Link: QB Michael Strauss a Tulane commit now has a Bama offer - Page 2

BigAL413 · July 27th, 2009, 10:17 PM

	Quote:	BigEasyTider
	Ah, I like this one, honestly. Strauss has a good frame and nice raw physical tools to boot. He's posted good production, too, albeit at a lower level of competition. So, you bring him in as a greyshirt, and you give him years and years to develop. I fail to see how doing that would be a mistake. Besides, realistically speaking, with Jackson, McCarron, and Sims on campus this December, it's going to be extremely tough to recruit a top QB in the 2011 class anyway. And hell, if history teaches anything, the big three recruits will end up as busts and this kid will be the one that starts, lol. Seriously, though, I imagine it'll be a tough decision between 'Bama and Tulane. The Green Wave is terrible in football, but he made a commitment already, and in all fairness it's a great school, plus he'd basically get immediate playing time. And if he comes to 'Bama he'll probably have to greyshirt and he'll be last in a long line of players vying for playing time. It'll be a tough decision for him, I just hope he does what is best. I won't be complaining, though, if he ends up with Tulane.

I'm with you. Until Alabama is winning like a USC, us fans cannot expect a top flight QB to sign each year. You need these middle of the road guys to come in and develop and understand their place. If Strauss comes that means he understands the tall mountain in front of him, and he is likely to work hard, and who knows what could happen. Six years down the road, he could be a Matt Flynn type- a fifth year senior getting to lead a top notch program.

wileybb22 · July 28th, 2009, 12:36 AM

I'm confused. Coach found something in this kid he liked. We get spoiled signing the best of the best and I guess with the current crop of QB's that we have this offer comes out of left field to me.

.

Well he's not signed yet so let's wait and see. Someone knows a lot more about talent than I ever will of course.

Big-R · July 28th, 2009, 03:01 AM

I get more and more confused with recruiting everyday. We sign big time players that make up a number one classes that end up not playing and wanting to transfer. We even sign the guy that shut down julio and deandre in the allstar game and he ends up wanting to transfer. How can lawrence not crack the depth chart ??? Whats the point in getting these guys if we dont get them on the field ? I had high hopes for lawrence with the lack of depth in our secondary. Now we go out in left field offering a kid thats basically unknown to big programs.
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CapstoneGrad06 · July 28th, 2009, 03:18 AM

	Quote:	Big-R
	I get more and more confused with recruiting everyday. We sign big time players that make up a number one classes that end up not playing and wanting to transfer. We even sign the guy that shut down julio and deandre in the allstar game and he ends up wanting to transfer. How can lawrence not crack the depth chart ??? Whats the point in getting these guys if we dont get them on the field ?

Recruiting, like the NFL draft, is not an exact science. The experts, whether you prefer Rivals, Scout, or ESPN, do a pretty good job, but some kids are over-hyped, or just plain overlooked. Some kids adjust to college, and some don't. You've got to remember, college football is a lot more than just the ability to play on the field. In big time college football, kids come and kids go. That's part of it. Take a look at any other big time football program, and you will see kids that leave for one reason or another. Some are high profile guys that didn't cut it, and some weren't so highly thought of out of high school, and didn't crack the depth chart, and are looking for playing time in another program.

	Quote:	Big-R
	I had high hopes for lawrence with the lack of depth in our secondary.

I assure you we have plenty of depth in the secondary, as five seniors dot the top of the depth chart. This doesn't include the fine talent we signed last year, trying to get playing time, nor the prospects that we signed in the 2009 class. Now turning to 2010 is a different story, as we replace those five seniors, and I think Zo would have been wise to have at least stuck it out through spring ball in 2010 to see if his fortunes changed. However, playing time and the ability to pick up a scheme aren't the only reasons kids leave. We'll never know the true story, but as Coach Saban said at SEC Media Days, Alabama has a very demanding program, and most departures are not based on the ability to play.

	Quote:	Big-R
	Now we go out in left field offering a kid thats basically unknown to big programs.

