Alabama fans.......

[SilverBritches]

I would like to hear more about your team next year. I don't know much about them. How many people do you have returning to your incredible defense. I know you will get Croyle and Darby back but what about your receivers and offensive line? I have seen that receiver is a position of need in recruiting this year. Is this because you have lots of seniors or you just need good receivers to step in and play? Thanks for any info you can give me. Your my pick to win the west next season.

P.S.- If you don't have anything to say that will help me with my questions, then don't respond. Thanks

[Djshockley3]

I know they have almost all their defense back.

[BamaFan425]

We are not losing much on our defense and should get a few more to help out our stellar D. As far as our Offense we just really need to stay healthy and get the big hosses up front in shape to protect Croyle. We are losing some of the O-line and other various positions. All in All if we dont get bit by the injury bug we should have a good team next year and should turn some heads.

[Djshockley3]

Yeah,Bama is gonna be Impossible to beat if they stay healthy.They are so strong.

[Jordan]

I have to get to bed, so I'll just post a couple quick ones.... I'll post more tomorrow if nobody beats me to it.

As you noted we will have Croyle and SHOULD have Darby back, but Darby is questionable because of recent news related to his injuries. A lot of our starting defense is returning, so hopefully we'll have another highly-ranked defense this year. Shula's been doing some heavy recruiting right now, but I expect to see a lot of red-shirting next year with the incoming freshmen.

Our biggest thing to overcome will be the loss of 3 starting OLs.... especially Britt and Mathis, who were in a sense "the heart" of our offense for the past couple of seasons.

All in all, I think we'll do pretty well next year. Our depth still won't be spectacular though, so lets hope its not a 3rd consecutive year full of injuries!

[nooneLT]

we lose bates (DE) wortham (MLB) and madison (CB) on defense. this shouldn't pose too much of a problem because we have gilberry to replace bates. bates is a better run stopper but gilberry is an awesome pass rusher. freddie roach will move back to his original position at MLB and juwan garth goes back to weak side LB. we also have castille to replace madison at CB, who as a true freshman showed he will be a good one.

on offense, we lose our LT LG and RG. not only lose them as players, we lose them as leaders. we lost both our TE's, one to graduation one to concussions. we are incredibly thin on RB's since darby might be out. on the contrary to your post, we're doing good on WR's, but rouse wouldn't hurt :D keith brown, dj hall, and ezekiel knight all played as true freshman, and we still return prothro and cadell. return brodie as QB, but there will be a battle for 2nd string between guillon, pennington, and freshmen.

[Tidetalk]

I would like to hear more about your team next year. I don't know much about them. How many people do you have returning to your incredible defense. I know you will get Croyle and Darby back but what about your receivers and offensive line? I have seen that receiver is a position of need in recruiting this year. Is this because you have lots of seniors or you just need good receivers to step in and play? Thanks for any info you can give me. Your my pick to win the west next season.

P.S.- If you don't have anything to say that will help me with my questions, then don't respond. Thanks

Silver,

We have 8 starters returning on D. We need depth on the D Line and should sign @ 5 DL in Feb.

We lose at least 4 starters on offense (I say at least because Darby has a fractured pelvis and may not return and Johnston may not be able to return at TE because of concussions). We lose 3 OL so that is a position of need. We have 6 OL committed right now. All of our WR were FR and Sophs this year. We may sign one if they are just too good to pass up, but I don't expect it.

Hope this helps. Now how about an update on UGA. I know very little about them.

[Tidetalk]

we lose bates (DE) wortham (MLB) and madison (CB) on defense. this shouldn't pose too much of a problem because we have gilberry to replace bates. bates is a better run stopper but gilberry is an awesome pass rusher. freddie roach will move back to his original position at MLB and juwan garth goes back to weak side LB. we also have castille to replace madison at CB, who as a true freshman showed he will be a good one.

on offense, we lose our LT LG and RG. not only lose them as players, we lose them as leaders. we lost both our TE's, one to graduation one to concussions. we are incredibly thin on RB's since darby might be out. on the contrary to your post, we're doing good on WR's, but rouse wouldn't hurt :D keith brown, dj hall, and ezekiel knight all played as true freshman, and we still return prothro and cadell. return brodie as QB, but there will be a battle for 2nd string between guillon, pennington, and freshmen.

Noone,

Madison can return next season. He earned a year back by graduating in 4 years. Castille may still win his job though.

[troxel3]

Stellar Defense? The same one that choked vs. Minnesota?

[Jordan]

Stellar Defense? The same one that choked vs. Minnesota?
Oh come on.... you can't judge a team by a SINGLE game. Their 2 RBs were the only ones that got over 100 yds on our defense all year. And we held their team to just 75 yds in the air. Our defense did an excellent job all season of giving us great field position, but our offense always took that position and screwed it up or turned the ball over. Can't blame the defense for that....

