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After processing all that has happened... I think Bama will be much improved
Posted on 1/24/24 at 12:06 am
Posted on 1/24/24 at 12:06 am
Gameday HC DeBear > Saban The GOAT was not the best gameday HC, and holds the world record for most strategic timeouts never used
Grubb OC > Rees Well, this is a landslide... Saban wanted Grubb, but as we all have learned now, Saban could no longer hire the coaches he wanted because of his age. Kudos to CNS for stepping aside when the deck got stacked against him.
JaMarcus Shephard, WR coach > Our WR's fell off a cliff years ago. This guy has 3 WR's about to go top 50 in the draft, and his 4th guy Germie Bernard who just joined the Tide, is better than Bond who transferred out Huge improvement
Scott Huff, OL coach > Huff just fielded the best OL in the country, meanwhile Alabama OL coach had two guards playing tackle, and literally could not find a player that he could get to snap the football to the QB. Just a massive improvement
Nick Sheridan, TE coach > our TE's have been SOFT, LAZY, and at times non existent. Gotta be an upgrade because our TE's have been embarrassing, but honestly I dont know the guy
Kane Wommack DC you have to assume is better than Steele in his swan song season. I dont know much about him, but those that do have nothing but great things to say about him, and the recurring theme is "very aggressive." He's regarded as a very good recruiter with a lot of contacts in the state.
Maurice Linguist DB's ? Linguist must be a better fit for DeBoer and his staff. It would appear that DeBoer passed on TRob for Linguist so... give the new HC the benefit of the doubt.
Colin Hitschler safeties Wisconsin fans were not happy about losing him. Another coach I'm not familiar with, but hearing he was their best recruiter, and a great DB coach.
Personnel- QB
I have no idea how Jalen Milroe fits into the plan for an Air Raid hybrid system, but if things do not work out for him the QB room is deep with choices
Simpson, Lonergan, Mack
It's pretty clear that Mack is DeBoers QB of the future. He's 6'6 240, and has a year of experience in DeBears system.
Here is what I want to see - The best QB wins the job. Not who is the oldest, or who is the most popular, just please give us the best QB, and do it before the season starts. Whoever can get us in the right play, and distribute the ball to all levels, and PROTECT the football. Have a starting QB named and repped before game 1. DGAF who it is, just have his arse READY.
Running Back
This past season was the most boring season of Alabama football relative to RB's that I can recall, and this upcoming season is the most anticipated I can recall
Justice, Jam, Young, Hill, Riley This will be a HUGE upgrade
OL
Major upgrade relative to the OL coach, and then we traded one of the worst centers in the history of Alabama football for the center that pro football focus has ranked as the highest returning center in the country.
We had a big class of OL last season with plenty of length for OT, and also a transfer, and possibly more from the portal to place around the best guard to guard combo in the SEC next season. Booker, Brailsford, Roberts
Unless we completely strike out at OT the OL should improve
WR
With a better WR coach, better OC, better scheme, better OL, better QB play - simply put a better and more dynamic offense- how can this group not be better production wise ? These are all guys that will be hitting that next phase of their development. No longer young pups, but guys that know what it takes so I think all of them will make great strides personally and within a much better offense
WR Jalen Hale 6’1 189 big break out candidate IMO
WR Kobe Prentice 5’10 182
WR Kendrick Law 5’11 201 Finna eat in this system
WR Germie Bernard 6’1 203 Knows the system, and has big play ability Big frame
Maybe a True Freshman makes a move, maybe Ryan Williams signs and is a day 1 guy you never know.
WR play and production will improve
TE's... Odom is a great prospect but honestly the group has been so bad they can only get better. They will improve in the new system with better coaching we have to assume. Simply cant get worse.
DL
These guys are older, and battle tested. They are big, talented, and this next season should see several of these guys take the next step. If Roach cant get these dudes to play at a high level then maybe Roach seat starts to get hot next year.
