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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 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 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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