🏈 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Preseason Addition

[alabama mike]

It has been awhile since our last game against UM and the good, bad and ugly post to end the year. Just to get everyone in football season condition, we need a little preseason of what you see as what has been good, what has been bad and what has been ugly since January 1, 2025.

Good-

Bad-

Ugly-

 

[Justneedme81]

Good- Quiet the last few months for the team and coaches.

Bad- Miller injury... That's about it.

Ugly- federal employees losing their jobs.

 

[rick4bama]

Good- Looking for a better Bama team.

Bad- Miller injury.

Ugly- No Bama football games!

 

[TerryP]

On the other hand ...

A good: Getting through spring, summer, and now almost through fall camp and we've seen so few injuries.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I'm going to (probably) put up a post before the season about the positives, negatives, and unknowns with this 2025 team (from my perspective) heading into the season. Some of it I've already touched on (though I've stayed more quiet than usual about this team I think), some of it others have touched on. Until then, here's some that have been swirling in my head....


Good- Overall depth as a team and the number of guys on the 2 deep who've played significant snaps coming into this season. A talented, deep, and seasoned team is a helluva strong concoction.

Bad- 3 starters are missing valuable camp time with injuries (Jaeden Roberts, Jam Miller, James Smith). Good news there is none of them are season ending (Miller will be out the longest) and things could be much worse as a whole. Beyond that since it has been mentioned.... I would like to see that 2nd group of WR's take some steps... there's a lot of talent in that room... but Hale (working his way back from a terrible injury), Adams, Scott, and the talented freshman Brooks are all gonna be counted on. I've heard they've flashed their potential (which is high) at times but have also been inconsistent overall. Some of that I'm told is due to the high level of coverage they have been facing, which is actually a good thing. These WR's won't face a defensive backfield any better than the one they are practicing against all week in Tuscaloosa (and that cuts the other way as well, when you factor in Williams, Bernard, and Horton).

Ugly- Special Teams. It sounds like nearly every area of special teams has been an uphill battle during camp. Some of that is to be expected when replacing both specialists and the long snapper... but the degree of the struggles has been, at least to me... concerning.

 

[TerryP]

Good news there is none of them are season ending (Miller will be out the longest) and things could be much worse as a whole.

There's something I caught a few weeks ago I've been meaning to look at in more detail.

Roughly ... the guy they have slated to start at Mizzou (RB) led the SBC last season in rushing. Washington was on his heels from what I understand. (That's where I need to look.) Based on what I've read and heard the kid has talent. If the guy at Mizzou is starting that would mean Washington would be getting some carries over there as a two, at worst, right?

I think I've mentioned Hill a few times.

 

[TerryP]

Good- Overall depth as a team and the number of guys on the 2 deep who've played significant snaps coming into this season. A talented, deep, and seasoned team is a helluva strong concoction.

The scrimmage woke up Pate a bit. You can tell he's talked to Pinkell (think I have that right) with the On3 staff.

 

[rick4bama]

The scrimmage woke up Pate a bit. You can tell he's talked to Pinkell (think I have that right) with the On3 staff.

Did you see his SECCG? He has Bama over Texas.

 

[TerryP]

Did you see his SECCG? He has Bama over Texas.

Read he had said that. He has a couple of installments out I'll watch in the next few days.

 

[UAgrad93]

Good- little to no roster movement. Guys have bought in to the new staff

Bad- while they are few and aren’t season ending, the injuries to guys that we are counting on to start. Young bucks have got to step up and take advantage of their opportunities.

Ugly- anything in Lee County

 

[mando]

Good - year two and everyone should be more comfortable with CKDs system.
Bad: Rat poison.
Ugly: reports about the special teams performance in fall camp.

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

Ugly- federal employees losing their jobs.

 

[Justneedme81]

Sir you wanna say something?

 

[TerryP]

Sir you wanna say something?

If you lost your job I feel.for you: you. Otherwise?

 

[TerryP]

Bad: Rat poison

I see Neuheisal asked Saban about leaving, the transition, etc at the MMQBC in B-ham. He mentioned the unity which we've talked about here a few times.

