Tide roll the dice

Like a reject from Gambler's Anonymous, the star defensive back from Alabama keeps thinking the Tide's luck has to change.

Last chance. Put all the chips on the table. Harper and Alabama are going all-in this season.

"We've lost close game after close game," Harper said. "It's like gambling. Eventually something has to go right for you.

"We're going into it with the attitude the roll of the dice is going to be good for us this time."

Maybe Harper's right. Maybe Alabama is due.

One thing is certain: The 2004 season came up craps for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama suffered through a season of injury after injury to key players.

Two quarterbacks, including returning starter Brodie Croyle, went down. Two running backs and a tight end fell to the injury bug.

A defense ranked among the best in the nation kept Alabama in games, but the end result was a disappointing 6-6 record in Mike Shula's second year as coach.

"We were so close in some games, but we have got to find a way to finish games," said Shula, finding himself surrounded by a Alabama nation getting itchy for wins.

"When I took this job, my name was on the hot seat from day one. That's how I look at it. I don't worry about that."

He has bigger things to worry about. Like some Auburn fan sticking needles in a voodoo doll with Croyle's likeness.

Even Harper, the high roller at defensive back, realizes what a healthy Croyle could mean to Alabama.

"Brodie is Superman to me," he said. "Superman can't be taken down by anything. He will be good and healthy this year. He'll have a great season."

Fingers are being crossed all around Alabama.

Croyle has thrown for 3,884 yards and 27 touchdowns in his career, but injuries have been his worst enemy.

It was a knee as a senior in high school. It was a shoulder as a college sophomore. In 2004, after a 3-0 start and 534 yards passing with six touchdowns, Croyle tore up a knee again and was done for the season.

Harper makes it clear he's constantly telling Croyle this is the year things change.

"I try to put all the pressure on Brodie," Harper said. "I tell him all the time, 'We go as far as Brodie goes.

"If anybody can do it, Brodie can do it. And I'm right there in his back pocket."

Junior tailback Ken Darby, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, is another potential star returning from the injury list.

All four of Alabama's top receivers return, but holes have to be filled on the offensive line.

Defense is where the Tide looks most formidable.

The secondary led the nation in pass defense and linebacker DeMeco Ryans is one of the best in the league.

"We're going to do our best to lock things down in the back and make teams try to run on us into those great linebackers we've got," Harper said. "We want to be able to dominate and make more big plays.

"Hopefully that gives our offense more opportunities to put up points."

If all the bad luck is a thing of the past, Alabama could be a danger to SEC West favorites LSU and Auburn.

So, go ahead and roll Tide. Sevens add up to touchdowns in football.