🏈 Who are you eager to see this year that plays for Bama?

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Posing a question...

If the leader in the locker room can't handle the success of one week going into the next just as the success of one play and what follows ... how is one supposed to ask the locker room to do something differently?

Underlying currents...

But then you see stuff like Vandy getting to extend a drive because we have players wearing the same # on special teams, and you think, huh. Seems that shit should have been figured out 6 days ago in a meeting room, if not on the practice field. And it makes one think, is everyone's head in the game this week? Or did that huge win over UGA fill the stomach so much that we figured we didn't have to hunt again this soon?

 

[mando]

Posing a question...

If the leader in the locker room can't handle the success of one week going into the next just as the success of one play and what follows ... how is one supposed to ask the locker room to do something differently?

You do not ask you demand and you back it up with action. I could accept losing by sitting people to inform the program what is not going to be tolerated. You are setting the tone one way or the other.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

We're not allowed to talk about the Vanderbilt game.

I will take nothing less than a curb stomp from Bama when we play them, and 5 TDs by shovel pass.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

The concerning thing that lingers in my mind from last year is the team not being well prepared and ready on 3 separate occasions, all after big wins... Big win over UGA, next weekend Vandy eats the team alive and they seem mentally out of it. Big win at LSU and the next week OU drags them, they again seem mentally out of it. Long break after the win over rival auburn, but again... a depleted Michigan squad shows up throwing haymakers while Bama shows up sleepwalking. That is a trend that is hard to stow away, even though I could point to reasons as to why some of it happened. In the end, no excuse that it happened that bad, to that degree. Important thing though is that it is/was learned from. And if so, I'll accept it for what it was and be fine. We will find out this season if it was an anomaly aided by some 1st year under currents that were tough to see from the surface. Or, more concerning, if it is going to be a lingering concern with this staff. I tend to lean to the former based on multiple reasons, but until I see for sure on the field in 2025, doubts creep in the back corners of my mind.

As for the player(s) I want to see most... I'll go one on offense and one on defense. Isaiah Horton on offense. He's of the build and ability that DeBoer and Sheridan like... I think he will have a big season and find himself in a good spot (literally) with Williams and Bernard out there with him.

On defense, I'll go with Bray Hubbard... He was fun to watch last season when he got in there after the injury to Sabb. The light switch came on immediately for him... he played fast, instinctive, was disruptive and physical. It was impressive for a dude thrown into the fire. Now he's had that experience plus an entire offseason to prepare as a starter, and he'll be surrounded by some top end telent back there as well... Can't wait to see his growth and what I'd imagine will be a very long leash for him to run with.

Good call on the Defense, and the concept of both Offense and defense. I will be watching that WR core for sure. I just hope we run the ball or should I say we block well for the run to develop.

 

[musso]

Or did that huge win over UGA fill the stomach so much that we figured we didn't have to hunt again this soon?

I remember how different it was post-Saban to now see so many players accessible to the media. All through the week, you have some of them producing their own podcasts, others appearing on other podcasts and shows. Then you have them posting their own social media content too. We can't underestimate how effective Saban was at refocusing the attention of the team to the next opponent after big wins. I think the bottleneck of communication which used to run through Saban really mattered. And when you have several key contributors being freshmen, not to mention the youngest player in the country, you have a hospitable environment for immaturity. I think we simply lacked the intrinsic and extrinsic discipline to mentally move on after the big wins against UGA and LSU. Without Saban there to intimidate the media, the media was relentless in asking questions about the Georgia and LSU wins the week after. And here you have DeBoer, who already is less confrontational than Saban, in the awkward position of trying to win over the media and fan base, not to mention his own roster. So he can't really get too stern with anyone. Lastly, how many times do you think our players saw on social media the reaction when Michigan saw Bama selected to play them? As a fan I remember seeing that reposted a million times. Without Saban there to fight against the rat poison from the media, it was too easy to rest on our laurels. From now on though, this is the new normal. Dynasties are done, and probably for the good of the game. Talent and depth are more distributed. Young players are playing more. And players are being rewarded sooner now, rather than having to wait for it later.

 

[musso]

I'm actually eager to see Proctor. I think a second year under DeBoer, a healthy shoulder, and hopefully playing at a lighter weight, will all help make him more dominant.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I'm actually eager to see Proctor. I think a second year under DeBoer, a healthy shoulder, and hopefully playing at a lighter weight, will all help make him more dominant.

