Moro Creek said:

My opinion is that Cotton will start somewhere, possibly at right tackle.

Click to expand...

This guy thinks otherwise...

Roll Tide 57 said:

I will get called out on this but I think we have another Blake starting at QB.

Kiffin has done a lot of things you would not expect from an Alabama offense.

and I think CNS is going to let it be his call.

Click to expand...

Yes you will. Not happening unless we have a rash of injuries at QB. I think Deonte Thompson, Ridley and Harris will make good contributions.

I have a feeling that a lot more of this crop will hit the field early along with the super sophs. Just my opinion.

TiderJ said:

Yes you will. Not happening unless we have a rash of injuries at QB. .

Click to expand...

I'll take your opinion to be worth no more than the one who thinks he may start or play. :smile:

I understand your opinion is "historically accurate," but I'll go with CNS's opinion that he's willing to start a tf.

Way I look at it, if BB is almost as good or equally as good as a veteran, the upsides to starting youth is great for the future.

Daylon Charlot may be a good candidate if he can prove he's a candidate for kick returner.

We really need an infusion of talent in return game. We really haven't had a difference maker there since Javier Arenas.

BamaMoon said:

I'll take your opinion to be worth no more than the one who thinks he may start or play. :smile:

I understand your opinion is "historically accurate," but I'll go with CNS's opinion that he's willing to start a tf.

Way I look at it, if BB is almost as good or equally as good as a veteran, the upsides to starting youth is great for the future.

Click to expand...

Let's look at this from a different perspective...if BB and say Jake Coker are equal (for arguments sake), might it not be better to redshirt BB and play Coker, saving BB for a year, without losing any of his eligibility? Just a question, not a suggestion--only the coaches can make that decision...having said that, I really hope we don't slide back into cheerleading camps (or bashing groups) for this player or that player, like in recent years...I want the best players at all positions to give us the best chance both now and in the future...just my $.02, since Mr. Battle has not put me on the payroll yet...RTR!!!

KentuckianaBFan said:

Let's look at this from a different perspective...if BB and say Jake Coker are equal (for arguments sake), might it not be better to redshirt BB and play Coker, saving BB for a year, without losing any of his eligibility? Just a question, not a suggestion--only the coaches can make that decision...having said that, I really hope we don't slide back into cheerleading camps (or bashing groups) for this player or that player, like in recent years...I want the best players at all positions to give us the best chance both now and in the future...just my $.02, since Mr. Battle has not put me on the payroll yet...RTR!!!

Click to expand...

Just going off of this "what if" scenario that BB and J. Coker are about equal. If that is the case, and the true freshman is already as good as the 5th year guy, I'd think his upside and ability to improve during the year may be better than the 5th year guy.

Also, there is the continuity that someone like BB or Cornwell could provide with starting mulitiple years, as oposed to J.Coker can only play one more year.

Again, this assuming J. Coker isn't way ahead of the younger guys. If he is, I'm pretty sure he'll be the starter.

BamaMoon said:

Just going off of this "what if" scenario that BB and J. Coker are about equal. If that is the case, and the true freshman is already as good as the 5th year guy, I'd think his upside and ability to improve during the year may be better than the 5th year guy.

Also, there is the continuity that someone like BB or Cornwell could provide with starting mulitiple years, as oposed to J.Coker can only play one more year.

Again, this assuming J. Coker isn't way ahead of the younger guys. If he is, I'm pretty sure he'll be the starter.

Click to expand...

I see your point...I was thinking that if they were that close, then if BB starts in 2015, that leaves us with another new starter in 2018 or 2019...using JC in 2015 would leave BB for 2016, 2017, and 2018 (assuming 3 and out) or 2019, pushing out the requirement for a new starter until 2020...but, if the Mayans were off by 4 or 5 years, it won't make any difference anyway...

I think you guys are heaping a LOT of expectations on a guy who is a REALLY REALLY good talent, but is still pretty raw in BB. While he may have the physical tools, catching up to the college game (and coach CLK's offense) is an entirely different thing. While I wouldn't put it at a 0% chance, I would put it at less than 1%. (I personally think the only time he see's the field is A-Day)

Also, it would be a bad sign if one of the freshmen OL ended up starting. We are breaking in three new starters, but we played VERY deep last year. So where we will likely get a bunch of guys playing time this year, we shouldn't be starting any freshmen on the line which gives them a chance to develop a bit.

WE should also be deep enough a CB this year that the young guys only have to play in mop up duty. With the return of the guys from last year, and the development of Hump and Brown, our freshmen should get a chance to learn the system without just being thrown out there to the wolves. So they will see playing time, but not a ton unless we're ahead.

I think the most playing time will easily go to Bo. I don't think it will be close. I think he will play special teams, and be a staple. I also think he will be in a lot of packages on offense, whether at HB, TB, WR, or anywhere else they can put him.

