Transfers - a dreary question...

[TIDE-HSV]

I was just watching Downs on Gameday, with his feigned regrets about leaving Bama. I got to wondering which transfers hurt us worse - Downs, Bonds? Thoughts? Wonder which ones regretted leaving the most?

 

[Padreruf]

Downs & Bonds to be sure as they were quality players...we've adequately replaced all the others from the last year.

 

[AlistarWills]

I’d say for sure all the ones who went to FSU.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

I’d say for sure all the ones who went to FSU.

This is the correct answer and it’s not even close. What a crap-show FSU turned out to be. I think Georgia broke those toys.

 

[B1GTide]

Not saying that these are not great - they both are - but you have had guys step in and play at a very high level in their place.

I don't believe that you lose the Vandy game with Downs playing. He was your defensive leader and would probably have made a huge difference early in the season. So maybe him. Bonds was/is all about Bonds. Good riddance.

 

[CrimsonBloodn62]

I don't think Bonds regretted leaving because he selfishly left for the money. If he had any doubts about leaving, he would have returned the CKD phone call.

 

[BamaFossil]

I've felt that Downs was the greater loss. Seems to me that quality defensive backs are harder to find than quality wide receivers. In his freshman year Downs was one of the best in the nation.

I don't know what he was paid to jump to Ohio State, but I assume it was enough to assuage any second-thoughts he has/had about jumping.

I plan to watch Indiana-Ohio State this afternoon; that'll be my first viewing of Downs this year. I'm hoping it's a freezing cold and windy day.

As to other defectors, I suspect the guys that jumped to Florida State and Auburn are wondering what they were thinking. Maybe Niblack at Texas as well. OTOH, Amos at Ole Miss seems to be doing well. Wish we still had him.

 

[colbysullivan]

Losing Downs was way worse than Bond

 

[RammerJammer14]

I thought the title said “traitors”…

 

[CrimsonJazz]

I thought the title said “traitors”…

I’d have been okay with that.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Looking at stats for both Downs and Bond, I don't see anything special. Bray Hubbard has been putting up stats equal to or better than Downs. Ryan Williams has been great. I don't miss Bonds. Bonds had a couple great catches here, but otherwise seemed a decent WR, but not that elite. He doesn't have great stats at Texas. He likely would have done better at Bama.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Downs was the worst loss. I think Bama beats Vandy with him.

With the growth of the secondary I’m not sure that he’s as big a loss now as a few games ago.

 

[PA Tide Fan]

Since we're thin in the secondary I have to believe the Downs loss was worse. We still have plenty of talent at WR.

 

[ga tide man #9]

Downs in my opinion. IMHO If Caleb Downs stays along with Trey Amos our back end would be elite.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Then there's Seth McLaughlin...

 

[B1GTide]

Then there's Seth McLaughlin...

His run blocking is incredible.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

His run blocking is incredible.

And yet his snaps damaged us all year long. I expected both Downs and Bond to do well. Seth was a surprise...

 

[Joefus]

I was just watching Downs on Gameday, with his feigned regrets about leaving Bama. I got to wondering which transfers hurt us worse - Downs, Bonds? Thoughts? Wonder which ones regretted leaving the most?

Before saab went down I would’ve said bond for sure hurt us worse but now with our safety situation I’d say downs. I don’t imagine either truly regret it as they’re both doing well on teams with better records and are both making considerably more money than they were. If we beat one of both I’d love to see the camera zoom in on their faces….

 

[crimsonaudio]

Downs & Bonds to be sure as they were quality players...we've adequately replaced all the others from the last year.

FTR, Sabb/Hubbard have better numbers than Downs this year.

I don't miss him with those studs back there.

I do think if we still had Bond the offense would be lethal.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Then there's Seth McLaughlin...

I do feel like Brailsford is an upgrade overall. McLaughlin was an excellent center (minus the yippy snaps) but Brailsford has been very, very good.