What are some of the major position battles going on within your team?
It seems it will be running back by committee for the Tide in 2008. Glen Coffee, Terry Grant and Roy Upchurch will get the bulk of the carries. Wide receiver is another place with battles. Mike McCoy and Nikita Stover are currently the No. 1s, with guys like Will Oakley, Earl Alexander, Darius Hanks and Brandon Gibson backing them up.
In Saban's 3-4 defense, linebacker has been a spot for newcomers. Converted RB Jimmy Johns, Rolando McClain, Cory Reamer and Brandon Fanney seem to be the top four right now. Freshmen coming in over the summer and in early August will add depth, especially Jerrell Harris.
Who are some players on each side of the ball that you see emerging as stars this year?
Offensively, I think McCoy will emerge as John Parker Wilson's favorite target. With DJ Hall, Keith Brown and Matt Caddell now gone, receptions are literally up for grabs.
Defensively, I like CB Kareem Jackson. He was outstanding as a freshman and will be the Tide's top corner in 2008.
Are there any injuries your team is worrying about?
I don't think there have been any big-time injuries in the spring, but of course you always worry about it happening. Terry Grant is an injury-prone back, so I'll worry about his durability. Lorenzo Washington, probably the starting nose tackle, has had a couple surgeries, but he should be back to full strength.
What do you think your team’s major strengths and weaknesses will be?
No real strengths jump out at me. I think the offense will be solid, as well as the defense, but nothing just over-the-top great. Weakness could be the inexperience at wide receiver and linebacker.
What games are you most looking forward to watching this year?
The Clemson game Aug. 30 at the Georgia Dome, at Georgia, at Tennessee, at LSU and especially Auburn at home. The streak ends this year.
What record do you think your team will end the regular season with?
Bama fans continue to talk about recruiting and being back on the national stage, but I don't think that year is this year. I'll say the Tide goes anywhere from 7-5 to 9-3 in the regular season.
For more SEC Roundtable, go here.
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5 months ago
If no one steps up at WR for the Tide, it could be a painful offense to watch, especially with how erratic JPW can be.
Jimmy Johns reminds me of Joe Cohen, former FL player from two years ago. Cohen was a physical freak like Johns who tried to make it work at fullback. Eventually he switched to DT and ended up getting drafted. I see Johns making some things happen at LB.
Clemson game should be great.
5 months ago
Don't see the streak ending this year against that loaded Auburn team. In fact, after seeing the so - called highlights from Alabama's spring game, I don't see a season for the Tide better than 6 or 7 wins tops.
from 5 months ago
No joke about Auburn. Once they get used to the new coordinators, they'll be a fearsome team. Since that'll happen about midway through the season, I can't see any way other than injuries that could let Bama win.
from 5 months ago
The only thing Au-Barn is loaded with this year is crap. Tubby really didn't recruit well at all either so next year will be worse foe the war chickens. By the way, Alabama was #1 in recruiting this year. Say Hello/Goodbye to Tubby for us, will ya?
5 months ago
Chris Your cute! You must not know you head from a hole inthe ground. Allbarn loaded, where not at QB. They can get used to the new coordinators but with Tubby recruiting like people like long sanppers, they should be turning a corner all right. The Tide has one way to go...up. There is a new sherrif in town and we are stil thin, but mark the words we turn the corner, knock out Cow College and the new streak starts. I see atleast 2 thumbs for Bama in the future, Chris go back to yu hole. You an idiot!
5 months ago
Lorenzo Washington got hurt in practice during the spring and is much more prone to injury than Grant. Grant just had that hernia which hindered his abilities in the last half of the season and he showed that he is back to full strength in the A-Day game.
Dont forget about Price Hall at LB with his status up in the air and I wouldnt count on most of the WRs on the team right now. I see Alexander coming to the forefront ahead of McCoy. McCoy faded last season after earning the starting position. Also, dont expect Stover to play much. He is the slowest WR of the lot. Burton Scott already has an offensive plan set for him next season and Julio Jones will start game one against Clemson.
I would also keep eyes on Javier Arenas, the second best returner in the SEC last season by numbers and will no doubt be #1 this season. He played a huge part in Alabama's success last season in some major games and situations.
4 months ago
Gary, good stuff. The breakdown of the Tide was pretty good. I would have to agree with Nic on a couple of things though.
First, Terry Grant seems to be a pretty durable back to me, and all reports say he's back to 100%. Look for him to be a serious threat in the SEC. Unless injuries do strike (knock on wood), I see Grant reaching 1,000 yards easily.
Second, Alexander really didn't have the playing time last year to get him in the spotlight, but he is very tall, fast, and could possible be a serious threat once he gets some true playing time. McCoy has the potential, but did seem to look tired as the season progressed. Stover could possibly be a game changer from the 2nd receiver role, sort of like Keith Brown was to DJ Hall, but he'll have to earn that on the field.
I predict a Jones/Alexander tandem of height so tall that if nothing else it should give JPW the ability to just throw it up and hope they catch it (I think that's what he really was doing last year). Or perhaps their height could enable them to haul in some of those JPW passes that were directed for the first row of the bleachers.
4 months ago
Lorenzo Washington was NOT hurt in this years spring game or last years so where are you getting your information? As his mother, who was at the game, and was with him following the game I would know if he were hurt! It amazes me how people state lies before checking the facts!!!
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