2009 Georgia Preview

2008 will be remembered as a season with lofty expectations and a pre-season #1 ranking, but a brutal schedule, combined with key injuries along the offensive and defensive lines, felled Georgia’s expectations and the Dawgs ended the season at 10-3 with a uninspiring Capital One Bowl win over a lesser Michigan State team. Mark Richt managed to net another double digit win season, something commonplace in the Richt era, but after the 41-10 thrashing of overmatched Hawaii in the 2008 Sugar Bowl, more had been expected of the Dawgs.

The 2009 season sees key players gone to the NFL (among them the #1 overall pick, QB Matthew Stafford, star RB Knowshon Moreno, WR Mohammed Massaqoui, and cornerback Asher Allen), but also sees key players returning from injuries including one of the best offensive lineman in the country, Trinton Sturdivant, and defensive star Jeff Owens. The expectations are more muted this year, but this could be a classic unheralded Richt team that sneaks up to beat higher ranked teams. Richt also replenished the roster with another top 5 recruiting class including freshman wide receiver sensation Marlon Brown, who may see immediate playing time. The most glaring issue is that once again, Georgia faces the toughest schedule in the country starting at Oklahoma State with 7 BCS teams in row.

Offense

Losing three of the best offensive players in the country with the departures of Stafford (1st overall to Detroit), Moreno (14th overall to Denver) and Massaquoi (2nd round to Cleveland), definitely is a challenge, but not a killer by any means with an offensive line expected to be one of the best in the nation, led by left tackle beast Sturdivant.

The key to the smooth transition for Georgia is the steady hand of 5th year senior Joe Cox. Cox, once a star recruit out of Independence High School in Charlotte (along with H.S. teammate, Massaqoui) lost his chance to become the man for the Georgia team once Stafford arrived even more heralded from Dallas. Now, Cox finally gets his chance, and unlike Joe Tereshinski III (but like DJ Shockley in 2005), Cox can play, he’s extremely accurate, and most importantly, Mark Richt, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, and the rest of the team have complete confidence in Joe.

Behind Joe, the Bulldogs are loaded with a Quarterback depth chart that includes super sophomore, Logan Gray, who’s so fast he’s been used on special teams, but also has great skills in the pocket and a cannon arm. But arguably the most talented Quarterback on Georgia’s roster is one of their two heralded incoming freshmen, Aaron Murray, who teamed at Tampa’s Plant High School with star tight end recruit Orson Charles. Murray is the guy most fans see as the next Stafford for this program.

One of the reasons Georgia can have such confidence is the return of super Sophomore AJ Green, who along with Alabama’s super sophomore Julio Jones gives the Southeastern Conference arguably two of the best wideouts in the country. Green is expected to have a huge year and should start it off with a bang in Stillwater against Oklahoma State, as the Cowboys don’t return any players from last year’s secondary.

Green’s help will arrive in the form of 5th year senior Mikey Moore, who was a pleasant surprise in 2008 catching several key touchdowns, and a couple of stud freshmen, in particular Marlon Brown, whom the Dawgs stole out of Memphis and from the evil grasp of Lane Kiffin. Also watch out for another freshman, Rontavious Wooten, a star in the making to get some early playing time, at least until senior Kris Durham returns from injury to help depth.

Georgia managed to bring in one of the top freshmen tight ends in the country with Tampa’s Orson Charles, a key addition to the 2009 Dawgs, especially considering Urban Meyer had been chasing Charles for months to come to Florida. The starting tight end will be solid Junior Bruce Figgins, a solid performer who isn’t as prone to drops as previous starter Tripp Chandler.

At running back, there are big shoes to fill with Knowshon Moreno’s early departure to the NFL and the Denver Broncos. However, Georgia has one fantastic “committee” with a number of players who can step in and be a star. The starter in that group will be Richard Samuel, whom most of the coaches watching him this Summer say he’s arguably the fastest running back Richt has had since arriving in Athens. Samuel is big and strong and most Georgia fans expect him to make a big name for himself this year.

