SEC coaches don't think much of Tide's talent

[quietfan 233]

http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/ks...ll=2&thispage=1

Mike Shula should send a thank-you note to Tommy Tuberville. And Phillip Fulmer. And every other head football coach in the SEC.

His colleagues have done the Alabama coach a great service before the first player reports for the first day of fall camp.

The coaches have set the bar so low for this year's edition of the Crimson Tide, Big Al could jump over it.

Based on the Coaches Pre-Season All-SEC Team, Alabama's talent level has sunk to low tide.

The coaches picked a first team, second team and third team on offense and defense and three positions on special teams. Because of some ties, they selected 88 players overall.

Only five of them play for Alabama. One of them, the heroic Tyrone Prothro, was chosen at two positions, third-team wide receiver and third-team return specialist.

That's a tribute, considering Prothro is trying to come back from that horrific leg injury. It's also a reality check. The most valuable individual on the team is not likely to play this season.

Even if Prothro makes a miraculous return, the league's coaches expect Alabama to be short on skill. Six teams had more players chosen to the all-conference team. One of them is Kentucky.

That's right. The SEC coaches think Kentucky has more all-conference players on its roster than Alabama does.

This slap in the face is the best thing to happen to Shula since the trustees approved his fat new contract. He can use the snub to motivate his players and temper the natural enthusiasm of his fans.

There's more than enough motivation to go around.

Kenneth Darby finished second in the league in rushing last season despite coming off surgery for a sports hernia. The senior tailback could be healthier than he's been in two years.

Where did the coaches vote him? Second team.

Juwan Simpson is the leading returning tackler from one of the best defensive units in the nation. His offseason arrest raises questions about his judgment, and may cost him a game or two as punishment, but there's no doubting his ability to make plays.

Where did the coaches put him? Second team.

Jamie Christensen wasn't automatic last season, but he beat Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl with pressure kicks.

Where did the coaches slot him? Not first team. Or second team. Or third team. They stepped right over him.

A lot of analysts expected Alabama, after the departure of a special senior class, to rebuild in 2006 and return to full strength in 2007. The SEC coaches have seconded that notion.

Based on the votes, finishing second in the division would be an accomplishment. Snapping a four-game losing streak to Auburn would be an upset of monumental proportion.

The coaches must think the talent in the state is as lopsided as the recent record. Auburn led all SEC teams with 14 players picked to the preseason all-conference team, more than twice as many as Alabama.

On paper, the Crimson Tide doesn't look so good. That just gives the players a shot to make a lot of people look bad

[AUslug 1]

Darby should be second team, he is good but Shula has yet to make him the focal point of the offense or give him 25+ carries a game.

[DKW 86 7,424]

Why does Scar focus all this on CPF and CTT? They arent the only ones voting. Their are 12 coaches, including Shula voting. Maybe Scar is trying to fire the bama fan base and players up.

[quietfan 233]

Why does Scar focus all this on CPF and CTT? They arent the only ones voting. Their are 12 coaches, including Shula voting. Maybe Scar is trying to fire the bama fan base and players up.

251230[/snapback]

I read that coaches aren't allowed to vote for their own players in this poll, so Shula's opinion of the Tide doesn't count.

[Not that his opinion would mean much even if it did count! ]

[DKW 86 7,424]

Yeah, but cumulatively there are 12 coaches' opinions there.

[Ranger12 46]

Yeah, I wondered why he called out Fulmer and CTT also. Apparently all the other coaches did not think much of UAT either. Heck, it would not surprise me if CTT actually did give votes for Darby and Simpson. I don't think he is as petty as most of us.

Darby is all they have. Scoring for UAT this year is going to be even tougher for them then last year.

[saniflush 0]

Yeah, I wondered why he called out Fulmer and CTT also. Apparently all the other coaches did not think much of UAT either. Heck, it would not surprise me if CTT actually did give votes for Darby and Simpson. I don't think he is as petty as most of us.

Darby is all they have. Scoring for UAT this year is going to be even tougher for them then last year.

251243[/snapback]

When you are the class of the league as CTT is you are going to be called out. When you are the person that everyone likes to bag on like Fulmer you are going to be called out.

[Ranger12 46]

Yeah, I wondered why he called out Fulmer and CTT also. Apparently all the other coaches did not think much of UAT either. Heck, it would not surprise me if CTT actually did give votes for Darby and Simpson. I don't think he is as petty as most of us.

Darby is all they have. Scoring for UAT this year is going to be even tougher for them then last year.

251243[/snapback]

When you are the class of the league as CTT is you are going to be called out. When you are the person that everyone likes to bag on like Fulmer you are going to be called out.

251244[/snapback]

'Tis true. Sad, but true.

[sogaaufan 27]

Why does Scar focus all this on CPF and CTT? They arent the only ones voting. Their are 12 coaches, including Shula voting. Maybe Scar is trying to fire the bama fan base and players up.

251230[/snapback]

That's probably a little gamesmanship on Scarbinsky's part. His point wouldn't have been nearly as strong if he had used Rich Brooks and Houston Nutt.

