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re: Alabama is entering uncharted territory
Posted on 1/7/14 at 11:03 pm to AllBamaDoesIsWin
Posted on 1/7/14 at 11:03 pm to AllBamaDoesIsWin
quote:
We return almost the whole line
Only if you think Cyrus sucked his way out of a first round pick. We lose him and Steen...the only remaining holdovers from what was an excellent line. And this already was a line that is suspect.
This post was edited on 1/7/14 at 11:05 pm
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Posted on 1/8/14 at 1:16 am to BamaGradinTn
I expect a 10-3 type season in 2014. However, 2015 should set up for another title run.
Posted on 1/8/14 at 1:34 am to CapstoneGrad06
Agreed. I think 10-3 with a bowl game win is probably our ceiling next year. I don't really get the optimism for our upcoming season and here's why:
1. Leadership: who is going to step up? We lose two out of three of our team leaders this year. While that provides an opportunity for others to fill the gap, it's also entirely possible that no one does it. I'm not talking about all of our guys acting up, but what we need for this year was an alpha who'd motivate both by example and by being vocal.
2. Cornerbacks: let's face it. They were terrible. They aren't physical enough and were out of position. I didn't see any improvement from the start of the year to the end. I think we are banking on another year making them better, but will that happen? Four years in the system did not make Fulton a better cb.
3. Quarterback: we have a lot of exciting prospects coming up in the future. Cornwell vs Town (should he stay committed) will be a battle for the ages. Right now we are looking at Sims, Morris, Del Rio, Bateman, McLeod. Good prospects, but nothing great. Should Coker come in it is very possible that he won't get there until August.
4. Offensive line: let's face it. The way they played at times this year was downright offensive. Losing Steen is going to hurt. CyKo has been a mixed bag, and it is unknown if he will come back. None of the returners have proven consistency.
5. Playcalling. Will Nuss adjust his playcalling within games. How is he going to react when we don't have a dependable qb?
1. Leadership: who is going to step up? We lose two out of three of our team leaders this year. While that provides an opportunity for others to fill the gap, it's also entirely possible that no one does it. I'm not talking about all of our guys acting up, but what we need for this year was an alpha who'd motivate both by example and by being vocal.
2. Cornerbacks: let's face it. They were terrible. They aren't physical enough and were out of position. I didn't see any improvement from the start of the year to the end. I think we are banking on another year making them better, but will that happen? Four years in the system did not make Fulton a better cb.
3. Quarterback: we have a lot of exciting prospects coming up in the future. Cornwell vs Town (should he stay committed) will be a battle for the ages. Right now we are looking at Sims, Morris, Del Rio, Bateman, McLeod. Good prospects, but nothing great. Should Coker come in it is very possible that he won't get there until August.
4. Offensive line: let's face it. The way they played at times this year was downright offensive. Losing Steen is going to hurt. CyKo has been a mixed bag, and it is unknown if he will come back. None of the returners have proven consistency.
5. Playcalling. Will Nuss adjust his playcalling within games. How is he going to react when we don't have a dependable qb?
Posted on 1/8/14 at 1:44 am to RollTide1987
quote:
USC was still dominant for several years after the '06 Rose Bowl.
That's kind of my point. They were still a great team but for some reason or another, found a way to not win it all again.
I understand that there is a lot of luck in winning it all and sometimes it just doesn't go your way.
Posted on 1/8/14 at 5:06 am to alabamabuckeye
quote:
What exactly does a "reset" entail? Processing some players? New coaches?
I think a reset means several different things. I purge of some players and maybe some coaches and a reset of our offensive and defensive strategies.
Posted on 1/8/14 at 5:28 am to thatdude1985
Funny this line gave up less sacks and our run game had a slightly better ypc average.
The biggest difference that will ultimately make this year a year instead of a championship year is the fluke play in the iron bowl and the five turnovers against Oklahoma.
Every team has holes. 2009 had a new QB and the same OL losses as we did last year (we lost Smith Caldwell and Marlon Davis off the 2008 Line).
2011 had a completely new backfield and new receivers. Steen was the only new OL starter but had played bad in his previous games.
2012 was missing playmakers at each level of the defense. We only returned 6 offensive and 5 defensive starters.
The point being it isn't who you lose its who you replace them with that matters. I know its normal after two straight losses where we "expected" to win the BCS title this year to go crazy and do a typical post mortem but do not.
We beat Auburn and Missouri, who is to say FSU does not blow us out? Especially since the FSU coaching staff knows all our tendencies.
As long as Saban is our coach we will be in the hunt every year. But to win a title you have to play your hardest every game and get all the breaks. 2011 and 2012 we lost a game and still got to play for the title because of an incredibly crazy list of circumstances each year. The ball isn't going to bounce our way every time.