The guy who was the expected starter and the big name coming out of High School is Caleb King, who was a RB legend in Atlanta on his way to Georgia. King is hurt and likely won’t play in the first game, but expectations are extremely high. Among the guys behind Samuel and King, Sophomore Carlton Thomas is small, but a total burner, reminding Dawg fans of Tyson Browning, while incoming freshman Washaun Ealey could also start right away with the speed and agility he’s shown. Depth and talent won’t be a problem and though it won’t be just one guy replacing Knowshon, it didn’t exactly hurt the 08 Alabama team to have multiple great RBs.

As previously mentioned, the talented and experienced Offensive Line will finally be anchored again by Junior Trinton Sturdivant. When Trinton tore his ACL in August of 2008, it was an ominous sign for the Dawgs season and many thought his career might be over. But Trinton will be back anchoring the line again in a few days. He’ll be joined by a group of experienced and talented lineman including Junior Clint Boling, Junior Chris Davis, and Sophomore Center Ben Jones.

Defense

Last year’s defense went in with rather high expectations after a great year in 2007, but thanks to a season ending injury to star (then Junior) Jeff Owens, plus, a serious of miscues and mental gaffes in big spots that brought seriously into question the level of preparedness being given from Defensive Coordinator Willie Martinez, the defense well under performed and against Georgia’s two most hated opponents, Florida and Georgia Tech, the defense performed miserably at the worst possible times.

Though the Dawgs lost several key players to the NFL including Cornerback Asher Allen, who left a year early and went in the third round to the Vikings, as well as DT Cory Irvin, DE Jarius Wynn, and star middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbee, the Dawgs get Jeff Owens back to anchor, and also back is arguably two of the best “hitters” in College Football, weakside linebacker Rennie Curran (a first team all SEC candidate) and free safety Reshad Jones.

Along with Owens, Curran and Jones, the Dawgs also have talented seniors Geno Atkins and Roderick Battle and senior Cornerback Prince Miller, and Junior Middle linebacker Darryl Gamble made a name for himself in 2008, when he picked off LSU Quarterback Jarrett Lee on the first pass of the game for a return touchdown in Baton Rouge, and later picked off a 2nd pass for a touchdown.

Also, watch out for Freshman Cornerback, Branden Smith. He’s a big time stud, was arguably one of the the highest rated recruits (along with Murray, Marlon Brown, and Charles), and could start and succeed now. Georgia has a lot of experienced talent so Smith may redshirt, but a kid to keep an eye on.

The biggest key to the defense however is actually the coaching and game planning of much maligned defensive coordinator Willie Martinez. This is a make or break year for Willie. If the defense plays great football all year long and cuts way down on the mental errors and turnovers, Willie will restore the luster and pride to the defense. But if the defense, despite all this talent, underperforms again, there will likely be a new D.C. in Athens in 2010.

Special Teams

K Blair Walsh looked great early on and then got sloppier down the stretch. He has a very strong leg and should be due for a great year. One thing the coaches have commented on over the Summer is that with Georgia bringing in a big time kicking recruit (from San Diego) in Brandon Bogotay, this is pushing Walsh and he’s been terrific in what they’re seeing.

The starting punting duties will be handled by a legacy for Georgia, as famed Kicker Kevin Butler’s son Drew will be the punter for the team. While not a lot has been seen yet by the younger Butler, his dad was a legendary performer who went onto to a great career with the Chicago Bears.

Last year, Georgia mixed an array of players on punt and kick returns, after the graduation the year before of the awesome Mikey Henderson. One of the players who really shined for the Dawgs was back-up Quarterback Logan Gray, who this year is listed as the #2 signal caller behind Cox, but the Sophomore may also see time in an array of duties, including some punt returns. One of the other guys widely talked about for return duties is RB Carlton Thomas.

Schedule

For the 2nd straight year, Georgia has amassed arguably the toughest schedule in the country. The Dawgs start off this Saturday with one of the two biggest games to open the 2009 season as they travel to top 10 ranked Oklahoma State in Stillwater. If Georgia can escape Big 12 country with a big road win, the Dawgs follow that up with 6 more BCS opponents with division rival South Carolina between the hedges, a tough road game at Arkansas, home dates with Pac Ten opponent Arizona State and (scarier) the next week when LSU arrives. Then the Dawgs have road games in Knoxville and Nashville to play Tennessee and Vandy, before finally getting a week off to prepare for the #1 ranked Florida Gators.

