Eckwood43
05-10-2004, 09:46 AM
Recent story from Birmingham News
Shula's 1st anniversary..Life looks up for Year 2
Year two is upon Alabama football coach Mike Shula, who will mark his first anniversary at arguably the most visible job in the state Saturday.
At times it's still an adjustment, but it's been long enough Shula can peer back at that first practice last fall and shudder to think of where his team was that day, when everything was genuinely brand new.
"All those little things that, once you go through a year, obviously become second nature," Shula said. "The biggest thing I'm looking forward to is being able to say, 'Well, how'd we do it last year.' "
Like last year, it's difficult to know what to expect. Alabama has completed its NCAA-mandated postseason ban and unlike last year, is now eligible for the SEC Championship Game and a bowl.
The talk surrounding last season's squad was that the penalties didn't matter and didn't take away focus from the actual games. Players now sing a bit different tune, saying it does matter after all.
"We've got something to play for this year," starting quarterback Brodie Croyle said. "We've talked about it ever since we got done with the Hawaii game. We're looking forward to it."
Motivation is one thing. Logistics are another.
Those sanctions have taken a toll on Alabama's numbers, depth and talent at key positions. For those Alabama fans that can't wait for this football season, Shula has sent a coded message: Bring a roster.
An open mind may not be a bad thing to have, either.
The Crimson Tide won't be afraid to play the newcomers this season. Shula estimated that at least two or three freshmen could be in the starting lineup Sept. 4 when Alabama hosts Utah State to kick off Shula's second season with the Crimson Tide.
"There's going to be a lot of guys on the field next year that are either true freshmen or this will be the first time they see action," Shula said.
If nothing else, it should be interesting.
"We're going to surprise a lot of people," receiver Brandon Brooks said.
Alabama oversigned recruits this past spring. Although Shula can bring only 19 recruits under scholarship this fall, he added 26 signees with two additional players set to join as walk-ons.
The idea is to gather them all in, and see who can help right away. Blue-chip recruits like Hartselle High receiver Nikita Stover, defensive linemen Chris Turner and Lorenzo Washington and others — should they qualify academically — will push for playing time behind a young lineup bolstered by little depth.
More than half of those recruits are expected to contribute along with some other guys you probably haven't heard of. This was evident during spring scrimmages, when walk-ons received more than a fair share of playing time.
"This place has had so much change the last few years," Shula said. "The one thing we're trying to do now is be consistent, have guys who are going show up every day, whether it's coaches or players."
Many of the players may be new, but at least the coaches are not. If nothing else, Shula is no longer burdened with a lack of time. When former coach Mike Price was fired almost a year ago, Shula's staff had only two weeks of fall practice to install a new system.
This left players admittedly unsure of roles on the field once the games started. Given these circumstances, Tide fans cut Shula slack for a 4-9 record that's normally a far cry from what's expected at the program Paul Bryant built.
Shula anticipates a change in that this season, regardless of how much experience the players in the crimson jerseys have this year.
"I don't know what's fair, what's not fair," Shula said. "But, I know, as a coach, what you expect or yourself and your players week in and week out. You have to expect you're going to go out there and take the field and go win the football game. That's all you really can ask of your players, and if you don't, you don't need to be at Alabama."
As for the players, they know what's to be expected for Shula's sophomore season. They also feel last season was better than the numbers indicate. Think of a 21-point blown lead an overtime loss against Arkansas, two yards short of victory and an overtime loss against Tennessee.
"The record doesn't give you the characteristic of the team. It doesn't give you what the team was all about," linebacker Freddie Roach said. "It's just one of those off season, but you feel like you'll break through it."
After last year, few will predict Alabama high in a division that includes the reigning national champion (LSU) and the school picked No. 1 by many to start the 2003 slate (Auburn).
"I guess that's how it goes," Roach said. "When you win four games, you can't expect too much respect."
Though the Crimson Tide returns eight starters on defense and six on offense, those come from a very young squad to begin with. Many of the returning players still have limited experience in Alabama's new system.
It could make for another long year, some fear. But the players don't. After spending time in a program where so much is expected, a chance to sneak up on other schools is a welcome opportunity.
"I like being the underdog," Brooks said. "People are just going to underestimate us, and that's when we'll go out and bite them. Eventually, hopefully we won't be the underdog."