If you want to look at a single game, then....
Kentucky AT Tennessee -- UT 37 - UK 31. Who the heck lets UK come into their house and score 31 points?! And to let the game come down to the wire like that? Please...

Same with Vandy. UT 38 - Vandy 33. How on earth did Vandy do that?

Go look at your own Defense before criticizing ours. :)

[troxel3]

Sure, we had bad games. BUT WE WON THEM. We lost three games. Two of them to an undeafeted team that should have been in the NC, and the other to ND. No excuse for that one. The coaches didnt have the backup QB properly prepared, and they paid the price for it. The mark of a good team is one that can play like s**t and still find a way to win. How many games did bama lose with that "stellar" defense? 6? Wow.

[Jordan]

The mark of a good team is one that can play like s**t and still find a way to win. How many games did bama lose with that "stellar" defense? 6? Wow.

Well, at least you admit your team played like s**t those games..... but obviously you didn't read my entire post before.

How can our defense be blamed for our losses? Our defense gave us more opportunities to win every ballgame than any Bama defense I've seen in awhile. Our offense would take those opportunities and blowup, usually turning the ball back over to give the opponent the ball very close to the goalline (if not inside the goalline :)).

Our defense can't be blamed for our offense's mistakes. Now if you want to talk about our offense this past year, I'll be the first to say that they sucked it up for just about every game this season.

[VOLMANN]

Your defense was one tough one for sure, and you're right about the offense stinking up the place. Next year Brody will be back and Bama will be a solid team again.

[troxel3]

Speaking of the bama offense, isn't your star RB done playing because of injury? And what you Croyle? What's up with Bama's offense next year? How do the recruits look?

I see your point about the offense not hauling their own load, though. Even though I feel some people here are absolutley ludacris when they try to convice everyone that UT gains all of its success by cheating, I know the majority of Bama fans are not like that. I hope Bama gets back to being the team they were 10 years ago. Its good for the rivalry and good for the SEC.

[Jordan]

Speaking of the bama offense, isn't your star RB done playing because of injury? And what you Croyle? What's up with Bama's offense next year? How do the recruits look?

I see your point about the offense not hauling their own load, though. Even though I feel some people here are absolutley ludacris when they try to convice everyone that UT gains all of its success by cheating, I know the majority of Bama fans are not like that. I hope Bama gets back to being the team they were 10 years ago. Its good for the rivalry and good for the SEC.
Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for as well. Shula's at least doing his part to get our team back to one of respect/honesty and love for the game, and only time will tell how he is doing on building up the talent of our team.

As for our offense next year....

Ken Darby (RB) does have a cracked pelvis, but the severity of it is questionable. Many people are saying it's the end of his career, while others claim that he might be able to play at some point next season. It's really all up to what the doctors can do at this point, so we'll see....

I've got mixed feelings for Croyle. I grew up in his hometown and saw him play through high school, and admit that he is a very talented quarterback. He's had some tough times getting the experience he needs to compete in the SEC, but he was looking pretty good in his first three performances this past season. However, since his senior year of highschool he has proven to be very, VERY prone to injury. I hope that he stays healthy, but I also hope that Shula actually PREPARES a backup QB this season in case he gets hurt for a 3rd year in a row.

Our biggest struggle on offense next year will be the loss of 3 OLs, especially Britt and Mathis who have been kind of "the heart" of our offense the past few seasons. They really helped to keep up the spirit/morale of the team during some bad times, so that will definitely be missed next year. From what I've seen/heard, we've got strong committments from about 6 OLs. Of these, one is ranked in the Top 20 and three others in the Top 50 in the nation. All seem to be pretty big boys, most with some pretty impressive video clips.

As long as we can fill in that hole on the left-side of our OL, I think our offense will at least be BETTER this year. If we can just keep turnovers to a minimum, hopefully our defense can give us more of those good opportunities. :)

[Jordan]

Oh, and forgot QB recruits....

We've got a committment from both Jimmy Barnes and Jimmy Johns. Barnes is a very solid QB from California, and Johns is from somewhere in Mississippi. Both are ranked in the Top 20 on Rivals (#16 and #18 I believe). I haven't heard that much about Johns, but Barnes sounds like he'll do great things for our program in the coming years.

[nooneLT]

john parker wilson will also be in the mix, he grey-shirted this year

[Jordan]

john parker wilson will also be in the mix, he grey-shirted this year
Yeah, I can see him as a potential contender for the backup spot this year.... but we'll see. I doubt we'll see any of this year's recruits getting any game-time.