Georgia’s only cupcake comes a week after Florida when we host Tennessee Tech, but end the year with three more big rivalry games with home dates against Auburn and Kentucky, and then the in-state “pure hatred” match up against the always annoying, evil nerds of Georgia Tech.

The hope is Georgia that Georgia can get through those 12 games 9-3, and then win their bowl game for another 10-3 schedule.

Call me a wild eyed optimist, but I think Georgia will do one better and end the year 11-2. I am predicting losses (unfortunately) to Florida (though it will be close this year with the week off and a hopefully healthy OL) and at home to LSU and boldly picking wins for Georgia in the other 10 games – which would put us at 10-2 heading into a Bowl game.

Of course, with some of the departures, this team could be as down as 8-4 and I wouldn’t be shocked. It’s hard to predict.

-Alex R.

2009 South Carolina Preview

What a bizarre team. The 2008 Gamecocks led the nation in interceptions thrown and still made a January bowl game. That was no small part because of one of the better defenses in the country. USC lost 7 players to the NFL including much of the secondary and its two leading receivers, but will try to contend in the SEC East. The starting lineup, on both offense and defense, looks as talented on paper as anyone in the conference outside of Florida, but depth is a concern as untested freshmen and sophomores litter the 2nd team.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: This position should be much more stable this season with Stephen Garcia as the unquestioned starter. In fact, he is the only quarterback on the roster who has ever taken a snap in a game. Garcia was up and down as a freshman last season while getting significant playing time in the latter portion of the season. He led the team to a 4th quarter comeback win at Kentucky, but threw 3 INTs in the Outback Bowl against Iowa and was benched at halftime. The Gamecocks are depending on Garcia to stay healthy, to play well, and they will likely go as far as he takes them. The primary backup is Reid McCollum, a redshirt freshman. Garcia played well in the spring game and was a surprise pick as the preseason 3rd team All-SEC QB. If he sucks or gets hurt then USC is in big trouble.

Runningback: In 2008, USC had virtually no running game. The now graduated Mike Davis was ineffective (while likely playing injured), and Spurrier did not trust the underclassmen to hold on to the ball. The 2009 running game should be much improved. Brian Maddox is the incumbent starter and is an in between the tackles type runner. A pair of freshmen, Jarvis Giles and Kenny Miles, add a speed element that has been absent. Bryce Sherman, a walk-on from the track team, may get a chance as a returner as well as a few carries. Patrick DiMarco is the fullback.

O-Line: The offensive line has been miserable for Spurrier’s entire tenure at South Carolina. Spurrier brought in Eric Wolford from Illinois to coach the O-Line and to be the “running game coordinator.” The Cocks do have a couple of decent returning starters. The center, Garrett Anderson, was on the preseason Rimington List. The left tackle, Jarriel King, is developing into a solid SEC lineman. However, the other three spots are up for grabs. There are plenty of bodies: at least 15 offensive linemen are on scholarship. Wolford has some talent there, but it needs to be developed.

Receiver: The Gamecocks have an intriguing receiving core. Despite the departure of Kenny McKinley and Jared Cook, there are plenty of targets. Jason Barnes, Joe Hills, Tori Gurley, and Alshon Jeffery are all really, really tall. They should be able to come down with a lot of jump balls. Barnes and Moe Brown, the speedster of the group, are starters with experience. Weslye Saunders replaces Cook at tight end, but is plenty good and may lead the team in receptions.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line: The front 7 for the Gamecocks is the strength of the team. The defensive ends, Cliff Matthews and Clifton Geathers, will make lives miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Ladi Ajiboye is one of the top defensive tackles in the conference, though unfortunately for USC he is suspended for the first 3 games after being arrested in the spring for possession of marijuana. Nathan Pepper is the other defensive tackle and is a senior who is entering his 3rd year as a starter. Travian Robertson is a veteran tackle who will get a lot of playing time filling in for Ajiboye and Pepper (who has a bad knee). However, after the starting 4 and Robertson, the rest of the depth at defensive line is made of untested freshmen and sophomores. Hopefully nobody gets hurt.

