Alabama Football: Rating the Replacements, Step Up or Step Backward?

Last year, many fans and writers, and yes, me among them, thought Alabama had the replacements on hand to overcome to the loss of the players that graduated or left early for the NFL.

I was wrong. Though most of the replacements did eventually come around, the secondary cost the Tide two games and overconfidence cost them a third.

So before coming up with a final appraisal of this year's team as a whole over last years, let's look at a few of the major players involved in this year's replacements.

Defense

Defensive Ends

Gone : Luther Davis  
Replaced by: Undra Billingsly or Damion Square 

Davis was a steady player, good on run support but weak on pass rush. Billingsly is bigger than Square, but Square may be be a good rabbit rusher off the end because he might be a step faster. Billingsly is a beast on run support. Look for lots of substitutions during the season depending on the situation.

Alabama is a step ahead of last year's player at this position.

Gone: Marcel Darius 
Replaced by: Quinton Dial

Darius is a first-round draft choice; replacing him won't be easy. But in all fairness, for much of the season Darius did not play up to expectations due to an injury that is finally healed. So if Dial only has to replace the player that was banged up most of the season, he could easily match if not surpass what Darius did for the Tide last year.

As silly as this sounds, since Darius did not play as well as he could have healthy, Alabama will not be hurt by having Dial step into this vacancy. This is a draw.

Linebackers

Gone: Strong Side Linebacker Chavis Williams    
Replaced by: Jerrell Harris

Williams was a serviceable linebacker, good on run support, but the weakest link in last year's linebacker corps. Harris came to Alabama as one of the top prospects in the nation, but has yet to live up to that hype. My guess is that his time has finally come and that they'll have a top player at this spot.

Alabama is a step ahead of last year's player at this position.

Offense

Left Tackle

Gone: James Carpenter   
Replaced by: Either Alfred McCullough or Aaron Douglas

Carpenter was a steady but not spectacular left tackle, better on the run than in pass protection. McCullough may be a short-term solution until Douglas beefs up a bit to fill that 6'7'' frame a bit more. Till that happens, McCullough may do fine.

Alabama is a draw with this position over last year's player at this position.

Tight End / Fullback / H Back

Gone: Preston Dial   
Replaced by: Brad Smelley

Deal was a great run blocker who could also catch the ball well enough to make defenders respect his ability. Smelley may be a better receiver but could give up some muscle and weight that could affect how well he can block.

Alabama is a step behind last year's player at this position.

Running Back

Gone: Mark Ingram  
Replaced by: Trent Richardson

This may be the only team in the nation that can replace a Heisman Trophy running back and not lose productivity. Even while Ingram was on his Heisman run, many wondered aloud if he was even the best running back on Alabama's team.

Alabama breaks even with this position over last year's starter.

Quarterback

Gone: Greg McElroy   
Replaced by: A. J. McCarron

We all knew that Greg McElroy brought more to the table than John Parker Wilson when he took over for him, but many were still nervous over his inexperience. We all saw how that went as McElroy went 13-0 with a national championship in his rookie year.

We all know that A.J. can make passes that Greg couldn't, but many worry about his inexperience. Sound familiar?  Saban knows how to break in rookie quarterbacks.

Alabama breaks even with this player over last year's starter.

Overall Ranking of This Team's Replacement's Over Last Year's Starters

Replacing a starter is never easy, but with the talent Nick Saban's brought in over the last four years, he proves it can be done.

With everything added and subtracted, this group comes out a small step ahead of last years players.