BATON ROUGE ADVOCATE And to think the season started off with such promise.
Alabama earned the first big win of the Saban era in high style, with a stirring win over Arkansas that seemed to have the Tide poised for big things.
Then the wheels fell off the (process) wagon in November. Again. Since 2003, the Tide is now a miserable 3-14 in the month. Part of it can be explained by LSU and Auburn's dominance of the Tide, but inexplicable are losses to Hawaii (2003), Louisiana-Monroe and twice to Mississippi State.
The Achilles heel has not been in any one area. One problem last season was the offense's inability to execute late in games. The defense, which even this year is still trying to build quality depth, struggled late, especially when the offense couldn't grind precious clock with the running game. The Great Textbook Scandal gutted the Tide depth chart, putting center Antoine Caldwell, running back Glen Coffee, guard Marlon Davis, defensive back Marquis Johnson, and defensive back Chris Rogers on the shelf after the Tennessee game. Key turnovers, like this inexplicable one by John Parker Wilson against Mississippi State, didn't help either.
The key for Alabama will be improved consistency, especially in offense. With 10 starters returning on that side of the ball, the Tide needs to be able to move the ball, especially late in games. Also, the Tide needs to drop its nasty tendency to play up (or down) to the level of its competition, like in the marginal win over C-USA foe Houston and in the inexplicable, laughable loss to Louisiana-Monroe.
Aug. 30 vs. Clemson
*Denotes SEC games
So I predict a mark of 8-5 and another trip to either Shreveport or Nashville for several reasons. One, Alabama has not been a good road team in recent years and all of the Tide's extra-tough SEC games (Georgia, Tennessee and LSU) are on the road. The Tide's defense (see above) is seriously depleted (especially at linebacker) and is at least another recruiting class away from being at least talent-wise amongst the conference's best. Another is Alabama's problems at quarterback, where John Parker Wilson has made some rather bone-headed turnovers. He will also be without all of his top receivers from last season. If the Tide can figure out how to move the ball effectively late in games, Alabama could easily add to that win total and possibly contend for the West. But in all reality, with the Tide so dependent on youth at so many key spots, they are at least a year away from really challenging LSU and Auburn in the West.
Quarterback – The good news for Alabama is that they have the SEC's most experienced quarterback, John Parker Wilson, under center. The bad news is, well, they have John Parker Wilson under center at quarterback. Wilson put up decent numbers in Saban's first year ( 255 of 462 for 2846 yards, 18 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 55.2 completion percentage) and authored the winning drive against Arkansas, but his penchant for all-so-untimely turnovers (see 100-yard interception return against Mississippi State) has made him less than a fan favorite. He's not exactly the most physically gifted signal caller either, with decent touch on the short and intermediate routes, but absolutely pathetic accuracy on the deep ball. He isn't going to make a defense wary with his feet either and his decision making (only a career 56 percent completion percentage) has struggled at times. Still, he is closing in all of the Alabama records held by previous starter Brodie Croyle and in his defense, he is on his third offensive coordinator, Jim McElwain. Greg McElroy saw limited time under center in mop-up duty last season, but is likely firmly entrenched as Wilson's understudy after a strong spring. Heralded newcomer Star Jackson will likely redshirt and don't expect to see Nick Fanuzzi unless disaster strikes. Grade B-
Running back – Terry Grant appeared headed for a big season with some big games early, but a painful sports hernia robbed Grant of a 1,000 yard season as he missed the final two games of the season. In the A-Day game, Grant (180 carries, 930 yards, eight touchdowns) showed no ill effects following surgery to correct the problem and the new offensive staff showed that they will try to get Grant more touches in space where his breakaway speed is more of an asset. Glenn Coffee (129 carries, 561 yards, four touchdowns) was Grant's top backup last year and will continue that role. While not as fast as Grant, Coffee is a tough runner who hits hole consistently hard and is a load to bring down. Roy Upchurch knows that this year will be a make or break year with plenty of youngsters nipping at his heels for a shot in the back rotation. He has an excellent combination of outside speed and the ability to get tough yards between the tackles. Mark Ingram, a big back from Michigan, has the best chance to get some reps in the backfield as a true freshman. Not only is he a physical specimen at 5-10, 210 pounds, he has breakaway speed. Demetrius Goode will also see time here, now fully recovered from an ACL tear that cost him his freshman season. He is a good all-around back who gives the Tide yet another runner with a good package of speed and power. Jeramie Griffin, a bruising 225-pound tank of a back, will likely give the Tide their equivalent of former Saban recruit Jacob Hester of LSU, able to get desperately needed yards in three and four yard chunks. Incoming recruits Ivan Matchett and Jeramaine Preyear will likely redshirt in a crowded backfield, with Matchett's straight-ahead style and bruising size giving him a better shot of the two to possibly contribute. Grade A-
Wide Reciever/Tight Ends – The Tide lost all of its top receivers from last year's squad (D.J. Hall, Keith Brown and Matt Caddell), but even still, there is quality depth here even without heralded uber recruit Julio Jones. Nikita Stover and Mike McCoy are the most experienced returnees here, with McCoy catching 28 passes for 207 yards and one score and Stover grabbing 10 balls for 131 yards and two scores. Stover is a burner deep, while McCoy is more of a sure-handed possession guy with some physicality. Darius Hanks had an excellent A-Day (102 yards receiving and a score) and showed he is ready to step up and contribute. Earl Alexander and Brandon Gibson have the size and strength to be a big-time contributor. Alexander had a strong spring. Marquis Maze is slight of size, but he has the agility and hands to make up for it. Chris Jackson, who was an early entrant, will see action after having a strong debut in the spring. The wild card here is Julio Jones, the recruit wanted by seemingly every major football program. His athleticism and speed are off the charts and it will be interesting to see how long it take for the talented youngster to learn McElwain's schemes. Burton Scott may push Hanks for a spot in the rotation and he brings an athleticism to the receiver position not seen since Tyrone Prothro. Will Oakley is just hoping to crack the rotation, as injuries have sapped what could have been a promising career for the senior. As for tight end, senior Nick Walker had a career year in receiving yards and catches, with 23 catches for 204 yards. Walker is an improving blocker and at 6-5 with good hands, is an excellent target in the passing game. Fellow Travis McCall is more of a blocker, while Preston Dial gives the Tide another big target. Grade B+
Offensive Line – The Tide boasts one of the most experienced offensive lines in the SEC, with All-SEC left tackle Andre Smith leading the way. Smith has lived up to the hype protecting Wilson's blindside and is an absolute roadgrader in the run game with his athleticism and nasty streak. Antoine Caldwell is another to watch. Not only is he the Tide's most versatile linemen, having logged reps at center, his main position and both guard spots, but he is one of the team's leaders and a tough, aggressive specimen who always has a good pad level and foot drive in the run game. Evan Cardwell is another option at center, where he played last season during Alabama's constant churn in the trenches. Senior Marlon Davis will likely start at left guard, after starting on the right side last season. Joining him on the other side of either Cardwell or Caldwell will likely be Mike Johnson, who logged reps at right guard during the o-line's reshuffling. Drew Davis started in the spring at right tackle, but sophomore Taylor Pharr had a strong spring and could beat out Davis in the fall. Incoming freshman Tyler Love is another who could jump in and grab a spot with a strong fall camp. Grade B+
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