2008 WR Situation

[bravesjt]

I don't post too often, but the combination of great recruiting and a horrible basketball season has got me excited for this fall. I've begun looking at the WR we will have next year and we have a lot talented players who haven't had the opportunity to play yet. I was just wondering who yall think will be getting significant playing time next season.

Experience (compared to some others)
Alexander, McCoy, Stover, and Oakley (at least I think he's still around...)

Redshirt Freshmen
Maze, Hanks, Brandon Gibson (i couldn't find if all these guys were redshirted. please tell me if i'm wrong...)

True Freshman
Julio, B.J., Ray, Hood (if he stays), jackson, and possibly Bolton

So, what do you think? Are you as excited about the potential of these guys as I am?

 

[Crimson Hawk]

The talent at the WR position should be enough to make our new OC VERY happy!!

 

[jps1983]

We have some very good, young talent at WR. Besides the incoming freshmen, the RS freshmen looks good. Our top 2 heading into fall camp will likely be Stover and McCoy. Those two have much more experience than any other WR and that gives them a leg up. Oakley looked solid as a possession WR, but I think Julio, if he's healthy, qualified, and understands the offense will be no worse than our #3 WR. Spring practice will be very interesting. Since we are considered to have one of the best, if not the best, WR recruiting group in the country, I am very interested in seeing which players already on campus step up this spring since PT is there for the taking.

 

[bamastan71]

The talent at the WR position should be enough to make our new OC VERY happy!!

Yeah he is coming into a pretty good situation, veterian QB & OL, DEEP RB rotation, and a LOT of high profile talent at WR. Who would not want to coach this O next year.

 

[cmmiller711]

Redshirt Freshmen
Maze, Hanks, Brandon Gibson (i couldn't find if all these guys were redshirted. please tell me if i'm wrong...)

Hanks wasn't.... but gibson and maze were. I think we have alot of talent coming back. The key is whether or not the young guys will step up. I think the odds are really really good that atleast 2-3 of the freshmen will step up and be key contributors in 08. We lost one of the best recievers we've ever had in Hall. Also, the development of JPW/insert name here will be key to the recievers.

 

[Alabama_Man]

Bama is gonna have so much talent this fall, oooo I get goose bumps thinking about it.

 

[BigEasyTider]

Hanks wasn't.... but gibson and maze were.

I don't think that's right. Hanks played a few snaps against Western Carolina, but I believe we are trying to get a medical redshirt for him. I believe I remember Saban singling him out for that earlier.

My guess is that all three will be redshirt freshmen next year.

 

[GreatDanish]

So, the following will all be freshman WRs next year:
Brandon Gibson
Darius Hanks
Marquis Maze
Julio Jones
Melvin Ray
Devonta Bolton
Burton Scott
Destin Hood
Chris Jackson

Now, I know that Hood, Scott, and Bolton may not be at WR next year, but even take those guys out, and we have six very talented WRs that will be freshmen next year. Which means we'll have a good three years at least with that corps.

 

[Bama1970]

Yeah he is coming into a pretty good situation, veteran QB & OL, DEEP RB rotation, and a LOT of high profile talent at WR. Who would not want to coach this O next year.

I really hope our OL can give the QB ample protection to get the ball to these talented receivers. I also hope that our new OC will get better results and better play from our QB.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I really hope our OL can give the QB ample protection to get the ball to these talented receivers. I also hope that our new OC will get better results and better play from our QB.

I think after seeing what happened to both our OL and QB play as the year progressed CNS will probably make this a matter of emphasis to the point he himself might spend some time doing some "hands on" coaching of these guys. :biggrin:

 

[Bama1970]

I think after seeing what happened to both our OL and QB play as the year progressed CNS will probably make this a matter of emphasis to the point he himself might spend some time doing some "hands on" coaching of these guys. :biggrin:

I tend to agree with that BB. We have way too much talent on the O side of the ball for a repeat of '07.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I tend to agree with that BB. We have way too much talent on the O side of the ball for a repeat of '07.

Funny you say that, CNS alluded to this many many times throughout the season in 07. Getting the ball in our playmaker's hands and he felt our most explosive players were at the WR position.

 

[M2J]

Considering we have a brand new OC, I wouldn't be surprised if we go with the freshmen. I think the jobs will be wide open

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Considering we have a brand new OC, I wouldn't be surprised if we go with the freshmen. I think the jobs will be wide open

Don't count Mike McCoy out nor Bradon Gibson. They're both pure receivers and are very talented.

 

[3 tide tats]

Two words...Earl AlexanderDT_Armataz_01_34:

 

[GrayTide]

No passes get to any of these guys with the QB running for his life or on his back. Forget the WRs, if the OL does not improve it does not matter who the WRs are. Same applies to RBs. The offense lives or dies with the OL and right now I do not feel too good with our returners on the OL.

 

[drjamesm]

No passes get to any of these guys with the QB running for his life or on his back. Forget the WRs, if the OL does not improve it does not matter who the WRs are. Same applies to RBs. The offense lives or dies with the OL and right now I do not feel too good with our returners on the OL.

Yes,you are correct! We only lost J Britt,and I expect M Davis,M Johnson,A Smith,and A Caldwell will all improve.If we can have a pleasant surprise with a RS OL,or a true Fr. step up we will be improved. Last year the book gate hurt us badly,but I don't think that will happen again.

 

[bayoutider]

It's getting time for some OL like Pharr and Ross to step in and make a showing. As far as WR goes we still have playmakers who made some big plays for us last season returning and it's ridiculous to kick them all to the curb and start nothing but freshmen. We have threads like this every year after NSD setting up goals some of these men can never meet. I'm trusting a coaching staff that can actually develop some players and depth to sort this all out. I look at last season as a learning experience for both players and coaches and we should see something quite different this coming season.

 

[drjamesm]

It's getting time for some OL like Pharr and Ross to step in and make a showing. As far as WR goes we still have playmakers who made some big plays for us last season returning and it's ridiculous to kick them all to the curb and start nothing but freshmen. We have threads like this every year after NSD setting up goals some of these men can never meet. I'm trusting a coaching staff that can actually develop some players and depth to sort this all out. I look at last season as a learning experience for both players and coaches and we should see something quite different this coming season.

Ah,the voice of reason!I believe you are on target master Bayou!As I stated before,we fix the OL,and with the returning WR,plus a couple of new WR we will be fine.

 

[GrayTide]

It's getting time for some OL like Pharr and Ross to step in and make a showing. As far as WR goes we still have playmakers who made some big plays for us last season returning and it's ridiculous to kick them all to the curb and start nothing but freshmen. We have threads like this every year after NSD setting up goals some of these men can never meet. I'm trusting a coaching staff that can actually develop some players and depth to sort this all out. I look at last season as a learning experience for both players and coaches and we should see something quite different this coming season.

Good point, bayou. Last year was a learning experience both ways, now there are no excuses for not knowing his system and his expectations. Also he gave every player a chance to show what he could do, some did and some didn't and those that didn't may find a lot of "pine time". It is now about teaching and developing the young talent not about finding out who will buy in, that was done last year. I too expect something different this season, probably not many more wins but improvement at every level.