Almost mentioned him... played all year with a hurt shoulder... and some will remember, gutted out the Michigan game the year before on a really bad ankle sprain... and played pretty well that night considering.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

I'm actually eager to see Proctor. I think a second year under DeBoer, a healthy shoulder, and hopefully playing at a lighter weight, will all help make him more dominant.

He is a beast for sure. That Iowa move still makes me scratch my head, but he is here and should be dominant. Good call

 

[TerryP]

We're not allowed to talk about the Vanderbilt game.

When encouraged to take a broader view some interpret that as disallowing a myopic viewpoint?

 

[TerryP]

And here you have DeBoer, who already is less confrontational than Saban, in the awkward position of trying to win over the media and fan base, not to mention his own roster. So he can't really get too stern with anyone.

I don't see it this way. Yes, there were moves made to insure the locker room remained together throughout last season. We see that worked. You definitely didn't like the process; you can't argue with the results.

The idea DeBoer is trying to win over someone flies directly in the face of how he is as a person. He's running the program the way he wants to run the program: media or fans "feelings" be damned. (As they should be. Remember Coach Stallings quote in this subject.)

I think my outlook is pretty simple. While others can choose to wallow in a few situations from last season while looking ahead, I don't. There are far too many things to simply say, "shuffle pass against Vandy" when looking at the fall.

It's funny we're not far removed from a lot of guys here commenting on how good of a coach Clark Lea has become. And just when he proves you right the choice is to what?

 

[mando]

It's funny we're not far removed from a lot of guys here commenting on how good of a coach Clark Lea has become. And just when he proves you right the choice is to what?

Vandy good is different than beating Bama good... Agree it is time to move on.

 

[BamaFan615]

I’m expecting Vandy to have a pretty good team this year - again.

 

[BamaFan615]

The obvious answers to me is Ty Simpson.

I keep seeing this video on social media from the UT game last year of Ryan Williams being open three separate times on a given route and finally the ball gets hurled his way and is way short and uncatchable. NOW, the video doesn’t give full context as it’s only focused on Ryan Williams and the Vols DB (who is projected to be first rounder and absolutely gets shook by RW). Regardless, RW is open and open big at first, but doesn’t get the ball thrown his way until his third move and it isn’t a good throw - we don’t know the QB’s progression or what the protection looked like though.

If we have a QB that can distribute the ball, I feel our WR room is built to be special.

As has been said before, a good running game will help open this up also.

 

[BamaFan334]

When encouraged to take a broader view some interpret that as disallowing a myopic viewpoint?

No, some tell others it was one season and to move on. Not disallowing, just persuading.

 

[alabama mike]

Our DB’S. We have to be able to defend and not make an average QB look like a superstar. Secondly, I am wanting to see what Simpson can or cannot do.

 

[TerryP]

No, some tell others it was one season and to move on. Not disallowing, just persuading.

Which represents what? A 100 percent sound, logical, and an objective approach.

 

[TerryP]

Our DB’S. We have to be able to defend and not make an average QB look like a superstar. Secondly, I am wanting to see what Simpson can or cannot do.

They may not be the top group, but they will be one of the top groups in the nation. Barring a huge injury hit, the two best unit's on campus are/will be the DB's and WR's.

 

[BamaFan334]

Which represents what? A 100 percent sound, logical, and an objective approach.

To you, maybe. Moving on isn't always a logical approach because it allows potential for a duplicating effort. Nothing wrong with talking about what went wrong, being pissed about it, and fixing it. Do college football teams never watch film from previous games against a team or a coach they are facing?

I don't believe things will be drastically different with our defense this season. Same coordinator, same scheme, and some of these same athletes. Soooo, looking at how we can improve seems more logical than ignoring it.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

To you, maybe. Moving on isn't always a logical approach because it allows potential for a duplicating effort. Nothing wrong with talking about what went wrong, being pissed about it, and fixing it. Do college football teams never watch film from previous games against a team or a coach they are facing?

I don't believe things will be drastically different with our defense this season. Same coordinator, same scheme, and some of these same athletes. Soooo, looking at how we can improve seems more logical than ignoring it.

The day I move on over a Vandy loss will take years. lol

 

[BamaFan615]

I’m just as guilty as the next person because all we’ve ever known is Vandy football is sorry af lol, but I think what we’re going to realize is that NIL has provided teams like Vandy an opportunity, if they choose, to go spend some money and upgrade their roster. I think Vandy has done that - not to the extent your top tier teams have, but I think their roster compared to ones of the past is much improved.

Certainly not and should never be on the level of Alabama, but one that isn’t getting blown out 63-0.