Josh Pate "How good is Alabama?"

[Buckeye Homer]

I thought you guys might like this.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Good stuff. Hits all the notes. If we can avoid injuries we are going to be a tough out for anyone lining up against us. I don't think we have seen Saban's best team yet and that is saying a mouthful. This could be the group.

 

[Buckeye Homer]

Good stuff. Hits all the notes. If we can avoid injuries we are going to be a tough out for anyone lining up against us. I don't think we have seen Saban's best team yet and that is saying a mouthful. This could be the group.

I think this year's version is a big unknown to the rest of the country. You guys have been plugging in great quarterbacks for years but, can you do it again? We'll see. By the way, the constant turnover of players and seeing new faces every year makes college football really fun to follow.

 

[teamplayer]

This guy always makes good points in a straight forward manner. This year should be another one where we compete for championships. As always, it will come down to which teams make the big plays when it counts, but we have plenty of talent on the roster. Roll Tide!

 

[Tidewater]

Someone in Tuscaloosa needs to ensure Caleb Downs does not see that rat poison for the next three years.

Don't watch that, Caleb! Just don't do it!

 

[rolltide7854]

Good stuff. Hits all the notes. If we can avoid injuries we are going to be a tough out for anyone lining up against us. I don't think we have seen Saban's best team yet and that is saying a mouthful. This could be the group.

I hate to admit it but I thought last year's team could be Saban greatest team. But I didn't account for the Golding effect and BOB's inept play calling.

 

[colbysullivan]

I hate to admit it but I thought last year's team could be Saban greatest team. But I didn't account for the Golding effect and BOB's inept play calling.

2020 was Saban’s best team by far, and it’s going to take a huge effort for another team to approach it.

 

[SkullDuckery]

I agree the coordinators were a big issue but it’s also going to help not having the media spoon feed the rat poison every single day like last year. With Bryce and Will on the team, that’s all they heard was how great they were, unbeatable. It had to have an impact on their psyche.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

2020 was Saban’s best team by far, and it’s going to take a huge effort for another team to approach it.

I agree that 2020 was the best Saban team, and am not sure we’ll ever see anything like it again, especially on offense.

Three 4-year senior leaders — Mac Jones, Devonta Smith and Najee Harris. Smith won the Heisman, Jones was a finalist, and it was a travesty that Najee wasn’t there as well.

Players of that caliber just don’t stay in school anymore. I’m not sure what impact, if any, COVID had on their decision to stay.

Late add: Can’t believe I forgot about Landon Dickerson….an outstanding player , and an all-time leader.

I agree the coordinators were a big issue but it’s also going to help not having the media spoon feed the rat poison every single day like last year. With Bryce and Will on the team, that’s all they heard was how great they were, unbeatable. It had to have an impact on their psyche.

While BOB might have affected Bryce’s numbers, I don’t think rat poison affected his performance. We would have dropped at least two more games if not for him.

I do think it might have affected Anderson. Whether it was eating rat poison, being double-teamed and held on every play, or Golding’s mis-use, I don’t know. And that ignores the post-season comment about anxiety. Regardless of the cause, he just didn’t seem to have that great a year.

 

[Tidelines]

I agree that 2020 was the best Saban team, and am not sure we’ll ever see anything like it again, especially on offense.

Three 4-year senior leaders — Mac Jones, Devonta Smith and Najee Harris. Smith won the Heisman, Jones was a finalist, and it was a travesty that Najee wasn’t there as well.

Players of that caliber just don’t stay in school anymore. I’m not sure what impact, if any, COVID had on their decision to stay.



While BOB might have affected Bryce’s numbers, I don’t think rat poison affected his performance. We would have dropped at least two more games if not for him.

I do think it might have affected Anderson. Whether it was eating rat poison, being double-teamed and held on every play, or Golding’s mis-use, I don’t know. And that ignores the post-season comment about anxiety. Regardless of the cause, he just didn’t seem to have that great a year.

I definitely agree about Anderson. But it looks like all the attention on Anderson would have freed up some of the other guys. I don’t think what’s his name schemed around that situation.

 

[BamaMoon]

I agree that 2020 was the best Saban team, and am not sure we’ll ever see anything like it again, especially on offense.

Three 4-year senior leaders — Mac Jones, Devonta Smith and Najee Harris. Smith won the Heisman, Jones was a finalist, and it was a travesty that Najee wasn’t there as well.

Players of that caliber just don’t stay in school anymore. I’m not sure what impact, if any, COVID had on their decision to stay.



While BOB might have affected Bryce’s numbers, I don’t think rat poison affected his performance. We would have dropped at least two more games if not for him.

I do think it might have affected Anderson. Whether it was eating rat poison, being double-teamed and held on every play, or Golding’s mis-use, I don’t know. And that ignores the post-season comment about anxiety. Regardless of the cause, he just didn’t seem to have that great a year.

