While I am certainly enjoying the turnaround in our program...I cant help but wonder about next years success. Im curious how much of an impact it will be losing JPW and some other important seniors. Not only for their experience but leadership. It may be possible that this year could be a better year than next year...Not sure but it is on my mind. We do have a young team and that may be the key to next year...having the overall experience across the board...but key position players such as JPW could have an impact.
| FTBL This year vs. Next year....Which one will be better?
- Thread starter Southern Bama
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I think this year could shape up to be much better than next year, but i wouldn't count alabama out for years to come. It will be difficult to replace a Senior QB, but until recently, he's not been that impactful on our success. Not to say he's deterred us, not at all. But until the past few games, his inconsistency hampered our offense at times, so the drop off next year will be noticed, but not that big.
On the other hand, all of those Seniors off the offensive line will be missed. Certainly Andre Smith will be a HUGE loss to the NFL, but losing Caldwell will be huge too, because the Center has to do so much. My hope is that Cody comes back next season on that DL. He says he will....but we know how that goes.
Other positions that we might notice a drop in are at Tight end, which has become pretty integral in this offense this season.
On the other hand, all of those Seniors off the offensive line will be missed. Certainly Andre Smith will be a HUGE loss to the NFL, but losing Caldwell will be huge too, because the Center has to do so much. My hope is that Cody comes back next season on that DL. He says he will....but we know how that goes.
Other positions that we might notice a drop in are at Tight end, which has become pretty integral in this offense this season.
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ExiledTidefan said:
Based on Coach Mac working with the QB, I don't think we will drop off at that position...if anything we will improve because we will have multiple QB's who have had more than one year in "the system."
The biggest issue will be finding a replacement for Andre. Caldwell is good, but he will not be missed as much as Andre.
I am not worried about TE's.
When we have swapped out at nose, there has not been as much of a drop off as you may think. Cody is a run plugging behemoth, no doubt...
I think next year will be better, and 2010 even better - if we can develop OL.
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Defense will still be very good. Rashad will be the biggest loss obviously, and will be missed. It isn't out of the question that Cody could go pro. If that happens, he'll be missed. But the defense is in really good shape.
On offense, we have to replace JPW. Gonna likely be some growing pains there. The bad news is, we'll be replacing 3 future NFL offensive linemen (2 of which will be highly drafted), and Travis McCall who is as good a blocking TE/H-Back as there is out there. The good news here is, we have a lot of young talent on the OL, and those guys have gotten some snaps this season and should get more. We have quality depth there, but again, other than Johnson and Drew Davis, we'll return very little experience. As for McCall, his lead blocking will be missed, but Colin Peek becomes eligible next year and he will give us a tremendous passing threat in the 2 TE set with Walker. Saban loves Peek, and he very rarely publicly praises a player like I've seen him do peek a couple of times. We lose Oakley and Stover, and of the 2, Stover is the biggest loss. Good WR and good blocker, but our depth at WR is going to be excellent.
On special teams, both Tiffin and Fitzgerald return for their Sr seasons, so we are looking good there as well.
In conclusion, the biggest area of concern is getting a new QB in there and putting a new OL together. The good news is, we have the players now, and more on the way. I think we'll be better on defense, better on special teams, and have a slower start on offense but improve as the season wears on (as the QB and OL get more experience).
On offense, we have to replace JPW. Gonna likely be some growing pains there. The bad news is, we'll be replacing 3 future NFL offensive linemen (2 of which will be highly drafted), and Travis McCall who is as good a blocking TE/H-Back as there is out there. The good news here is, we have a lot of young talent on the OL, and those guys have gotten some snaps this season and should get more. We have quality depth there, but again, other than Johnson and Drew Davis, we'll return very little experience. As for McCall, his lead blocking will be missed, but Colin Peek becomes eligible next year and he will give us a tremendous passing threat in the 2 TE set with Walker. Saban loves Peek, and he very rarely publicly praises a player like I've seen him do peek a couple of times. We lose Oakley and Stover, and of the 2, Stover is the biggest loss. Good WR and good blocker, but our depth at WR is going to be excellent.
On special teams, both Tiffin and Fitzgerald return for their Sr seasons, so we are looking good there as well.
In conclusion, the biggest area of concern is getting a new QB in there and putting a new OL together. The good news is, we have the players now, and more on the way. I think we'll be better on defense, better on special teams, and have a slower start on offense but improve as the season wears on (as the QB and OL get more experience).
Yep...my gut tells me that we will have a better win / loss record this year as opposed to next year. The O-Line losses will be huge as yall pointed out and we all know that the loss of JPW will be significant. The scenario that I would hate to see is for us to do really well this year and slip a little next year...personally I would understand it but some psycho fans would be calling for Sabans job if that happens...while im sure it would be a small group, we all know how they can be when the team is not playing well. Its hard for some folks to understand the swings in talent / experience levels in college football from year to year.
Does it look like Andre will leave early?
Red_Tsunami said:
Pretty much.
