Prognostications for 2007

[bamanut_aj]

Re: My Take on Alabama 2007

I thought I read that Pendry was more "in control" than Applewhite while Applewhite is still getting his sea legs, so to speak.

 

[wisten]

Re: My Take on Alabama 2007

I thought I read that Pendry was more "in control" than Applewhite while Applewhite is still getting his sea legs, so to speak.

I heard that as well in the pressers, but I also heard them say that Applewhite will have a lot of sway on the play calling. Additionally, Saban was quite specific that the offense would not be conservative and speculation that he was referring the both the criticisms of Shula at 'bama and some of the LSU criticism in some games of him while there.

Many LSU fans I know, seem to think that he would go for the throat time and time again, and play it close to the vest when he felt that his D could hold. Other people tell me that he got mad as all get out with the O-Coordinator for backing off in the playbook... which is right, I dunno.. as I never really followed LSU much and really never plan to.

 

[Alanbama27]

Re: My Take on Alabama 2007

Okay, here's the skinny, at least from my perspective. I expect Alabama to get off to a rugged start, possibly dropping the Ark and GA game, sweep the middle, and shock either LSU or Auburn, and probably annihlate their bowl opponent, finishing 2/3 in the SEC West (due to their upset of one of the aforementioned programs).

Saban's teams have a knack for doing something Bama has not done since Stallings... get better and better as the season progresses and become downright monsters at the end of the season. Also, with the "every play" process Saban espouses, Auburn and LSU folks may as well forget BAMA rolling over the the 4th quarter. Remember that LSU team who slung out that hail mary play and scored the winning TD as the clock hit 0:00... I believe South Carolina had already torn down the goal post on the far side of the field before they realized that they had lost.

BAMA moved the ball on EVERYONE they played last Season AT WILL----- between the 20's and choked with the Jumbo Package and "Darby up the middle...2 yard loss" in the Red Zone. Those p'roblems should be gone this season. Also, when these starters the past few years would get a 2 score lead, the "Prevent" defense and "clock management" offense would come into play... making us blow leads and lose games.

While Saban is not a fast to go for the jugular as Spurrier, expect some of our opponents to get mad when they see the clock a 1:14 in the 4th, on a three TD lead, and Saban fans out four recievers and drops John-Parker into the shotgun, when a knee would end the game.

Now with this nationly recognized potentially lethal offense, why am I not saying "BCS Baby..all the way!" ???

DEFENSE. We are thin, and inexperienced. I expect many games to boil down to offensive shootouts, like the 1999 Florida game. Hence.... DRUMROLL PLEASE....

ALABAMA 8-4/9-3 on the regular season.. coming close enough to smell the smog in Atlanta but just not quite making it to the party.

Even though we're talking about this on May 5th, I think that you're crazy. I do believe we'll get better as the season rolls along, but losing to Ark & Georgia won't happen. Arkansas is in complete and utter confusion and it is still not a given that Nutt will be their head coach in September. All they have is a running game and a QB who is not very good. We stomped their butt last year and lost due to a kickers leg...plane and simple. We'll beat them by 10 and possibly more at home. As for Georgia, that should be a tough game but you obviously didn't pay much attention to them last year. They STUNK in the 2nd half and gave up a million points. UT scored something like 35 on them in the 2nd half to literally take that game from them. Their D was terrible and THEY DON'T HAVE A QB with any real experience. I'm not guaranteeing a win, as I will the Arkansas game, but I'll tell you that we will likely be the favorite by 5. They will be a true unknown starting the year and we'll learn more in the first few weeks of the season about UGA. Also, IT IS A HOME GAME and with Saban as our coach, I think we'll have many fewer home losses than our recent past. Also, everyone keeps forgetting that our offense is returning 99.9% intact and we've got GREAT WEAPONS on "O" and finally a coach who knows what to do with that talent!

 

[TexasTideFan]

Re: My Take on Alabama 2007

There is just no way our run game can get any worse compared to last year.

I hate to say it but I think the main reason our running game slipped had alot to do with Darby. I know our OL was the main reason we were so feeble, but Darby didn't help matters making 5 jukes before hitting the LOS instead of hitting the hole hard the way he should have. I think with an improved OL, one that can play hard all 4 Quarters, we will see a much improved running atttack that should actually benefit alot from being a passing threat.

 

[HammerJammer]

Re: My Take on Alabama 2007

nice read wisten. your prediction is on the optimistic end of the spectrum of what i expect. we alabama fans know all too well that the first year after a coaching change is a mediocre one.