Linebacker: The other part of the strong front 7 for the Gamecocks. Eric Norwood decided to return for his senior year. He is an All-American candidate and the leader of the defense. Rodney Paulk is an experienced middle linebacker who could have a breakout season. Alonzo Winfield is a speedy player who is penciled in at the spur position. Darian Stewart was the spur for the Gamecocks last year and DC Ellis Johnson prefers to play him here, however, Stewart is currently at strong safety replacing the departed Emanuel Cook. If Johnson determines that one of the freshmen are capable of starting at SS, then Stewart will likely move back to the spur position that he dominated last year. A pair of JUCOs, Tony Straughter and Josh Dickerson, along with Shaq Wilson are the backup linebackers.

Cornerback: This may be the biggest weakness of the 2009 Gamecocks. It is a talented group, but a very green unit, which could spell death in the SEC. Last year’s top 3 CBs, Captain Munnerlyn, Stoney Woodson, and Carlos Thomas all are in the NFL now. One of the new starters, Stephon Gilmore, is a true freshman. He was the top recruit this past year for USC, and has to start immediately. Gilmore was a high school QB and Spurrier has talked about using him in a Wildcat formation. He also may return punts. On the other side, Akeem Auguste and C.C. Whitlock are battling to start. Both were top recruits in the 08 class. Auguste played as a backup safety and played well last year. Whitlock played sparingly. All 3 of these guys will likely play a lot regardless of who starts. The primary backup is Addison Williams, who is experienced but has been burned frequently. D.J. Sweringer is another true freshman who will play.

Safety: The Cocks do have experience at safety with Stewart and Chris Culliver. Again, Stewart is currently listed as the starting strong safety but he may move to the spur linebacker position, depending on 2 talented true freshmen: Devonte Holloman and Demario Jeffery. If Johnson deems one of them ready to play, then they will start at strong safety. Chris Culliver, the fastest player on the team, will start at free safety, and is also the primary kick returner. His backup is Antonio Allen. USC is in good hands with this unit.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Culliver is the primary kick returner. He will be joined by Sherman, Auguste, or Gilmore. Auguste is likely to be the primary punt returner. The Gamecocks will miss kicker Ryan Succop, who is now kicking for the Kansas City Chiefs. Former walk-on Spencer Lanning was a solid punter last year and will now take over all kicking duties.

OUTLOOK

With a talented and young team, it’s hard to tell what USC will do this year. I’m not going to make any predictions other than to say they could win anywhere from 5 to 9 games. Having a bowl-eligible team for the school record 6th consecutive year is a good bet.

– Braves14

2009 Tennessee Preview

This has been, without doubt, the most interesting offseason for the Vols in my life time. For the first time since General Neyland was brought in to “beat Vanderbilt,” someone without past ties to the program takes over.

As everyone knows, Phillip Fulmer was forced to step down near the end of one of the worst seasons in Tennessee history. Fulmer was the dean of SEC coaches and finished with 100 more wins than losses. He brought the university a national championship and brought in the program’s most famous athlete. He went to Tennessee. He loved the school. He lived the dream of most East Tennessee boys and played for the Vols. However, when things end, they usually end badly.

Personally, I like Fulmer. I would rather win with Fulmer than anyone else. He loves the team the same way I do. In an era of mercenary coaches like Urban Meyer and Nick Saban, Fulmer was the last of a dying breed of guys who came home to coach.

However, I do agree with the decision. Fulmer wasn’t handling the media well. He wasn’t bringing in the level of athletes he once did. There were legal issues with the ones he did have. The Vols weren’t in sniffing range of Florida, Alabama or a BCS game. It was just unacceptable. Enter Lane Kiffin.

The hiring of Kiffin has brought a lot of attention to the Tennessee football program. Without a doubt, Kiffin won his first press conference. The line about beating Florida is a little over played because after he said it, he said AD Mike Hamilton told him to say something like that.

Quickly Kiffin brought in one of the best coaching staffs in the country. I would assume that Hamilton hired him based on the staff he would bring with him. In a matter of a few months the Volunteers assembled a top 10 recruiting class and landed number one prospect Bryce Brown.

