2014 Prospects

I appreciate it. I don't post much on tidefans - partly because I have too many things going on in real life (finishing up college. finding my way in life), but I try to follow UA football the best I can. Dad got a phD from there when I was in 2nd grade, so that's my connection.

Ingram and Julio didn't have any competition ahead of them. So that's a moot point. Even Richardson shouldn't count because we run a multiple RB system. I definitely believe talent rises to the top - but what if you're a borderline 3-4 star? I mean, at a different school, you might be able to dominate - or at least see playing time, while at Alabama, you might not. That's a huge difference in the NFL draft. Take Garret Gilbert, for example. He's absolute trash. Wouldn't have seen the field in the SEC. But he played for Missouri and ended up being picked in the first round. He probably will be out of the NFL in 3 years, but he still has 3 years of salary that he wouldn't have had if he had played for an SEC team. I think this is the first year we see what it's like for recruits to really have to fight for a position. We'll still get the fearless, best guys, but some of the borderline guys (who know, realistically, that they're borderline) might want to take their shot elsewhere.

Competition is a good thing. No doubt that getting your ... handed to you every day in practice and knowing that it's do or die will make you bring out your best. But, simply put, your best isn't good enough for some people to see the field at Bama. And with the stock that we have at RB and WR, I don't see why people would want to come.

It's amazing what getting coached by the best college coach of their lifetimes, a path to the NFL and and great shots at championships will do. We do need them and the kids need to feel that way. We recruit 3 year players at Alabama their is plenty of playing time to go around. One thing for sure the LAST thing we need is Bama fans trying to convince them they will get lost in the depth chart and we don't need them. That's a great way to become mediocre.
 
Did you even read the rest of that post? I called him a good guy because he paid his assistants out of his own pocket because he felt they weren't being paid enough. Do you not agree that that is a generous thing to do? How many other people do that? Would you do it? I sure as hell wouldn't! So, yea, he is a good guy. Not the sharpest person in football. But he's a good guy.






I didn't even mention Auburn. And did you read the post? I said we're stocked at WR and RB. NOBODY from our RB group is going to the NFL next year - they're all too young. I agree with the bolded part. All I said is that WR and RB aren't those spots.





Unless someone from this board is a player who actually cares about what I said, I don't see how I did that.






Just reread all I said. The coaches can worry about WRs and RBs if they feel like they need it. I, as a fan, won't care much about those positions because
a) I am not paid to care.
b) I don't think we need them.
The coaches are paid to care, and they can recruit whoever they want. I, as a fan, am only going to follow the recruitment processes of people I actually care about - which does not include any RBs and WRs. Then I offered my opinion on why people who are playing those positions might not want to go to Bama .


Geez. Take some time and read instead of calling me an Auburn fan. College students have better things to do than trolling message boards- especially on our Fridays.

I guess you are new here and really don't understand. College students trolling this board is not he problem. Prospective recruits do troll this board and that is the problem with your posts. Telling them Bama's loaded and they don't have a chance at playing time is a major problem.
 
runatl, I believe you are referring to Blaine Gabbert, but yeah, Garret Gilbert didn't turn out so hot, either.

I agree that we are stocked at WR and RB and I'm not going to resort to name-calling or characterizations because you have a "differing" point of view. It sounds to me, though, that you are guessing these recently recruited RBs and/or WRs wouldn't even wait 2 years to see significant playing time. I disagree.

Someone provided a good breakdown of our RB depth on another thread and it showed we aren't as crammed there as it first appears. Sure, no one graduates (I think) after this upcoming season but the next year will be the last for Yeldon, Fowler, and likely Dee Hart - if he hasn't made great strides while remaining injury-free.

Our freshman play a lot on ST if they earn a spot and we all know how we sit 1st and even 2nd teamers in the fourth quarter when the game is in hand. On top of all that we regularly use three backs. And a fourth WILL get carries, too. That is the system and that is why (when it's explained and pitched) these highly-rated backs continue to come to the Capstone.
 
But maybe Lacy could've gone earlier if he'd been playing for some other team. IDK.
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Like Lattimore? More carries on a lesser team doesn't guarantee a better draft position. The National Championship game alone probably increassed Lacey's draft position as well as his ability to heal properly after toe surgery.
Look into the new fad of how many miles are on a running back that is spreading accross the NFL.

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Take Garret Gilbert, for example. He's absolute trash. Wouldn't have seen the field in the SEC. But he played for Missouri and ended up being picked in the first round. He probably will be out of the NFL in 3 years, but he still has 3 years of salary that he wouldn't have had if he had played for an SEC team.
How can you say he wouldn't seen the field for an SEC team? The last two QB's at Alabama were drafted and neither one was highly rated from HS. But I won't argue about the QB position with you, as most teams use only one so it's a very different position than the others you mention.
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Bottom line. If you are the best at your position you'll be able to play for Alabama. You'll get the best coaching on and off the field and grade as high with the pro scouts as any team you could choose to play for.
The rest of that stuff you speak of sounds like clutter too me.;)
 
Ingram and Julio didn't have any competition ahead of them. So that's a moot point.

