🏈 What can we really expect from 2008?

[Swamptick]

What do you guys think? I know there have been a few topics like this but I have been mostly away from the forum for a few months.

We have some VERY tough road games this upcomming year. How is LSU after loosing so many of Saban's players.

How are the Barnturds going to be this year? UT?

I have not really payed attention to whom all these programs lost but I do know roughly what kind of recruiting classes they are having.

Anyone have any thoughts regarding our record? I think we will see some improvements on both sides of the ball but will it be enough to win in these hostile environments?

 

[Birmingham]

My Opinion: Read at your own rick.

John Parker Wilson: Hopefully John Parker Wilson will do what a good quarterback between his junior and senior year is supposed to do... get better. Hopeful he shows some control between his ears and allows himself to soak in the experience of his past few years and put them to good use on the field. Hopefully his athletic instinct will take him to a new level

Discipline: I like this word. As a matter of fact I love hearing it in regards to my football team and I love how much I've heard it from the players speaking about playing under Coach Nick Saban. A disciplined football team is a more mature football team, and a mature football team is one that keeps it's composure in BIG game situations. Discipline is key.
There are two BIG things wrong with an undisciplined team. 1) it's infectious 2) It's disappointing. 1) it's infectious because it not only gives off the impression that their are no consequences but the youngsters who were recruited into a "party" than turn around as senior veterans on the team and instead of setting the standard for the upcoming youngsters they invite them to the same party that they were invited to 4 years prior. 2) It's disappointing because their are a handful of players on your team that want to make football their career. They work out harder, longer, and it truly is a passion. They need a coach that does the same when looking out for their future. So when a situation presents itself when some less committed players need a consequence that protects the integrity of the name on their jersey they look to their coach to set a standard. But an undisciplined coach will let these players down.
Again I say... I LOVE how much I am hearing the word "DISCIPLINE".

Last Years Record: We were not that far from having 10 wins last year. A lot closer than a 7-6 record would lead you to believe. And some of those "near wins" came to respectable teams. A play here or there could have completely changed most of those losses. We aren't getting blown out and that's good, but Alabama in 2008 will have to find a way to win those close ones because with a schedule that we have posted their is inevitably going to be close ones.

A championship team will find a way to win.

I love the experience we will get this coming year. It will equip our young players with getting familiar with teams that they will see standing in their way in the future when Alabama is going after their 13th National Championship.

 

[Guest]

Next year from the W/L point of view could be pretty tough. We go to Fayetteville, Knoxville, Athens and Baton Rouge, and we have the Clemson game in Atlanta. We haven't exactly enjoyed playing the barners at home, either, and we've been Croomed two years in a row. That being said, we do have some positives, such as an offensive line that will return almost intact, as well as bringing in a couple of frosh who could play right away. We have a senior quarterback who is a two year starter and hopefully won't have to learn a brand new offense. We have a trio of talented running backs, a useful group of receivers coming back asa well as some very talented recruits in this area.

Defensively there are some guys we'll miss, notably Mustin and Gilberry, but we'll be more experienced under this system. We need to add some big bodies up front on defense, and hopefully we will bring some in.

Worst case, it could be another 6-6 season, even though we will be better than this. Best case is 10-2. I don't think we have the talent yet to beat Georgia or LSU on the road. Splitting the difference, I'll pick us to go 8-4, with losses to Clemson, Georgia, LSU and either Auburn or Tennessee.

 

[Guest]

Anything better than a 7 win season next year will be icing on the cake. Remember, this is CNS first, full recruiting year and it is going to take another class or two to get the program back among the national elite.

 

[jxntiger]

LSU should be loaded again next year, even though "Saban's Players" are gone.

QB - Ryan P. will be the starter and has proven himself with the win against TN. The only concern here is that J. Lee has no experience.

OL - I think all but one comes back.

Rec - Lafell, Tolliver and Byrd (could be the best three in the SEC)

RB - Keiland William, Charles Scott, Trindon Holliday, Richard Murphy (all very good)

DL - All back except for Dorsey

LB - All are returning except for Ali Highsmith

DB - Lost a few, however the backups have a lot of experience.

I have a feeling that "Miles' Players" will do just fine.

 

[Birmingham]

I don't know how "unbiased" that last response was, LOL. Now that I think about it I don't know how unbiased my opinion is.

 

[jxntiger]

No doubt there was some bias....but arent' we all?

 

[Birmingham]

Yes. Welcome brother.