Alabama is entering uncharted territory

This is what I was doing a poor job of trying to say the other night.
I might have poisoned myself slightly during the OK game.

I was comparing it to recent runs by other top programs that excelled early but then, while still successful, didn't achieve as highly as earlier years. Think post 05 USC.

quote:

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A lot of our fan base needs to reset also.

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Indeed.

Does anyone think there will be an schematic changes? Other than adjusting to new personnel.

He'd have to be joining the staff in some capacity, right?

You think he just schooled Saban while he took notes? (not being a smart arse)

I got chills reading this. What a class of pure class.

Yep. The pure talent we have now will win us 10 games a year. It's the 3-4 tough ones where the attitude has to be right. I'm a bit concerned with some of the stories of this past season. And Nick needs to get off the xannies. They work too well.

What exactly does a "reset" entail? Processing some players? New coaches?

I'm hoping the shift in philosophy will include giving Cornwell a chance to start, despite his inexperience. He clearly has loads of upside and a good head on his shoulders. I know LDR is probably the kid who always has his nose in the playbook, but we're trying to win titles, not have good seasons, and with LDR's arm I don't know if we could consistently stretch the field. Obviously his arm isn't a noodle, and we haven't seen him in college action, but I think Saban's gotta go a bit away from the GMAC type (AJ wasn't a GMAC type), and I loved McElroy.


I wouldn't mind seeing Kiffin brought in to be a TE Coach, a rumor I saw Mag talk about on Twitter. Likelihood? Probably not high, but it'd be interesting, and he's a good offensive mind to have on the staff if Saban can control him, plus he's a great recruiter.


Also think we may let the DBs just play more instead of all the load that is on them. VHIII, LSU's Freshmen, they get let loose. Sure there is a system they know and what not, but I think we'll see guys like Eddie Jackson and Tony Brown allowed to just man up on guys more.

It really is, I think, the most pivotal year, with the most question marks, since this run of excellence started in 2008.

Think about this, and feel free to chime in and correct me and add your own take, but these were the really serious question marks re: personnel that we've had since then...and there haven't been many.

2009: Rookie quarterback
2010: Replacing a decimated defensive secondary that lost seven players from the two deep chart.
2011: Rookie quarterback
2012: Nothing really, beyond replacing Trent, which wasn't that big of a question mark.
2013: Replacing the bulk of the offensive line.

Going into 2014, however...

Rookie quarterback
Replacing the bulk of an offensive line that is already suspect.
Improving a suspect secondary, especially the corners
Improving a very suspect DL, especially a pass rush.

2014 could at the same time provide more excitement and more anxiety than any year in this run, just because, IMO, there are far more critical variables that we have know way of knowing how they are going to play out.