Matt0424 said:

I think you guys are heaping a LOT of expectations on a guy who is a REALLY REALLY good talent, but is still pretty raw in BB. While he may have the physical tools, catching up to the college game (and coach CLK's offense) is an entirely different thing. While I wouldn't put it at a 0% chance, I would put it at less than 1%. (I personally think the only time he see's the field is A-Day)

Also, it would be a bad sign if one of the freshmen OL ended up starting. We are breaking in three new starters, but we played VERY deep last year. So where we will likely get a bunch of guys playing time this year, we shouldn't be starting any freshmen on the line which gives them a chance to develop a bit.

WE should also be deep enough a CB this year that the young guys only have to play in mop up duty. With the return of the guys from last year, and the development of Hump and Brown, our freshmen should get a chance to learn the system without just being thrown out there to the wolves. So they will see playing time, but not a ton unless we're ahead.

I think the most playing time will easily go to Bo. I don't think it will be close. I think he will play special teams, and be a staple. I also think he will be in a lot of packages on offense, whether at HB, TB, WR, or anywhere else they can put him.

Click to expand...

No expectations at all on my part, just what-iffing...besides, CNS started it when he said he would have no problem playing a true freshman if he were the best option...in reality, BB has a lot of catching up to do as far as learning the play book, working with the receivers, etc.

And, the new guys in the backfield lately seem to have spent most of their high school playing time carrying the ball...if that's the case with this bunch, they will have to be able to block before they see any appreciable offensive playing time...if they can't block, maybe they can just play linebacker for a while...

RTR91 said:

The most obvious choices are the ones already on campus.

Yesterday, Saban said he doesn't have a problem playing Barnett if he's the best option. I would like an older guy get the job, but if Blake proves to the coaches, he'll start.
...

Desherrius Flowers, Chance Warmack and Brandon Kennedy will most likely redshirt.

....

Click to expand...

...thinking his eligibility has expired

BOL: Five areas where newcomers might help

For the 24 recruits who officially joined the Alabama Crimson Tide on Wednesday, now comes the hard part. What they did over the last three or four years got them to this point. None of that will get them where they would like to go moving forward, however.

For more than a few, reality will present itself in the form of a redshirt year spent on the scout team. For some, though, the opportunity to get on the field in 2015 is just as real. Crazy as it may sound, even a program that has reeled in five straight top-ranked recruiting classes has holes to fill.

With that, here are five areas of the Crimson Tide that could see a newcomer make an impact in the fall.

Click to expand...

I hope we can redshirt them all but if I had to pick two, it would be Harris and Ridley(assuming Ridley qualifies. I heard he had some issues. Not sure)
Harris is a very special talent with fantastic moves and speed. He also ran the wildcat a lot in high school.
I wouldn't be surprised if we re-installed that package.

BamaMoon said:

I'll take your opinion to be worth no more than the one who thinks he may start or play. :smile:

I understand your opinion is "historically accurate," but I'll go with CNS's opinion that he's willing to start a tf.

Way I look at it, if BB is almost as good or equally as good as a veteran, the upsides to starting youth is great for the future.

Click to expand...

I agree it is just my opinion and is no more worth than the one who thinks he will. However, as you state "historically accurate" has to come into play as part of the validation of the opinion. Has a true freshman QB started in the history of our program? I am pretty sure not. I am not doubting BB's physical talent, it is incredible but having the mind and body (especially mind) to play QB as a true freshman at Alabama with 3 and 4 year guys in front of him make is very unlikely. I think Blake will have a good shot at starting as a RS freshman. Just my opinion.

5 spots where Alabama's signees face crowded path to immediate playing time

The spots: running back, interior offensive line, defensive line, quarterback, and cornerback.

A lot of them will contribute. I think it is almost certain that a tailback and WR will make an impact though. My logic for tailback is that Drake will split time as a WR in spread packages. Plus, we have went to a three-headed system since the Ingram-Richardson days...but it has consistently been turned into a two-headed system every year by injuries.

BamaMoon said:

Daylon Charlot may be a good candidate if he can prove he's a candidate for kick returner.

We really need an infusion of talent in return game. We really haven't had a difference maker there since Javier Arenas.

Click to expand...

Harris might be that guy. I'm really intrigued by him, besides being blessed with plenty of power and speed, he has phenomenal vision and balance.

I think he's gonna turn out to be special.

TommyMac said:

Harris might be that guy. I'm really intrigued by him, besides being blessed with plenty of power and speed, he has phenomenal vision and balance.

I think he's gonna turn out to be special.

Click to expand...

I agree. He has a lot of special qualities as you point out.

Ridley, Scarborough, Harris and possibly Cotton.

I think most of this years youngsters are more likely to play will be on offense. I don't think many play on defense yet.