Shula's 1st anniversary..Life looks up for Year 2
Year two is upon Alabama football coach Mike Shula, who will mark his first anniversary at arguably the most visible job in the state Saturday.
At times it's still an adjustment, but it's been long enough Shula can peer back at that first practice last fall and shudder to think of where his team was that day, when everything was genuinely brand new.
"All those little things that, once you go through a year, obviously become second nature," Shula said. "The biggest thing I'm looking forward to is being able to say, 'Well, how'd we do it last year.' "
Like last year, it's difficult to know what to expect. Alabama has completed its NCAA-mandated postseason ban and unlike last year, is now eligible for the SEC Championship Game and a bowl.
The talk surrounding last season's squad was that the penalties didn't matter and didn't take away focus from the actual games. Players now sing a bit different tune, saying it does matter after all.
"We've got something to play for this year," starting quarterback Brodie Croyle said. "We've talked about it ever since we got done with the Hawaii game. We're looking forward to it."
Motivation is one thing. Logistics are another.
Those sanctions have taken a toll on Alabama's numbers, depth and talent at key positions. For those Alabama fans that can't wait for this football season, Shula has sent a coded message: Bring a roster.
An open mind may not be a bad thing to have, either.
The Crimson Tide won't be afraid to play the newcomers this season. Shula estimated that at least two or three freshmen could be in the starting lineup Sept. 4 when Alabama hosts Utah State to kick off Shula's second season with the Crimson Tide.
"There's going to be a lot of guys on the field next year that are either true freshmen or this will be the first time they see action," Shula said.
If nothing else, it should be interesting.
"We're going to surprise a lot of people," receiver Brandon Brooks said.
Alabama oversigned recruits this past spring. Although Shula can bring only 19 recruits under scholarship this fall, he added 26 signees with two additional players set to join as walk-ons.
The idea is to gather them all in, and see who can help right away. Blue-chip recruits like Hartselle High receiver Nikita Stover, defensive linemen Chris Turner and Lorenzo Washington and others — should they qualify academically — will push for playing time behind a young lineup bolstered by little depth.
More than half of those recruits are expected to contribute along with some other guys you probably haven't heard of. This was evident during spring scrimmages, when walk-ons received more than a fair share of playing time.
"This place has had so much change the last few years," Shula said. "The one thing we're trying to do now is be consistent, have guys who are going show up every day, whether it's coaches or players."
Many of the players may be new, but at least the coaches are not. If nothing else, Shula is no longer burdened with a lack of time. When former coach Mike Price was fired almost a year ago, Shula's staff had only two weeks of fall practice to install a new system.
This left players admittedly unsure of roles on the field once the games started. Given these circumstances, Tide fans cut Shula slack for a 4-9 record that's normally a far cry from what's expected at the program Paul Bryant built.
Shula anticipates a change in that this season, regardless of how much experience the players in the crimson jerseys have this year.
"I don't know what's fair, what's not fair," Shula said. "But, I know, as a coach, what you expect or yourself and your players week in and week out. You have to expect you're going to go out there and take the field and go win the football game. That's all you really can ask of your players, and if you don't, you don't need to be at Alabama."
As for the players, they know what's to be expected for Shula's sophomore season. They also feel last season was better than the numbers indicate. Think of a 21-point blown lead an overtime loss against Arkansas, two yards short of victory and an overtime loss against Tennessee.
"The record doesn't give you the characteristic of the team. It doesn't give you what the team was all about," linebacker Freddie Roach said. "It's just one of those off season, but you feel like you'll break through it."
After last year, few will predict Alabama high in a division that includes the reigning national champion (LSU) and the school picked No. 1 by many to start the 2003 slate (Auburn).
"I guess that's how it goes," Roach said. "When you win four games, you can't expect too much respect."
Though the Crimson Tide returns eight starters on defense and six on offense, those come from a very young squad to begin with. Many of the returning players still have limited experience in Alabama's new system.
It could make for another long year, some fear. But the players don't. After spending time in a program where so much is expected, a chance to sneak up on other schools is a welcome opportunity.
"I like being the underdog," Brooks said. "People are just going to underestimate us, and that's when we'll go out and bite them. Eventually, hopefully we won't be the underdog."