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Draft shutout underscores Alabama’s talent needs
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Those ubiquitous recruiting rankings are fun to talk about but hardly scientific. The won-loss record? Well, plenty of factors can go into that.
For more concrete evidence that Alabama’s talent level hasn’t been on par with other SEC powers lately, check out the number of Crimson Tide players drafted by the NFL last weekend.
Zero. That NFL draft shutout was the first for Alabama since 1970 and only the second in the draft’s 72 years.
In fact, the Tide hasn’t produced a first-rounder since Shaun Alexander and Chris Samuels eight years ago, a period when the program has endured NCAA probation and a number of coaching changes. That’s the bad news for ’Bama fans.
The good news: Those recruiting rankings, while not fool-proof, had Nick Saban’s second class ranked as the nation’s best. Validation of that lofty ranking will have to wait until, say, the 2012 NFL draft.
“We certainly don’t have the talent level that we will have in a year or two,” said Lee Roy Jordan, a former Alabama and NFL star, in a phone interview Wednesday. “I think we’ll have a much higher level between last year’s class and the one that we’ve signed this year. By the time they get to be seniors and juniors, you’ll see a lot different results as far as the NFL draft goes.”
It might not take quite that long, with junior left tackle Andre Smith projected as a high future pick.
The players Saban left behind at LSU contributed heavily to the Tigers’ national championship last season. Former recruits JaMarcus Russell and Glenn Dorsey have been Top-5 picks the past two seasons.
In fact, LSU has had a first-rounder in the last five NFL drafts. The Southeastern Conference has produced a whopping 46 since Alabama’s last No. 1 picks.
Saban said a heavy presence in the draft could have been a plus for a program, but it’s also motivation for the guys left behind.
“It sends a message to the guys that are there right now that the guys that get drafted in the first round not only have a tremendous amount of talent, but they also do things right,” Saban told reporters Tuesday in Talladega during a stop on his seven-city Crimson Caravan tour.
“Everything you do — on the field and off the field — is part of your resume,” he added.
At least five Tide players have signed free agent contracts, including defensive end Wallace Gilberry, cornerback Simeon Castille and receiver DJ Hall. Castille and Hall both had off-the-field problems last year.
Jordan said he believes the draft goose egg was due to more than just talent, including seniors underperforming in their final year.
“I certainly think our talent level has gone down,” Jordan said. “We’ve had some guys that are undersized or not quite fast enough. Any one of those things can make a guy not draftable.”
Adding insult, schools like Appalachian State, Richmond, Northern Iowa and even Division III Mount Union produced draft picks.
Recruiting services like Rivals.com can pat themselves on the back. Alabama signed five top, 5-star recruits this year, but only three in the previous six recruiting classes.
Saban thinks bigger than former coach Mike Shula in targeting prospects, Jordan said.
“Coach Saban and his staff think they can recruit a good player from anywhere in the country and they’ve kind of proved that they can,” he said.
Alabama fans can take heart. Bear Bryant’s Tide team rebounded mightily after that 1970 draft. They won five consecutive SEC championships from 1971-75. ’Bama went 7-6 last season and lost four of its final five games.
Former Tide coach Gene Stallings points out that the team was competitive against Tennessee, LSU and Arkansas whatever happened in the draft.
“I don’t think they have enough talent to win a national championship,” Stallings said, “but I don’t think they’re just talentless.
“You’ve got to have a little luck, you’ve got to stay healthy and do things of that nature to win games.”
He cautions against judging prospects by the ratings of recruiting services. Then again, he feels pretty good about the Tide’s recent classes.
“All I can see is Alabama getting just better and better,” Stallings said.
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by UTfan4life on May 1, 2008 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
stallings you suck
Posted by Packaway on May 1, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bama had enough talent to beat the Vols BAD last year. They had good enough talent to play Vols tough the last couple of years. Beat the mighty Vols a couple of times too. Don't get this no Bama talent article?? Or maybe I don't get the previous (hopefully) Tennessee Coaching Regime. Hopefully Phil will wake up, or all Vols fans will wake up. If we don't win a title this year a change is needed!!
Posted by cdldoc on May 1, 2008 at 5:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alabamba sucks and they are cheaters, over and over again.
Posted by pdhuff on May 1, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Packaway 12:11 am - If your criteria for not winning a title in 2008 includes a coaching change, go ahead and call North American Moving. Reserve 3-4 large vans.
Many laud the current regime for only giving up 41 to a team that couldn't beat La-Monroe.
The fire is out.
Puzzling.......
Posted by dford9 on May 1, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't count Ole' Satan Saban down and out
just yet~! We as VOL's still have a lot to
prove, that we can take him down; as if he
still coached the Miami Dolphins~!
Posted by GreerVol22 on May 1, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its easy to buy good players, its another thing to coach an average player up to good.
Posted by HotlantaVol on May 1, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Take it easy on Stallings. He is a class act. I have met him a few times (when I lived in Texas, I was in his hometown of Paris), and he always takes time to talk a little SEC football with a fan, even a Tennessee fan.
Posted by hiresanders on May 1, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My Lord, if they whip us by 20+ with no talent, how bad is Saint Nick going to kick our rumps when he gets it? Poor Fatty Phil...
Posted by TommyJack on May 1, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HotlantaVol: Agree..Never heard much but good about Stallings...
