2003 Statistics

Quarterback
Brodie Croyle will emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC. Croyle has shown flashes of brilliance but needs to improve his accuracy and get the ball downfield more often. He is a strong leader and a tough player, finishing '03 with a bad non-throwing shoulder that required off-season surgery. This is Croyle's offense and he will finish growing into the job in 2004. His backup, Spencer Pennington, has very limited experience and is, too, coming off shoulder surgery but on his throwing side.

Running Back
Ray Hudson will have to pick up the load from the departed Shaud Williams and will be up to the task. He has the speed to slip through holes quickly and get into the secondary. Hudson is also a good receiver and averaged 11.9 yards per catch in '03, an exceptional number for a running back. Tim Castile will return as the starting fullback. He was just the eighth true freshman to start in a season opener for Alabama since freshmen became eligible in 1973. He is primarily a blocker, and a very good one. Ken Darby, a quick slashing runner, will see some fill-in duty. As usual, the Tide has a full stable of thoroughbred young runners chomping at the bit for action if/as needed.

Wide Receiver
Alabama's wide receiver group is one of the most inexperienced in all Division 1-A. The only veteran returning from 2003's final depth chart is then-second-team sophomore Tyrone Prothro, who caught only 16 passes. Prothro, despite his diminutive size (5'8") has the potential to be a game-breaking receiver. He has outstanding speed and can run well after a catch. Prothro seems like a giant compared to junior Brandon Brooks. In short, the 5'4"-phenom will make a push for the other starting wideout slot. How does he rate? Well, Brandon holds the Alabama receiver record with a 4.35 mark in the 40-yard dash. Matt Miller is not as fast, but he is very athletic and could see time in a possession receiver role. This group will need to mature very quickly to give the Tide a productive passing game.

Tight End
David Cavan, a solid blocker, will need to shake off last campaign's injury bug to hold onto the starting job. Clint Johnston is a similar type player who fits well into 'Bama's system. The Tide uses the tight end as a blocker, seldom throwing to them. Cavan and Johnston are nothing special as receivers, but both block well.

Offensive Line
Tackle Evan Mathis, the Tide's most experienced lineman, will anchor a line that will struggle to play up to Alabama standards. Hindered by a nagging stress fracture, Mathis should return to the high standards he set in 2002. Also coming back from an injury is Wesley Britt, who broke his leg last season. He still gained All-SEC recognition and his return to form will be a huge boost for the line. J. B. Closner will start at center. A stud in the weight room, he will look to improve his technique. Several players are competing for the guard positions, but regardless of who prevails they will be inexperienced. Alabama is in good shape protecting pass rushers from the edge, but the middle of the line - meaning inside running and blitz pick-ups - will be a big question mark.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The Crimson Tide offense will benefit greatly from their second year in coach Mike Shula's system, as they often looked like they weren't on the same page as their mentor in '03. The talent at running back and wide receiver has dropped off, however, and the interior of the offensive line is unproven. This will put a lot of pressure on quarterback Brodie Croyle, and his ability to handle such will go a long way toward determining the success of the offense, and entire team fate, for this season. Without experienced help, it will be a struggle.

Defensive Line
Mark Anderson and Anthony Bryant will be expected to anchor a very inexperienced Alabama defensive line. Anderson has moved back (and forth a few times) from linebacker to end, where he will start. He is a small lineman (6'5", 239 lbs.), but he knows how to utilize his speed and quickness to get around much larger offensive linemen. Bryant, a massive presence at 6'3", 336 pounds, is a good pass rusher but needs to make more plays against the run. Jeremy Clark, also a good pass rusher, starts at the other tackle. The other starting end spot is up for grabs in pre-season practice. The line will again put pressure on quarterbacks but needs to improve in stopping the run. If the front-four again allow anywhere near 3.7 yards per run, it will equal a long, suffering struggle for any fan-optimism.

Linebacker
This unit will be the strength of the Tide's defense. DeMarco Ryans, Alabama's leading tackler as a sophomore, set a school record with 25 tackles vs. Arkansas. He covers an enormous amount of ground from his strong-side position. Freddie Roach mans the middle for the Tide. He excels in both pass coverage and pressuring quarterbacks. Juwan Garth is the weak-side backer who, like the other starters, has good speed and quickness, but at only 208 pounds desperately needs to bulk up before SEC play. This is a very athletic, but somewhat small, group that will have trouble if the defensive line does not occupy blockers.

Defensive Back
Alabama has one of the best pairs of cornerbacks in the SEC. Charlie Peprah, who is one run-back away from tying the school record for INT-returns for a touchdown, is very aggressive in pass coverage. Anthony Madison returns at the other corner, and has the speed to be a solid in pass coverage. Roman Harper, although small for a strong safety at 191 pounds, is a big hitter who is dangerous on safety blitzes. He is also a very sure tackler. The free safety spot is wide open and could be a weak area for the Tide. This area fits the entire defensive mold of streamlined speedsters whose ability to "hawk" the ball makes up for any pure brawn lacking. Success with such requires teamwork, and you will know real quick if the DBs are on the same page.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
This will be a very difficult team to pass against. Alabama has good pass rushing linemen, linebackers who play well in pass coverage, and excellent cover men at the corners. The problem will be stopping the run. The line, although good as pressure quarterbacks, is inexperienced. The linebackers and defensive backs are all very small. They can cover the field very well, but a power running team will have success knocking them down and shoving the ball down the Tide's throat. A big and fast team (as are many SEC foes) will be lethal to them. The trick may be organized blitz schemes that are run-blitzes by default, and pass blitzes if that is what happens. The timing of these blitzes will be the key so as not to instigate opposing offensive coordinators into quick slants that would then have no one to stop the extra YAC. Obviously, teamwork and avoiding over-pursuit are centerpieces for accomplishing such. Regardless of this, being smaller will mean timing is a factor all over for 'bama defensive success.