Since then Kiffin has gone on a barn storming tour of the state and saying all the things the fans want to hear. While it has irritated coaches from Florida to Alabama and back, the fans are eating it up.

2009 Season

The first season of the “Kiffin Experiment” is going to be a difficult one. The Vols have inexperience on the offensive line and no one has stepped up to be “the guy” at quarterback. Both are huge problems that followed Fulmer to the door.

The defense finished the 2008 season in the top five in the nation. Led by all world safety Eric Berry and NFL coaching sensation, Monte Kiffin, the Vols defense should be a solid unit again.

Schedule

9/05/09 Western Kentucky 10/24/09 At Alabama

9/12/09 UCLA 10/31/09 SOUTH CAROLINA

9/19/09 At Florida 11/07/09 MEMPHIS

9/26/09 OHIO UNIVERSITY 11/14/09 At Ole’ Miss

10/03/09 AUBURN 11/21/09 VANDERBILT

10/10/09 GEORGIA 11/28/09 At Kentucky

I think the Vols will improve on last years 5-7 season. While the Vols did struggle on offense last season under Dave Clawson, I can’t help but think with the talent on that side of the ball won’t be better. Clawson’s scheme wasn’t very good and the players just didn’t buy in to it.

With that being said, I don’t know how good/ or bad this team is going to be. No one does. But this being a preview and all I will say the Vols beat Western Kentucky, UCLA, Ohio, Memphis, Vandy and Kentucky. Toss ups to Auburn, UGA, Carolina and Ole Miss. Eight wins and a trip to the Peach Bowl might not be out of the question. Nine wins might be a stretch. Seven or less would be viewed as another down year.

–Smitty

2009 Alabama Preview

The Crimson Tide surprised everyone last year by opening the season 12-0, moving from being unranked at the start of the season to several weeks at #1, before losing a heartbreaker to Florida in the SEC Championship Game and sleepwalking through a Sugar Bowl loss to Utah. Still, they are ahead of schedule in returning to national prominence, and only now is the bulk of the talent from Nick Saban’s consecutive top recruiting classes really coming on line.

Offense

Alabama loses its starting quarterback, who played almost every down for the last three seasons, and its leading rusher. However, there’s fairly little concern about replacing those losses, or the losses of the two top tight ends, including the team’s second-leading receiver. The talent is on hand to fill those holes. Of more concern is the loss of three offensive linemen, two four-year and one three-year starter, including two All-Americans, one an Outland Trophy winning first-round NFL draft pick.

John Parker Wilson holds essentially all of the Alabama career and single-season passing records. It never really got him a whole lot of respect, even from Alabama fans. Wilson’s so little regarded, in fact, that many think that his backup, junior Greg McElroy, will step in and be at least as good. McElroy played fairly well in an extremely limited role last year, and has shined in spring practice and some outside camps, but he’s taken, by my reckoning, one snap in a truly contested game in his career; I believe he handed off. It remains to be seen if he’s up to playing Wilson’s “game manager” role, much less actually make plays. If he can’t, there will be trouble, as the top backup is a redshirt sophomore walk-on, Thomas Darrah, who played very briefly in 2008; he has a strong arm but is an unknown quantity when it comes to actually playing. Behind him are redshirt freshman Star Jackson (whom some rumors have maybe changing positions), true freshman AJ McCarron, and sophomore legacy/scout team fodder Morgan Ogilvie. Jackson pretty much proved in spring that he’s not ready yet, though he may be used in limited “Wildcat” type roles, and McCarron probably won’t be physically ready for a couple of years, though he apparently has been impressive in camp. If anything happens to McElroy — and considering the hits he took, it’s a wonder nothing ever happened to Wilson — the Tide will be in trouble.

