2010. A subject that has been discussed, analyzed and dissected since the last piece of confetti hit the Superdome floor last January.
How does Alabama avoid the same letdown in 2012 that it experienced in 2010? The comparisons to the 2010 squad and this team are intriguing.
2010′s team returned a good core of the ’09 offense but had gaps on the defensive side of the ball. 2012′s team returns a soid foundation of the ’11 offense and only four returning starters on defense.
So how does the Tide avoid letdown in 2012?
First of all, it’s a testimony to the Crimson Tide program that a 10-3 year is considered a letdown. There are programs in this state and conference that would never regard a 10-win season and top ten finish as such.
But look closer and you’ll see the differences between the 2010 season and what could come of 2012.
Early in 2010 there were issues with replacing Javier Arenas, Kareem Jackson and Marquis Johnson, not to mention Terrence Cody, Brandon Deaderick, Lorenzo Washington, Rolando McClain and Cory Reamer.
Dont’a Hightower was nowhere near fully recovered from the season ending knee injury the year before. Marcell Dareus reported to camp heavy, and Courtney Upshaw limped through the season from the first game. Bama’s reserve pool was building, but was nowhere near as deep as it is now. In the secondary a young Dre Kirkpatrick struggled early in the year, as did Robert Lester.
Secondary for this season appears different. Newcomer Deion Belue has the potential to be the best defensive back Coach Saban has coached while at Alabama. But veteran leadership in getting young players in position may be the key.
“I couldn’t be happier than with (Robert) Lester and (Vinnie) Sunseri right now,” defensive coordinator Kirby Smart said this week. “They understand defense and help get others lined up properly. This is so key to the success of any defense.”
This 2012 defense looks solid right now. Jesse Williams, Damion Square, Quinton Dial, Ed Stinson, Nico Johnson, CJ Mosley, and Trey DePriest make up a unit that looks to be very strong. But it’s the quickness and aggressiveness of the defensive line that stands out.
Adrian Hubbard, who looks to step up in place of Upshaw, will be key to the year’s pass rush, along with the physicality of Xavier Dickson. Case in point, there are bodies everywhere on defense, with more options than a coordinator could ever ask for.
But offensively, Alabama has one of the best offensive lines in college football, but must develop depth.
And then there is quarterback, where Nick Saban realizes the need.
“We must develop depth at quarterback and offensive line,” Saban said earlier this week. “Both our young backup quarterbacks (Phillip Ely and Alec Morris) have made strides on their own, and have done fairly well so far in practice. We keep putting them in situations to make decisions. So far their progress has been encouraging. We have some good young players that need to develop confidence and consistency.”
New offensive coordinator Gus Nussmeier recognizes what he has at the position, however.
“I’ve been fortunate in my career to be around some really, really good quarterbacks,” Nussmeier said. “I have coached or tutored players such as Jeff Smoker, Drew Stanton, Ryan Hart, Tom Brandstater, Jack Locker, Keith Price, Brooks Bollinger, Gus Frerotte, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. When you look at his (McCarron’s) body of work, from where he started at the beginning of last season to where he ended and then where he started spring ball and finished it, and where he started fall camp, I think he continues to get better every day. He works extremely hard. He’s very conscientious. I’m really excited about what the future holds for him. I think he has a very, very high ceiling.”
The offensive backfield is loaded with talent, as are the young but able receiving corps. Amaari Cooper has already received extremely rare praise from the Tide’s three-time national champion head coach, something you just don’t hear from him very often.
But the key to this season avoiding the letdowns of 2010 is simple experience. 2010 did not have a 2010 season to draw from. This team does, remembering the core reasons of why that season fell short. Remembrance doesn’t always amount to difference, but when you combine motivation with talent and leadership, good things follow.
It all begins September 1st, some 23 days from now. Will Bama repeat as national champs? Maybe. It’s a tall order. But one thing is for sure in Tuscaloosa that isn’t true in other places around the state and conference:
The Tide will once again be in contention.
(Follow me on Twitter for Bama news, commentary and smack.)
Let’s see how the Michigan game pans out before we start the talk.
Doesn t the truth just kill the barners soul
That 2010 loss still stings doesn’t it boys ? It should.
Not at all. What stings is only 2 tainted NC’s in 1957 and 2010 to show for 120 years of football. Personally, I’d find another team to cheer for if mine was that crappy.
I see you are still doing flips over that one point win there Ballplay. I will take the two national championships with the included beatdowns (combined score of 78-14) and the 09 comeback at the end over your one point win in 2010 any day. And just think, you get to look forward to yet another beatdown again this year. At what point during the season is the Auburn fan base going to start crying for Patrino?
“Lets see how Michican pans out” then it will be something else to see about with the aubs. ITK I do think we are much stronger in 2012 than we were in 2010 but that doesn’t equal NC but does put Bama in contention.
There are some delegates from The War Eagle Dinner Club that have already secretly contacted Bobby Petrino’s agent. Chizik secretly asked for a vote of confidence after last year’s Iron Bowl, and Pat Dye gave a list of demands including the firing of Ted Roof. Malzahn was coerced to take a job that paid half a million dollars less, and was asked to take his flunky, dope peddling, gun running, Running Back with him. Kristy Malzahn was like, “Hellloooo!”
Yeah alls well at the stockyards in Lee County!! And Petrino will fit the mode for Auburn.He has all the qualifications it will take to be welcomed there…. for starters he’s a cheater and a not so great a liar but a liar non the less! Now he is a pretty good football coach, but Dye and company will have to buy him a new dig to live in unless he’s wanted so bad over there that ol Dye will let him bunk with him and his family untill he gets back on his feet!! LOL that’s what ‘being all in’ and ‘being in the fambly’ is all about……ain’t lfe GREAT!!!! RTR
You guys crack me up! ROLL TIDE!
RC-I have to hand it to you. That was right on the head. That running back is no more. And the lawman that stopped him also. Wonder what Kristy is saying now? RTR
Honey Badger dismissed from team. Here’s the link to IBCR’s story:
http://www.ibleedcrimsonred.com/2012/08/lsu-coach-les-miles-tyrann-honey-badger.html
It just seemed like a matter of time til Tyrann managed to run that mouth a little too much. Interesting that the AD appeared at the announcement with Miles. Must have been a real doozy.
Dang, that sucks. I was really looking forward to Bama exposing him again in BR this season.
Rumors are rampant, but the one that keeps coming up is a failed third drug test. If this is so, then he won’t be eligible to play for any NCAA team this season. Dude just lost a few million bucks. Moron.
I can’t wait to see Belue in Crimson. Very good player. Heck,I can’t ait to see all of them. RTR
Wait 2 c.
Who the hell is Gus Nussmeier? You mean Doug? LOL
Bobby the phone is for you…..AUs calling.