|
WR
Tyrone Prothro |
|
2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Mike Shula
10-15,
2 years |
2004
Record: 6-6 |
|
UTAH
STATE |
WON
48-17 |
MISSISSIPPI |
WON
28-7 |
WESTERN
CAROLINA |
WON
52-0 |
at
Arkansas |
LOST
10-27 |
SOUTH
CAROLINA |
LOST
3-20 |
at
Kentucky |
WON
45-17 |
SOUTHERN
MISS |
WON
27-3 |
at
Tennessee |
LOST
13-17 |
MISSISSIPPI
STATE |
WON
30-14 |
at
Louisiana State |
LOST
10-26 |
AUBURN |
LOST
13-21 |
MUSIC
CITY BOWL |
vs.
Minnesota |
LOST
16-20 |
|
2004 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2005
Outlook |
With
Mike Shula in his third year at the
Capstone and still trying to get out
from under crippling NCAA sanctions,
Tide fans have become antsy. A rash
of injuries on offense stifled what
could have been a very special campaign,
and expectations with this healthy
group begin just as high. But with
their starting quarterback, fullback
and halfback still all recovering
from career-threatening injuries,
undeveloped, unknown guys will be
readily tapped. Being dependent on
true freshmen is an iffy proposition
at best.
However,
Shula's staff has reined in two strong
classes and many will again crack
the starting lineup. Shula has also
put together an excellent staff, and,
while making a few mistakes due to
inexperience, has shown to be a competent
head coach. Now he just needs to exorcise
the injury demons and get some luck
to roll his way.
Accordingly,
this looks like a breakthrough year
for Shula's tenure. The Tide will
return eight starters to the nation's
second-best (total) defense. Growth
within the Shula regime means the
single-back offense will have more
wrinkles. A healthy Croyle would lead
this group to compete for an SEC Western
Division title. An injured Croyle,
though it won't spell a repeat of
last year's disappointment, would
hurt their conference aspirations.
And with undeveloped depth at running
back, the Tide will earn any winning
record.
While
the restless Tide fan base seem to
be patient with Shula's rebuilding
process, another year of the same
would put him under a cloud. But with
a seriously weakened SEC West, the
Tide has a shot at a special season.
It also will help that most of their
tough contests will be in the friendly
confines of Bryant-Denny (Tennessee,
Florida and LSU), and while this season
could go either way, Shula's five-year
plan to turn the Tide around looks
like it will bear fruit shortly. But
with a fan base hungry for return
Alabama to the nation's pantheon of
elite teams (12 national titles),
the sooner the better for Shula. Tennessee
and Auburn are two teams Shula has
yet to beat, so definition games like
these will judge the/his campaign
most. Being second-best in this state
won't again sit well. The Crimson
Tide will wash away the stains of
failure. And this team could even
break through and get to lofty (top
10) national rankings, but achieving
in the nation's toughest conference
probably will take another year.
Projected
2005 record: 7-4
|
|
ALABAMA
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 3.5 |
LB
- 4.5 |
WR
- 2.5 |
DB
- 5 |
OL
- 3 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Brodie Croyle, 66-44-0, 534 yds., 6
TD
Rushing: Kenneth Darby, 219 att.,
1062 yds., 8 TD
Receiving: Tyrone Prothro, 25 rec.,
347 yds., 1 TD
Scoring: Kenneth Darby, 9 TD,
54 pts.
Punting: Jeremy Schatz, 3 punts,
31.7 avg.
Kicking: None
Tackles: DeMeco Ryans, 78 tot.,
46 solo
Sacks: Wallace Gilberry, 6.5
sacks
Interceptions: Roman Harper,
3 for 26 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Tyrone Prothro,
17 ret., 26.6 avg., 1 TD
Punt Returns: Brandon Brooks,
25 ret., 5.1 avg., 0 TD |
|
|
DB
Roman Harper |
|
|
|
ALABAMA |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 6 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 9 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Ray Hudson-TB, Wesley Britt-OT, Evan
Mathis-OG, Danny Martz-OG, Brian Bostick-K,
Spencer Pennington-QB (baseball) |
DEFENSE:
Todd
Bates-DE, Anthony Bryant-DT, Cornelius
Wortham-MLB, Bo Freelend-P |
|
|
2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Strong has been the work of incumbent starter
Brodie Croyle - 66% completion rate, six
TDS, 0INTs and most importantly: three strong
wins. When Croyle went down against Western
Carolina with a torn ACL, second-stringer
Marc Guillon took over and provided a win,
but flopped as a starter - completed less
than half of his passes, with three INTs.
one TD and a pair of losses. Third-string
quarterback Spencer Pennington was a little
better, but note how this now-departed QB
led them to their only three wins "post-Croyle".
