Is Alabama a Top 5 Team in 2012?

[SUPERCOACH]

I believe we have the talent to fill most the gaps, but my concern is leadership. Barron, Hightower, & Trent set the tone for the identity of this team. That leadership kept this team focused and helped them achieve their goals. Will another group of players step up and hold this group to the same attention to detail, the same pursuit of excellence, and the same drive that led this years team to the NC?

I think so.  AJ stepped up and is the leader now, along with BJ on O.  Maybe Lester and CJ will be the leaders on D.

[SUPERCOACH]

I looked at the roster, and here are the guys coming back who are listed as DBs.  This doesn't include the incoming class.  Surely out of all of these guys, we can find some good ones.


Jerrod Bierbower FR
Caleb Castille FR
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix FR
Vinnie Sunseri FR
Jabriel Washington FR
John Fulton SO
Dee Milliner SO
Nick Perry SO
Ranzell Watkins SO
Jarrick Williams SO
Diege Barry JR
Hunter Bush JR
Levi Cook JR
Robert Lester JR

[2Stater]

I think the talent will be there for Bama next year, but the schedule isn't quite as favorable as this year. JMO, but the 2 biggest factors going in to 2012 will be, will the leadership be there? And, can we beat Michigan, Arkansas and LSU away from home, particularly Arkansas and LSU on the road? History has shown in the past 2 season openers with big teams that Bama rises to the occasion. I think we beat Michigan and probably even Arkansas. LSU will have a score to settle and will have a lot more returnees than Bama, even though I just saw on ESPN that Mo Claiborne is entering the draft. By far, the toughest test of next year for Bama. Can't take Mizzou on the road lightly either.

[2Stater]

DT Brockers from LSU is also entering the draft.

[hscoach]

I think the D front will still be solid.  What will need to be addressed is the leadership that these young men brought to the team.  Also, replacing Corners.  The OL should be strong and Bama should be fine in the offensive backfield.  The young rec's who did contribute this year will now be expected to do better. 

I don't think of athletes of their caliber in terms of being saddled with more responsibilities. I think these "hotshots" welcome the opportunity and think they can do better. But the difference in being an adequate replacement and being a star will be how they handle the next 6 -7 mos. The off-season program. Coach?

That will be huge.  Spring ball will answer many questions.  My question is who do you see as leaders?  I would think CJ, hopefully RL stays.  AJ and BJ on offense.  

[SUPERCOACH]

Here are the D lineman on the roster:


LaMichael Fanning FR
Brandon Ivory FR
Wilson Love FR
Anthony Orr FR
Jeoffrey Pagan FR
D. J. Pettway FR
Chris Bonds    SO
William Ming SO
Ed Stinson SO
Undra Billingsley JR
Quinton Dial JR
Damion Square JR
Jesse Williams JR

Who will be the Nose?  Will Jesse move back to the middle?

[lstephen]

JMHO but Coah Saban always seems to develop leaders just as he develops players and coaches.  Whether they all come together next season remains to be seen.  If they don't, it won't be for lack of hard work.  By the way, don't forget about Blake Sims.  He's an athlete that Coach Saban will work in somewhere.  RTR!!!

 

[SUPERCOACH]

Here are the linebackers:

Trey DePriest FR
Xzavier Dickson FR
Adrian Hubbard FR
Jonathan Atchison SO
Josh Dickerson SO
C.J. Mosley SO
Tana Patrick SO
Nico Johnson JR

[cbbama99]

I think the D front will still be solid.  What will need to be addressed is the leadership that these young men brought to the team.  Also, replacing Corners.  The OL should be strong and Bama should be fine in the offensive backfield.  The young rec's who did contribute this year will now be expected to do better. 

I don't think of athletes of their caliber in terms of being saddled with more responsibilities. I think these "hotshots" welcome the opportunity and think they can do better. But the difference in being an adequate replacement and being a star will be how they handle the next 6 -7 mos. The off-season program. Coach?

That will be huge.  Spring ball will answer many questions.  My question is who do you see as leaders?  I would think CJ, hopefully RL stays.  AJ and BJ on offense.  