[abrnfanatc 6]

The SEC coaches think Kentucky has more all-conference players on its roster than Alabama does.

I know that Scarface has to sell papers in B'ham so he singles out Bammer's chief rival (Tennessee) and it's state rival, but that says a lot IMO.

If coaches like Croom, Johnson and Ogre can say that UK has more stars on the field than Bama, I would have to worry if I were a fan.

Yes, they will use this as ammunition for the upcoming year and Scar so conveniently pointed it out so they would be sure to do so.

The biggest question now is: What happens if they prove the coaches right in '06?

[Ranger12 46]

  What happens if they prove the coaches right in '06?

251262[/snapback]

I don't think it would be Shula's last, because the PTB are so determined to keep him, but I believe that he would have one more year and if that was a crappy year, then they outcry from the fans may be too much for the PTB to ignore. However, you must remember that even though they finished the year in an embarrassing way, there are bammers looking at last season as a success. They have had to lower their expectations over the years you know.

[otterinbham 0]

Basically, the cupboard is bare in Tuscaloosa. We've known this for quite awhile. To be honest, I think the Tide will have a historic meltdown this season, along the lines of Auburn's distintergraton during Tater Tot's last season.

What people don't want to admit is that Alabama's staunch defense kept them alive last year, and that defense was decimated by graduation. Even with the cupcakes currently on Alabama's schedule, I will be amazed if the Tide manages a 6-5 season this year.

[WinCrimson 61]

I agree with the coaches, actually.

We really don't have many "stars." Darby and Caldwell would be classified as stars, and maybe Hall or Brown on a good day. But other than that, there's no dominant players. We have plenty of "good" players (the Castille brothers, McClain, Simpson-who made the list, Greenwood, etc)... but very few superstars.

This is obviously a rebuilding year for us. I'm not saying that we're going be Teh Suck or not go to a bowl, but I'm just not expecting another NYD bowl. Not to say it can't happen... with our weak home schedule and a steal or two on the road and we can win 8-9 games and be right back in Dallas. It just all depends on how JPW can handle the crunch time situations (aka avoid big INTs). Croyle led us down the field in the final minute to win in 3 games last year and he had the advantage over JPW in that he was on a team with a far superior defense. Basically, it all depends on injuries and JPW's ability to avoid the big pick.

I have us at 8-4. We might not be "8 win good", but a weak non-conference slate, MSU, OM, Vandy, will see that we will rack up some sure wins. I'll be dissapointed with anything less than 8 wins. However, we should turn some heads in '07 barring a unforseen, total meltdown.

[BamaGrad03 0]

Whats so funny about all of this...is that every year these preseason all sec things come out...and shula's cupboard is bare...he wins 10 games last year and according to ya'll he sucks.

He wins 8-9 games this year and you'll say "Croom is still a better coach, but shulas got more talent than him. Anybody can win 8-9 games with that talent".

One day you guys will have to start giving him a little credit.

[WinCrimson 61]

One more point, and I'm not going to rain on y'alls parade... but I do think that some of those selections are a little questionable. I can look at the 2005 coaches preseason all-SEC list and find some more questionable AU selections (Tre Smith, John Vaughn, Cooper Wallace). I'm not calling any names though for a certain reason...

[cleburnecountytigerfan 0]

Whats so funny about all of this...is that every year these preseason all sec things come out...and shula's cupboard is bare...he wins 10 games last year and according to ya'll he sucks.

He wins 8-9 games this year and you'll say "Croom is still a better coach, but shulas got more talent than him. Anybody can win 8-9 games with that talent".

One day you guys will have to start giving him a little credit.

251277[/snapback]

Even though he won 10 games last year, Sheila still finished in 3rd place in the Western Division. The Bammers have never finished higher than 3rd place in the Western Division since Sheila has been the head coach. If he ever finishes higher than 3rd place in the Western Division, maybe we will give him some credit.

[Longtrainn 2]

BG03, I will go on record as saying that I felt Alabama was very lucky to win against UT, Ole Miss, and TxT last year, and that's the only reason I haven't given Shula props for last season. If Alabama goes 8-4 (meaning a road win or Iron Bowl win) or better this year, and at least looks competitive in every game, I will say it was a good coaching job.

Also wincrimson, I agree preseason ANYTHING is a bunch of hooha anyway.

[BamaGrad03 0]

Even though he won 10 games last year, Sheila still finished in 3rd place in the Western Division. The Bammers have never finished higher than 3rd place in the Western Division since Sheila has been the head coach. If Sheila ever finishes higher than 3rd place in the Western Division, maybe we will give him some credit.

So western divisional placement is all that matters huh? 1st year off of probation and you finish in the top 10 with a bunch of 2 and 3 star players...and its not coaching? What is it?

Nevermind...all your posts are flame bait anyway.

[rolltoomer 0]

Whats so funny about all of this...is that every year these preseason all sec things come out...and shula's cupboard is bare...he wins 10 games last year and according to ya'll he sucks.

He wins 8-9 games this year and you'll say "Croom is still a better coach, but shulas got more talent than him. Anybody can win 8-9 games with that talent".