There is practically no concern about the early departure for the NFL of leading rusher Glen Coffee, who last year only rushed for as many yards as any Alabama runner not named “Bobby Humphrey”, 1,383 (tying Shaun Alexander for second on the Alabama list). The biggest reason why not is that top backup Mark Ingram rushed for 783 yards last season as a true freshman, averaging 5.1 yards a carry, and is expected to get stronger in his first full year in college. He’s joined by senior Roy Upchurch, who when he’s not injures is a force, averaging six yards a rush last year and playing an all-purpose role as both a lead blocker in short yardage situations and a pass-catching/draw-running third-down back out of the shotgun. Both are expected to be pushed by the prize of the recruiting class, Trent Richardson, ranked by some recruiting services as the top running back in the country. Richardson promises a combination of speed and size rarely seen in Tuscaloosa and should contribute immediately, though you can never tell with freshmen. Another freshman, Eddie Lacy, was considered academically questionable coming in, but he qualified and has been as impressive as Richardson in fall camp. Terry Grant, the leading rusher in 2007, played sparingly in 2008 and never seemed to get the hang of the offense. It remains to be seen if the coaching staff can find a role for him, as he would make a lot of sense as a change-of-pace back. Depth took a hit with the transfer of a couple of reserves who decided that between Ingram and Richardson they would remain reserves, but there should be enough left to have a deeper rotation than in recent seasons.

The Alabama receiving game last season was essentially Julio Jones, who as a true freshman had 58 receptions (departed tight end Nick Walker, with 32, was the only other player with more than 16) and 940 yards (fourth in school history, and almost three times as much as Walker’s second-place 324). Jones was everything he was supposed to be as the prize recruit of the 2008 class, providing both speed and physical pass-catching to earn all-conference honors. Behind him, though, it’s not even who the other starter, or starters, will be — it’s not even clear if Alabama will go with three receivers, or return to last year’s primary two-tight-end look.

As it stands, Mike McCoy is listed as a returning starter at receiver but plays almost a tight end role, prized more for his downfield blocking than his pass-catching skills. He’s the second-leading returning receiver with 16, but in his two years as a starter has shown little ability to make plays, averaging less than ten yards a reception. Hope for a big-play receiver to take the pressure off of Jones largely rests on the shoulders of Marquis Maze, who is undersized but is the fastest player on the team. Darius Hanks, who was a star in practice in the 2008 offseason, fell through the cracks for most of the season before coming on late. Beyond these four are Earl Alexander, a converted quarterback who has shown talent but also a tendency to get injured, and several freshmen. The assumption is that someone will emerge opposite Jones.

At tight end, the top man is senior Colin Peek, who was allegedly the best tight end on the team last year but was ineligible to play while sitting out a transfer year from Georgia Tech. Peek is big and can catch; in the previous seasons, Alabama really didn’t have a blocking/catching combination at the tight end position. Peek is going to play through a fractured foot; if he can stay in the lineup, he is very likely to finish second on the team in receptions.

Alabama’s base set last year was two tight ends, and they’ll use two or three a lot of the time no matter what, but who other than Peek will be involved isn’t clear. Sophomore Brad Smelley started last year as a redshirt but finished as a member of the playing rotation, and caught some passes from McElroy. He’s bulked up from last year and hopes to be more of an every-down player. Junior Preston Dial started one game last year, but may have been passed in the rotation. Baron Huber, the previous “starting” fullback who hardly ever played, is now listed as a tight end and is likely to be used when a lead blocker is needed. There are also two converted defensive ends, Michael Williams and Undra Billingsley, who could play the “extra offensive lineman” role.

The offensive line loses three starters, two of whom were All-Americans, one of them an Outland Trophy winner and top-ten NFL first round draft pick. The latter, Andre Smith, was greatly missed in the games he was unable to play – against Tulane with an injury and against Utah in the Sugar Bowl due to suspension. The former, Antoine Caldwell, was merely an all-conference center and four-year starter and a team leader. Throw in four-year starting guard Marlon Davis, and there are a lot of holes to fill, though Alabama returns all-conference left guard Mike Johnson and starting right tackle Drew Davis, both seniors.

At least one first-year player is going to start, possibly two. James Carpenter, a JUCO transfer, was in classes in the spring and started at left tackle in the spring game, and seems to have nailed down the position; if anything, he’s more secure than Davis. And mammoth (6-7, 350) true freshman tackle DJ Fluker, another recruiting prize, seems likely to play, possibly backing up both left tackle positions. Fluker is an incredible talent, but has only played offensive line for one year, having started out on defense in high school.

