🏈 Where from Here?

[MissingRing]

I'm interested to know what changes we are likely to see in the Alabama football program for 2014 and beyond. Nick Saban has talked about starting over. We know that we will have a new QB. On defense, I doubt that anything substantial will change (or needs to change), except for the recruiting of better cornerbacks. On offense, I wonder if CNS will go for another drop-back, pro-style passer and a balanced attack as under AJ, or whether we will see a dual threat type QB and more of an emphasis on the running game.
Thoughts?

 

[Snake2]

Nothing is broke so I don't think much changes. A tweek here or there just like every year.

 

[psychojoe]

Wait until after spring practice, when we see which qb emergesas #1. Saban teams over the years have been very balanced. If Sims emerges, I cant imagine our offense not having some plays to make use of his running ability.

 

[JoshB]

Saban already has a recruit from a top pocket passer in this class and I think one from the next one is coming too so I dont see that changing in the future. Maybe in the NEAR future with Blake?

 

[Tider27]

I just can't see much changing, I think his words signified new leaders stepping up mostly. I wouldn't doubt it if we have some new formations and more motion, but we'll see what we have when a QB emerges.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I think recruiting on offense is going really well, we are set at QB for the foreseeable future (and if Coker comes on board that position only gets better). Depth on the DL and defensive backfield are what have to be (and are being) addressed. We need some guys that can dominate the middle again like Jesse Williams, Josh Champan, and Terrence Cody did. Matt Elam is a big priority, and hopefully we land him. It would be nice to have 3 or 4 guys to rotate in who can play at a high level... occupy blockers, free up LB's, and force runners east and west more often.

We saw how important special teams are this year too... grooming a new punter and kicker will be very important.

Here is a link to '14 QB commit David Cornwell...

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_27n6qW6mS0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And '15 QB commit Ricky Town...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fg7v6KmQ4pQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

I might be a bit naive on this but what has Simms done wrong that were he isn't the obvious choice?

 

[MissingRing]

I might be a bit naive on this but what has Simms done wrong that were he isn't the obvious choice?

I’ll take a shot at answering this one. Sims hasn’t done anything wrong; he just hasn’t shown much more than a middling competence at the QB position. In his defense it must be stated that most (if not all) of his game time to date has been with the second string offensive unit. His passing has improved since last spring. He is a converted running back, and he does run often, or at least sprint out, when the pocket begins to collapse. It is just hard for me to imagine Alabama fully capitalizing on the great receivers that Nick Saban has recruited with Sims under center.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

I’ll take a shot at answering this one. Sims hasn’t done anything wrong; he just hasn’t shown much more than a middling competence at the QB position. In his defense it must be stated that most (if not all) of his game time to date has been with the second string offensive unit. His passing has improved since last spring. He is a converted running back, and he does run often, or at least sprint out, when the pocket begins to collapse. It is just hard for me to imagine Alabama fully capitalizing on the great receivers that Nick Saban has recruited with Sims under center.

I understand the playing time point but it isn't very solid. No other's have more playing time & at this point Simms has played more than AJ did before he started. That doesn't necessarily indicate his ability to pass the ball.

There must be something more to than playing time IF Simms doesn't really have a shot at starting for 2014.

 

[alabama mike]

I can't believe we will see wholesale changes either. Someone earlier mentioned a tweak and I'd have to agree.

 

[Bamabacker]

Saban is good at utilizing his talent in the most productive way. I don't think he would be against a two quarterback system as he did at LSU. It's just a matter of seeing the cream rise to the top again.

 

['65 Cobra]

I’ll take a shot at answering this one. Sims hasn’t done anything wrong; he just hasn’t shown much more than a middling competence at the QB position. In his defense it must be stated that most (if not all) of his game time to date has been with the second string offensive unit. His passing has improved since last spring. He is a converted running back, and he does run often, or at least sprint out, when the pocket begins to collapse. It is just hard for me to imagine Alabama fully capitalizing on the great receivers that Nick Saban has recruited with Sims under center.

I agree with this assessment. I have also heard that Del Rio has been impressing the coaching staff.

 

['65 Cobra]

Overall, I would like to see Cristobal replaced. I think our O-Line has taken a step back since Stoutland left.

 

[jdpas29]

If we come out trying to make Sims play QB as a pure pocket passer, im going to really get more into grilling and cornhole next fall.

He has great running ability though and throws well enough to run a good version of what the barn, tamu or ms st run on offense.

 

[PhillyGirl]

I'm excited to see the building of another championship team

 

[JoshB]

Overall, I would like to see Cristobal replaced. I think our O-Line has taken a step back since Stoutland left.

So he gets one year to replace three All Americans and then he's gone? Ignore the fact that we average more yards per carry and have given up less sacks this year? Unbelievable.

 

['65 Cobra]

So he gets one year to replace three All Americans and then he's gone? Ignore the fact that we average more yards per carry and have given up less sacks this year? Unbelievable.

First of all, we had PLENTY of talent returning. Second, stats can be misleading. Last, did you watch the games?!?! Our line was not dominant and other teams commented on that as well. Don't be surprised if he is gone.

 

[JoshB]

First of all, we had PLENTY of talent returning. Second, stats can be misleading. Last, did you watch the games?!?! Our line was not dominant and other teams commented on that as well. Don't be surprised if he is gone.

Sure we had plenty of talent but outside of Steen and Kouandjio not alot of starts... dont pretend like that isnt a factor. They struggled at times but also were very impressive at times, and yeah I heard a team comment on that. LSU and then I saw that same line run them slam off the field... I love this mindset of one year and you're done. Mario isn't going anywhere.

 

[bamaraider]

Probably more run-oriented. Something like 2008 with a 3-man rotation at RB. Idk who the QB will be, really liked what Morris showed A-Day, but Blake Sims has had the upper hand this whole year, so maybe he has something in store for us. Cooper, DeAndrew, Black, Howard, and Volger all return, so the QB should be in good hands. We'll be losing Steen and more than likely Kounj. at LT.

Defensively, again, lots of talent, just a lot of inexperience. Replacing Mosley as a the caller and leader will be hard, but I think Vinnie has that part down. DePriest isn't as great as Mosley is, but he's a good alternative. My concerns for the defense is a true pass rusher off the edge. A'Shawn will be in his 2nd year, so I think he'll do a good job collapsing the pocket up the middle, but I don't know who will compliment him off the edge. I hope Hubbard doesn't declare, he has yet to have that break out game like Upshaw had against Auburn in 2010, Michigan State, and Florida. Then at CB....I was hoping Eddie Jackson would have solidified his spot by now, but apparently not. I just hope someone steps up, because right now, we have 2 CB's that are formally WR's. Making that transition is pretty damn hard. I hope Marlon sees our troubles there and commits.

There's my .02

 

[bamaraider]

First of all, we had PLENTY of talent returning. Second, stats can be misleading. Last, did you watch the games?!?! Our line was not dominant and other teams commented on that as well. Don't be surprised if he is gone.

There was a lot of talent in the 2010 line and they didn't dominate foes. Inexperience can play a huge role in struggling parts of a team. And the last game, Auburn's front 7 is not bad at all. Dee Ford has played into a first rounder and they have a big guy in the middle who is Fairley-esque. Cristobal won't be gone. 1. First year at UA 2. He can recruit and is familiar with Miami.