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Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson, right, throws under pressure from Tennessee’s Jarod Parrish last season. Wilson is one of few experienced players the Tide is counting on to improve on its 7-6 record of 2007.
Photo by Michael Patrick
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Alabama coach Nick Saban yells to his players during the Tide’s game with Tennessee last season at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Alabama at-a-glance
- Coach: Nick Saban (2nd year)
- Record at school: 7-6
- Record last year: 7-6
- Starters returning: 9 offense, 6 defense
- Outlook: The nation’s top freshman class should provide needed depth and, in a few spots, will fill starting jobs. The Tide is headed in the right direction.
Nick Saban, it might surprise some to know, admits he has always liked to dabble in psychology.
His inspirations lean more toward Rick Pitino and Pat Riley than Sigmund Freud.
Still, with Alabama counting on so many youngsters to get its storied football program back on track, you never know what kind of "guru" you might run into around the football complex.
A sports psychiatrist from Michigan. Someone from the sports/entertainment/media giant IMG. Mental-conditioning specialists from the California-based Pacific Institute.
Saban has used them all to try to maximize his young team's potential as quickly as possible in areas such as character development and self-esteem.
"I've seen it over the years have a tremendous impact on performance with a lot of players,'' Saban said.
"What I think is important, really, to all of us, is that we create our own expectations.''
Everyone knows what the expectations are for Alabama football - and what they are not. They don't include 7-6 records, six consecutive losses to Auburn nor eight-year (and counting) gaps between SEC championships.
Saban begins Year Two of his reclamation project with some solid building blocks, just not enough of them by Alabama standards.
That means a recruiting class ranked No. 1 in the nation needs to get on the self-esteem train in a hurry.
"These young players,'' Saban noted, "and how they respond to the challenges of the SEC, is certainly going to go a long way to determine how much success this team can have and how much this team will actually improve.''
Alabama's non-freshman assets include quarterback John Parker Wilson, a stable of good-but-not-great running backs and a standout offensive line built around tackle Andre Smith and center Antoine Caldwell.
Over on defense, linebacker Rolando McClain is coming off a Freshman All-America year and the secondary looks good with All-SEC safety Rashad Johnson in the lead.
But the opportunity is there for a number of true freshmen to step into important roles immediately.
With the loss of Keith Brown and DJ Hall at receiver, touted Julio Jones will be an instant-impact addition.
Over on defense, Jerrell Harris could take over a starting role quickly at linebacker, especially if suspended Prince Hall doesn't get back in the fold. Watch for Don'ta Hightower and Courtney Upshaw to get an early look.
Mark Barron could find a starting job in the secondary and Alonzo Lawrence figures to play.
"We have a lot of confidence in those guys,'' said Rashad Johnson, "and we've already seen the way they've come in and worked this summer.
"Those guys are all about winning.''
So, of course, is Saban.
"We're going to play the best players, and if they're freshmen ... and do their job better than someone else, we have no issue with those guys being the performers that will give us the best opportunity to be successful as a team.''
Saban is counting on another newcomer to have a positive impact. He hired offensive coordinator Jim McElwain from high-scoring Fresno State to replace Major Applewhite.
He describes McElwain as "more quarterback-friendly,'' than Applewhite, who returned to his alma mater, Texas.
"You can have a great system,'' Saban said, "but it also can be very complicated. Sometimes the complications slow down players' ability to make good judgments and decisions.''
Caldwell, the center, who will put every offensive play in motion, said the new system is more freshman-friendly as well.
"It's a faster system where we don't have to think as much,'' he said, "and the younger guys have been here this summer working with it. So I think they'll be more comfortable when practice starts.''
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 56
VOLS85 writes:
7-6? Wishful thinking
4114 writes:
Bama still s*cks now matter what kinda spin you put on it.... GO VOLS
gavol2572 writes:
BAMMER SCUM!!!!!
scvolalum writes:
Lotta' question marks. Let's suboena all of 'em. 'Nothing but bad wishes for those cheaters.
scvolalum writes:
Oops! left the "p" outta' poena.
DennisVols writes:
Wouldn't want a college kid to have to think too much.
"we don't have to think as much"
gnm53108 writes:
Just be prepared oct 24th.Payback can be a b_tch.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngeoff, 5:55 where does he come off with that "we're going to play the best players, and if they are freshmen and do their job better than someone else" nonsense?
He trying to win or something....