This isn't exactly out of left field. Yes, its surprising, but we knew from the beginning that the possibility of taking two QBs existed, its just been some time since that possibility had been discussed on this board, or any other for that matter. Strauss performed well at one of the recent camps, and Coach Saban and Coach McElwain liked what they saw. Its also important to remember that this offer is for a greyshirt, meaning he will not enroll at Alabama, if he chooses to commit, until 2011.

Big-R · July 28th, 2009, 03:28 AM

We return the same secondary from the sugarbowl minus R. Johnson. Not exactly depth. Most of us predicted that barron would be a starter as a freshman and it looks as if he wont start as a soph either. Im just ready to get the talent on the field brother. Excuse my impatience. Is it september yet. RTR
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CapstoneGrad06 · July 28th, 2009, 03:54 AM

	Quote:	Big-R
	We return the same secondary from the sugarbowl minus R. Johnson. Not exactly depth. Most of us predicted that barron would be a starter as a freshman and it looks as if he wont start as a soph either. Im just ready to get the talent on the field brother. Excuse my impatience. Is it september yet. RTR Posted via Mobile Device

This is also the same secondary that played very well over the course of the first thirteen games of the 2008 season. That, in the wake of a less than consistent pass rush. I wouldn't judge them based on the Sugar Bowl loss.

These youngsters are finding their way onto the field. We just have to be patient. This ain't Coach Saban's first rodeo, and he's building this thing the right way. This defense is just going to keep getting better and better, and that's saying something. The same can be said for the talent that's been pooled together on the offensive side too. I can't wait until September 5 either, man.

Bamaball2001 · July 28th, 2009, 07:14 AM

I don't know much about Strauss but his physical attributes and stats seem solid.

I don't like fueling fires but I find myself wondering if B. Sims may actually be considering jumping ship. If that is the case then CNS will already know. If his intentions were to take two QBs in this class then this seemingly out of left field move may, in fact, be a carefully calculated one. That would sound like Saban.

Bama_Fan72 · July 28th, 2009, 07:38 AM

I think from the start Blake Sims wasn't coming in as QB. Nor was any school he was going to look at looking at him for QB. With Scroggins going to U$C Blake may be able to go to UcheaT and be QB. This move with Michael Strauss is confusing though the coaches know more then I do but is he really good enough to take up one of the few slots we will have open next year?

Jack Bourbon · July 28th, 2009, 09:21 AM

I agree that it might be hard to land another 5* QB next year, given our depth there.

gumptider · July 28th, 2009, 09:33 AM

Hmmmm...a lowly-rated recruit from Florida that only has offers from second rate football schools.

A few years ago, I distinctly remember radio shows mocking a similar situation - Javier Arenas. He was headed, I think, to Central Florida before Bama signed him late. But now, he is one of our stars and a potential first round NFL draft pick.

As others have pointed out, sometimes players are overlooked or simply have talents that suit a particular system. This is especially true for quarterbacks. If McElwain likes this kid, there is certainly a reason. Let's trust the coaches and see what happens.

crimson_blood · July 28th, 2009, 09:58 AM

I wonder if the Struass offer has anything to do with T. Broadway committing to Houston recently. Maybe the plan the whole time was to take 2 QBs in this class...and Strauss is the next guy in line behind Broadway.

I know it seems like we backed off Broadway a good bit (or his interest in us declined significantly after P. Simms committed)...but it's just a thought...

TIDEGURU · July 28th, 2009, 10:46 AM

I like that he is 6'-3 and 200 lbs. Those are pretty good measurables for a QB. If you give him time in the system to learn behind the guys we have I think he could make a pretty good player.

elizabama74 · July 28th, 2009, 11:17 AM

	Quote:	Bamabuzzard
	I see Jim McElwain is recruiting him. That probably has A LOT to do with it. It's "scratch your head" picks like this that can turnout to be wonderful. It might have more to do with what CJM saw in this kid rather than what he isn't seeing with the other players on campus right now.

What you said is what I was thinking! McElwain must have seen something for sure!