DL Tim Smith 6’4 302
DL Jaheim Oatis 6’5 320
DL Tim Keenan III 6’2 315
DL Damon Payne Jr 6’4 303
DL James Smith 6’3 296
DL LT Overton 6’3 270
DL Jah-Marien Latham 6’3 275
DL Jordan Renaud 6’4 261
Better offense means less snaps on D, and this group has matured and been tested. This is a solid group of DL
ILB
Studs. Should be our best ILB duo in some time
ILB Deontae Lawson 6’2 230
ILB Jihaad Campbell 6’3 230
OLB
Several five stars to choose from, and some other guys that have played a lot of football behind the outgoing stars
OLB Quandarrius Robinson 6’5 231
OLB Keanu Koht 6’4 232
OLB Jeremiah Alexander 6’2 249
OLB Keon Keeley 6’5 242
OLB Qua Russaw 6’2 242
OLB Yhonzae Pierre 6’3 223
OLB Jayshawn Ross 6’3 220
DBs
Yeah, Downs left, but Freshman Downs left, not two years from now top 15 pick Downs. The loss was huge based on who he was going to be, and he played well for sure this year, but he was also picked on some and his inexperience got exposed in some games. His production from last year is replaceable.
Bama has stockpiled a lot of five star talent at DB, and may get another transfer / portal in the spring. While talented and should be plenty capable this group definitely takes a step back losing two first round corners, and a future top ten pick safety.
Again though, Bama just brough in 3 five star DB's, and signed several in the last class. There is plenty to work with. The sky is not falling. I'd be shocked to find out anyone has as much top end talent at DB as Bama next season. Maybe we've lost that depth, but that starting rotation is going to be all elite DB's.
CB Domani Jackson 6’1 181
CB Jahlil Hurley 6’2 170
CB Jaylen Mbakwe 5’11 170
CB Zay Mincey 6’2 185
CB Zabien Brown 6’1 180
DB Malachi Moore 6’0 198
DB DeVonta Smith 6’0 194
DB Tony Mitchell 6’2 205
DB Bray Hubbard 6’2 195
DB Peyton Woodyard 6’1 200
DB Aeryn Hampton 5’10 175
We take a step back at Kicker with the schools all time scorer heading to the nfl, but I've heard very good things about Talty, and hopefully we are not kicking too many FG's.
Burnip returns as the best field flipping punter in the league. He's a big time weapon, but hopefully he doesn't get to kick as much as he did last year.
It feels as though we're making a pit stop, and taking four fresh tires, topping off with higher octane fuel, and about to get back to blowing the doors off unsuspecting teams that think we are down because a few guys transferred.
I simply don't see it that way. All I see, and with nothing but respect for CNS who is clearly the GOAT, but his time had come to an end, and we just undertook a much needed retooling. His retirement was hanging over the program, and now that's behind us, and CNS is still in the building which is a win win for everyone.
I think mUlliGAn better tighten them chin straps when they show up over here because there are going to be some chippy players with a lot to prove, and from what I've heard about DeBear- he's very polished in public, but in the locker room and on the field the guy is a next level competitor.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see how Bama is not a much improved football team next year.
Grubb OC > Rees Well, this is a landslide... Saban wanted Grubb, but as we all have learned now, Saban could no longer hire the coaches he wanted because of his age. Kudos to CNS for stepping aside when the deck got stacked against him.
JaMarcus Shephard, WR coach > Our WR's fell off a cliff years ago. This guy has 3 WR's about to go top 50 in the draft, and his 4th guy Germie Bernard who just joined the Tide, is better than Bond who transferred out Huge improvement
Scott Huff, OL coach > Huff just fielded the best OL in the country, meanwhile Alabama OL coach had two guards playing tackle, and literally could not find a player that he could get to snap the football to the QB. Just a massive improvement
Nick Sheridan, TE coach > our TE's have been SOFT, LAZY, and at times non existent. Gotta be an upgrade because our TE's have been embarrassing, but honestly I dont know the guy
Kane Wommack DC you have to assume is better than Steele in his swan song season. I dont know much about him, but those that do have nothing but great things to say about him, and the recurring theme is "very aggressive." He's regarded as a very good recruiter with a lot of contacts in the state.
Maurice Linguist DB's ? Linguist must be a better fit for DeBoer and his staff. It would appear that DeBoer passed on TRob for Linguist so... give the new HC the benefit of the doubt.
Colin Hitschler safeties Wisconsin fans were not happy about losing him. Another coach I'm not familiar with, but hearing he was their best recruiter, and a great DB coach.
Personnel- QB
I have no idea how Jalen Milroe fits into the plan for an Air Raid hybrid system, but if things do not work out for him the QB room is deep with choices
Simpson, Lonergan, Mack
It's pretty clear that Mack is DeBoers QB of the future. He's 6'6 240, and has a year of experience in DeBears system.