Radical thoughts in Mulletville.
GreerVol22 writes:
Thank God for Alabama football. Where would UT be without it?
sarcasm implied for the illiterate.
rusty_shackleford writes:
Alabama: The Best Team Money Can Buy
rllipscomb#212376 writes:
Hey what's the problem with Bama starting freshmen?
Florida is starting 10 sophomores, and UGA is starting 8.
And both of them will win the national championship in the same year.
TommyJack writes:
Geoff: Also heard they've order small handcuff decals...one applied for each time busted by da law. Will go on helmet, much like buckeyes on OH St. helmet. Mulitple decals are the goal.
cocacolakid writes:
October 20, 2007
Alabama 41 Tennessee 17
TommyJack writes:
Cokekid forgot to attach his pic.
http://www.ratemymullet.com/show.php?...
Go4Two writes:
Clemsom Loss
Tulane win
W Ky win
Ark win
Georiga loss
Ky win
Old mis win
Tenn loss
Ark st win
Lsu loss
Miss st loss
Auburn loss what else
6 - 6 Good deal for 4 million $666,000 per win.
Oh forget 13 -12 win over Rice in the Alpo weedeater bowl Roll Tide
lilvolcoach writes:
All I can say is Who cares bout the Bammer cheaters.
bolton#214189 writes:
Best Reason to Vote Against Obama: Put a "G" in front of Obama and it spells "Go Bama".
cocacolakid writes:
To TommyJackOff
Good one!
P.S. Bama 41 Vols 17
Jamey1210 writes:
Keep living in the past cocacolakid. I know it makes you feel better to dream of the days of The Bear and even you last year win. Dude it is the past. Get ready for a 5 loss season. It will be ok. You should be getting used to it by now.
Go4Two writes:
Coco
Bama 2 games under .500 in the SEC since 1996 OUCH!!! By the way that's not good...
cocacolakid writes:
mikevol,Jamey1210
Tide 41 UT 17
VolFanInAtl writes:
Category - Advantage
--------------------
OL - wash
QB - AL
RB - TN
WR - TN
DL - wash
LB - AL
DB - wash
OC - wash (both new)
home field - TN
revenge - TN
TN +3
Tenessee wins 28-7
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Saban owns Foolmore. I hate to admit it, but he just does.
VolFanInAtl writes:
HC - AL
math correction (evidently I can't add today) TN +1
Tennessee wins 14-7
Frankly I don't think it will be that close, but I also thought we would beat them last year.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TJ 9:52 - Good sleuthing. He isn't part of the official Bama traveling party, is he?
No one has to remind me of 41-17. Its etched, but it was worth a raise, so how's that for spin.
How many years has John David Fitgerald Hampton Bloopsimmons Wilson been playing? 7 or 8?
tnbanker_govols writes:
Your Bammer joke of the day.......
You know you attended the Univeristy of Alabama if....
1. You have the local taxidermist's number on speed dial
2. You carried a fishing pole to Sea World
3. Your front porch collapses and four of your dogs get killed
4. You go to your family reunion looking for a date
5. You had a toothpick in your mouth when your wedding picture was taken
6. Your family tree doesn't fork
7. Your mother has been in a fist fight at a high school athletic event
8. Your mother keeps a spit cup on the ironing board
9. The blue book value of your pickup goes up or down depending on how much fuel it has in it
and finally, you know you attended the Univeristy of Alabama if..
10. You can't get married to your sweetheart because there's a law against it
rusty_shackleford writes:
Just heard on Fox News (XM 121): Alabama residents are selling votes for a load of gravel or $50 of crack. The Attorney General has yet to determine if they are Bama grads or simply fans.
Speaking of coke: Hey cokekid, take your 41 points to 6 wins, one MONSTER LOSS to LA. Monroe (arguably bigger than Michigan's loss to Appy St) and the Who Cares Bowl in backwater LA!
vscebail#247785 writes:
Too bad Alabubba's players can't even spell psychology. --And they think that "guru" is some kind of Chinese food! "It's a faster system where we don't have to think as much," -- That pretty much says it all, right there.
droptopman1999 writes:
i had the pleasure of playing football at Alabama from 1985-1989 and i can say it is by far the best campus in the country.people can knock that school all they want, but with 7 national championships and a 41-17 trashing last year of the vols, not much more needs to be said.a #1 recruiting class and a coach like saban, ut's outlook doesn't look any brighter.it's easy to knock a coach when you've never had the talent to play on a college level and had what it takes to compete on a higher level.all the wanna be's keep talking smack cause that's all you'll ever have..talk. good luck with your job at mcdonalds working the drive-in window.
tnbanker_govols writes:
so droptopman, how long have you and your sister been married? How many neices and neph....I mean, how many children do you have?
tnbanker_govols writes:
Sorry dropman...you Bammers give us a hard time. Gotta return the favor. Let's face it though, this rivalry is what College Football is all about.
rusty_shackleford writes:
"By far the best campus in the country." Been there, can't agree.
