The first guy who stood out to me physically was Jeoffrey Pagan. The 6’4″, 285 pound sophomore defensive end is the ultimate rig. Wow, what a physique. He’s just powerful. He’s behind Ed Stinson and Damion Square right now, and both are excellent players, but he should have an impact this fall.
The most impressive playmakers on the field to me were in the secondary. Vinnie Sunseri is a winner. He had a fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception which he returned for significant yards. He also recorded five tackles. He’s always been a hitter, but he’s a big time playmaker at safety as well. Loved how Robert Lester and Hasean (can’t call him Ha Ha) Clinton-Dix looked as well. Both had ints. Deion Belue looks like he’s got some improving to do, but he has potential at corner. Dee Milliner and John Fulton will play a lot at corner also. Milliner excellent. Fulton looks pretty good, too. Linebackers looked very solid. OLB Adrian Hubbard was outstanding with seven tackles, four for losses of 22 yards and three sacks. Now those are productive numbers. Stinson played very well with six stops. C.J. Mosley looks like he’s back to form from some injuries last year. He had 10 tackles, two for loss. And Trey Depriest is a machine out there. Defense doesn’t have as much experience as they had a year ago, but there is certainly tons of talent. They’ll be very good. Wow, what a job S does recruiting. The talent is just phenomenal.
A.J. played pretty well though he did throw three interceptions, but that’s against what’s going to be one of the best, if not the best, secondaries in the country; particularly at safety. He was 29-of-42 for 3o4 yards and two TDs. He’s still a little inconsistent at times, but new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier can work out some of those kinks in August and have A.J. primed and ready for Michigan, Sept. 1 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tx. One of A.J.’s TDs was to Kenny Bell for 47 yards. Bell played very well. Looks like he’ll be a force this year out wide. Christion Jones caught the other, a 17-yard toss. Jones is outstanding and looks like he could be an electric punt returner. Chris Black, the early enrollee frosh, is a player. Kevin Norwood will be too. If DeAndrew White and Duron Carter can ever get it together, they’ll be players. Liked what I saw out of Michael Williams. Tremendous athlete at tight end. Drops it every now and then, still needs to hone it up a little, but could be primed for very important role in offense.
Phillip Sims played a fantastic game. It’s too bad he’s leaving, but he wants to start somewhere and he seems to have some family health issues up in Virginia. Looks like he’ll be at UVA in the fall. He may play next year if he gets a waiver from the NCAA or he will have to sit with two years left to play. Phillip Ely has potential, so we’ll see how he develops. He was a four star like McCarron coming out of high school, so he’s good. Incoming 5.6 three-star frosh qb Alex Morris (6’3″, 235) from Texas will have to be ready if there is any problem with injuries at qb.
Liked what I saw out of T.J. Yeldon. He’s an excellent back. He ran for 88 yards and caught five balls for 91 yards and a 50-yard TD on a beautiful catch and run. He’s got tremendous speed and quickness. Still runs too upright, but that’s who he is and S doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. Just think he might get clocked a few times in the fall. S may work with him a little on that. Would like to see Eddie Lacy get back and solidify the backfield. Eddie’s a load at 220 and has a chance to have a terrific year. With Yeldon, Jalston Fowler and the explosive Dee Hart, that makes up an impressive group of backs.
Oline is stellar. Barrett may win another Outland, at center this time. Unquestioned leader. Anthony Steen is outstanding at guard, and Cyrus Kouandijo is back from injury. Cyrus with loads of potential. Would like to see his brother Arie get back, too. That would solidify the line even more. D.J. Fluker will be one of the best in the country at right tackle and so will Chance Warmack at right guard. Need to build a little more depth there, but the starters are superb.
I see another chance at at a national title. Opener with Michigan will be challenging but winnable. At Arkansas third game of the season (9-15-12). S should beat John L. Smith. Arkansas with a lot of talent, but without Petrino, don’t think they’ll be as good as they could have been. Ole Miss at home (9/29, win), open , then at Missouri (10-13), at Tennessee (10-2o), State at home (10-27), then the Tide goes to Baton Rouge on Nov.3. Texas A&M at home on 11/10, Western Carolina (11-17) at home, and finish with AU at home on 11/24. Couple of non-conference games against Western Kentucky and Florida Atlantic are not a problem if Tide just makes it to the stadium. S won’t have a problem with that.
Arkansas a potential problem, and at Mizzou and Tennessee challenging. UT better and Mizzou has an excellent quarterback, James Franklin. Of course, the battle in Baton Rouge will be colossal again. They’re very good and are better at quarterback this year with Zach Mettenberger. They’re pretty loaded everywhere else.
So there’s no guarantee for an SEC title and another national title. That’s hard to do any year, but this should be an excellent football team as long as A.J. stays healthy and consistent. See 12-13 wins, maybe 14. That’s just the way it is in Tuscaloosa.
(Jeoffrey Pagan is a beast.)
7 Responses
I’ve got $50 with the KY fan that Bama will repeat. Your write up fired me up and gave me hope. Roll Tide!
Baton Rouge would be fun on your birthday!
I agree, D. Sounds like a very good idea. Let’s look into it!
Honestly, David: How you manage to keep offering observations and info I never see anywhere else—and genuinely solid stuff, to boot—is beyond me. Keep it up, my friend.
Thanks a million, F! That means a lot coming from you, a very good writer. Yeah, F, I try to go a lot deeper than just your garden variety reporting you get elsewhere. Thanks again.
Ha Ha Clinton Dix– was the player who stripped the ball for Vinnie Sunseri to pick up and run in for a touchdown. Come- On People !! Lets give credit where credit is due– Ha Ha Clinton Dix also made the Tackle in the BCS Game on kickoff after Trent Richardsons Touchdown and guess what ESPN stats doesn’t show it in their Stats . ( SEE DVD @ 4min 29 seconds left 4th quarter ) . Clinton-Dix from what I understand is a humble kid who I believe would accept coming off the bench @ yet still be a motivated player with the desire to acheive excellence. Vinnie or Ha Sean– whoever is selected will not dissappoint Tide Fans and the friendly competition is a great positive for the Tide– I predict Ha Sean will be a Breakout Player this year . We all love Vinnie ; but lets not put him in a pressue cooker pre-annointing him as Mr Barron’s Successor. Let the system work as designed. Coach Saban won’t decide until probably after the 1st 2 games it will come down most likely to which player make the least mistakes. In various websites it appears the Vinnie VS Ha Ha Competition for replacing Mark Barron could be called the Ali vs Frazier– with Ha Ha using the surprise of the Famous “Rope A Dope ” after the 1st 2 games to win the starting position.
It really doesn’t matter. They’re both very good players. They’ll both play a lot.