The biggest difference that will ultimately make this year a year instead of a championship year is the fluke play in the iron bowl and the five turnovers against Oklahoma.
Every team has holes. 2009 had a new QB and the same OL losses as we did last year (we lost Smith Caldwell and Marlon Davis off the 2008 Line).
2011 had a completely new backfield and new receivers. Steen was the only new OL starter but had played bad in his previous games.
2012 was missing playmakers at each level of the defense. We only returned 6 offensive and 5 defensive starters.
The point being it isn't who you lose its who you replace them with that matters. I know its normal after two straight losses where we "expected" to win the BCS title this year to go crazy and do a typical post mortem but do not.
We beat Auburn and Missouri, who is to say FSU does not blow us out? Especially since the FSU coaching staff knows all our tendencies.
As long as Saban is our coach we will be in the hunt every year. But to win a title you have to play your hardest every game and get all the breaks. 2011 and 2012 we lost a game and still got to play for the title because of an incredibly crazy list of circumstances each year. The ball isn't going to bounce our way every time.
Posted on 1/8/14 at 5:40 am to Libertyabides71
I think it is fair to say we had less sacks this year because AJ avoided a lot of them, and the YPC was high because first of all less sacks, but also because all three of the backs did a great job of getting their yards themselves.
Posted on 1/8/14 at 5:46 am to AllBamaDoesIsWin
true but football is a team sport and the answers are always relative.
That is what kills me with the Nussmeier and Cristobal "witch hunts". Stoutland and Pendry are responsible for for our "lack of depth". Cristobal did a damn good job with our OL this year. He and Nussmeier were even threw around as candidates for the Broyles.
And our QB situation is on McElwain. Obviously he didn't like Star (who didn't) but a national championship program running a pro style offense signs Ely, Morris, and Bateman three cycles in a row as problems. Nuss has actually landed two elite QBs. And not the instate guy or the "top QB" in a weak year for QBs (Sims) but Town and pre injury Cornwell were the top pro style QBs in their cycle.
And they both possess the Locker factor (well Cornwell may depending on how he recovers) in that they are somewhat mobile pocket passers. Kiffin, Sarkisian, and Nussmeier all stress pocket movement and picking up first downs on 3rd and medium. McCarron, Cornwell, and Town are perfect QBs for this.
Also anyone think with a name like Ricky Town while in California his parents are either Southern Transplants or really big Creedence fans? (IE inland Californians who think they are southerners).
The name, the haircut, the early (and apparently solid) commitment to Alabama. All he needs is a prominent middle name (even AJ had the J) to be the stereotypical Bama QB. A good John Parker Wilson.
Ricky Joe Town is my nominantion.
That is what kills me with the Nussmeier and Cristobal "witch hunts". Stoutland and Pendry are responsible for for our "lack of depth". Cristobal did a damn good job with our OL this year. He and Nussmeier were even threw around as candidates for the Broyles.
And our QB situation is on McElwain. Obviously he didn't like Star (who didn't) but a national championship program running a pro style offense signs Ely, Morris, and Bateman three cycles in a row as problems. Nuss has actually landed two elite QBs. And not the instate guy or the "top QB" in a weak year for QBs (Sims) but Town and pre injury Cornwell were the top pro style QBs in their cycle.
And they both possess the Locker factor (well Cornwell may depending on how he recovers) in that they are somewhat mobile pocket passers. Kiffin, Sarkisian, and Nussmeier all stress pocket movement and picking up first downs on 3rd and medium. McCarron, Cornwell, and Town are perfect QBs for this.
Also anyone think with a name like Ricky Town while in California his parents are either Southern Transplants or really big Creedence fans? (IE inland Californians who think they are southerners).
The name, the haircut, the early (and apparently solid) commitment to Alabama. All he needs is a prominent middle name (even AJ had the J) to be the stereotypical Bama QB. A good John Parker Wilson.
Ricky Joe Town is my nominantion.
This post was edited on 1/8/14 at 5:53 am
Posted on 1/8/14 at 5:59 am to Libertyabides71
I've been on the DC train personally, as in start him and then after he leaves play Town. Excited about both. DC reminds me a lot of Andrew Luck physically. Moves like him too. Obviously doesn't have the football IQ that Luck had, but neither did Luck coming out of HS.
Posted on 1/8/14 at 9:07 pm to AllBamaDoesIsWin
If Saban wanted Nuss to stay, I'd think he'd still be here. Kirby won't ever leave, from the looks of it
Nuss must have been part of the "reset"
Nuss must have been part of the "reset"
Posted on 1/12/14 at 11:39 am to alabamabuckeye
quote:
alabamabuckeye
quote:
What exactly does a "reset" entail? Processing some players? New coaches?
Starting to get the picture as to what "reset" means yet?
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