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The 2020 team questions
Posted on 9/18/20 at 3:11 pm
Posted on 9/18/20 at 3:11 pm
Since the virus threw off football season, i haven’t been keeping track of what’s going on.
What will be the strengths and weaknesses of the 2020 team?
How does the depth top to bottom look?
Will the defense be closer to looking pre-2017 or post-2017?
Could this be our most potent offense (from a balance standpoint) in quite some time?
Is there any chance this Bama team could finish the season as an all-time great?
Since this team missed spring football, how good in shape are they? Has the team made good progress in physical conditioning?
What will be the strengths and weaknesses of the 2020 team?
How does the depth top to bottom look?
Will the defense be closer to looking pre-2017 or post-2017?
Could this be our most potent offense (from a balance standpoint) in quite some time?
Is there any chance this Bama team could finish the season as an all-time great?
Since this team missed spring football, how good in shape are they? Has the team made good progress in physical conditioning?
3
Posted on 9/18/20 at 3:49 pm to The Silverback
I'm far from an informed source, but I'll take some semi-educated guesses at answers to your questions.
Strengths should be offensive and defensive line, linebackers, running backs, and at least part of the secondary. We may also have a strength at QB; just depends on how well Mac plays, and how ready Bryce Young is to step in.
As always, injuries can quickly change that outlook.
We're deep at defensive line, offensive line, running back, and outside linebackers. Depending on how young players develop, we may be deep throughout the secondary as well.
The answer to this question will determine how the 2020 season goes, I think. I have a suspicion we'll look more like pre-2017, but it will require good injury luck for a change and Pete Golding proving he's worth the trust Saban has placed in him. If we get those two things to to our way, we have a chance to be very, very good defensively.
Strictly from a balance standpoint, I think we're going to look more like the 2011 and 2012 teams. Mac is a better QB than most give him credit for being, but he's not Tua ... and I think that will mean we'll play-action pass a lot more and feature a heavier emphasis on the run game in general.
It's certainly possible, but that's a mighty tall order. We should have the horses to play for the SEC and national championship, in my opinion.
By all accounts, the new strength and conditioning staff has the team in excellent shape. We'll see how that pays off in live action. At least to this point we haven't experienced a season-ending injury to any players that I know about, which is a breath of fresh air.
quote:
What will be the strengths and weaknesses of the 2020 team?
Strengths should be offensive and defensive line, linebackers, running backs, and at least part of the secondary. We may also have a strength at QB; just depends on how well Mac plays, and how ready Bryce Young is to step in.
As always, injuries can quickly change that outlook.
quote:
How does the depth top to bottom look?
We're deep at defensive line, offensive line, running back, and outside linebackers. Depending on how young players develop, we may be deep throughout the secondary as well.
quote:
Will the defense be closer to looking pre-2017 or post-2017?
The answer to this question will determine how the 2020 season goes, I think. I have a suspicion we'll look more like pre-2017, but it will require good injury luck for a change and Pete Golding proving he's worth the trust Saban has placed in him. If we get those two things to to our way, we have a chance to be very, very good defensively.
quote:
Could this be our most potent offense (from a balance standpoint) in quite some time?
Strictly from a balance standpoint, I think we're going to look more like the 2011 and 2012 teams. Mac is a better QB than most give him credit for being, but he's not Tua ... and I think that will mean we'll play-action pass a lot more and feature a heavier emphasis on the run game in general.
quote:
Is there any chance this Bama team could finish the season as an all-time great?
It's certainly possible, but that's a mighty tall order. We should have the horses to play for the SEC and national championship, in my opinion.
quote:
Since this team missed spring football, how good in shape are they? Has the team made good progress in physical conditioning?
By all accounts, the new strength and conditioning staff has the team in excellent shape. We'll see how that pays off in live action. At least to this point we haven't experienced a season-ending injury to any players that I know about, which is a breath of fresh air.
Posted on 9/18/20 at 4:03 pm to Sauron
Pretty good assessment. Hopefully our guys will continue to carefully follow infection pevention guidelines when they're away from football facilities.
This post was edited on 9/18/20 at 4:44 pm
Posted on 9/18/20 at 4:05 pm to The Silverback
I think we’ll be way stronger up front and better against the run.
A. We should be lined up way better with Dylan Moses returning. We got caught with our pants down a lot last year with the young linebackers and it led to consistent 2nd and shorts. Not only does Moses know the position but he’s also an upgrade from a couple of true freshman
B. Assuming Christian Harris improves from a good freshman year
C. LeBryan Ray returning from injury
D. Promising young guys on the d-line
A. We should be lined up way better with Dylan Moses returning. We got caught with our pants down a lot last year with the young linebackers and it led to consistent 2nd and shorts. Not only does Moses know the position but he’s also an upgrade from a couple of true freshman
B. Assuming Christian Harris improves from a good freshman year
C. LeBryan Ray returning from injury
D. Promising young guys on the d-line
This post was edited on 9/18/20 at 4:07 pm
Posted on 9/18/20 at 6:02 pm to Glorious
We should be improved at place kicking. Will Reichard getting injured last year was a massive blow. He's a terrific kicker.
Posted on 9/19/20 at 8:23 am to bamatide07
quote:
Will Reichard
quote:
He's a terrific kicker.
quote:
Alabama Sports Board
Posted on 9/19/20 at 9:04 am to Wrenchruh
He has great mechanics. The few times I saw him kick I knew he had it. Unfortunately he got hurt but this kid can kick the ball.
Posted on 9/19/20 at 9:31 am to CrimsonBoz
Yep. Will die on that hill. 
Been saying since day 1 he will fine
Been saying since day 1 he will fine
Posted on 9/21/20 at 10:23 am to The Silverback
Yeah, this is the most blind I am going into a football season that I can ever remember. And not just Alabama, the entire SEC. I have no clue what to expect with other teams, but I'm familiar enough with our returning players to know we'll be good.
Haven't heard a thing about QB. Assume Wilson is the starter, but is there any expectation Young is going to pressure him or even get any playing time? I thought Mac looked outstanding in the Michigan game, as well as the Barn game minus the 2 picks, so I'm comfortable with him.
Haven't heard a thing about QB. Assume Wilson is the starter, but is there any expectation Young is going to pressure him or even get any playing time? I thought Mac looked outstanding in the Michigan game, as well as the Barn game minus the 2 picks, so I'm comfortable with him.
Posted on 9/21/20 at 10:30 am to The Spleen
Mac Jones
Posted on 9/21/20 at 10:52 am to Bear88
Shows how little I've been paying attention to this team. Mack Wilson was a pretty LB for us though.
Posted on 9/21/20 at 10:54 am to Bear88
I look for us to be less explosive, but more balanced on offense and still plenty dangerous, and better getting off the field on defense. Still not a stone wall unit, like we are used to seeing and covet, but less 3rd and Golding. Punting will be average, FG's should be better and solid; not spectacular but solid. Return game is always a plus with Waddle back there. Biggest threat is Covid. Second biggest is probably Auburn.
Posted on 9/21/20 at 11:03 am to The Spleen
quote:
Shows how little I've been paying attention to this team.
Well it’s game week... it’s time to start
Posted on 9/21/20 at 11:42 am to Bear88
one thing that could help the defense, is sustained drives. i think this offense has a better chance of sustaining drives and letting the defense rest, moreso than the past couple years. but at the same time, with smith and waddle, they can still strike quickly.
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