Another Croyle injury could prove similarly
damaging, but the unit has more promise
this time. Defenses are unable to stack
eight defenders in the tackle box with the
rifle-armed Croyle in the lineup, but Guillon
doesn't yet have the touch or range on the
deep ball to be much of a threat, so defenses
can be front heavy then. But Guillon won
the Bart Starr "Most Improved QB"
in '04 spring play, so his upside isn't
yet fully realized. Elusive true freshman
John Parker Wilson has worked with the team
in 2004's Music City Bowl practices, and
is promising enough to already be listed
as the No.2 guy in the school's latest depth
chart. His presence makes this unit's glass
half full, and allows a window into the
future of/with the latest class' strong,
well-balanced trio of new hurlers.
Running
Back
This is another area where injuries decimated
the depth chart. Leading rusher Ken Darby
is coming off a fractured pelvic bone and
hernia surgery that will keep him from reps
in the spring. FB-TB Tim Castille (season-ending
knee injury), too, will miss most (if not
all) of spring. Fullback Le'Ron McLain spent
the latter half of the season fighting nagging
injuries, but he proved essential. Smallish
TB Aaron Johns rounds out these four (of
five) top rushers, and Johns is the only
truly healthy one as of this preview. Four-star
signees (Rivals.com) Roy Upchurch and Mike
Ford both have the size and speed needed
to push this unit's stock to the needed
levels for it to be a genuine asset.
Receiver
This seasoned group is headed by junior
Tyrone Prothro and Matt Cadell. Prothro
is a YAC-crazed producer while the lankier
Cadell stretches the field. The biggest
performance of 2004's newbies was by Keith
Brown, who has the real size that typifies
last year's recruiting class. Ergo, fellow
sophomores D.J. Hall and Ezekial Knight
will get reps as the passing game again
blossoms with Croyle back. With marginally
under-developed talent at tight end, Tide
opponents will likely see three-wide formations
more often than last season. Don't be thrown
off by the low numbers due to the QB problems,
because this dimension will again soon hum.
Tight
End
Trent Davidson and Nic Walker will get the
majority of the reps, with Davidson the
better blocker and Walker a former split
end. Athletic Greg McLain will see time
here as well, making three big, viable targets
for Croyle/whichever QB. 'Bama only goes
to this position (maybe) once a game, but
this will change as soft hands are found.
Offensive
Line
This unit was gutted by graduation, and,
with only two returning starters, will be
full of question marks beyond spring. So
far, the only full-time starters returning
are senior center JB Closner and right tackle
Kyle Tatum. Antoine Caldwell, who nearly
battled his way into not redshirting last
season, will move from center to left guard.
Chris Capps, who did not travel with the
team to the Music City Bowl for disciplinary
reasons, will take over at left tackle despite
a lackluster backup showing. The entire
crew balances girth and mobility, shoving
ahead for 4.4 yards per carry while only
letting 16 sacks by (even with marginally
talented QBs). With four (then) true freshmen
learning the SEC ropes so well via 2004's
tough trial-by-fire, expect a strong Tide
line to make every other unit shine through
its gelled foundation. Now, if they can
only keep Croyle healthy.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
The Tide's offensive season could again
be divided into two phases. With Croyle,
they possess a balanced, disciplined attack
that controls the clock through smooth play-calling
by offensive coordinator Dave Rader. But
without the rifle-armed quarterback, the
Tide will become predictable, allowing opposing
defenses to stack eight or sometimes nine
defenders in the box without a (yet) legitimate
deep passing game to keep them honest. Depth
at running back is also a big concern, but
the bevy of backs waiting seem worthy of
confidence here. The lack of experienced
depth at tight end has more impact on the
ground attack, for this is a key blocking
position in Shula's one-back scheme. We
see good things on this side of the ball,
and it seems evident the Tide shall not
again finish anywhere near 10th in the SEC
in total offense.
|
|
RB
Kenneth Darby
|
|
|
ALABAMA
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Brodie
Croyle-Sr (6-3, 205) |
John
Parker Wilson-Fr (6-2, 207)
Marc Guillon-Jr (6-3, 212) |
FB |
Tim
Castille-Jr (5-11, 236) |
Le'Ron
McClain-Jr (6-1, 256) |
TB |
Kenneth
Darby-Jr (5-11, 205) |
Aaron
Johns-So (5-10, 188) |
WR |
Tyrone
Prothro-Jr (5-8, 178) |
D.J.
Hall-So (6-3, 190) |
WR |
Matt
Caddell-So (6-0, 181) |
Keith
Brown-So (6-3, 192) |
TE |
Nick
Walker-Fr (6-5, 245) |
Trent
Davidson-So (6-5, 270) |
OT |
Chris
Capps-So (6-6, 286) |
Cody
Davis-Fr (6-7, 277) |
OG |
Antoine
Caldwell-Fr (6-3, 296) |
Justin
Moon-So (6-5, 290) |
C |
J.B.
Closner-Sr (6-4, 290) |
Taylor
Britt-Sr (6-4, 292) |
OG |
Mark
Sanders-Sr (6-7, 315) |
B.J.
Stabler-Fr (6-4, 295) |
OT |
Kyle
Tatum-Jr (6-8, 290) |
Drew
Davis-Fr (6-6, 290) |
K |
Jamie
Christensen-So (6-0, 178) |
C.J.
