Toggle sidebar

Seniors lost: Which will affect us most?

C

Crimson Hawk

Hall of Fame
Dec 16, 2001
5,522
1
0
North Alabama
We lose a lot of Seniors this year. Which one(s) will affect us most? I know DeMeco is gonna be hard to replace, but we do have a back-up with lots of ability, and playing time, in Jones. But Freddie Roach (Rhodes? ;) ), gets my vote. He's been a quiet monster in the middle, & I don't know if we have anyone that can step in & effectively replace him. I've REALLY grown attached to this group of Seniors!
 
All of the ones mentioned already will be sorely missed.

But for me, Brodie Croyle will always be the face of this football team. The senior class has been through so much, but no one has been through more than he has.

Despite it all, he answered the bell every time his name was called.
 
Last edited:
I think Demeco, Roach, Peprah, and Harper will be the toughest to replace. Those guys all started for at least three years, and some of them started for four years. That is a ton of experience to give up. Those guys made sure our defense was in the right positions and made plays.
 
Brodie, then Demeco, then Roman - in that order, IMO

- all three of them are the leaders of their respective group
 
GulfCoastTider said:
...Brodie Croyle ... Despite it all, he answered the bell every time his name was called.
Click to expand...
... and how many times was that bell rung last saturday :D

... sorry couldn't resist, probably too soon for humor
 
To be honest...

I don't think losing any seniors will hurt us on defense. Bama is talented on Defense and showed to be "fairly" deep. I used fairly because no major breakdowns occurred when sophomores and freshman joined the defensive squad. Bama's defensive scheme helps hide deficiencies, but Bama does need to improve the line pass pressure.

Offensively it will be hard to replace a "hardened" senior like Croyle, but JPW appears to be up to the challenge and those "young" players got some good playing time thanks - unfortunately - to key injuries. The O-Line was weak, but there was only one senior. Now bama will be 2 seniors and 3 sophomores on the O-Line. The TE will be a sophomore.

The issue I see with bama next year is "Prove it". Prove your metal. This 2005 senior class did, can the 2006 senior class do it?
 
Nosty, I don't think there's anyway that losing that much experience can do anything but hurt you defensively. I'm not so worried about Anderson and Griffin, because we played a ton of people up front and they didn't miss a beat. But we really didn't play near the number of people at LB and DB (although Dukes got a lot of field time this season), and even when Collins or Waldrop or Jones came in, it was only for a play or two here and there. I'm not worried about Jones, but let's make no mistake: he isn't Demeco Ryans.
 
The linebackers don't worry me too much, Ryans and Roach are fantastic players, but we seem to have quality back-ups there. We played a lot of guys on the DL so I think we will be fine there. The secondary worries me. I think experience is key in the secondary and the back-ups didn't get a lot of playing time. On Offense losing Brodie will be huge. I think he is the best QB we have had at Alabama in a long time. We have quality back-ups, but his pure talent and leadership will be missed.
 
Replacing seniors

CapitalTider said:
The linebackers don't worry me too much, Ryans and Roach are fantastic players, but we seem to have quality back-ups there. We played a lot of guys on the DL so I think we will be fine there.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
The secondary worries me. I think experience is key in the secondary and the back-ups didn't get a lot of playing time.
Click to expand...
Castille and Dukes played a fair amount in 3-5-3 package and nickel situations. But that leaves 1 safety spot for someone with with very little experience. :frown:

On Offense losing Brodie will be huge. I think he is the best QB we have had at Alabama in a long time. We have quality back-ups, but his pure talent and leadership will be missed.
Click to expand...
Yep. Brodie is a good and smart player. That won't be easy to replace.
 
What about Moose?...

We need a couple of nick name guys that never play to take his place.

We'll also miss Schatz, the John Starks of punting.

Oh and Rudy and Miller. How will we score on MS St. next year? :biggrin:

Seriously, Mr. Griffin will be missed on the line next year, but we can break in the young hosses that have been 'shirting.

Drew Lane may be missed, but we always seem to find a decent snapper.

Just wanted to mention the not-so-obvious.
 
Demeco barely above
Harper

Both of those guys were almost in on every play somehow...as great as BC was, we still have talent back there, and believe it or not, they may have strengths BC didn't (mobility, reading, etc. although none of them have the arm strength of BC)...plus having KD and that deep back field will lessen the pressure on the new QB...we do have promising young talent at the LB and S positions though, so I think we'll handle the talent aspect pretty well (tackling, etc.), but we'll lack in experience, which we'll get over...I'm less worried about the team as I am about the schedule (three big away games, AU in T-Town)...RTR
 
Love the Ping said:
Nosty, I don't think there's anyway that losing that much experience can do anything but hurt you defensively. I'm not so worried about Anderson and Griffin, because we played a ton of people up front and they didn't miss a beat. But we really didn't play near the number of people at LB and DB (although Dukes got a lot of field time this season), and even when Collins or Waldrop or Jones came in, it was only for a play or two here and there. I'm not worried about Jones, but let's make no mistake: he isn't Demeco Ryans.
Click to expand...

I think when last year's underclassmen take all the first team snaps that this years seniors did it will all be okay. Who will step up to make the big plays, will someone need to step up and make a hit like Roman Harper did?

Don't get me wrong because these are some tough shoes to fill, but I personally feel it can be done. This defensive scheme is awesome for the college players.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New Posts

Advertisement

Trending content

Advertisement

Latest threads

Top Bottom
Back