The difference is your defense. Arky will eat up that thin inexperienced D-Line with a big dose of Mcfadden and Jones.
Terry, while there is some depth in some of the positions you mentioned, there should be a clear concern as Bama progresses out of two-a-days and into the season. Sure , if UA remains perfectly healthy, bama could potentially do some real damage in the SECW. But its not likely ..... Four of Bama's final 5 opponents have solid running games, 3 of them very good rushing attacks. I just don't see 9 wins (realistically) for the Tide this season. Saban will rebuild Bama and I fully expect them to be competing for SEC titles again in a couple of years, but a 3-win improvement in year one is a tall order - even for an accomplished coach like Saban.
The D-line isn't thin, nor inexperienced. The DT position is with only one player at this point ready to contribute. However, in the 3-4 scheme you rely on the MLB's to stop the run. As example, Prince Hall was very good at stopping the run last season as was Matt Collins. Last season, there was a depth problem at the DT position and McFadden and Jones didn't eat us up. In fact, the game was in hand with the exception of 4 missed kicks which would have ended that game in regulation. Bad move by the coach not to switch kickers when Christenson could have replaced Tiffin that week, and did the next. It was the OL that was weak. Weak scheme, weak instruction, weak practice regime, weak coach. It ALL falls on Con, which leads right to the coach who wouldn't take the time to see the weakness. His scheme works for a spread attack. A pro-style attack, no. If you want further example watch UCLA for the next couple of years and watch the quality of their OL decline week to week. It's your opinion, I understand. Tall order, I don't think so. I know how the team is progressing coming out of spring and will know more coming out of the fall camps. This isn't just a call made from a fan, but a call made from an informed opinion. We'll see, won't we?
Keep telling yourself that Terry and you may be in for a bigger let down than you are bargaining for. You have a nose tackle position being filled by someone who has NEVER started a game there...EVER. There is no back up in that position either...NONE. You have only 3 defensive lineman with experience (Gilberry, Greenwood, Saunders) and 3 others who have never lived up to the hype they were recruited under (Deadrick, Washington, Fanney). Furthermore, the linebacking core returns one (Hall) real contributor with a bunch of young players and fringe players to fill the other holes. That front 7 is, BY FAR, the biggest question mark on the field. When you have such HUGE question marks at 4 of the front 7 positions and really only 3 players with solid contributions that is what defines INEXPERIENCED. One or 2 injuries there and you will be playing true freshman, that is what defines THIN. I will admit that Bama's offense looks to be VERY strong but they are going to need it. That defense wont be wining many games for you.
And the Texans O line isnt thin or inexperienced, but it doesnt mean they are good. The DT, being a player that was an offensive lineman a few months ago?
