Most of you are rolling like the Afghani military against the Taliban. Good lord. Our kids look great physically and at least getting off the bus in Atlanta we look like we belong. Interview after interview our kids sound mature emotionally and the chemistry appears to be excellent for the first time in decades. We have real locker room and on field leaders. We haven't had that for 18 years. This is easily the best coaching staff on paper in almost 20 years.
Alabama is going to roll our offensive line? Perhaps but I'm betting on it will significantly be better based on 3 important keys. Donaldson has 34 starts, has dropped 30 pounds and looks like an NFL ready guard. Rivers looks like the blue chipper he was coming out of high school. And Scaife with 30 starts is in his natural position. The kid beat out a 7th year guy who also has a ton of starts. We have an NFL prospect in Nelson. If he holds his own against arguably the best defensive end NFL prospect, then he shoots up the draft board himself.
Even defensively the front 4 looks great physically. Ford and Miller are completely recrafted. Harvey is much, much bigger. And despite getting maligned McCloud is now in his natural position and he is certainly big enough. Again, he beat out the kid from Tennessee who will most certainly get close to 50% of the snaps anyway. Williams looks great. I'm betting on Simpson who is a real pro and T-Rob who is as fine a defensive back coach in America. Bob Shoop developing the game plan is huge. Another real pro.
My only question is can the kids finally not get overwhelmed in the huge spotlight? We shall see, but I think we will be competitive. Huge challenge for sure. Should be fun.