Here is what I want to see - The best QB wins the job. Not who is the oldest, or who is the most popular, just please give us the best QB, and do it before the season starts. Whoever can get us in the right play, and distribute the ball to all levels, and PROTECT the football. Have a starting QB named and repped before game 1. DGAF who it is, just have his arse READY.
Running Back
This past season was the most boring season of Alabama football relative to RB's that I can recall, and this upcoming season is the most anticipated I can recall
Justice, Jam, Young, Hill, Riley This will be a HUGE upgrade
OL
Major upgrade relative to the OL coach, and then we traded one of the worst centers in the history of Alabama football for the center that pro football focus has ranked as the highest returning center in the country.
We had a big class of OL last season with plenty of length for OT, and also a transfer, and possibly more from the portal to place around the best guard to guard combo in the SEC next season. Booker, Brailsford, Roberts
Unless we completely strike out at OT the OL should improve
WR
With a better WR coach, better OC, better scheme, better OL, better QB play - simply put a better and more dynamic offense- how can this group not be better production wise ? These are all guys that will be hitting that next phase of their development. No longer young pups, but guys that know what it takes so I think all of them will make great strides personally and within a much better offense
WR Jalen Hale 6’1 189 big break out candidate IMO
WR Kobe Prentice 5’10 182
WR Kendrick Law 5’11 201 Finna eat in this system
WR Germie Bernard 6’1 203 Knows the system, and has big play ability Big frame
Maybe a True Freshman makes a move, maybe Ryan Williams signs and is a day 1 guy you never know.
WR play and production will improve
TE's... Odom is a great prospect but honestly the group has been so bad they can only get better. They will improve in the new system with better coaching we have to assume. Simply cant get worse.
DL
These guys are older, and battle tested. They are big, talented, and this next season should see several of these guys take the next step. If Roach cant get these dudes to play at a high level then maybe Roach seat starts to get hot next year.
DL Tim Smith 6’4 302
DL Jaheim Oatis 6’5 320
DL Tim Keenan III 6’2 315
DL Damon Payne Jr 6’4 303
DL James Smith 6’3 296
DL LT Overton 6’3 270
DL Jah-Marien Latham 6’3 275
DL Jordan Renaud 6’4 261
Better offense means less snaps on D, and this group has matured and been tested. This is a solid group of DL
ILB
Studs. Should be our best ILB duo in some time
ILB Deontae Lawson 6’2 230
ILB Jihaad Campbell 6’3 230
OLB
Several five stars to choose from, and some other guys that have played a lot of football behind the outgoing stars
OLB Quandarrius Robinson 6’5 231
OLB Keanu Koht 6’4 232
OLB Jeremiah Alexander 6’2 249
OLB Keon Keeley 6’5 242
OLB Qua Russaw 6’2 242
OLB Yhonzae Pierre 6’3 223
OLB Jayshawn Ross 6’3 220
DBs
Yeah, Downs left, but Freshman Downs left, not two years from now top 15 pick Downs. The loss was huge based on who he was going to be, and he played well for sure this year, but he was also picked on some and his inexperience got exposed in some games. His production from last year is replaceable.
Bama has stockpiled a lot of five star talent at DB, and may get another transfer / portal in the spring. While talented and should be plenty capable this group definitely takes a step back losing two first round corners, and a future top ten pick safety.
Again though, Bama just brough in 3 five star DB's, and signed several in the last class. There is plenty to work with. The sky is not falling. I'd be shocked to find out anyone has as much top end talent at DB as Bama next season. Maybe we've lost that depth, but that starting rotation is going to be all elite DB's.
CB Domani Jackson 6’1 181
CB Jahlil Hurley 6’2 170
CB Jaylen Mbakwe 5’11 170
CB Zay Mincey 6’2 185
CB Zabien Brown 6’1 180
DB Malachi Moore 6’0 198
DB DeVonta Smith 6’0 194
DB Tony Mitchell 6’2 205
DB Bray Hubbard 6’2 195
DB Peyton Woodyard 6’1 200
DB Aeryn Hampton 5’10 175
We take a step back at Kicker with the schools all time scorer heading to the nfl, but I've heard very good things about Talty, and hopefully we are not kicking too many FG's.
Burnip returns as the best field flipping punter in the league. He's a big time weapon, but hopefully he doesn't get to kick as much as he did last year.