One day you guys will have to start giving him a little credit.

251277[/snapback]

He has 8 gimmes if you include Arkansas, which may be a questionable idea. If he wins 9, I for one will give him credit.

[cleburnecountytigerfan 0]

Even though he won 10 games last year, Sheila still finished in 3rd place in the Western Division. The Bammers have never finished higher than 3rd place in the Western Division since Sheila has been the head coach. If Sheila ever finishes higher than 3rd place in the Western Division, maybe we will give him some credit.

So western divisional placement is all that matters huh? 1st year off of probation and you finish in the top 10 with a bunch of 2 and 3 star players...and its not coaching? What is it?

Nevermind...all your posts are flame bait anyway.

251284[/snapback]

Its called playing a cupcake OOC schedule. That is the only reason the Bammers won 10 games last year.

[WinCrimson 61]

Whats so funny about all of this...is that every year these preseason all sec things come out...and shula's cupboard is bare...he wins 10 games last year and according to ya'll he sucks.

He wins 8-9 games this year and you'll say "Croom is still a better coach, but shulas got more talent than him. Anybody can win 8-9 games with that talent".

One day you guys will have to start giving him a little credit.

251277[/snapback]

He has 8 gimmes if you include Arkansas, which may be a questionable idea. If he wins 9, I for one will give him credit.

251286[/snapback]

@ is no gimme. Even though they stunk it up last season, they lost a lot of close games and I think they'll be improved this season. The only thing that may hurt them is if they get routed by SoCal in their opener.

[BamaGrad03 0]

BG03, I will go on record as saying that I felt Alabama was very lucky to win against UT, Ole Miss, and TxT last year, and that's the only reason I haven't given Shula props for last season. If Alabama goes 8-4 (meaning a road win or Iron Bowl win) or better this year, and at least looks competitive in every game, I will say it was a good coaching job.

251283[/snapback]

I dont think that's fair at all. UT maybe. (Though we still had to travel the length of the field in under 2 mins). But Texas Tech? Come on, we led the ENTIRE game. Tech scored late in the game to tie it up because they converted a couple of 4th downs. You cant call that lucky at all. There was a lot less luck involved in that than was your UGA win. Same goes for Ole Miss. It was a 2 min march down the field to avoid overtime. I think we led that whole game too.

For all those very close losses that Shula had his prior 2 seasons...you cant say he sucks when he loses those, but is lucky when he actually wins a few close ones. Cant have it both ways.

[rolltoomer 0]

Even though he won 10 games last year, Sheila still finished in 3rd place in the Western Division. The Bammers have never finished higher than 3rd place in the Western Division since Sheila has been the head coach. If Sheila ever finishes higher than 3rd place in the Western Division, maybe we will give him some credit.

So western divisional placement is all that matters huh? 1st year off of probation and you finish in the top 10 with a bunch of 2 and 3 star players...and its not coaching? What is it?

Nevermind...all your posts are flame bait anyway.

251284[/snapback]

Bama fans used "placement" to declare that they were better than Auburn last year. I would say that they thought that placement was all that matters.

I agree that wins over Ole Miss, Tennessee and Florida were due to coaching--just not the coach you're thinking about.

[WinCrimson 61]

Even though he won 10 games last year, Sheila still finished in 3rd place in the Western Division. The Bammers have never finished higher than 3rd place in the Western Division since Sheila has been the head coach. If Sheila ever finishes higher than 3rd place in the Western Division, maybe we will give him some credit.

So western divisional placement is all that matters huh? 1st year off of probation and you finish in the top 10 with a bunch of 2 and 3 star players...and its not coaching? What is it?

Nevermind...all your posts are flame bait anyway.

251284[/snapback]

Its called playing a cupcake OOC schedule. That is the only reason the Bammers won 10 games last year.

251288[/snapback]

I disagree. But that's not even what he said... He said finish in the Top 10. You would have done it as well, had Tubby not failed you guys down in Orlando.

[WinCrimson 61]

Even though he won 10 games last year, Sheila still finished in 3rd place in the Western Division. The Bammers have never finished higher than 3rd place in the Western Division since Sheila has been the head coach. If Sheila ever finishes higher than 3rd place in the Western Division, maybe we will give him some credit.

So western divisional placement is all that matters huh? 1st year off of probation and you finish in the top 10 with a bunch of 2 and 3 star players...and its not coaching? What is it?

Nevermind...all your posts are flame bait anyway.

251284[/snapback]

Bama fans used "placement" to declare that they were better than Auburn last year. I would say that they thought that placement was all that matters.

I agree that wins over Ole Miss, Tennessee and Florida were due to coaching--just not the coach you're thinking about.

251292[/snapback]

Not this Bama fan, you guys beat us on the field fair and square. Plain and simple.

So we beat UM, UT, and UF b/c of Orgeron, Fulmer, and Meyer? It had absolutely nothing to do with the Tide coaching staff or the talent we put on the field? Is that really what your saying? C'mon... the Florida game was over on the very first play from scrimmage and we never looked back. Be fair and give credit where credit is due. It has nothing to do with your Iron Bowl victory.....