Alabama Crimson Tide: Will They Find Different Results Next Season?

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)

So many people have me what happened to Alabama this year and what should they expect from next year's squad that I thought I'd answer all that in this article. Granted, I do interview players and Coach Saban, but this is strictly my opinion and not that of anyone official.

The 2010 season saw everyone expecting Alabama to have the best shot at repeating as champions as anyone has had in quite some time, but just like the 2009 Gators who many thought may repeat, things just didn't work out.

Personally, I was one of the many who saw Alabama with a realistic shot at repeating. Why? Because I heard coach after coach swoon with the depth of talent and the athletic abilities of the young guns that would be coming in filling important holes from departures.

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They were athletic, but they just didn't have the mental capacity that comes with experience to fill the bill. The young defensive secondary players were often out of place and blowing coverages, especially in the complicated zone packages.

Nick Saban once told a group of us reporters, "These guys are going to make some great athletic plays and they're going to make some big mistakes too. That's just youth and there's not much you can do about that."

"Defensive back is not like running back where a freshman can come in and shine. He's doing what he's always done, run to the hole, use his instincts and find a seam," Saban continued.

"Defensive back is a lot more complicated and it's not predicated on instinct but by design. These guys have a lot to remember and it's a lot more mental than just athletic. You have to have both."

Unfortunately for Alabama, they didn't have the mental part down and blown coverages cost Alabama at least two of their three losses.

Next year, not only will this group return, but they'll have another year of valuable experience under their belt and also the knowledge, memories and guilt of what happens when they can't get their assignments right.

That alone could be the biggest piece of the puzzle for Alabama to return to greatness and national championship consideration.

Another factor that could make a profound impact on this Alabama team is the looming NFL bargaining agreement.

Some inside NFL analysts are saying that the likelihood of an NFL lockout is growing larger. Should that happen, juniors like Mark Ingram and Marcell Dareus will be back for their senior year. That could really be a big help to Alabama.

Another factor that hurt Alabama this year was the offensive line not being up to the same dominating group as last year.

Carpenter proved to be an adequate left tackle and with him leaving, many think D.J. Fluker could move into that spot. If not him, then look for one of the Kouandjio brothers, Arie, who redshirted this year, or Cyrus, who many think will sign with Alabama and could have the ability to start as a freshman.

Also, almost all the linemen will return. and they should be a better and more experienced group than the one fielded this year. As for added depth, Austin Shepherd and Chad Lindsey will be coming off redshirt years and each could see playing time as backups.

And speaking of redshirts, who else will be coming off that list to help the Tide?

Phillip Sims, one of the nation's top prospects at QB will be there to give A.J. McCarron a battle for the starting QB job.

DeAndrew White has also received high praise from the coaches, who say that he has all the skills to step in and contribute next year, as well as battle for a starting job. Keiwone Malone can also be thrown in that mix.

Two tight ends, Brian Vogler and Harrison Jones, will be ready to join senior Brad Smelly and juniors Micheal Williams and Chris Underwood in McElwain's rotation of tight ends.

And as if we didn't have enough good running backs, Corey Grant has looked good on the scout team and can contribute next year if injuries come around next year as they did this year.

On defense, the man who was said to be the next Mt. Cody, Brandon Ivory will be ready to play as well as Petey Smith at linebacker who will see special team play as well as some back up play.

So players taking off the  red shirts could not only help with depth, but in play making as well.

But lastly, this year was the perfect storm for Alabama not to have their best year.

Auburn was heavy senior laden team with a once in a lifetime playmaker in Cam Newton. With those seniors and Cam Newton gone, Auburn will sink quickly back to second-tier status.

Also, even though they had three losses so far of their own, South Carolina is as senior laden as it will be in a long time and their best players all converged at just the right time in a year that Florida happened to be flat to make it their season to remember.

Though Marcus Lattimore will keep them entertaining and competitive, senior losses will be hard for the Gamecocks to overcome next year.

The real competition next year will come once again from LSU. Like Alabama, good recruiting classes should keep them competitive despite a few important losses on both sides of the ball.

For anyone who says Alabama can't win it all with a rookie quarterback, may I remind of Greg McElroy.

Something that did hurt Alabama earlier in the year was playing Dont'a Hightower in the wrong role. He is not Rolando McClain the second and after the knee surgery simply had a hard time covering backs in passing situations. Moving him back to his original position made him a better fit and now with a few months of on the job training, Courtney Upshaw should have a great senior season.

So with great players returning, future stars coming off red shirt years, new players coming in with yet another sensational recruiting class, the drop off of other SEC teams and lastly, the end of the "Golden Run," the Tide should be ready to get back to work and dedicate themselves as they did in 2009.

The "Golden Run?"

Yes, Saban mentioned it several times in different ways. He said players expected the same results as usual without the attention to detail, the focus and ability to finish that they did last year.

In other words, there was a sense of entitlement on the team. The expected to win without the same work ethic.

Alabama could knock a team down, but couldn't always knock them out.

They didn't finish.

Only time will tell if that last piece comes around or not, but the other pieces are all falling into place without question.

It would not surprise me to see Alabama picked once again in one of the top five spots in the nation in the preseason polls.

So while a ten win season is still in the cards this season and for some teams, that would be the goal, this was Alabama's down year. Next year could be an even better one.