Posted by UTfan4life on May 1, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ol' Nick has already sold his soul to the devil, Fulmer sold his soul to Krispy Kreme. Now fulmer lets go out there and woop up on Bama, just so i can hear those ridiculous excuses for losing to us. Cause after all we are tattle tales and we have a giant pumpkin for a coach..(all bama sayings).. oh wait i forgot this one, the most known Bama saying. "Got Twelve"? Got any BCS national championships BAMA?
AHH IT SEEMS YOU DONT, HAVE FUN IN HELL NICKY.
Posted by UTfan4life on May 1, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nope sorry, a rival to our school is never a friend (Except Mike Shula, haha what a joke). They are stubborn, and god knows what else, the WORST fans on earth (worse than them gators).
Posted by UTfan4life on May 1, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dont ease up on Stallings just cause he isnt a coach anymore, he hays worn the crimson, he has said stuff about Fulmer/UT, it is not like he an angel. All Bama fans/alumni/coaches are crazy. Get over the past and well i guess i can use the joke.
Joke: Alabama fans are just like vultures, they feed on dead bears...
GET OVER YOURSELFS BAMA, AND WIN SOMETHING BIG. UNTIL THEN YOU DONT HAVE OUR RESPECT.
Posted by BigOrangeJeff on May 1, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
pdhuff 6:37 AM
I challenge you to name a single person that has praised the coaching staff for holding Bama to 41 points.
BOJ
Posted by VolnDothan on May 1, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really, really don't like Alabama.
Posted by murrayvol on May 1, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Things are afixin' to change at the Capstone. And yes I would agree that Bama was "competitive" vs UT, LSU, & Arkansas.
In closing, Stallings has done many things in his life. Suck isn't among them.
Posted by givehim6 on May 1, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did any one tell adems about this column before was posted?
Posted by pdhuff on May 1, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BOJ - I was referring to those who support Phil regardless of the train wrecks he has engineered. We were 11th in defense out of 12 teams.
My problem is that we have dropped so much in defensive recruiting that it showed big time in 2007 and may again. I hope for the best but all of our emphasis seems to be on offense.
My take is that anyone that is satisfied with the direction of this program is satisfied with the body of work it is producing, i.e. 41 to Bama, 50 to Ky, 59 to Fla, etc....
Good post.
Posted by mtnsvol44 on May 1, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No talent? Then how was it that they stomped the Vols last year? Oh yeah, the Vols layed down and went to sleep in that game!
Posted by UTfan4life on May 1, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kentucky in 3OT? that doesnt count, and fulmer has nothing to do with the defense. FIRE FULMER AND CHAVIS. make clawson HC and get a new OC AND DC. its time for a change
Posted by adamsck on May 1, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since when does Jordan get to speak for Bama? This article is garbage. Stallings and Jordan are all the could find to comment? One comment from Saban that wasn't made specifically for this article? Journalists are slimy. I only wish it was a KNS story so I could use this to bash Adams.
Posted by Indianavol on May 1, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who cares about the dirty cheating bastards from Tuscaloser!
Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on May 1, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bama Sucks!!
John Adams does too!
Posted by UTfan4life on May 1, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you suck
Posted by capstone4117 on May 1, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
41-17
with no talent.
Saban and the Tide will once again own your sorry asses.
Posted by BigOrangeJeff on May 1, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pdhuff at 6:37 AM:
"Many laud the current regime for only giving up 41 to a team that couldn't beat La-Monroe."
pdhuff at 11:17 AM:
"I was referring to those who support Phil regardless of the train wrecks he has engineered."
My my, how quickly you managed to distance yourself from your own words. In case you have a comprehension problem, there's a big difference between "lauding" the team for giving up 41 to Bama and supporting the staff and team.
Nice try, though.
Posted by Indianavol on May 1, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dream on CRAPSTONE,
Your sorry-@ss coach will show his true colors this season.
It must be a slow day in Tuscaloser for you to stick your nose in a Vol forum.
Crapstone is a Bammer loser with no life!
Posted by pdhuff on May 1, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BOJ - I see a "big difference " between those of us who choose not to be excited over the product and the Fulmerites who think he can do no wrong.
I choose not to blindly ignore 11th ranked defenses and put out "stay the course", "read the charts" and "work like heck" phrases with seem to excite the koolaiders. It doesn't seem to have much effect on LSU, Fla and Bama.
If no SEC rings in nine years is your bag, then run with it.
I choose not to make Fulmer bigger than the University of Tennessee.
If you are satisfied, then so be it.
Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too.
Posted by murrayvol on May 1, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pdhuff @4:24: I'll say amen to that.
Posted by capstone4117 on May 2, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
41-17
Posted by Indianavol on May 2, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great comeback, CRAPSTONE!
Did you graduate elementary school or are you just stupid like the rest of your Bammer Moron Nation bretheren????
Posted by capstone4117 on May 2, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the bottom line is that we beat your ass 41-17 with not much talent on the field. What do you think is gonna happen when we actually get some talented players? Do you really think Fulmer or whoever is coach at UT is gonna be able to out-recruit Saban or Meyer? Hasn't happened yet so why would it all of the sudden start happening? Fulmer has always won with superior talent not coaching. Fulmer was one of the lazy coaches who voted for the new recruiting rules. wonder why??? probably because he got his ass handed to him. Lost 3 top5 players from your own state to Alabama.
I understand you being embarrassed and attacking me personally. You sir are the child. A sorry Alabama team made your beloved vols look ridiculous. And you can say that crap about Fulmers record vs. bama. Anyone can skew the stats to support their argument. Only 2 records count: who one the last game and who holds the overall record. 41-17
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