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How would other Nick Saban teams compare and matchup against 2009?
Posted on 11/28/15 at 12:51 am
Posted on 11/28/15 at 12:51 am
I know it's kind of random, but each of Nick's teams have had a different flavor to it if you will. The one that stands out though is the 2009 squad. A perfect 14-0, Heisman trophy winner, and one of the only teams to beat #1 and #2 both in a row. That team featured SIX (NCAA record) AAs and was absolutely loaded at every position including kicker.
IMO, Nick Saban's best LB is and always will be Rolando McClain. Tiffin was an all American that year as well. Javier Arenas was a senior and finished his career 2nd on the return yardage list of all time in the NCAA.
Defense overall featured star players such as:
- Rolando McClain
- Kareem Jackson
- Terrence Cody
- Javier Arenas
- Justin Woodall
- Lorenzo Washington
- Brandon Deaderick
Future defensive stars on that team:
- Dre Kirkpatrick
- Mark Barron
- Donta Hightower
- Courtney Upshaw
- Damien Square
- Quinton Dial
- Ed Stinson
- Josh Chapman
- Dee Milliner
- Marcell Dareus
- Nico Johnson
Offensive players, starter or not, on that team included:
- Julio Jones (All Pro WR Atlanta Falcons)
- Mark Ingram (Doak Walker/Heisman winner; NO Saints running back)
- Trent Richardson (Doak Walker Award winner)
- AJ McCarron (Maxwell Award Winner; 3 time NC winner and winningest QB in Alabama history)
- Barrett Jones (Rimington and Outland Trophy Winner)
- DJ Fluker (Chargers LT)
- James Carpenter (Seattle Seahawks and NY Jets OL)
- Chance Warmack (Tennessee Titans OL)
- Mike Johnson (AA OL and 3rd round draft pick)
- Eddie Lacy (2013 NC MVP and current GB Packers RB)
That team was filthy. Like god damn.
IMO, Nick Saban's best LB is and always will be Rolando McClain. Tiffin was an all American that year as well. Javier Arenas was a senior and finished his career 2nd on the return yardage list of all time in the NCAA.
Defense overall featured star players such as:
- Rolando McClain
- Kareem Jackson
- Terrence Cody
- Javier Arenas
- Justin Woodall
- Lorenzo Washington
- Brandon Deaderick
Future defensive stars on that team:
- Dre Kirkpatrick
- Mark Barron
- Donta Hightower
- Courtney Upshaw
- Damien Square
- Quinton Dial
- Ed Stinson
- Josh Chapman
- Dee Milliner
- Marcell Dareus
- Nico Johnson
Offensive players, starter or not, on that team included:
- Julio Jones (All Pro WR Atlanta Falcons)
- Mark Ingram (Doak Walker/Heisman winner; NO Saints running back)
- Trent Richardson (Doak Walker Award winner)
- AJ McCarron (Maxwell Award Winner; 3 time NC winner and winningest QB in Alabama history)
- Barrett Jones (Rimington and Outland Trophy Winner)
- DJ Fluker (Chargers LT)
- James Carpenter (Seattle Seahawks and NY Jets OL)
- Chance Warmack (Tennessee Titans OL)
- Mike Johnson (AA OL and 3rd round draft pick)
- Eddie Lacy (2013 NC MVP and current GB Packers RB)
That team was filthy. Like god damn.
6
Posted on 11/28/15 at 1:20 am to FourThreeForty
That was nfl-esque
Posted on 11/28/15 at 2:11 am to FourThreeForty
quote:
Nick Saban's best LB is and always will be Rolando McClain.
I didn't' think we'd ever see one better until CJ Mosley came along. And while I think CJ is a better overall football player, I'm not sure there will ever be a defensive player in Alabama history that I like/liked more than Rolo when he was in Crimson. And now Reggie Ragland has combined the best traits of Rolo and CJ to become the best LB in the nation and has forced himself into the discussion as well.
quote:
That team was filthy. Like god damn.
Yes, yes it was. The 2011 team would beat it though imo. The 2011 defense is unlike anything I've ever seen before. This year's defense, the 2005 defense and even the '92 defense don't compare. I do think this year's team has the best front 7(10?) we've ever had and could possibly be the best ever in college football though.
