re: Rationale Bama fans: how many starters do you bring back?

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We aren't replacing the whole front 7 though. Key pieces are coming back. Ryan Anderson, Jon Allen, Tim Williams, Rashaan Evans, Rueban Foster. It's not like we are completely starting over.

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I completely agree. Here is my 1st post in this thread.

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Calvin Ridley
ArDarius Stewart
OJ Howard
Cam Robinson
Ross P.
Alphonse Taylor
Jon Allen
Rueben Foster
Eddie Jackson
Marlon Humphrey

But they have a ton of depth guys like

Tim Williams
Dashawn Hand
Rashan Evans
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Daron Payne

Played so much they won't have an issue with plugging and playing. Bama's biggest issue is that for the first time since 2011 their breaking in a QB that's not an upper-classman and they don't have a proven stud RB. I know Bo is the next great, but he's injury prone and it'll be interesting to see if he can handle a Derrick Henry workload (40+ carries in big games)

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but this is starting to feel like Jeremy Johnson last year

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Johnson had to be the linchpin in Gus's offense. When has a QB ever had to be more than just a "game manager" at Alabama under Saban?

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Johnson had to be the linchpin in Gus's offense. When has a QB ever had to be more than just a "game manager" at Alabama under Saban?

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When you played Clemson in the National Title. Coker had to throw for over 300 yds and 2 TD's for ya'll to hang on and win by 3.

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Played so much they won't have an issue with plugging and playing. Bama's biggest issue is that for the first time since 2011 their breaking in a QB that's not an upper-classman and they don't have a proven stud RB. I know Bo is the next great, but he's injury prone and it'll be interesting to see if he can handle a Derrick Henry workload (40+ carries in big games)

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I think this is a great, honest response. I watched Alabama sub all year and did not see a drop off on the field. Bo might be great, but you are right that no one knows yet. I would be most concerned about losing the senior center. That is the kind of experience that is always missed.

Up by double digits with 20 seconds left.

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Bama will not take a step back.

Have you not been paying attention?

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I think the whole term starters is misleading when it comes to Alabama. Their depth allowed them to get plenty of experience for "non-starters".

I would probably be most concerned about the center, simply because that is one area I did not see a lot of extra experience provided to the new guy. I feel similarly about the RB situation. I guess you could say the same could be said about qb, but honestly, as long as the qb does not screw up with bad choices, he will be fine.

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When you played Clemson in the National Title. Coker had to throw for over 300 yds and 2 TD's for ya'll to hang on and win by 3.

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When you won the National Title...

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Fixed that shite for you, chief.

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Bama will not take a step back.

Have you not been paying attention?

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You're right Bama's the greatest ever they never lose anything, they've won the last 3 national titles. Don't tell Florida State or Ohio State though.

the fact of the matter is we are in much better shape going into 2016 than we were going into 2015. On offense we lost 9 starters headed into 2015 including QB, 3 offensive linemen, all the receivers (including the best ever college receiver at bama), and the starting runningback (who is now an nfl starter). We did ok replacing all of those, produced a heisman runningback, a receiver that bested cooper's freshman stats, and turned Coker into a very good QB by the end of the season. This year on offense we have to replace 2 linemen, center and RT. Kelly is a big loss, but we have several good options from the ridiculous oline classes we have signed under cristobal. Our RT Jackson will be replaced with a super athletic 5 star juco tackle Charles Baldwin, should be a big upgrade (jackson would have been a hell of a guard). Ultimately i think the oline washes or is slightly better in 2016 with another year of experience for the 3 returning and a big talent upgrade at RT. We are stacked as frick at receiver and TE this year, and though no single back is going to match Henry's production, we will likely see out usual RB platoon scheme. Scarborough is even more physically gifted than Henry, can be special if he stays healthy. Harris was the top RB in his class for a reason, just needs to keep getting stronger. The big question mark is QB, but saban has a fantastic track record of winning with 1st year starters, and we have excellent raw material to work with. Cornwell and Barnett are the 2 most physically gifted QBs Saban has had at his disposal at bama. We will be fine on offense. On defense we return an incredible amount of talent. Someone had a chart listed bamas defensive starters by recruiting grade, and we have like 9 5 stars and 2 4 stars next year. Big experience at every position, returning almost all of our sack and interception production (best in the sec in both in 2015, will only be better next year)