2009 Alabama Crimson Tide

[Coach Bryant]

Happy New Year! Post all things related to Alabama football in here. Same rules are in effect! Being that this is a team thread civil tone is required.


What a great year 2008 was for us Alabama fans. #1 recruiting class, beat all of our rivals, undefeated regular season, Alabama won the west, played in the SEC Championship game, and the team is going to make an appearance in a BCS Bowl game.

Looking at the 2009 team my biggest concern right now is quarterback. JPW did a great job in 08. He made some big throws when he had to, and didn't do stupid things to get Alabama beat. His composure, and experience will be missed. Other than QB I'm worried about our OL with the players that are moving on. Everyone is talking about the impact that losing Smith will have on the line, but I'm very concerned about losing Caldwell too. He has been a very vocal leader for the team.

The defense should be very good, and should be one of the best in the country again. All of the players on the team will benefit from another year in Saban's S&C program, and have got a taste of winning. The bar has been raised, and I'm excited about 09. If Alabama can stay healthy, and get decent play out of the new QB this team could make another strong push.

[trobinson97]

Eh, I liked the simple "20XX Alabama Crimson Tide" format without the side comments a lot better. Straight forward, nothing implied, nothing to come back on us. Seven is Heaven.


Oh, we're talking about the team though right? Yeah, QB will be interesting. I think McElroy will be fine (assuming of course he gets the job, which I am it will be his to lose), especially if we can plug the holes left with Smith and Caldwell leaving the line. Everything will start with the line and that's the biggest concern. If Fluker/Carpenter can come in right away and be a force then that's awesome, we'll have the playmakers for McElroy for hit if he gets good time in the pocket. I wonder what changes if any will be made in regards to the passing game seeing as it was supposedly dumbed down to benefit Wilson.

The rushing attack looks to be strong. Everybody is coming back and we add the top runner in the nation in Trent Richardson. Again, definitely will need that oline to recover from it's losses. We have to have that rushing attack.


I agree with you about the defense. It *should* again be one of the best. We "only" lose Rashad Johnson and Bobby Greenwood. Both will be missed, especially Johnson, but I think the guys we got coming back and coming in this year's recruiting class can pick up the slack. Mt. Cody returning is HUGE. He gets another year in the S&C program and that's bad news for opposing teams. I am really looking forward to seeing the defense in 09'.

Before that though, I am looking forward to seeing the game tomorrow against Utah. I hope they are not taking Utah lightly, the last time we didn't have Smith we struggled (Tulane) and Utah is better than Tulane. We are young, so I hope the maturity they've shown this year in not looking past opponents continues.

[Coach Bryant]

Quote: Originally Posted by trobinson97

Eh, I liked the simple "20XX Alabama Crimson Tide" format without the side comments a lot better. Straight forward, nothing implied, nothing to come back on us. Seven is Heaven.

Ha ha..I hear ya. Depending on how the 09 season goes we might have reason to fear the process!

[Coach Bryant]

Source: When the Sugar Bowl ends, Kevin Steele will accept job as Clemson's defensive coordinator.

Quote:

Kevin Steele, headed to Clemson...It's late at night here in New Orleans, and I just received some pretty interesting news. No, it's not unexpected, but pretty big, nonetheless. Kevin Steele will accept the job at Clemson's defensive coordinator when the Sugar Bowl tonight, according to a source with knowledge of Steele's thinking. The veteran from Dillon, S.C. had been in charge of Alabama's defense for two seasons. As the head defensive coach this season, Steele led the Crimson Tide to a No. 3 national ranking. He fills a vacant Tigers' job on the staff of new head coach Dabo Swinney. With UA, Steele called the defensive in a collaborative effort with coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. He will be the sole man in charge at CU. Contract figures are not clear for Steele, who made $350,000 at Alabama. Earlier on Saturday, Swinney had said he expects a decision on his defensive coordinator soon. "I will probably be making an announcement when I return to Clemson," Swinney said. This move had been much anticipated, but it figures to be made official soon. I'll have more on this tonight after the Sugar Bowl...

Good luck Coach Steele!

[Coach Bryant]

I posted Alabama's 2009 schedule in the 08 thread. Being the nice guy that I am I'll repost it in here!

Date Opponent
Sept. 5 vs. Virginia Tech (Atlanta)
Sept. 12 Florida International
Sept. 19 North Texas
Sept. 26 Arkansas
Oct. 3 at Kentucky
Oct. 10 at Ole Miss
Oct. 17 South Carolina
Oct. 24 Tennessee
Oct. 31 ---Open Week---
Nov. 7 LSU
Nov. 14 at Mississippi State
Nov. 21 Tennessee-Chattanooga
Nov. 28 at Auburn
Dec. 5 SEC Championship Game (Atlanta)

Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, and LSU will be tough games. Surely Arkansas, Tennessee, and Auburn will improve.

I'd like to see atleast 10 wins in 09.

[trobinson97]

Well, at least we've got another good recruiting class coming in. We overachieved this year and still had a good season despite the 2 losses to end it. 12-2, I'll take it I guess. We are still ahead of schedule and with athletes we've got and coming in, the future looks bright.

Secondary and oline looked terrible tonight. The oline has an excuse, but our dbs were getting killed. As good as the defense was this year, the missed tackling had been a concern all year if you guys remember. Tonight we really paid for it.

[Husker_OS]

Tonight makes you realize how low our talent level really is..


A team with the JR and SR talent of Alabama can't afford injuries to guys like Andre Smith and Mike Johnson.


Thankfully, John Parker Wilson is gone. And once Dre Kirkpatrick signs on the dotted line, so is Marquis Johnson.

[trobinson97]

He didn't ave a lot of time tonight, but damn does JPW make bad decisions when he's rattled. I can't help but think McElroy will be an upgrade.