This year we have an experienced team and I got to thinking what Bama needs to do to get those tough wins. Clemson, UGA, Arky, and LSU got me thinking 1 thing. STOP THE RUN. I dont think Clemson has that great of a passing game and is supposed to have a decent running back, UGA has Moreno and i am still not sold on Staffords passing ability, Arky doesnt have a proven QB and neither does LSU now that Perriunlucky is gone. I cant say or have i ever that I'm worried about any of the games Alabama plays this year, but those as well as Auburn are the ones that get my attention. Im very anxious to see the Clemson game because thats a Neutral Site??? game for us and the season opener. But back to my main point. Stop the run, Stop The Run, STOP THE RUN!!! Putting a team in a have to pass situation helps us greatly because when they force throws, that usually means INT's or hurried situations and frustration. So i make my prediction, if we stop the run we get 10 wins solid and possibly the SEC crown.
Clemson does have one decent back! They have two potential first early 2cd round backs on their team. They could have the most dangerous running attack we will face this year. Granted they are in the ACC but they are good at running the football.
i believe the answer to you hopes is in Terrance Cody. That guy is a beast and i can not wait to get him on the field. I agree STOP the RUN is going to be huge this year bc LSU, Auburn, Clemson have above average backs and that is three games that can/will determine out season and the potential 9-10 wins.
On top of stopping the run I hope our D learns how to stop a SCREEN PASS!! Seemed like last year getting a team to 3 and long was no problem but, when they throw a screen pass is was an automatic first down. If i have to watch the tide get destroyed on screen passes this year I just maybe, just maybe go freakin insane.
On top of stopping the run I hope our D learns how to stop a SCREEN PASS!! Seemed like last year getting a team to 3 and long was no problem but, when they throw a screen pass is was an automatic first down. If i have to watch the tide get destroyed on screen passes this year I just maybe, just maybe go freakin insane.
Preach on Bum, that was my biggest concern coming into this year was being able to shut that screen crap down. I thought we did good last season against the run, but stopping the pass is my biggest concern especially since CS is mainly a DB guru, I know screens fall into the LB category but c'mon. I still don't know why Joe Kines wasn't kept in charge of the D that was a big waste and now he has moved on. JMO.
Excellent thread, lowman. I do think the key to our season is stopping offense in both running and any kind of passing. That pretty much just says we have to have a strong defense across the board. I think the Clemson game will be very important, in that it's our start. We need to start well and keep going. Momentum is everything. I strongly believe we will see a different Bama team this year, borne on the shoulders of our recruiting class and in the renewed motivation of the upper classmen.
Yes screen passes hurt, but think about it. When the running game is clicking they are even more dangerous. So is the passing game. I guess what im getting at is teams tend to play from behind when they are one demensional.
Lowman I agree with you 100%. Stopping the run next year is not going to be easy at all. Our LBs will/could be our downfall next year.
1. Mclain-his future is so bright yet he risked everything to ride a Motorcycle. He is our only returning starter at LB with experience.
2. Jimmy Johns- could have been a top LB if he was moved there about two years ago. He will still be good but, i can see lack of experience cause him to give up a few big plays. especially if he needs to drop back and cover a TE.
3. Prince Hall- Could be great but, chances are we will not see him play next year. I read somewhere even if he is let on the team he will miss the first 4 games.
4.Zeke Night- Say a pray and hope for a miracle.
5.Huber - I believe is a converted FB. See 2.
This is not all of our LB but, IMO the most promising. I believe Higgenbotham is gonna play a lot but, like the majority of our LB he is inexperienced. The point is to stop the run we need to have quality LB and right now we are thin. Real Thin! I know we have some promising Lb coming in but if we have to depend on Fr. It is going to be a long year. Hopefully Hall will rejoin sooner rather than later and Zeke will get healthy if not IMO this will be out weakness next year.
As a Clemson fan I would like to see the Tide win 10 games. It would significantly improve Clemson's SOS !
A coupla thoughts. I am reading the responses and it sounds like a lot of Bama fans believe that stopping the run is penultimate to success this season. Were you particularly bad versus the ground game last year or what? Also, if I may be so bold, with Clemson's rushing attack being another year older featuring the guy in my avatar (cj spiller) and his senior buddy James Davis, there is reason for concern.
Not saying that we will be successful against ya, but we are a run first team. That being said,2 of our losses last yr (Ga Tech-Va Tech ) we were unable to establish the run in the first half and Tommy is notorious for abandoning the run early, and we lost. Well that and the fact that we couldn't seem to quit turning it over, but that's between me and my therapist.
All said and done , excepting the August 30th game, have a successful season .And how about ending that streak, and i know ya'll know what i'm talking about....
