Alabama Football: Last Year's Strengths and Weaknesses Versus This Year's

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) This time last year the big questions were the defensive backfield and whether the linebacker corp could survive without Rolando McClain and a rehabbing Dont'a Hightower.

The offense was supposed to go off without a snag.

So comparing this year's Alabama squad's strengths and weaknesses to last year's team, do we see a good year or bad year?

Offensive Line

They say it all starts on the line, and they are right. Last year's squad lost two valuable members, and some of the fans were nervous about Fluker taking over at tackle and the loss of Mike Johnson.

Last Year's Outlook for the Offensive Line—Questionable

This year, the line has lost a good left tackle, but with so many great choices open to coaches including Jr. College transfer Aaron Douglas, the line looks like it can be one of the team's strengths.

This Year's Outlook for the Offensive Line—Good

Receivers

Last year with all the talented receivers except for the tight end coming back, it was assumed that the receivers would be a strength of the team.

Last Year's Outlook for the Receivers—Outstanding

This year's team is the same corp that started last year minus Julio Jones and yet another tight end. But the tight ends we have on tap may be just as good, replacing Jones may be tougher.

This Year's Outlook for the Receivers—Good

Quarterback

Last year we were coming back with a national championship-winning quarterback and the backup who would have taken his place in that game. The starting quarterback had never lost a game in Crimson. It doesn't get any better than that.

Last Year's Outlook at Quarterback—Outstanding

This year we enter the season with a gifted but relatively untested quarterback at the reigns of an otherwise talented offensive squad. It sounds like when McElroy first took over, and we all know how that went. He was proof you don't need to be seasoned to win it all in the Saban system.

This Year's Outlook at Quarterback—Good

Running Backs

Last year we had a returning Heisman Trophy-winning running back returning with his stable mate that helped the Tide win a national championship. Does it get any better?

Last Year's Outlook at Running Back—Outstanding

This year they've lost Ingram but not Richardson. Richardson pairs with yet another great running back, Eddie Lacy, Jalston Fowler, Demetrius Goode, Corey Grant and another in the long line of talented freshmen running backs, Dee Hart. I don't think the running backs will miss a step this year, but time will tell.

This Year's Outlook for Running Back—Outstanding

Defensive Linemen

Last year we returned the national championship game MVP, a seasoned nose guard and a returning former starter to the defensive line. This was to be one of the big strengths of the team.

Last Year's Outlook at Defensive Linemen—Outstanding

This year we loose that same MVP, but gain Quinton Dial to take his place, given the so so year Dareus had last year, Dial can only do better. We have the same nose guard plus another Awesome Aussie who may make Mt. Cody look like a molehill and so many other options at the other end that it should be just as good as last year's squad.

This Year's Outlook at Defensive Linemen—Outstanding

Linebackers

Last year losing Rolando McClain and having Dont'a Hightower returning from a bad knee injury combined with a bunch of young players, there was reason to be nervous.

Last Year's Outlook at Linebacker—Questionable

This year we've seen what Hightower can look like fully healed, the babies who played last year are now now this year's killers and Saban has a lot more good pegs to put in all the holes than ever before. This linebacker corp as a group could be one of the best in a long time.

This Year's Outlook at Linebacker—Outstanding

Defensive Backs

Last year there were many questions as the season started. Robbie Green had been suspended, Javier Arenas and Marquis Johnson went to the NFL, and it was scary that we had to put so many young people in so many critical spots.

Last Year's Outlook at Defensive Back—Questionable

This year we start the year with Robbie Green being suspended again—I guess some things never change. But a solid leader comes back in the form of Mark Barron, and Robert Lester took Robbie Green's suspension and made the most of it. He became on of the SEC's top pass interceptors and much more is expected this year. Dre Kirkpatrick comes back with a year's worth of great experience, and DeMarcus Milliner and DeQuan Menzie both return to compete yet again for playing time. This year they are an experienced group.

This Year's Outlook at Defensive Back—Good

Punting and Kicking Specialists

Last year it was felt that Cade Foster's big leg could help the kickoff team with deeper booms off the tee, but fans were nervous in losing Mr. Steady, Leigh Tiffin for the placekicking duties. As for punting, the team felt they had a good punter coming in and weren't too worried even after a lousy day of punting at the A-Day game.

Last Year's Outlook at Punting and Kicking Specialists—Questionable

This year we have the same people returning to do the same jobs, and yet the fans still aren't too sure about the punting and the place kicking team last year placed 62nd in the nation. This year they have reason to be nervous.

This Year's Outlook at Punting and Kicking Specialists—Questionable

Overall Ranking of This Year's Team Over Last Year's Version

As the article started, it all begins on the line, and this year's team has a much deeper line on both sides of the ball. If they can dominate as expected, it makes everyone else's job that much easier.

The group that cost the team the most grief and losses last season were the defensive backs, but this year's group has finally come together and if the Capital One Bowl Game is any indication of what fans can expect from them this year, look out world.

Losing three great ones like McElroy, Ingram and Jones could cripple most teams, but the talent pool of four great recruiting classes in a row means that Saban has great replacements ready to go.

McCarron, Richardson any one of four receivers who wind up at Jone's spot are more than able to almost fill those big shoes if they don't in fact do that.

This Year's Outlook of This Team Over Last Year's Team—An Overall Better Unit