Nick Saban Releases Alabama Depth Chart: Quarterback Situation Unsettled

As has been the situation throughout spring practice and fall camp, the Alabama quarterback position for the 2011 campaign is a tightly contested battle that will play out as the season unfolds. This is a new paradigm for Alabama fans and Alabama sports writers. In fact, I'm not sure that a season of Alabama has ever begun without a starter being named at the quarterback position.

Moreover, it's been quite a while since Alabama has has two quarterbacks that are worthy of the starting position during the same season. Little did fans know that Greg McElroy was prepared to take over the position as John Parker Wilson handed over the reigns and trotted over to the NFL. And McElroy took over with a loaded, seasoned offensive line and gifted playmakers to lead the Crimson Tide to a national championship in his first season as a starter.

The 2010 season turned out to be a little more difficult than expected for the undefeated Alabama quarterback. The heralded Texan suffered bitter defeat while leading the Crimson Tide on three occasions in the season that followed. Two of those losses came in competition against the eventual division winners, the third loss on the road in a place called death valley.

Not since 2001 were there two quarterbacks poised to take the helm if called on to lead the Crimson Tide. Tyler Watts was the favored choice of the head coach Dennis Franchione, but Andrew Zow stood on the wing, ready to lead as he had in the 2000 season. And then when called on against the in-state rival Auburn Tigers, after an injury sidelined Watts, Zow lead the Tide to a 31-7 shellacking of the Tigers, on the road at Jordan-Hare.

Zow finished the season with a better passer rating than Watts, Watts was third on the team rushing, behind Ahmaad Galloway and Santonio Beard. It was Watts elusiveness as a scrambler and his rushing abilities that gave him the edge over Zow in 2001. 

In 2002, Watts would lead the Crimson Tide to a 10-3 record but lose the season finale at home against Auburn, 17-7. While Brodie Croyle played in every game during the 2002 season, Watts, a senior was clearly the choice as the starter over the freshman Croyle. For Zow, Watts and Croyle, there was never a real controversy as to who would start.

At best, these quarterbacks were very good, but could not turn in a high performance game after game. Croyle had the best potential, but the lack of protection during his tenure kept the highly touted gamer in and out of Druid City Hospital.

In 1987, Curry platooned the position with David Smith, Jeff Dunn and Vince Sutton. The platooning was more of necessity than because of a real competition. Not in '87 or thereafter did any one of these quarterbacks step up and take the helm for the Tide. In fact, Billy Ray was probably the better quarterback of the entire bunch in '87, but he lived in Curry's doghouse and opted to transfer to Duke in order to play the game he loved.

Billy Ray put third-year head coach Steve Spurrier on the map in 1989 with an 8-4 season record and a postseason All-American Bowl berth. Ray graduated as one of the most productive Duke quarterbacks in a single season while Spurrier parlayed his success at Duke into a head coaching job at his alma mater, the University of Florida.

Again, this brief history of the quarterback situation at Alabama is just to remind fans that we have not been faced with such a dilemma in recent past or the most remote history of our storied program. Bryant never dealt with quarterback controversies, in part because he chose his quarterback and stayed with his choice until the lad graduated or left the field injured.

But this is a good problem to have for coach Nick Saban. These are not average athletes with average ability to throw the ball down field. These are both talented athletes with high football IQ's and accurate, shot gun right arms. Quarterbacks that were top choices out of high school, setting school and state records while leading their teams to state championships.

Both of these young men are winners at every level. Both have shown the ability to learn the playbook and implement the system designed by coach and offensive coordinator, Jim McElwain in the way that the system is designed to work. That speaks volumes for both players.

For the quarterback position, that means not trying to do everything yourself. Not forcing passes into tiny windows. Making pre-snap reads that are correct and taking what the defense gives up with the alignment.

And most importantly, getting the ball to your playmakers. After all, this is a pro set offense. The quarterback is the leader, the ball distributor, after making an assessment as to which play works best from the formation established before the snap. Who to set into motion and who to pull for a block to lead a play.

But don't think this is a problem of alarming concern, by any means. It's a good, if not great, problem to have for any team. Alabama is in good shape for the 2011 football campaign which should lead to a berth in the Sugar Bowl. Consolation game or road to another national championship, we won't know until late in the season, but the Tide will likely end the season in New Orleans.

Other positions that held suspense were penciled in with starters. Cyrus Kouandijo, a true freshman, will play against Kent State at left tackle. He will wear the same number as Andre Smith (71), the last true freshman to start on the offensive line for the Crimson Tide.

Junior Barrett Jones may start the game at left tackle, but he is bracketed at left guard with Chance Warmack, as well. Jones is an anchor on the offensive line and a preseason All-American. He has shown great leadership as a teammate and will play both the tackle and guard positions throughout the year. He is an asset to the player standing beside him, just ask All-American center for the Crimson Tide, William Valchos.

On the right side of the line will be Anthony Steen and DJ Fluker. Junior Michael Williams and senior Brad Smelly will start and tight end. And if that isn't intimidation enough for the opposition, they will have to look down the barrel of the Tide offense and lock sites on Trent Richardson. When Richardson sits, he is replaced by 6'0" 220 lb Eddie Lacy, who is backed up by 6'1" 246 lb Jalston Fowler.

DeAndrew White, another freshman, will start at wide receiver in place of Darius Hanks who must sit out the first two games of the 2011 season because of a strange NCAA redshirt rule that dates back to his sophomore season. Kenny Bell and Michael Bowman will provide even more fireworks from the wide receiver position. The offense should be explosive in the passing and running game in 2011. Hold onto your seats, fans. Alabama is ready to change the record books, all for the better.

Then, when you think you have the Alabama offense figured out, in will come Blake Sims at quarterback, flanker or running back. The DJ Shockley-like, Kordell Stewart-like slasher will light up the opposition like nothing we have ever experienced in the confines of Bryant-Denny. If you are not a believer now, you will be when this offense gets cranking. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Dequan Menzie won the hotly contested cornerback position opposite Dre Kirkpartick. Last year, Menzie saw most of his playing time as the nickel back, after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. This was a devastating injury most athletes would not have recovered in time to compete for a position, much less clock substantial playing time.

The Columbus, Georgia native is a lock down cover guy, as is Kirkpatrick. In fact, backups Phelon Jones and DeMarcus Milliner are just as good, but somebody has to sit. This too, is another problem that is good to have for the Crimson Tide.

Defensively, at the linebacker weak side, Nico Johnson is bracketed with CJ Moseley. Both players are considered equal, both will log plenty of playing time during the 2011 season as they did in 2010. Both will be needed during this tough campaign.

And for the first time in his career, Jerrell Harris is listed as a starter at the strong side linebacker position. Harris has waited four long years for this opportunity. He will make the most of his senior year. Harris, Johnson/Moseley, Hightower and Upshaw are the best linebacker corp in the entire country. No other group will come close to what these fellas do in 2011. Mark this down and refer to it later! There will be more than one award for this group.

At the safety positions, both returners are All-SEC, one is first team All-American. Saban has prepared Robert Lester and Mark Barron to be the best safety tandem in the history of the Crimson Tide. Both have the ability and willingness to stop the run at all cost. And both have proven that they can compete for the ball in the air. With 18 interceptions between them, it takes courage or stupidity to throw the long ball against them.

Get your tailgates ready. This will be a fun season. Don't miss a game.