong and the linebackers were more than adequate, nothing seemed to save the secondary. It seems like so long ago now, but the season-opener against West Virginia when it gave up 365 yards passing was a harbinger of things to come. Outside of the now departed star safety Landon Collins, there wasnāt a lot of solid on-ball coverage. In the final three games against Auburn, Missouri and Ohio State, the once-dominant Crimson Tide defense surrendered an average of 33 points and 493 yards per game. Without Collins to lean on and no sure thing at safety ready to step into his shoes, can we honestly expect an improvement in Alabamaās pass defense? And even bigger than that, is there anything to suggest that Saban and his staff have learned to defend the hurry-up, no-huddle any better? Especially when thereās a mobile QB involved, Alabama has been found lacking.
Counterpoint: Thereās always the chance that this was a transitional year at cornerback. Cyrus Jones came to his own, Eddie Jackson returned from a torn ACL quickly, and freshman Tony Brown was able to see the field with some regularity. So, if youāre looking on the bright side, all three could be better next season, whether itās Jacksonās knee getting stronger or Brownās knowledge of the defense increasing. Along with that, thereās plenty of talent waiting in the wings. Marlon Humphrey, a five-star corner in last yearās signing class, will shed his redshirt, and thereās the chance that a few stars from the 2015 class emerge, whether thatās early enrollee safety Deionte Thompson or one of the two top-five cornerbacks already committed to the Tide.
2. Too many questions on offense
Point: Blake Sims is gone after one spectacular year as a starter. And while Alabama lucked out with his out-of-nowhere development, can we expect lightning to strike twice? Maybe, but most programs arenāt so fortunate. At some point, you have to think Sabanās run of solid QBs will end. If it does, how will it affect Alabama? Do we know for sure that Derrick Henry is ready to become a feature back? After all, the way Kiffin subbed an ailing T.J. Yeldon into the game against Ohio State on most every third down indicated that Henry is a liability blocking. And beyond Henryās ability and Kenyan Drakeās health, who will be the go-to receivers? Amari Cooperās 124 receptions are gone, along with the next two leading pass-catchers in Christion Jones and DeAndrew White.
Counterpoint: Who would have thought a year ago that Alabama would be bemoaning the loss of Sims? The former wideout was never supposed to become the starting QB, which is both a testament to his ability and that of Kiffin to coach the position. After all, if Sims can throw for 3,000 yards, maybe Jake Coker can too -- or Cooper Bateman, Alec Morris, David Cornwell or Blake Barnett. Because in fact, we donāt know who will win the starting job. But there are plenty of options, and a number of them possess the traits to do well in Kiffinās offense, as evidenced by Cornwell and Barnettās high ratings as recruits or Cokerās much ballyhooed arm while at Florida State.
3. Increasing competition
Point: The bowl season said one thing, but the regular season said quite another. The West, contrary to popular opinion these days, might still be the best division in college football next season. If you donāt believe that to be true, come up with your predicted order of finish. Who do you have as the sixth and seventh teams? Mississippi State, which possesses a Heisman Trophy candidate at QB? Texas A&M, which should upgrade on defense thanks to the addition of John Chavis? How about Arkansas, which won four of its final six games and could begin the season ranked in the top 25? While Alabama might still be the most talented team in the SEC, the gap seems to be dwindling.
Counterpoint: Itās not so weak that it fails to merit playoff consideration, but Alabamaās schedule is not exactly a high-wire act. Outside of nonconference cupcakes Middle Tennessee, Louisiana Monroe and Charleston Southern, the big draw, Wisconsin, will have a new coaching staff and will be without its star player, Melvin Gordon. Then consider that the home portion of the schedule is about as favorable as possible: Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU. Going to Georgia, Mississippi State and Auburn wonāt be easy, granted, but at least those games come in October and November, rather than when the team is still developing in September.