CJ was the first one to pop into my mind. I think Lester will be a good leader in the backfield, perhaps Dee Milliner as well.

[Catch Prothro]

Losing 7 starters on D and 6 on O will definitely have an impact.  It is hard to replace that experience, especially against the competition Bama plays and how a mistake here or there can lose a game.  Whether the younger players can step up and play lights out next year remains to be seen.  They have the talent; it is a question of playing their assignments.  Also, there sometimes is a drop in motivation and work ethic after a championship year.

Bama is definitely a top-10 team going into next season and likely will finish in the top 5.  I won't cry if they don't win it all, but I wouldn't be surprised either.  Huge talent plus great coaching is a winning formula.

[Marshal Dillon]

I looked at the roster, and here are the guys coming back who are listed as DBs.  This doesn't include the incoming class.  Surely out of all of these guys, we can find some good ones.


Jerrod Bierbower FR
Caleb Castille FR
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix FR
Vinnie Sunseri FR
Jabriel Washington FR
John Fulton SO
Dee Milliner SO
Nick Perry SO
Ranzell Watkins SO
Jarrick Williams SO
Diege Barry JR
Hunter Bush JR
Levi Cook JR
Robert Lester JR

No one is disputing that we have talent, it's the lack of experience. Dre is a 3 year starter, talent can't match that. Barron is a 3 year starter, ditto what I said about Dre. We had several defensive breakdowns in 2010 for this very reason.


 





 

[SUPERCOACH]

I looked at the roster, and here are the guys coming back who are listed as DBs.  This doesn't include the incoming class.  Surely out of all of these guys, we can find some good ones.


Jerrod Bierbower FR
Caleb Castille FR
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix FR
Vinnie Sunseri FR
Jabriel Washington FR
John Fulton SO
Dee Milliner SO
Nick Perry SO
Ranzell Watkins SO
Jarrick Williams SO
Diege Barry JR
Hunter Bush JR
Levi Cook JR
Robert Lester JR

No one is disputing that we have talent, it's the lack of experience. Dre is a 3 year starter, talent can't match that. Barron is a 3 year starter, ditto what I said about Dre. We had several defensive breakdowns in 2010 for this very reason.


 





 

The lack of experience is definitely an issue.  Some guys learn quicker than others.  I think Vinnie picked up the system pretty quickly for example.  Maybe a few more new guys can do that too.

I'm pretty sure Dre only started 2 years at corner though.  2009 he played special teams, specifically I remember him on the punt team.  That fake punt in the Texas game was a pass that was intended for him but intercepted by Gideon.  I remember thinking Dre looked like he didn't know they where going to pass the ball to him.  2010 was his first year to start at corner if I'm not mistaken.

He certainly had his share of broken coverages in 2010 though.

Baron did start in 2009 and was a huge contributor in his first year.  I believe that is the year he led the league in interceptions.  Then Lester led the league in 2010 I think (his first year too?).

[pmull]

I think the D front will still be solid.  What will need to be addressed is the leadership that these young men brought to the team.  Also, replacing Corners.  The OL should be strong and Bama should be fine in the offensive backfield.  The young rec's who did contribute this year will now be expected to do better. 

I don't think of athletes of their caliber in terms of being saddled with more responsibilities. I think these "hotshots" welcome the opportunity and think they can do better. But the difference in being an adequate replacement and being a star will be how they handle the next 6 -7 mos. The off-season program. Coach?

That will be huge.  Spring ball will answer many questions.  My question is who do you see as leaders?  I would think CJ, hopefully RL stays.  AJ and BJ on offense.  

In addition to Robert Lester I expect Nico Johnson, as a senior, to become a leader on the defensive side.

[MLB10]

choklahomo

Glad LSU is on top...more pressure to stay there than to get there.  Ask Bob Stoops!

I don't know how likely it is for Bama to repeat, but I would have never ever thought Monday night would be a shutout, either.  It's a great time to be a Bama fan: history is getting made and everything seems possible!

[ricky023]

My concern guys and ladies is the fact of our coaching staff. We don't any cohesiveness. We need a return team coach also. RTR!

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