It feels as though we're making a pit stop, and taking four fresh tires, topping off with higher octane fuel, and about to get back to blowing the doors off unsuspecting teams that think we are down because a few guys transferred.
I simply don't see it that way. All I see, and with nothing but respect for CNS who is clearly the GOAT, but his time had come to an end, and we just undertook a much needed retooling. His retirement was hanging over the program, and now that's behind us, and CNS is still in the building which is a win win for everyone.
I think mUlliGAn better tighten them chin straps when they show up over here because there are going to be some chippy players with a lot to prove, and from what I've heard about DeBear- he's very polished in public, but in the locker room and on the field the guy is a next level competitor.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see how Bama is not a much improved football team next year.
15
Posted on 1/24/24 at 12:27 am to PowHound
Good info. I hope you’re right. I’m just going watch with tempered expectations and enjoy it all as it comes. Very interesting times for the program for sure.
My main concern is definitely the secondary and the defense as a whole.
My main concern is definitely the secondary and the defense as a whole.
This post was edited on 1/24/24 at 12:29 am
Posted on 1/24/24 at 1:35 am to PowHound
quote:
DL
quote:
Roach
Hired February 2020.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 6:52 am to PowHound
Biggest issue I see with your post is the QB section. You said you don't see where Milroe fits into DeBoers offense, but DeBoer has shown through his career and even said during his conference that he builds his offense around his players. So it doesn't matter where Milroe fits into an air raid offense. If DeBoer tags him as a starter, we probably won't have an air raid offense.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 7:03 am to Remiden
Milroe is incredibly talented and has the chance to make huge strides this season. I do believe the quickness of his reads will improve
Posted on 1/24/24 at 7:18 am to scottydoesntknow
quote:
DeBoer has shown through his career and even said during his conference that he builds his offense around his players. So it doesn't matter where Milroe fits into an air raid offense. If DeBoer tags him as a starter, we probably won't have an air raid offense.
I'm not sure about this. DeBoer has always run the same offense. He intends to run his offense, and he brought in his guy to run it if Milroe can't.
Will there be some tweeks? Sure. Will he play a qb oblivious to pressure and unable to read the defense. NO.
Milroe has to improve. Bigley.
This post was edited on 1/24/24 at 10:58 am
Posted on 1/24/24 at 7:18 am to PowHound
quote:
Again though, Bama just brough in 3 five star DB's, and signed several in the last class. There is plenty to work with. The sky is not falling. I'd be shocked to find out anyone has as much top end talent at DB as Bama next season. Maybe we've lost that depth, but that starting rotation is going to be all elite DB's.
I just don’t buy losing a senior corner who was a shoo-in starter and All-American caliber safety being fiiiiiiinnneee because we brought in five stars. 1 out of 5 returning starters from 2023. A bunch of first time starters in the secondary is almost always - regardless of scheme - a rough go. Losing a presumptive corner starter with a lot of experience and arguably the best player on the roster at safety was a gut punch. Folks need to be prepared for the secondary to be a struggle (that hopefully improves during the season) in 2024
Posted on 1/24/24 at 8:40 am to Diego Ricardo
There was a massive negative overreaction when DeBoer was hired and players portaled out. That was unwarranted, in my opinion.
The OP's post here is swinging the pendulum too far in the other direction, I think. I do believe DeBoer is a better in-game coach than Saban, and I think our offense will be better than it has in years. Not to 2020 level, but in that general neighborhood.
However, I'm not convinced DeBoer is a better game-preparation coach than Saban. Frankly, I'm not sure ANYBODY is a better game-preparation coach than Saban. That's part of what was so frustrating about the last few years ... it would take us an entire half to adjust to something the other team was doing on offense or defense, rather than adjusting after a series or two as we'd done for a decade.
I think our coaching acumen has improved exponentially on the offensive side of the ball. Defense is a big question mark, though. IF we get average or slightly above average coaching and defensive play (at least, by Alabama standards), this could be a very good year. The problem is, we just have no idea how loss of talent and a new coaching scheme will play out on that side of the ball.
My hope is we'll make the playoff, but it wouldn't surprise me if we don't this first year.
The OP's post here is swinging the pendulum too far in the other direction, I think. I do believe DeBoer is a better in-game coach than Saban, and I think our offense will be better than it has in years. Not to 2020 level, but in that general neighborhood.
