"Alabama's projected starting lineup for 2011"

[Chechem]

QB -- AJ McCarron, 6-4, 205, So.
Experience gives McCarron the early edge on Phillip Sims.

RB -- Trent Richardson, 5-11, 224, Jr.
Heisman Trophy hopeful is ready to replace Mark Ingram.

WR -- Marquis Maze, 5-10, 180, Sr.
This is his chance to emerge from the shadow of Julio Jones.

WR -- Darius Hanks, 6-0, 185, Sr.
Will sit out the first two games per NCAA rules.

TE -- Michael Williams, 6-6, 269, Jr.
Expect an expanded role for the sure-handed junior.

Click for the rest

[Marshal Dillon]

No real surprises except at RG, Anthony Steen and maybe Ed Stinson at DE.

 

[Chechem]

No real surprises except at RG, Anthony Steen and maybe Ed Stinson at DE.

 

True, but I wonder if this is just Izzy's guess or information from the coaches.  I know, I know, it's VERY unlikely he got anything from the coaches.  Wish he'd said how he based his list of starters.

[Marshal Dillon]

I kow this sounds crazy, but if you look the line-up, we could have only 3 starters back on the defense and 5 on offense in 2012. Scary.

 

[Chechem]

I kow this sounds crazy, but if you look the line-up, we could have only 3 starters back on the defense and 5 on offense in 2012. Scary.

 

Yeah, but the half-full part of that story is the "who" of returners; there is a great list of backups, including high-quality athletes at every position.  Plus an established QB, maybe 2. 

[pmull]

I kow this sounds crazy, but if you look the line-up, we could have only 3 starters back on the defense and 5 on offense in 2012. Scary.

 

Yeah, but the half-full part of that story is the "who" of returners; there is a great list of backups, including high-quality athletes at every position.  Plus an established QB, maybe 2. 

We will have young guys step up this year and make a name for themselves that will be back next year. It is hard to project which underclassmen will go pro. I never expected Barron back this year.  I prefer to play this year out before worring about next year.

[Marshal Dillon]

I kow this sounds crazy, but if you look the line-up, we could have only 3 starters back on the defense and 5 on offense in 2012. Scary.

 

Yeah, but the half-full part of that story is the "who" of returners; there is a great list of backups, including high-quality athletes at every position.  Plus an established QB, maybe 2.  

That's the "trap" I worry about folks falling in to. A backup is not a starter. Remember when we lost 10 starters on the D in 2009, but folks said the offense would carry us? I'm counting some of the outstanding juniors like Barrett Jones, Hightower, Richardson, etc., as leaving. The secondary could have one returning starter and no returnees at LB. We live on our defense. Like I said, that's 2012 and we don't know who might emerge as a major backup/potential future star and I'm going to enjoy this team in 2011.

 

[Chechem]

I kow this sounds crazy, but if you look the line-up, we could have only 3 starters back on the defense and 5 on offense in 2012. Scary.

 

Yeah, but the half-full part of that story is the "who" of returners; there is a great list of backups, including high-quality athletes at every position.  Plus an established QB, maybe 2.  

That's the "trap" I worry about folks falling in to. A backup is not a starter. Remember when we lost 10 starters on the D in 2009, but folks said the offense would carry us? I'm counting some of the outstanding juniors like Barrett Jones, Hightower, Richardson, etc., as leaving. The secondary could have one returning starter and no returnees at LB. We live on our defense. Like I said, that's 2012 and we don't know who might emerge as a major backup/potential future star and I'm going to enjoy this team in 2011.

 

Me too.  As you said, "I'm going to enjoy this team in 2011."

[Marshal Dillon]

I'm still worried about 2012, though. It's my nature. 2012 will be a very challengeing year for Saban after we lose 3 starting LB's, a great RB, all starters at WR, & 3 starters from the secondary.

[ricky023]

We are going to play for a NC in 2011 and 2012 will be taken care of by CNS. The other unexpected is how many coaches you got to replace in 2012. So I would rather hoot and holler for 2011. RTR!

[SUPERCOACH]

I'm still worried about 2012, though. It's my nature. 2012 will be a very challengeing year for Saban after we lose 3 starting LB's, a great RB, all starters at WR, & 3 starters from the secondary.

You worry too much MD.  We aren't the only ones losing players every year, but we ARE one of the only ones who replace them with a top notch batch of recruits EVERY year.  We are set for a run like we had in the 60's or 70's.  I'm OK with only winning the national championship every other year, with 10 win seasons on our down years.

[ricky023]

I'm still worried about 2012, though. It's my nature. 2012 will be a very challengeing year for Saban after we lose 3 starting LB's, a great RB, all starters at WR, & 3 starters from the secondary.

You worry too much MD.  We aren't the only ones losing players every year, but we ARE one of the only ones who replace them with a top notch batch of recruits EVERY year.  We are set for a run like we had in the 60's or 70's.  I'm OK with only winning the national championship every other year, with 10 win seasons on our down years.

Hey SC CNS ain't satisfied with 10 wins.  but maybe we will mellow as time goes on.  RTR!

[#1Tidefan]

I think the starting LU works for me. Although if UA gets a commanding lead early, look for PS to come in along with Blake (later on) to showcase his athletic abilities...(wildcat/qb positions) jmo

[SUPERCOACH]

Even if PS doesn't start, he has made a huge contribution to the team already.  I guarantee you that AJ is much further along than he would have been had he gone into spring camp thinking he was next in line and entitled to the starting job.  I am certain that the idea of possibly not being the starter has caused AJ to listen a little more intently to CNS when he is preaching to him about taking what the D gives you instead of trying to force a bad pass down the field when it isn't really open.

[pmull]

Even if PS doesn't start, he has made a huge contribution to the team already.  I guarantee you that AJ is much further along than he would have been had he gone into spring camp thinking he was next in line and entitled to the starting job.  I am certain that the idea of possibly not being the starter has caused AJ to listen a little more intently to CNS when he is preaching to him about taking what the D gives you instead of trying to force a bad pass down the field when it isn't really open.

Competition makes everyone better. I think the QB battle goes into the Kent State and maybe even Penn State. I think by the third game we will have a starter. I still have a gut feeling Phil Sims may win the job. I think we are going to see Blake Sims at the QB/Wildcat position as well.

[Guest]

Username:
Password:
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

• 2Stater

Loading Tweet...