 

[BamaJama17]

Re: My Take on Alabama 2007

Okay, here's the skinny, at least from my perspective. I expect Alabama to get off to a rugged start, possibly dropping the Ark and GA game, sweep the middle, and shock either LSU or Auburn, and probably annihlate their bowl opponent, finishing 2/3 in the SEC West (due to their upset of one of the aforementioned programs).

Saban's teams have a knack for doing something Bama has not done since Stallings... get better and better as the season progresses and become downright monsters at the end of the season. Also, with the "every play" process Saban espouses, Auburn and LSU folks may as well forget BAMA rolling over the the 4th quarter. Remember that LSU team who slung out that hail mary play and scored the winning TD as the clock hit 0:00... I believe South Carolina had already torn down the goal post on the far side of the field before they realized that they had lost.

BAMA moved the ball on EVERYONE they played last Season AT WILL----- between the 20's and choked with the Jumbo Package and "Darby up the middle...2 yard loss" in the Red Zone. Those p'roblems should be gone this season. Also, when these starters the past few years would get a 2 score lead, the "Prevent" defense and "clock management" offense would come into play... making us blow leads and lose games.

While Saban is not a fast to go for the jugular as Spurrier, expect some of our opponents to get mad when they see the clock a 1:14 in the 4th, on a three TD lead, and Saban fans out four recievers and drops John-Parker into the shotgun, when a knee would end the game.

Now with this nationly recognized potentially lethal offense, why am I not saying "BCS Baby..all the way!" ???

DEFENSE. We are thin, and inexperienced. I expect many games to boil down to offensive shootouts, like the 1999 Florida game. Hence.... DRUMROLL PLEASE....

ALABAMA 8-4/9-3 on the regular season.. coming close enough to smell the smog in Atlanta but just not quite making it to the party.

Almost true except for the 8-4. 9-3 mabey.

 

[OrngAntipathist]

Re: The 12-0 scenario.... hilarious

Taken from the recent "New To This Board" thread....

Welcome aboard and enjoy! You are now among the totally delusional Alabama fan base that the media has warned the rest of the country about. You know....the one's that expect a to win every game and have unrealistic expectations about our team's record and championships that we will win in the next few years...
ROLL TIDE!!!!!

I fully understand this remark now.

 

[BamaJama17]

Re: The 12-0 scenario.... hilarious

I wish that were true. It also said Capps is gone. Can this be true???

 

[BAMARICH]

Re: The 12-0 scenario.... hilarious (link)

It is entirely doable, no doubt about that. The schedule is set up perfectly for it too, no real hard road games other than Auburn. But I don't think it's going to happen this year.

With all due respect, we'll talk after the FSU game and see if you still have the same idea. _excl:

 

[CaliforniaTide]

Re: The 12-0 scenario.... hilarious (link)

With all due respect, we'll talk after the FSU game and see if you still have the same idea. _excl:

Well, FSU would be a loss if they play up to their potential. That team has had so much potential to essentially continue their winning ways from the '90s and yet, they've choked every year. Coach Bowden finally made some needed changes on his staff, but I don't think FSU is going to change all that much from last season.

 

[wisten]

I think that you're crazy. I do believe we'll get better as the season rolls along, but losing to Ark & Georgia won't happen.

I am crazy.. never let that get in the way of football... Why do I see the early drops against ARK and GA?

1. We will be fresh out of the gate with new staff, many new players, new assignments. (Position changes as well while we are at it.)

2. ARK, assuming Nutt survives the summer, they will be playing with a vengenge and McFadden is probably the best athlete in the nation. Until we gel, our D will not contain him as much as we should, and ARK will push us off the line to give him room for a consistant 3-9 yards each carry. (As you get all excited about this item, be sure to re-read the BOLD TYPE.

3. GA - Richt is emerging as a helluva play caller, shifting during games. He reacts to what he sees on the field, and often does a very good job, and occassionally get's burned, hence some of the rumbles in Georgia. He is getting much better each season adapting even in mid-game with anything he has to work with on the field.

4. A Spring/Summer workout does not make for a year's program/process.

I stand by my basic premise... a slugish start leading to a behemoth at the conclusion of the season, (may God help our bowl opponent).

 

[TideFree]

Re: The 12-0 scenario.... hilarious (link)

Well, FSU would be a loss if they play up to their potential. That team has had so much potential to essentially continue their winning ways from the '90s and yet, they've choked every year. Coach Bowden finally made some needed changes on his staff, but I don't think FSU is going to change all that much from last season.

Edited out banned Auburn fans objectionable antogonistic comments.