1st and Ten – Finally – Is it just me or was Brodie
Croyle an Alabama quarterback for nearly a decade? Well, the decade
concluded this past January, and the questions about this Alabama team,
in particular, its offense, were already in order. Most people would
look at Croyle as more of an important cog, as opposed to the main
engine, but he’ll definitely be missed. With that being said, the
pressure of ‘maintaining’ this Mike Shula coached offense falls on the
shoulders of John Parker Wilson. The former Hoover High graduate takes
the reins full-time this fall and how he performs will drive this
offense, and this team, all season long. He’ll have some help with the
skill players that are back in the fold, and the offensive line had a
great deal of on-the-job training, so they should be much better in
2006. Consequently, the big question becomes how much of the gameplan/offensive
scheme do you give Wilson to digest and how different does the offense
become with Wilson taking snaps, instead of a ten year senior (yes, I
know, he was only there the allotted time, but it just seemed that
long)? He’s had good scrimmages this spring, and the thought is that he
can grow in due time. By the time the heart of the SEC season rolls
around, he’ll be more asset than liability.
2nd and Seven – What’s the best thing
about freshmen? – Now, freshmen isn’t meant as being literal, more
like rookies, but the best thing is that they become sophomores. Or,
experienced players. That’s the case for the Crimson Tide offensive
linemen. Last year, this quintet wasn’t nearly ready to take on LSU and
Auburn, but given the injuries the Tide suffered, they were forced to do
just that. Former QB Brodie Croyle was running for his life, but the
lessons that this group of linemen learned, ones that were a disaster in
2005, will be instrumental in 2006. This group, led by center Antoine
Caldwell and tackle Kyle Tatum, is still young, but then again, youth
can still be experienced.
3rd and Three – Lucky 7? – When
Joe Kines took roll at the first spring practice, you’d have to excuse
him if he felt a little lonely. Outside of Juwan Simpson and cornerback
Ramzee Robinson, the back seven is void of the guys that gave this
defense its identity the past few years. But, openings yield
opportunity and Alabama isn’t a university that lacks talented
linebackers and secondary types. Unlike the offensive line, the new
back seven has a number of juniors and seniors. Unlike the offensive
line, the new back seven doesn’t have many people with a lot of
experience. But, that’ll change…soon.
4th and One – Put another record on
the turntable, DJ – The loss of Tyrone Prothro may have been the one
thing that kept Alabama from making the SEC Championship game. The flip
side was that the injury opened the door for WR DJ Hall to make a big
name for himself. He became the leading receiver for the Tide last
season, but in the Cotton Bowl, Hall was held out by Coach Mike Shula
for disciplinary action. In a game that could’ve used some offensive
firepower, Hall had to sit and watch the Tide offense struggle all day
long against a better than advertised Texas Tech defense. He may not be
a guy who garners All-American honors, but he’ll be JPW’s go-to guy
throughout this season, while Keith Brown continues to stretch the field
vertically. Hall has to be a consistent 65 to 70 catch guy, and be the
one guy that Alabama can count on in tough situations.