Rhody-Fr (6-0, 183) |
|
|
2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
The Tide returns three starters to a well-gelled
unit. Leading pass rusher Wallace Gilberry
will become a full-time starter and dwarf
his already strong stat-line. Other-DE Mark
Anderson had more tackles and QB-hurries
than Gilberry, and the reserves here, too,
make us believe no one is getting outside
with ease against the Tide. Inside is well
shorn up, but the two-deep will rotate and
fresh legs will allow this position to get
the consistent push it lacked last campaign.
Talented incoming freshmen Lorenzo Washington
and Brandon Fanney headline a strong incoming
class sure to help, as bodies are always
needed here. Last year's modest level of
play will make this squad's efforts seem
huge as they reestablish what is traditionally
a 'bama advantage.
Linebacker
The Tide's dynamic duo of all-SEC second-teamers
DeMeco Ryans and Freddie Roach will again
play a huge part in the group's success.
Ryans (WLB) is savvy and learned, while
Roach also can do time as a rush end. Roach,
though, moves back to the middle. Juwan
Garth, who played well in five starts, will
take over for Roach on the weakside. Demarcus
Waldrop is the current top reserve, and
the two-deep balance looks strong. Now,
if there is one weakness, it is a distinct
lack of size, a fact fatally exposed via
the methodical running success of Minnesota.
Yet, this was the main unit responsible
for the nation's second best total defense,
so any critique(s) can ostensibly be overcome
for success. A better line means that this
position can roam for even more impact.
Defensive
Back
The Tide secondary turned from a weakness
into the nation's best pass defense. Shutdown
corner Charlie Peprah successfully made
the switch to strong safety, where he was
a big factor in all phases. Ramzee Robinson's
emergence as a legitimate shutdown corner
allowed the coaching staff to move Peprah
to safety. Simeon Castille is ready to become
one of the country's best. Free safety Roman
Harper is even more of a ball hawk than
Peprah, so QBs will always wonder until
their guys definitely have the ball. Incoming
safety Chris Keyes represents two years
of Shula's efforts to increase size/physicality
here, and with so much talent returning
to tutor the underclassmen, there is no
dropoff here.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
The Tide will return eight starters, so
there will be little or no change in approach
or execution. Coordinator Joe Kines' aggressive
play-calling is their key. LBs line up any/everywhere,
and effective blitzes therefore come from
any/all angles. However, as the Music City
Bowl showed, the Tide is vulnerable to a
power rushing attack, but improved line
depth will counter this. Secondary coach
Chris Ball's charges went from being a weak
link to heading the best defensive backfield
in the nation, and the attitudes of his
shut-down types will again set Alabama's
daring tone. This side kept the Tide in
nearly every game, and offensive improvements
in ball-control and therefore clock-management/advantage
mean an even-better rested group will again
rule opponents. The previous criticism of
Joe Kines after 2003's struggles on defense
was muted by the performance of this group,
and this time his legacy in the defensively-minded
Crimson State will be cemented.
|
|
LB
DeMeco Ryans
|
|
|
ALABAMA
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Wallace
Gilberry-So (6-3, 254) |
Chris
Harris-Jr (6-5, 244) |
DT |
Jeremy
Clark-Jr (6-3, 305) |
Justin
Britt-So (6-4, 294) |
DT |
Rudy
Griffin-Sr (6-0, 286) |
Dominic
Lee-Jr (6-2, 303) |
DE |
Mark
Anderson-Sr (6-5, 253) |
Keith
Saunders-So (6-3, 246) |
SLB |
DeMeco
Ryans-Sr (6-2, 232) |
Terrence
Jones-Jr (6-1, 220) |
MLB |
Freddie
Roach-Sr (6-2, 248) |
Matt
Collins-So (6-1, 241) |
WLB |
Juwan
Simpson-Jr (6-3, 222) |
Demarcus
Waldrop-So (5-11, 190) |
CB |
Ramzee
Robinson-Jr (5-10, 190) |
Simeon
Castille-So (6-1, 188) |
CB |
Anthony
Madison-Sr (5-9, 180) |
Lionel
Mitchell-Fr (6-2, 180) |
SS |
Charlie
Peprah-Sr (5-11, 200) |
Marcus
Carter-So (6-1, 190) |
FS |
Roman
Harper-Sr (6-1, 200) |
Jeffrey
Dukes-Jr (6-1, 193) |
P |
Jeremy
Schatz-Sr (5-7, 148) |
Jeffrey
Aul-Jr (6-2, 199) |
|
|
|
2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Sophomore Jamie Christensen, who handled kickoffs
last year and has a potent leg, will get a shot
to replace Bostick. There is little depth here,
so count this as a liability until worth is proven.
Decent coverage units will only improve.
Punter
Juniors Jeremy Schatz and Jeffrey Aul will battle,
but either should be a drop off from what the
Tide had. Net results will suffer, and battles
over field position will be tough to win.
Return
Game
Prothro is one of more feared punt returners in
the SEC. Foes need to look out for Marcel Stamps,
the LB with deceptive speed who, like Prothro,
had a return TD (his on a punt) and also one of
the Tide's two blocks, so his special team efforts
could again be game-changing.
|
|