[OrangeCrush]

Has anyone heard how Tim Castille(sp) is doing? I believe he is Bama's fullback and moved to tailback when some of the injuries occured. He looked great in what limited time I saw him. One more question for the Pride of the Tide on this board. Who at this moment looks to be the replacements for your OL departures. The national media heaped a lot of praise on Wesley Britt and I am curious who could take his spot next year.

[Tidetalk]

Has anyone heard how Tim Castille(sp) is doing? I believe he is Bama's fullback and moved to tailback when some of the injuries occured. He looked great in what limited time I saw him. One more question for the Pride of the Tide on this board. Who at this moment looks to be the replacements for your OL departures. The national media heaped a lot of praise on Wesley Britt and I am curious who could take his spot next year.

Castille is supposed to be back by next year, but his injury was pretty devastating and I don't know if he will be back to normal next season. He is kind of our Ronnie Brown in my opinion -- very versatile, good hands, good blocker and good runner. He is down to 212 pounds and wants to play TB some more.

We will have young guys replace the starters we lost on the OL. I expect (and it is only my guess) Chris Capps a Soph who played a little this year, to replace Britt at LT. I expect two RS Fr -- BJ Stabler and Antoine Caldwell to play the guard spots. I have heard the coaches like all of those guys, but they all need experience.

Fortunately, I just heard that Darby will not need surgery on his pelvis and should be full speed by this fall.

[Jordan]

Fortunately, I just heard that Darby will not need surgery on his pelvis and should be full speed by this fall.

That's good to hear. I'd heard similar from a very unreputable source, so glad to hear it from a 2nd as well.

[cocky4ever]

That's good to hear. I'd heard similar from a very unreputable source, so glad to hear it from a 2nd as well.
If Bama can get some good recruits that will help greatly with their main weakness, depth. However, I dont see them winning the West because of the teams they play towards the end of the season. But look at it this way, in the coming years all of their players will have a good amount of experience which I could see leading them to win the West and possibly even the SEC. I just dont see it happening next year.

[Djshockley3]

I do they will play for the SEC title if croyle stays healthy.They have the best healthy team in the west.

[BAMA NATE]

The fact is, the starting 11 we have on both offense and defense are some of the best in the country. We just have to STAY HEALTHY!!!!!

Many people say that we only use that as an excuse but the facts are facts. There are games we could've won with our original starters. The Tennessee, South Carolina, and especially the Arkansas games would've been wins in my opinion. We should be no less than a BCS contender this season. Don't listen to some of these people that predict us as low as 7-4 or 8-3. I live fairly close to Tuscaloosa, they don't.

[Neo]

If Bama can get some good recruits that will help greatly with their main weakness, depth. However, I dont see them winning the West because of the teams they play towards the end of the season. But look at it this way, in the coming years all of their players will have a good amount of experience which I could see leading them to win the West and possibly even the SEC. I just dont see it happening next year.

I have to agree Cocky. Talent will not win on it's own. Depth is the key and that's something that Alabama lacks at the current moment. To say or expect a team to stay healthy in the SEC is nutso. The level of competition that each team plays in-conference shows evidence of that. Look at USC this year. Both our starting QB and back-up were injured almost all year long. Syvelle pulled through for us though.

As for Alabama being BCS or SECCG bound this year? I do not see it. I must agree with you and Jordan. Alabama currently doesn't have the depth for such an endeavour. The soonest I can see them going for the gold is 2006. I have checked out their depth chart and it would appear that the NCAA really did a number on those boys. Two (2) good full years of recruiting and they will be back on their feet. Guaranteed. :)

Isn't this their first year off of scolly reductions? I'm pretty sure it is.

[nooneLT]

The fact is, the starting 11 we have on both offense and defense are some of the best in the country. We just have to STAY HEALTHY!!!!!

Many people say that we only use that as an excuse but the facts are facts. There are games we could've won with our original starters. The Tennessee, South Carolina, and especially the Arkansas games would've been wins in my opinion. We should be no less than a BCS contender this season. Don't listen to some of these people that predict us as low as 7-4 or 8-3. I live fairly close to Tuscaloosa, they don't.

hi, i live in tuscaloosa. i got my BS in 4 years and i'm a 2nd year masters student. i'll probably even be back next year. and i predict we'll go 7-4/8-3.

[Jordan]

hi, i live in tuscaloosa. i got my BS in 4 years and i'm a 2nd year masters student. i'll probably even be back next year. and i predict we'll go 7-4/8-3.
Same here. Been in Tuscaloosa for 5 years now (although I'm moving in a week), and I predict 7-4/8-3 for next year. While that's my prediction, yes, we do have a SHOT at a better season than that. The 3-4 games I think we'll lose will also be some of our closest score games all season next year, so they could really go either way. Without a doubt, I can only hope that we'll go all the way next year (as would any loyal Bama fan), but I think we'll likely see at least a couple losses along the way.