UNC-Chapel Hill is a more pleasing aesthetically (look it up, bubba). So are UGA and NC State. I'd guess most of the snooty liberal arts schools in the northeast have nicer campuses.
Once again, take those 41 points to the Nobody Cares Bowl. Good Luck against Clemson....I hear they're good this year with no one in jail.
BTW, I noticed you didn't say "graduated from Alabama..." Didn't get your Certificate of Attendance?
tnbanker_govols writes:
A coach like Saban....now there's a man full of character. Great coach but once the fans realize that he's not The Bear reincarnated, they'll ship him out, too.
philfan writes:
Wow, it is unbelievable that Saban thinks he can beat Tennessee this year with a bunch of freshmen and sophomores with little or no experience under their belts. All the sports psychologists in the world cannot make these players seasoned and talented in just one season. I have seen too many games to be fooled by a lot of rhetoric from an overrated coach with a .669 record of winning. These guys get nervous in front of 105,000 plus fans and fumble, forget their assignments, or end up on the opposite side of the field from where they are supposed to be. Alabama fans are so hungry for the glory days that they will believe anyone. My prediction: 35 to 14, Tennessee.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Errr, Phil, watch them on the opening kickoff real close on Oct 25.
Free Gen Fritter!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
droptopman, you may want to alert Alabama's SID that you played from 85-89. They have no record of any lettermen by the name of Brian McCullough. LMAO!!!! LOSER!!!!!! Or were you one of those "walkons" that can't be verified?
Loser:
http://www.rolltide.com/archive_files...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
ol' Workin's on the job.
May be verifing Mcbrim next.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
who?
I don't think he's claimed anything absurd such as playing football for Florida like this loser did.
Go4Two writes:
Simple Math
invisiblekid writes:
Wow, a true legend in droptopman1999 gracing us with his presence here. Playing for a coach like Stallings must have given him some true insight into the big time world of college football that few can hope to attain.
invisiblekid writes:
BTW, that last post was a test.
philfan writes:
pdhuff,
I will indeed watch the Tennessee-Alabama opening kickoff very closely. Are you psychic? Are you predicting a long return by one of the Bama players, or a Tennessee fumble? I wouldn't miss this game for anything.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
philfan, you left out an onsides kick recovery and Foolmore having his pants around his ankles at the opening whistle. But hey, they didn't surprise with that tactic according to Foolmore and it had no effect at all on the game.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
“I wasn’t surprised.We work on it every Tuesday. I think Louisville did it to us one year, but I’ve seen it before. It’s no big deal. Our guy should have gone out there and made the play. He got the heck knocked out of him and they did a good job of getting on the ball...That little thing (the onside kick) didn’t have anything to do with it except it did take a possession away from us.” - FOOLMORE
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Who remembers the fumblerooski game vs. Florida a few in 2002? We practiced the wet ball drill every Tuesday, OK Foolmore:
"That second quarter was an embarrassment. I apologize to the fans and to the people who follow Tennessee football," Vols coach Phillip Fulmer said, adding that he runs his team through a wet ball drill every Tuesday.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Ummm...after the game, I had forgotten all about this great Foolmore quote:
"Grossman, in my opinion, probably won the Heisman tonight," Fulmer said.
ncvol writes:
Hope we roll over the roll tide....
Go Vols!!!
droptopman1999 writes:
re: tnbanker_govols...bet you have no clue what it's like to be an athelete competing on a higher level,do you? was it hard to see the field from the band section? just remember that "no fruit sucks like a "BIG ORANGE" holla at me 3rd week of october and i'll take you to the game seeing how i get tickets for life...
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
sure you do droptopboy
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Workin' 5:28- 5 stars, my man. I've never seen a more "what was that" look and we went downhill from there.
They went on later to lose to La-Moronville or something like that.
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