However, I'm not convinced DeBoer is a better game-preparation coach than Saban. Frankly, I'm not sure ANYBODY is a better game-preparation coach than Saban. That's part of what was so frustrating about the last few years ... it would take us an entire half to adjust to something the other team was doing on offense or defense, rather than adjusting after a series or two as we'd done for a decade.
I think our coaching acumen has improved exponentially on the offensive side of the ball. Defense is a big question mark, though. IF we get average or slightly above average coaching and defensive play (at least, by Alabama standards), this could be a very good year. The problem is, we just have no idea how loss of talent and a new coaching scheme will play out on that side of the ball.
My hope is we'll make the playoff, but it wouldn't surprise me if we don't this first year.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 8:49 am to Sauron
The Eye of Sauron sees all, eh? I agree with your points. I think my pithy analysis reduces down to this: we downgraded at head coach but upgraded at nearly every new hire for on-field staff.
You can't help but be a downgrade when replacing Nick Saban at head coach, no shame in that...he's got big shoes to fill. But the late stage Nick Saban era staff was piss poor compared to its zenith in the mid 2010s.
You can't help but be a downgrade when replacing Nick Saban at head coach, no shame in that...he's got big shoes to fill. But the late stage Nick Saban era staff was piss poor compared to its zenith in the mid 2010s.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 8:54 am to Sauron
quote:
The OP's post here is swinging the pendulum too far in the other direction
Narddogg81 said it best...
Posted on 1/24/24 at 9:54 am to PowHound
quote:
Bama much improved for 2024
PowHound- Great assessment of current team and staff. Thanks for all your hard work.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:01 am to Kenny Stapler
quote:
My main concern is definitely the secondary and the defense as a whole.
That's fair to be concerned but again, look at all the talent.
DL
DL Tim Smith 6’4 302 45th ranked player in the country 7th DL in country
DL Jaheim Oatis 6’5 320 Top 100 ranked player top ten DL
DL Damon Payne Jr 6’4 303 (some had as 5 star) Top 50 player 7th ranked DL
DL James Smith 6’3 296 Five star - 24th ranked player in country no.3 DL
DL LT Overton 6’3 270 Five Star - 12th ranked player in country 4th DL
DL Jordan Renaud 6’4 261 70th ranked player top 10 DL
DL Khurtiss Perry 6’2 265 66th ranked player in the country top ten DL
DL Hunter Osborne 6’4 275 175th ranked player top 20 DL
DL Edric Hill 6’3 294 170th ranked player top 20 DL
DL Jeremiah Beaman 6’4 260 top 100 player in the country. Top 20 DL
DL Tim Keenan III 6’2 315 Has provided quality depth
DL Jah-Marien Latham 6’3 275 Has provided quality depth
This is an absolutely loaded DL 3 deep that has a lot of players that have been in the weight room, and played in a lot of big games. They are ready to take a step, and why wouldn't they ? These are all five star, and borderline 5 star players. Most of them top ten DLs in the country in their class
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:05 am to PowHound
Do some of yall post from a desktop?
I can’t fathom typing this much on a phone.
I can’t fathom typing this much on a phone.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:13 am to PowHound
ILB
Deontae Lawson 6'2 230was a top 50 player, and now being the veteran he is you can definitely bump his on field production up to five star
Jihaad Campbell 6'3 230 five star top 20 player in country. Flashed a lot during last season, and should be ready to make that next step.
Justin Jefferson 6’1 225 No.1 ranked JUCO supposedly had the speed to play safety in this new defense with 3 safeties on the field Jefferson maybe plays the safety closest to the box ? I've been curious about him in particular with this new defensive scheme
ILB Sterling Dixon 6’2 205 top 12 ILB in the country
Deontae Lawson 6'2 230was a top 50 player, and now being the veteran he is you can definitely bump his on field production up to five star
Jihaad Campbell 6'3 230 five star top 20 player in country. Flashed a lot during last season, and should be ready to make that next step.
Justin Jefferson 6’1 225 No.1 ranked JUCO supposedly had the speed to play safety in this new defense with 3 safeties on the field Jefferson maybe plays the safety closest to the box ? I've been curious about him in particular with this new defensive scheme
ILB Sterling Dixon 6’2 205 top 12 ILB in the country
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:18 am to Alfie Solomons
quote:
Do some of yall post from a desktop?
I can’t fathom typing this much on a phone.