[Jordan]

Isn't this their first year off of scolly reductions? I'm pretty sure it is.

Yep, we were still limited to 19 (instead of a full 25) scholarships to award for this past year's class. After 3 years of 17/18/19 schollys, we're finally back to the full 25 for this year's recruiting class. Shula still did a pretty good job of recruiting with those 19 last year, so we'll have a decent team built up for this year. But I'd wait for our incoming freshmen on offense to get a year of playing experience this season before praising any NC dreams, and then maybe in 2006 we'll be that perfect-season contender we've been trying to build back up to.

[Neo]

Yep, we were still limited to 19 (instead of a full 25) scholarships to award for this past year's class. After 3 years of 17/18/19 schollys, we're finally back to the full 25 for this year's recruiting class. Shula still did a pretty good job of recruiting with those 19 last year, so we'll have a decent team built up for this year. But I'd wait for our incoming freshmen on offense to get a year of playing experience this season before praising any NC dreams, and then maybe in 2006 we'll be that perfect-season contender we've been trying to build back up to.

I honestly believe 2006 is the year to aim for...:)

[Jordan]

I honestly believe 2006 is the year to aim for...:)
Yep.... the possibility is still there this year to make it to the SECCG, but that's only if a few key games go in our favor. On the books, LSU will still have the edge in the west this season. Unlike some Bama fans, I would be happy to see us in the SECCG, but am not counting it or especially not on anything more than that.

But of course I would be VERY happy if I were wrong. :p

[nooneLT]

lol same here jordan, if i was proven wrong i'll be perfectly ok with it :D :D

[OrangeCrush]

The fact is, the starting 11 we have on both offense and defense are some of the best in the country. We just have to STAY HEALTHY!!!!!

Many people say that we only use that as an excuse but the facts are facts. There are games we could've won with our original starters. The Tennessee, South Carolina, and especially the Arkansas games would've been wins in my opinion. We should be no less than a BCS contender this season. Don't listen to some of these people that predict us as low as 7-4 or 8-3. I live fairly close to Tuscaloosa, they don't.

There is no doubt that you could have won all three games if healthy. The rub is that other teams had injuries also. Add to that it is public knowledge in Knoxville that Fulmer played very conserative against Bama because he knew they would have problems putting points on the board. I am not trying to take anything against your defense, because there is no doubt that it was the best defense the Vols faced in 2004 and they played a great game in Knoxville. I hope all the SEC teams can avoid major injury next season.

[Neo]

There is no doubt that you could have won all three games if healthy. The rub is that other teams had injuries also. Add to that it is public knowledge in Knoxville that Fulmer played very conserative against Bama because he knew they would have problems putting points on the board. I am not trying to take anything against your defense, because there is no doubt that it was the best defense the Vols faced in 2004 and they played a great game in Knoxville. I hope all the SEC teams can avoid major injury next season.

That's where depth comes into play. Correct Orange? :)

[OrangeCrush]

That's where depth comes into play. Correct Orange? :)

Yes it is.

[Neo]

Yes it is.


Get some quality depth and you will win the big games. :)

[ColonelKurtz]

The 2005 UA campaign will be subject to the same factors which it faced in '04, but with a less seasoned & experienced 2-deep. Just as it is for everybody else, injuries to starters will be #1, and #2 will be Coaching, for if Shula doesn't exercise better judgement about his team's precarious personnel situation and remove his stars when a lead is in hand, the season could fall apart very rapidly.

LSU & Auburn are still the West frontrunners, look for Arky to snap back and make the battle for 3rd an interesting one.

[Neo]

The 2005 UA campaign will be subject to the same factors which it faced in '04, but with a less seasoned & experienced 2-deep. Just as it is for everybody else, injuries to starters will be #1, and #2 will be Coaching, for if Shula doesn't exercise better judgement about his team's precarious personnel situation and remove his stars when a lead is in hand, the season could fall apart very rapidly.

LSU & Auburn are still the West frontrunners, look for Arky to snap back and make the battle for 3rd an interesting one.

Ditto that Col. :)

[PYRO]

Stellar Defense? The same one that choked vs. Minnesota?
Din't Florida get beat by MISS. State this year.

[Neo]

Din't Florida get beat by MISS. State this year.

Mississippi State has always played Florida tough. The Gators haven't beatin MSU in Starkville as far as I can remember. :)

BTW: Welcome to the site Pyro!!! If you need anything, PM me.