Part of this article is about tight ends. Well, here ya go. She's one of the Vic's Secret models...I think her name is Wedontpayyoutotalk Shutupandlookpretty. Sounds Russian to me.
So today I'll be continuing my presumptuous attempt at ordering the depth chart, or at least the starters, for the Virginia Tech game. Up next, TE and OL.
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Tight End - Over the years, it's been hard for me to watch all these other teams with badass tight ends go up for jump balls, keep the chains moving, sit in a spot in the end zone every time for an easy 6 points...it sucked. And if I were a quarterback, I'd be begging for the coaches to make sure they go out and get the best TE possible for me. The much-forgotten position of blocker/receiver/3rd down go-to guy/QB's safety valve is often never talked about, or hell, even cared about.
Well Nick Walker came out like gangbusters last year, seemingly being JPW's favorite target for the first few games, and then he disappeared. Well this year, we have someone who won't disappear. We have someone nobody is talking about. And we have someone who will help ease Greg McElroy's mind when put in crucial situations. I'm talking about Georgia Tech transfer, Colin Peek, who will certainly make a name for himself this fall. We finally have an athletic, do-everything tight end with NFL talent. Insider (details below) warns though that his foot is still not 100%, so that's something to watch.
But it doesn't end there. I'm smiling as I write this, because as I'm filling out this depth chart, for once...it really is a DEPTH chart. Preston Dial is a confident and capable blocker, and Brad Smelley has proven you can look his way on third down. Behind them we have Chris Underwood and Michael Williams. We don't have a freshman TE coming in, but we've offered three for the class of 2010. And I'm sure if we really need one, Coach will successfully transform a DE or two into a capable tight end if need be.
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Now, as for the offensive line...I came across a post on a rivals.com about a guy who met George O'Leary at the airport or a bar or something. They got to talking football, and O'Leary ended up saying that every team in CFB is able to land skill players. It's the big boys in the trenches that make all the difference, and it's hard for "lesser" teams to recruit those guys. And it makes sense if you think about it. The biggest, baddest, nastiest, strongest, toughest guys are either offensive or defensive linemen. And they want to go to a school who is in line for a championship, especially if they're going to be bending their knees, arching their back, and backpedaling while another big dude (or two) punches, slaps, and beats on him every time the ball is snapped.
So how's Bama been recruiting on the OL? Well, in 2008 we were the #4 OL class, and last season we landed the #1 OL class. So something tells me Nicky Saban understands the need for a top notch line to succeed in college football, especially in the SEC. Enough with yo jibba jabba, who we got?!
Well, let me preface this with more jibba jabba. I know we all have our "insiders", but I truly do. I'm not going to say a thing about him, other than he has more access to "The Process" than your insiders. I try not to bother him with incessant questions every day about whether this guy is coming or is that guy doing well, but I did ask him his thoughts on the depth chart. He told me to remember Joe Pendry (Assistant HC, OL coach) and his formula---always play your best five linemen, regardless of position. So with a little influence of what my buddy told me and my own thoughts on the matter, I'll attempt to give you the offensive line depth chart.
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Left Tackle -We all know big Andre Smith has left for fatter pastures. Greener! I meant greener. So that leaves a literal big ass space on the left side of our line, often called the weak side, often called the blind side for righty QB's, and often called "the side Bama runs to, until we play Auburn---gotcha bitches!" Now who is big enough, hyped enough, and talented enough to walk in big Dre's shoes? Well, I know you're all thinking D.J. Fluker. If you don't know who DJ is, well, here's a picture of how he measures up to his teammates. And you all may have an argument here...but I just don't think he's ready for the left side yet. It's the most important position on the line, and maybe any position in football other than the quarterback. We HAD to use Andre there when he was 18, but we don't HAVE to use Fluker there now.
Personally, I think we place James Carpenter at left tackle. He's a JUCO transfer, so he has the experience---at least at a level above high school. He's big enough at 6'5, 305 to get the job done, and many have said he looks the part. Not to mention he's been at the Capstone since what, December? Meaning he's knee deep in the strength and conditioning program, he participated in spring practice, and he knows what Saban asks of him. My money is on him over the new big boy.
LEFT GUARD - Mike Johnson. Period. Dude is a dominant run blocker, and though his pass blocking skills leave a little to be desired (read: I pop veins in my neck yelling at him occasionally), if Carpenter proves to be able to hold his own, they can establish a rapport with each other and really create a steamroller on the left side, much like the 2008 season. Johnson has a mean streak, and once he gets going, it's fun to watch.
CENTER - From all accounts, it seems this job may be William Vlachos's to lose. He's about Carpenter's size, but my "guy" says Chance Warmack could push him for the starting gig. He also mentioned Warmack was built like a brick house, soooo that doesn't hurt. Our backup center from '08, Evan Cardwell, has decided to leave the team, so it's not very soothing that the guy with his hand on the football first will be greener than a leprechaun's ass.
RIGHT GUARD - Outstanding deodorant if you ask me. Though my buddy and I agree on the actual player and situation though: Drew Davis did very well holding down the fort at right tackle last year. But since we still have a gigantic D.J. Fluker to account for (6'7, 350), maybe Saban and Pendry will move Davis inside to secure a legitimate guard spot, while we place Fluker at RIGHT TACKLE and mold him into an eventual keystone left tackle. It makes a lot of sense now, but God only knows what the fall practice will show us.
Speaking of, we have plenty of big names we haven't mentioned yet. John Michael Boswell, Tyler Love, Alfred McCullough, Brian Motley, and David Ross, among some others. Some of those guys will be pushing for a starting spot, so don't count any of them out. Just because I didn't talk them up doesn't mean they'll be riding pine.
So in summary: Carpenter - Johnson - Vlachos - Davis - Fluker. That's not a bad combination, dude. We may a few hiccups, but nothing like opposing fans try to persuade us to believe. Once we hit the heart of the schedule versus SEC opponents, we should have a pretty good rhythm going from these guys, and that could be scary.
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So there you go, that's my shot in the dark to nail down the OL and TE positions for the Va Tech game. And I don't really know where these music video title quotes are coming from, but if there was a way to stop doing it, I would.
Stay tuned, the fun stuff awaits---DEFENSE!!!
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