2010 NFL Draft: Alabama Crimson Tide Thunders Back In

The 2010 NFL draft is significant for the University of Alabama as it represented the return of Alabama to the draft's first round.  Most expect this year to mark the beginning of what will be successive waves of talented players recruited and trained by Nick Saban.

One of the more unique players in this years draft is cornerback Javier Arenas.  Kansas City took Arenas in the 2nd round.  Some of the fans reacted negatively to the pick because Arenas is a little on the short side. 

In fact the online debate sounds strangely familiar, much like the debate Alabama fans had on Arenas when he committed to Alabama.  At the time he didn't even have a player record at Rivals, and Scout had not rated him. 

To fans he was a complete unknown but after looking at his film, specifically his return skills, most felt he was a player worth having.  Little did we know that in addition to being a great returner, he would end up being our starting corner.

Arenas spent a year as the nickel and two years as the starter at corner.  He broke the Alabama and SEC record for return yards and was just a few yards from breaking the NCAA record. 

Just to add icing on the cake he became an All-American corner.

By contrast, media takes from Kansas City are high on the Arenas pick.  Most will recognize him as a weapon in the return game and a more than capable nickel back.

Kansas City has been a team on life support for years.  They have been slowly gathering good players here and there, but unfortunately they are surrounded by utter crap, thus the team has been horrible.  Former Alabama quarterback Brody Croyle barely survived his brief stints as a starter.

The Chiefs rank 22nd in pass defense, so a quality corner can certainly help.  I'm guessing Chiefs fans will soon be chanting his name just like Alabama fans when he jukes and jives his way for return yardage. 

If any organization is worse than Kansas City, it's the Raiders.  This once proud franchise is the poster boy for "Epic Fail."  Owner Al Davis has made a habit of firing coaches each season, usually in the middle of it. 

Ironically, head coach Tom Cable, who was nearly popped for an assault charge for slugging one of his assistants, seems to be a man who fits the job.  Many felt he would get fired like the rest at season's end, but he is still there.

The Raiders are an abysmal 29th against the run.  They need help.  Last year's starter Kirk Morrison is no longer with the team, so Rolando can step right in and provide some stability to an organization that lacks hardly any.  His first mini-camp went as Alabama fans would have expected.  Head coach Tom Cable had this to say.

"I thought [he was] very poised and he seemed to adapt to being able to go in and call the huddle right away. He's been here really less than 24 hours. It shows the level of intelligence this young [man] has, his background. He was very impressive that way. Now, he's got to learn how to play in our defense."

The Raiders have made for good press on draft day in the past, but there was a collective double take when they went for a solid football player instead of some pie in the sky project that was doomed to flame out.  

The Raiders made other moves that resemble that of a sane organization including bringing in former Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell, who should be an upgrade to JaMarcus Russel, or at least insurance if he doesn't produce a massive turnaround this year.

The drafting of nose guard Terrance Cody by the Baltimore Ravens is tantamount to putting a hog in a mud pit.  The Ravens are a no-nonsense team that stops the run first and does everything else later.  Aging linebacker Ray Lewis is the engine that drives them and having Cody in front of him will ensure he isn't chased by too many guards. 

The Ravens already have a force inside by the name of Haloti Ngata, who is roughly Cody's size (post diet).  The Ravens were the fifth best run defense last year.  It's a good bet they may be even better with Mount Cody stuffing the middle. 

The Houston Texans took Kareem Jackson in the first round.  The Texans were 18th in pass defense in 2009.  Last year they started rookie Glover Quinn, and this year I'm thinking Jackson may make that two years in a row with a rookie starter.  Jackson may take Brice McCain's spot, who is more of a nickel type. 

Mike Johnson is probably not going to start right away in Atlanta.  The versatile Johnson, who played guard and tackle in his Alabama career, is the kind of player they like on the line in Atlanta but it may take awhile for him to claw his way to the top.

Corner Marquis Johnson was drafted in the seventh round by the St Louis Rams.  The Rams were in total meltdown mode last year and finished with the 25th best (or 5th worst) pass defense.  The Rams are finishing up multiple years of not defending the pass well, so certainly Johnson will have a chance to not only stick, but possibly even play. 

Who would have thought after Johnson's disastrous sophomore season at Alabama that he would be wearing an NFL uniform?  But he's earned this shot with rock solid play last year. 

When Alabama signed Nick Saban there were plenty of naysayers, but in the end he was what we thought he would be, a National Championship-level coach who knows how to get players to the next level. 

The 2011 NFL draft is already shaping up to be painted crimson.