I hope the rest of you are appreciating the Saban Era as much as I am, because the run this program is on will not last forever. Even the other "big boy" programs envy Alabama for the dominance Saban has orchestrated in the last 7-8 years.
Here's to another Iron Bowl victory, another SEC Championship, and a shot at another National Championship.
Posted on 11/28/15 at 2:28 am to Chadaristic
Our DL this year would wreak havoc on the 2011/2012 OL.
Posted on 11/28/15 at 2:50 am to alabamabuckeye
I don't disagree with that, but I think the 2011 offense could score more than a Jacob Coker led 2015 offense against that 2011 defense.
JMO of course.
JMO of course.
Posted on 11/28/15 at 3:54 am to Chadaristic
The 2010 team that showed up vs Michigan State in the Citrus Bowl, would beat any Saban team ever.
Posted on 11/28/15 at 5:46 am to FourThreeForty
Only discrepancy: Milliner was not on the 2009 team.
Posted on 11/28/15 at 6:32 am to FourThreeForty
The 2011 team probably beats them by a good bit. I don't know about the others.
Posted on 11/28/15 at 8:46 am to FourThreeForty
quote:
IMO, Nick Saban's best LB is and always will be Rolando McClain.
Agree 100%...Ro was not only physically intimidating, he was the leader and motivator of that team...he's also the only LB I've seen that had complete control of that defense...he made most of the calls/changes on the D, and very rarely did you see him lookin' to the sideline for the call...read where he watched lots of tape with Saban and Smart and he had their full trust...he was like havin' a coach playing out on the field. We've had lots of talent at LB since, but I don't think any had as much grasp of the scheme as Ro did...whatever problems he had off the field, they didn't affect his on-field play, at least not while he was at Bama...
Posted on 11/28/15 at 10:46 am to harmonics
quote:
2010
I don't remember the final numbers for certain, but I believe that team had around, and maybe over, 60 kids who at least made a NFL fall camp.
It's mindboggling that team lost 3 games. Stupidly talented.
Edit: Something kinda neat regarding the 2009 team. My uncle redid the pool table in the players lounge for free, even paid for the felt. He just asked for a signed ball. He ended up with a football signed by all 6 AAs, and Nick Saban.
This post was edited on 11/28/15 at 10:49 am
Posted on 11/28/15 at 11:12 am to VaBamaMan
2010 is probably one of the best team Saban has had but mentally the team was not ready.
Posted on 11/28/15 at 11:47 am to alabamabuckeye
quote:
Our DL this year would wreak havoc on the 2011/2012 OL.
Conversely, those defenses would probably have 15 sacks each against this years offense
Posted on 11/28/15 at 11:55 am to UASports23
quote:
2010 is probably one of the best team Saban has had but mentally the team was not ready.
Yeah, our heads just weren't there and we had a lot of nagging injuries. Just wasn't our year.
Knock on wood....but I think the 2015 Defense is every bit as special as the 2011 unit.
Posted on 11/28/15 at 12:03 pm to FairhopeTider
2010 had so much inexperience on the defense. Milliner and Drake were both first year starters, Lester was a first year starter (wish Robby Green didn't get kicked off), and then Hightower was coming off an ACL injury.
That was a frustrating year. That LSU game never should have went the way it did. The defense was so awful that day and gave up over 400 yards to a putrid offense led by Jefferson. I remember falling to fetal position as Randle beat Barron.
That was a frustrating year. That LSU game never should have went the way it did. The defense was so awful that day and gave up over 400 yards to a putrid offense led by Jefferson. I remember falling to fetal position as Randle beat Barron.
Posted on 11/28/15 at 12:05 pm to FourThreeForty
I think this is the best front 7 of the Saban era. Maybe ever in college football. They are more diverse than any other. Its the specialty players like Anderson, T. Williams, Evans and Hand that really make this Defense versitile. Plus the athleticism in the secondary. They are young, but they are elite athletes. Jackson to safety was brilliant. Of the 25 players Bama is rotating on D this year, how many WONT make an NFL roster in the next 3 years? Maybe two or three? There may be 9 first round picks too. And the egos are in check because the alpha dogs like Ragland are team first. I think this Defense is about to turn it into overdrive and play even better than they have already.
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