I have a computer in my office, and often work remote using my personal laptop. Probably similar situation to SummerofGeorge. You think he does his breakdowns at home ? No way.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:22 am to PowHound
When it comes to schematics offensively DeBoer is light years ahead of Nick but I think Saban was still a great in game coach. His timeout usage is overplayed.
Nick rebuilt our foundation and was an ELITE CEO and recruiter. He used the NFL as a pipeline to get the best players...stacking up those best players on the LOS and at skill positions is how we dominated. It'll look different under KD.
We still need to finish top 10 to top 7 in recruiting to compete at the highest level. We will hopefully win with elite offenses and our defenses will be disruptive enough to get critical turnovers. Bend but don't break.
Still have to get dudes on the LOS.
In order to recruit the best players you have to prove you can put them in the league. DeBoer has an excellent foundation to start with. If we still get a few first rounders in the 2025 draft it will count for KD and it will start to build his own NFL pipeline.
No different with bball. Kids go to UK because they know they can go to the NBA. That's why Nate is recruiting so well at Bama now...because he gets kids to the league.
To me the 2024 season is critical for continued success. We need to make a statement.
Nick rebuilt our foundation and was an ELITE CEO and recruiter. He used the NFL as a pipeline to get the best players...stacking up those best players on the LOS and at skill positions is how we dominated. It'll look different under KD.
We still need to finish top 10 to top 7 in recruiting to compete at the highest level. We will hopefully win with elite offenses and our defenses will be disruptive enough to get critical turnovers. Bend but don't break.
Still have to get dudes on the LOS.
In order to recruit the best players you have to prove you can put them in the league. DeBoer has an excellent foundation to start with. If we still get a few first rounders in the 2025 draft it will count for KD and it will start to build his own NFL pipeline.
No different with bball. Kids go to UK because they know they can go to the NBA. That's why Nate is recruiting so well at Bama now...because he gets kids to the league.
To me the 2024 season is critical for continued success. We need to make a statement.
This post was edited on 1/24/24 at 10:31 am
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:29 am to PowHound
Outside Linebacker
Keon Keeley 6’5 242 Five Star No.2 player in the entire country. No. 1 OLB
Jeremiah Alexander 6’2 249 Five Star No. 15 player in the country no.1 OLB
So our top two edge rushers were the nations No.1 OLB's in their respective classes.
Qua Russaw 6’2 242 Five star No. 3 nationally at his position
Yhonzae Pierre 6’3 223 Five Star (supposedly highly coveted by CNS) Top 25 top 4 nationally at his position
Keanu Koht 6’4 232 Top 40 No. 4 nationally at his position
Quandarrius Robinson 6’5 231 Top 100 top 10
Coach DeBear has never in his life had this many elite Linebackers. His eyes will pop out when he sees this team in pads come spring ball
Keon Keeley 6’5 242 Five Star No.2 player in the entire country. No. 1 OLB
Jeremiah Alexander 6’2 249 Five Star No. 15 player in the country no.1 OLB
So our top two edge rushers were the nations No.1 OLB's in their respective classes.
Qua Russaw 6’2 242 Five star No. 3 nationally at his position
Yhonzae Pierre 6’3 223 Five Star (supposedly highly coveted by CNS) Top 25 top 4 nationally at his position
Keanu Koht 6’4 232 Top 40 No. 4 nationally at his position
Quandarrius Robinson 6’5 231 Top 100 top 10
Coach DeBear has never in his life had this many elite Linebackers. His eyes will pop out when he sees this team in pads come spring ball
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:45 am to PowHound
quote:
Defensive Backs
CB Domani Jackson 6’1 190 Five Star
Jaylen Mbakwe 5’11 170 Five Star
Zay Mincey 6’2 185 Five Star
CB Zabien Brown 6’1 180 Five Star
Tony Mitchell 6’2 205 Top 50
Jahlil Hurley 6’2 170 Top 50
Aeryn Hampton 5’10 175 CNS was big on Hamp - he was this years version of who gets their name mentioned during the signing day presser
DB Malachi Moore 6’0 198 Captain of the DB's this year
DB DeVonta Smith 6’0 194 Ready to make a move
Again, every position group is more talented than anything DeBear has ever had... why is anyone worries we are going to have a bad defense ? Maybe some hickups in a new system, but this personnel suggest Bama will field a very good defense.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 10:52 am to PowHound
PowHound, a personal request: I know you like using "DeBear" to refer to the coach, but it's cringeworthy to me. Obviously do as you like, but I'd consider it a personal favor if you didn't.