I disagree on the Ingram front. Ingram came in as a low 4 star ATH by rivals to a system that already had:
Roy Upchurch RS Soph (4 star, 8th RB in his class)
Jimmy Johns Jr (3 star)
Ali Sharrief RS Soph (3 star)
Terry Grant Fr (4 star, 4th RB in class)
Demetruis Goode Fr (4 star, 8th RB in class)
Glen Coffee Soph (3 star)
BJ Scott Incoming (5 star athlete, projected in many positions)

If Ingram had the attitude that I shouldn't go to a school that the previous year had the 4th and 8th RB in their class and the class I'm going in on has a 5 star athlete that could compete for RB and two other 3 star RBs in the same class then he wouldn't have won a Heismen at UA. Now the numbers at UA are 5 and 4 stars instead of 4 and 3 stars like the above scenario but I think they have a lot in common. Julio statement I made might have been silly b/c of course he was the man when he stepped on campus but Ingram and Richardson had to earn their spots and became the first RB drafted instead of using their bodies too much at a school where they could get all the reps and possibly get injuried like a Lattimore. I know you can't predict injuries but it doesn't hurt to sit and learn a year or two behind great talent in the SEC. Good conversation though
 
I appreciate it. I don't post much on tidefans - partly because I have too many things going on in real life (finishing up college. finding my way in life), but I try to follow UA football the best I can. Dad got a phD from there when I was in 2nd grade, so that's my connection.
So what school are you attending? :cool2:
 
I'll just defer to CNS on this... As he said in his press conference on signing day (paraphrasing a bit) "I know in your fantasy football world you say we're stacked at running back when you write the names down, but that's not the case. We have one 1000 yard rusher coming back, a guy who got a few carries, and two guys who may not be able to perform at the same level due to injuries. I've always said you need 5 good running backs, and three are going to get a lot of playing time..."

You can never have too much depth. If one of the recruits was scared of the competition, then they should have went to another school...If not, they'll work hard, and it's football Darwinism.

As for QB... Well, also deferring to CNS (and paraphrasing again), "You guys probably think it has something to do with seniority. That because the guy has been here the longest he'll get a shot. Well, if he's been here the longest he's already had a shot, and hasn't done anything with it. Now it's someone else's turn to get a shot."

If someone wants to leave...go ahead. Simms did what was best for him. If Ely needs to, go ahead....or McCleod, or Bateman, or Morris, or whoever. CNS always tells recruits, we'll win with you or we'll win without you...and we will. He is very upfront with these guys. They know the battle is up hill. McCleod, when interviewed about all the QB depth, said (paraphrased) "I knew coming in that the staff wanted to bring in 2-3 guys, and that doesn't change anything for me."

If we want to use 15% of our schollies on these guys, I'll be fine with it...we're winning, and will continue to win with the talent coming in.
 
I was curious how our current running back depth compares to the years prior to CNS. I looked at the 2006 roster and we had 14 running backs listed on that roster, although many of the players spent more time playing at other positions (receiver, defense, special teams). The list of running backs included Le'Ron McClain, Roy Upchurch, Tim Castille, Terry Grant, Glen Coffee, Kenneth Darby). The difference is that you can go seven or eight deep on next year's roster and still find future NFL-calibre talent. I don't see anything wrong with that.

I seem to remember reading a lot of posts after Dee Hart got injured back in the summer 2011 about how thin we were at rumning back. And then the same thing last year after Hart and Fowler got injured. I hope everyone stays healthy next year, but we saw how quickly the depth at receiver evaporated last year. It wouldn't shock me if all four incoming freshmen played next year.
 
Ingram and Julio didn't have any competition ahead of them. So that's a moot point. Even Richardson shouldn't count because we run a multiple RB system. I definitely believe talent rises to the top - but what if you're a borderline 3-4 star? I mean, at a different school, you might be able to dominate - or at least see playing time, while at Alabama, you might not. That's a huge difference in the NFL draft. Take Garret Gilbert, for example. He's absolute trash. Wouldn't have seen the field in the SEC. But he played for Missouri and ended up being picked in the first round. He probably will be out of the NFL in 3 years, but he still has 3 years of salary that he wouldn't have had if he had played for an SEC team. I think this is the first year we see what it's like for recruits to really have to fight for a position. We'll still get the fearless, best guys, but some of the borderline guys (who know, realistically, that they're borderline) might want to take their shot elsewhere.

Competition is a good thing. No doubt that getting your ... handed to you every day in practice and knowing that it's do or die will make you bring out your best. But, simply put, your best isn't good enough for some people to see the field at Bama. And with the stock that we have at RB and WR, I don't see why people would want to come.

Are you seriously trying to argue that some kids shouldn't come to Alabama so they can get earlier playing time elsewhere? Wow.
 
Yea, but the first three #1 classes we had, we were so empty at every position that the stars didn't really have to wait their turn.

But, Bama isn't where you want to be if the position isn't opening (like RB and WR this year) UNLESS you're most interested in winning a NC than improving your draft stock. You'll probably still get drafted, partly because you're from Bama, but it might not be as high as you could've been elsewhere.



Need for the team you're committing to is a serious point to consider.

If you are a good player the competition to get on the field will make you great. There is no place (I say this not just because I am a Bama fan) better suited to get you ready to for the next level at any position better than Alabama right now. You are literally going up against the best competition everyday. If you are a winner and want to compete this is where you want to be. Not to mention with all the depth you are really prolonging your career which could mean more money on the next level.
 
Are you seriously trying to argue that some kids shouldn't come to Alabama so they can get earlier playing time elsewhere? Wow.
Here's how this goes. If you only care about playing time, Alabama might not be the best place for you.

If you care about your life, career, and winning? Then Alabama is probably the best opportunity these kids will ever get.
 
Here's how this goes. If you only care about playing time, Alabama might not be the best place for you.

If you care about your life, career, and winning? Then Alabama is probably the best opportunity these kids will ever get.

I don't think you could have said it any better than this. Coming to play at Alabama is just not for everybody.
 
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