Your "rat poison?" CNS said he expects the team to be much improved.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

So glad to have this back, @alabama mike

Good - I've heard there's a better Bama team this year. Looking forward to seeing it.
Bad - As has been said, Miller's injury.
Ugly - My honey-do list. Retirement is hard work.

 

[mando]

I see Neuheisal asked Saban about leaving, the transition, etc at the MMQBC in B-ham. He mentioned the unity which we've talked about here a few times.

Your "rat poison?" CNS said he expects the team to be much improved.

I expect them to be much improved also. I just have not seen CKD navigate success when people say good things about his Alabama team based on what I saw last year. I reply to what I observe on the field not based on somones opinion or off season feel goods. All indicatons have been positive and that is great but it doesn't guarantee success. As soon as his team shows it this year I will be all in. I am using his historical coaching success to expect his success at Bama but until then I will watch it play out. You know just like last year when I said tap the breaks but everyone had heisman trophies and national championships coming to T-Town in the guys first year.

 

[rick4bama]

So glad to have this back, @alabama mike

Good - I've heard there's a better Bama team this year. Looking forward to seeing it.
Bad - As has been said, Miller's injury.
Ugly - My honey-do list. Retirement is hard work.

I think I work hared than when I works!

 

[rueben]

Good: Brand new 75" Samsung QLD 4K mounted with sound bar hooked up and ready to go!

Bad: My baby granddaughter's birthday is the 29th, and will be celebrated the 30th. ( Funny thing, my daughter has a degree in, and works in finance. She did the math and told her OB that if the baby went past the 31st that she would be in the next school year and therefore they would be paying an extra year of pre-K / kindergarten. The doc thought about it a second and said, "Your absolutely right, the baby is fully developed, we will induce you on the 30th. So, at least she was born at the very beginning of the season and not in the middle).

Ugly: Injury. Mine. I will be having knee surgery to replace some worn out parts (from a previous knee replacement) on the 26th. But, I have used this to roll the grandbaby's birthday party to my house where I can still be stationary in front of my new TV. ( I could have used this to get out of going to the baby's party, but I really don't want to miss it). I consider it the best case compromise). 3 other men watching the game. Up to 5-6 womens in the kitchen or out by the pool, while the kids play in the pool. My son-in-law, brother in-law and step son will not be letting me lack in beer, rum, or while the game(s) are on. I just won't be grilling.

Okay, enough about me, the G/B/U for the team:
Good: Quality depth in all groups. Lets face it, a 16 game schedule will be a war of attrition.
Bad: starting off with 1st string injuries, in vital positions.
Ugly: Playing the Cinnamon Rolls in Tally. The way the Bama D played on the road last year, I really wish this was a home opener. Maybe Kane's daddy can make the trip as well.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Good: Brand new 75" Samsung QLD 4K mounted with sound bar hooked up and ready to go!

Bad: My baby granddaughter's birthday is the 29th, and will be celebrated the 30th. ( Funny thing, my daughter has a degree in, and works in finance. She did the math and told her OB that if the baby went past the 31st that she would be in the next school year and therefore they would be paying an extra year of pre-K / kindergarten. The doc thought about it a second and said, "Your absolutely right, the baby is fully developed, we will induce you on the 30th. So, at least she was born at the very beginning of the season and not in the middle).

Ugly: Injury. Mine. I will be having knee surgery to replace some worn out parts (from a previous knee replacement) on the 26th. But, I have used this to roll the grandbaby's birthday party to my house where I can still be stationary in front of my new TV. ( I could have used this to get out of going to the baby's party, but I really don't want to miss it). I consider it the best case compromise). 3 other men watching the game. Up to 5-6 womens in the kitchen or out by the pool, while the kids play in the pool. My son-in-law, brother in-law and step son will not be letting me lack in beer, rum, or while the game(s) are on. I just won't be grilling.

Okay, enough about me, the G/B/U for the team:
Good: Quality depth in all groups. Lets face it, a 16 game schedule will be a war of attrition.
Bad: starting off with 1st string injuries, in vital positions.
Ugly: Playing the Cinnamon Rolls in Tally. The way the Bama D played on the road last year, I really wish this was a home opener. Maybe Kane's daddy can make the trip as well.

Best of luck with the procedure.