Three big issues with the defensive side of the ball, in my mind:
- New system and terminology. That could be something of a positive, since Saban's schemes (especially in the secondary) were famously complex; in recent years, our defense seemed to suffer at times because of that. However, assuming our experienced defenders will take a step forward is just wishful thinking, at this point, because we don't know how they'll handle learning an entirely new system.
- Depth. Even if our starters take to the new system like ducks to water, we are dangerously thin at some positions -- notably inside linebacker. In 2019 we lost our two starting ILBs to injury before the season started, and we had to start two true freshmen. That is not a recipe for success.
- Overall experience, especially in the secondary. Starting true freshmen at any position in the SEC is not ideal. Even Caleb Downs, who many apparently have anointed as the greatest player in the history of college football, had issues with coverage and understanding his assignments, particularly early in the year. It doesn't matter how highly ranked or highly recruited a player was; being the best in high school is several orders of magnitude easier than being great at the college level.
I'm cautiously optimistic about 2024, but expecting our defense to pick up right where it left off in 2023 isn't logical. I'd be beyond ecstatic if we played that well, but I doubt that will happen.
Three big issues with the defensive side of the ball, in my mind:
- New system and terminology. That could be something of a positive, since Saban's schemes (especially in the secondary) were famously complex; in recent years, our defense seemed to suffer at times because of that. However, assuming our experienced defenders will take a step forward is just wishful thinking, at this point, because we don't know how they'll handle learning an entirely new system.
- Depth. Even if our starters take to the new system like ducks to water, we are dangerously thin at some positions -- notably inside linebacker. In 2019 we lost our two starting ILBs to injury before the season started, and we had to start two true freshmen. That is not a recipe for success.
- Overall experience, especially in the secondary. Starting true freshmen at any position in the SEC is not ideal. Even Caleb Downs, who many apparently have anointed as the greatest player in the history of college football, had issues with coverage and understanding his assignments, particularly early in the year. It doesn't matter how highly ranked or highly recruited a player was; being the best in high school is several orders of magnitude easier than being great at the college level.
I'm cautiously optimistic about 2024, but expecting our defense to pick up right where it left off in 2023 isn't logical. I'd be beyond ecstatic if we played that well, but I doubt that will happen.
This post was edited on 1/24/24 at 10:53 am
Posted on 1/24/24 at 11:01 am to EGO3x
quote:
When it comes to schematics offensively DeBoer is light years ahead of Nick
Yes.
quote:
but I think Saban was still a great in game coach.
He was calm- didn't make any big mistakes that would hurt the team. If the team lost a game it was 99.9 on the team usually.
quote:
His timeout usage is overplayed.
I disagree. There were so many times we could have scored before half, or our defense had their hands on their hips, and the opposing offense was gashing away, and maybe a TO would have killed their momentum and gave our defense a blow. How about having a look at Michigans 4th and 2 formation, and calling a TO to discuss and align for example. Harbaugh called his on our equivalent play on 4th and 3 at the goal.
quote:
Nick rebuilt our foundation and was an ELITE CEO and recruiter.
This is what he was best at, 100% agree. However as I learn more and more about DeBear I'm hearing the same things. "extremely organized" "will not be outworked" "extreme competitor" I dont think you will see a big drop off from that CEO aspect.
quote:
stacking up those best players on the LOS and at skill positions is how we dominated. It'll look different under KD.
I just put forth an entire roster that could potentially have a Five Star player at every position on the field. Furthermore, KD will always have two things that elite offensive minded coaches automatically get:
1. an elite OC
2. an elite QB
3. Which means elite WR's
4. Which means elite OL
5. Which means elite RB's
I have no worries about the talent that will come to Bama. It will be more than DeBear has ever had anywhere, and he has won everywhere he has ever been with less.
quote:
We still need to finish top 10 to top 7 in recruiting to compete at the highest level. We will hopefully win with elite offenses and our defenses will be disruptive enough to get critical turnovers. Bend but don't break.
Agreed, and with the personnel I dont see any reason why that wont happen.
quote:
Still have to get dudes on the LOS.
Agreed that has to continue, but this coming season Bama is loaded at the LOS which is my point. We didn't lose a lot of experienced guys to the draft or portal. This season is the season we've been building toward for two years IMO. I think this team is loaded, and has a massive upgrade at almost every coaching position.
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