Center appears to be secured by William Vlachos, a junior who has backed up both there and at guard, but who at six feet even is considered too short for the latter position. The one position that hasn’t been settled yet is right guard. Early in camp, the leader seemed to be Alfred McCullough, a converted defensive tackle, but then sophomore Barrett Jones seemingly took over. And if Fluker continues to impress, Davis, who is stronger as a run blocker anyway, could move inside. Alabama offensive line coach Joe Pendry likes to keep his best five linemen on the field, which has probably helped the team as long as the top five remained together, but when players were lost, as Smith last year and as Caldwell and Davis were two years ago in the textbook fiasco, continuity often suffered as the survivors moved around. The top backups, other than Fluker, appear to be Brian Motley (who has played both center and nose tackle in his career but now seems to be a guard), true freshman Chase Warmack, and last year’s top backup, junior David Ross, who was beaten out by Vlachos at center.

Defense

The defense is expected to carry the load early on, both because it has more returning players and because it was the stronger unit last year. Only two players on the 2008 defensive depth chart ran out of eligibility, though several others have transferred out or gone on medical scholarship. Those two losses, however, were the team leader in sacks and the team leader, period, and replacing them, especially the latter, is key. The Tide also needs to strengthen the pass rush, which has been by far the weakest part of the defense under Saban.

Up front, it starts with All-American senior nose tackle Terrance Cody. Cody, who chose to forego the NFL draft though he was a likely first-round pick, has “slimmed” down to about 340 pounds – at his peak, he was over 400 — but “Mount Cody” is still going to have the size advantage on pretty much everyone, and is expected to continue to occupy two blockers on most run plays, and hopes to play more on passing downs this year. Junior Josh Chapman is his backup and usually came in on those plays last year; the strongest man on the team, Chapman would probably be a starter anywhere else in the country. (Of course, most teams use two tackles.) True freshman Darrington Sentimore was thought to be a defensive end coming in, but has been working at tackle and has been impressive there.

Despite the graduation of top pass-rusher Bobby Greenwood, there was relatively little doubt about the defensive ends coming in. Senior Brandon Deaderick, second on the team to Greenwood with four sacks, will flip from the combination DT/DE spot to Greenwood’s vacated pure end position, while top backup Lorenzo Washington, the 2007 starter at nose tackle, takes Deaderick’s place. The Alabama line was undersized for the 3-4 two years ago, but now possesses NFL type bulk, averaging well over 300 pounds, thanks to Cody. Top reserves are sophomore Marcel Dareus and junior Luther Davis, while true freshman Kerry Murphy – who has been trying to qualify at Alabama seemingly since Gene Stallings was the coach and has finally succeeded – is likely to play somewhere.

All four starting linebackers were expected to return, but after apparently losing his starting job at “Jack” (a combo DE/LB) Brandon Fanney left the team, while top inside reserve Prince Hall finally transferred after winning the Joe Namath Most Suspended Award three springs running. There is still plenty of talent available. In the middle linebacker spot, junior Rolando McClain is a preseason All-American who has started at this “defensive quarterback” position basically since he stepped on campus, and led the team last year with 95 tackles and 12 tackles for loss.

The other two returning starting linebackers will start somewhere, though where isn’t necessarily clear. At the weak (inside) position sophomore Dont’a Hightower was fourth on the team in tackles as a freshman, but with his size and athleticism has led the coaching staff to experiment with him at the Jack position. At the strong (outside) position, senior Cory Reamer is considered a bit willowy (6-4, 218) but is evidently held in high regard. If Hightower moves outside, he may more inside. Eryk Anders was used as a situational pass-rusher last year but has been working as the starter at Jack more often than not; right now, the default would seem to be the three returnees at their present positions and Anders replacing Fanney, with Hightower moving outside in clear passing situations.

The backups are universally sophomores and freshmen, usually with little experience outside special teams. Jerrell Harris, Chris Jordan, and Courtney Upshaw are the “veterans” of the group as true sophomores and all are talented, but being pushed by true freshmen Nico Johnson and Tana Patrick. This should be the first year since 2005 that at least one freshman hasn’t started the opener at linebacker for Alabama, but there’s every chance that at least one will be starting by the end of the season.