In another thread someone made reference to the teams that were good enough to win NCs (might say "on paper" looked the part) but then couldn't/didn't do it.

I think last year definitely falls into that category, especially with BY coming back after a Heisman trophy-winning season.

But some teams don't gel and finish and sometimes coaching is part of that (think that was the case last year especially with OC and DC).

BTW, this comment was made about Georgia's run at a 3 peat this season. Just when it looks like it's inevitable, a season of unexplained frustration happens. Certainly hope it's true with them this year and, at the same time, all of our question marks turn into exclamation points as the season unfolds.

 

[gtgilbert]

I agree that 2020 was the best Saban team, and am not sure we’ll ever see anything like it again, especially on offense.

Three 4-year senior leaders — Mac Jones, Devonta Smith and Najee Harris. Smith won the Heisman, Jones was a finalist, and it was a travesty that Najee wasn’t there as well.

Players of that caliber just don’t stay in school anymore. I’m not sure what impact, if any, COVID had on their decision to stay.

Late add: Can’t believe I forgot about Landon Dickerson….an outstanding player , and an all-time leader.



While BOB might have affected Bryce’s numbers, I don’t think rat poison affected his performance. We would have dropped at least two more games if not for him.

I do think it might have affected Anderson. Whether it was eating rat poison, being double-teamed and held on every play, or Golding’s mis-use, I don’t know. And that ignores the post-season comment about anxiety. Regardless of the cause, he just didn’t seem to have that great a year.

lots of the bold part, lots. Having Anderson sometimes line up heads up the OG and play like he was a defensive tackle was a criminal misuse of what Anderson brought to the table.

 

[Probius]

There are so many knowns heading into this season. Who will start at QB? Who will step up at WR? Will the defense improve? We know the team will be good, but how will they fare in December and January against the big boys? We won't know until the time comes. I got a feeling that the team is going to play like their hair is on fire. I expect a hungry team who is out to prove something.

 

[CoachJeff]

I can't remember a Saban team having this many questions marks. There are zero skill players on offense that are projected to get drafted or be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team All SEC. I can't remember that ever happening. There have been questions at spots on offense, but not *every* spot. I wouldn't feel confident telling you who will be the leading passer, rusher, or receiver. Heck, I don't think I could be certain of the top 2 in any of those.

 

[davefrat]

There are so many knowns heading into this season. Who will start at QB? Who will step up at WR? Will the defense improve? We know the team will be good, but how will they fare in December and January against the big boys? We won't know until the time comes. I got a feeling that the team is going to play like their hair is on fire. I expect a hungry team who is out to prove something.

 

[Probius]

I can't remember a Saban team having this many questions marks. There are zero skill players on offense that are projected to get drafted or be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team All SEC. I can't remember that ever happening. There have been questions at spots on offense, but not *every* spot. I wouldn't feel confident telling you who will be the leading passer, rusher, or receiver. Heck, I don't think I could be certain of the top 2 in any of those.

I think it's a safe bet that Ja'Corey Brooks will be the leading receiver and Jace McClellan will be the leading rusher.

 

[Tidelines]

I can't remember a Saban team having this many questions marks. There are zero skill players on offense that are projected to get drafted or be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team All SEC. I can't remember that ever happening. There have been questions at spots on offense, but not *every* spot. I wouldn't feel confident telling you who will be the leading passer, rusher, or receiver. Heck, I don't think I could be certain of the top 2 in any of those.

Do you agree there is top shelf talent at all those positions, even two deep?

 

[SkullDuckery]

I agree that 2020 was the best Saban team, and am not sure we’ll ever see anything like it again, especially on offense.

Three 4-year senior leaders — Mac Jones, Devonta Smith and Najee Harris. Smith won the Heisman, Jones was a finalist, and it was a travesty that Najee wasn’t there as well.

Players of that caliber just don’t stay in school anymore. I’m not sure what impact, if any, COVID had on their decision to stay.

Late add: Can’t believe I forgot about Landon Dickerson….an outstanding player , and an all-time leader.



While BOB might have affected Bryce’s numbers, I don’t think rat poison affected his performance. We would have dropped at least two more games if not for him.

I do think it might have affected Anderson. Whether it was eating rat poison, being double-teamed and held on every play, or Golding’s mis-use, I don’t know. And that ignores the post-season comment about anxiety. Regardless of the cause, he just didn’t seem to have that great a year.

Didn’t mean Bryce but it affected the team as a whole. We saw it with all the mental errors and penalties.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

Blah, blah, blah... another self-important "influencer" with a YouTube channel. Just play ball, and let's see what happens. Bama is going to fine!

 

[CoachJeff]

I think it's a safe bet that Ja'Corey Brooks will be the leading receiver and Jace McClellan will be the leading rusher.

I'll bet you a dollar that you're wrong. Not because I'm rooting against them, I just think it's up in the air.