The defensive backfield returns three starters, but loses its leader, two-year starting safety Rashad Johnson, the team leader in interceptions and second in tackles. Johnson also directed the defensive backfield, sharing play-calling roles with McClain. However, both cornerbacks return. Javier Arenas spent most of his first two years at Alabama as a pure kick returner, but given the chance to try playing defense excelled, winning the starting cornerback position and starring, playing well enough that he’s a preseason award candidate and considered a possible first-round draft pick. On the other side, junior Kareem Jackson has started every game since he came to Alabama and suffered only on comparison to Arenas. Arenas usually moves inside to the “star” nickel position when extra defensive backs are employed. Last year, his backup, and the corner in these situations, was Marquis Johnson, now a senior, who was frequently burned. True freshman Dre Kirkpatrick is challenging Johnson, and fans, at least, hope he succeeds. Chris Rogers, like Johnson a senior, and BJ Scott, a converted wideout, are also in the mix.

At safety, Justin Woodall surprised many by stepping right into the position opposite Rashad Johnson, and played very well, intercepting four passes (second on the team) and recording 44 tackles (seventh). Heading into his senior season, he’s expected to take on some of Johnson’s leadership role. His playing role will be assumed by sophomore Robby Green, who played mostly special teams last season and who at 6-0, 180 is much slighter than your ordinary safety. Senior Ali Sharrief is the top backup, and will move around; Alabama may play three safeties much of the time in nickel and dime packages, with Sharrief moving up. Mark Barron, a prized recruit last year who played a good bit both on defense and special teams, is also in the mix, and some still expect him to eventually supplant Green.

Special Teams

Many Alabama fans were shocked to see placekicker Leigh Tiffin as a preseason All-SEC pick, because he isn’t generally considered that reliable. But there wasn’t really a returning kicker who stood out as better, and they have to pick someone there. Tiffin has worked on getting stronger to aid in kickoffs and longer fieldgoals, but his biggest problem has been consistency. In some games, he looks great, but in others he’s been a problem, especially against Arkansas two years ago, when his poor kicking cost the Tide the game, and against LSU last year, when potential game winner at the end of regulation was blocked and Alabama had to win in overtime. There’s no experience behind him and it’s his job to lose.

Punter PJ Fitzgerald is pretty faceless, but has improved in each of his years as the punter to the degree that he certainly isn’t a liability. He’s not the type of guy who booms kicks, but has been reliable and is pretty good at tactical kicking, getting the ball inside the ten or pinning returners against the sidelines. He also serves as the holder on placekicks.

Arenas returns for his fourth year as the primary return man after leading the conference in punt return yards and touchdowns last year. It’s not clear who will join him on kickoffs. Last year, it was often McCoy, for blocking purposes. This year, it could be any of the top four wide receivers. Certainly there’s an attraction to having Jones deep alongside Arenas, which really leaves the opposition with a dilemma on who to kick to.

Schedule

Alabama opens for the second year in a row with a neutral-site game in Atlanta against an ACC opponent, this year Virginia Tech. That will be a test right off; the rest of the nonconference schedule is minor-conference pushovers none of whom is supposed to be a challenge, but the Tide always seems to have one game where they play down to that level.

This is a “good schedule” year, with Arkansas, Tennessee, and LSU traveling to Tuscaloosa, but the apparent rise of Ole Miss and decline of Arkansas and Tennessee changes that somewhat. As it stands, there are three top ten teams on the schedule, and Alabama plays one on the road (Mississippi), one at home (LSU) and one at a neutral site (VPI). Georgia cycles off the schedule, replaced by South Carolina, who come to Tuscaloosa in a potential trap game between the Rebels and Volunteers. Bama travels to Auburn to end the season; it’s impossible for me to predict what the Tigers will look like by then. Right now, the only game they’d maybe be projected to lose is against Ole Miss, but it remains to be seen how much the Rebels are for real and how much is hype.

UPDATE

Aug. 31: Depth Chart! Barrett Jones is the starting right guard, Mark Barron beat out Robby Green at safety after all. The offense is listed as two tight ends, with Brad Smelley the H-Back, though he’s a completely different type of player than last year’s H-Back.